Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Putnam County — the filing sequence, notice requirements, and accounting leave little room for error. Estates under the small-estate threshold are the usual exception.
Florida uses a presumed-reasonable fee schedule for probate attorneys — the percentages are a starting point that can be negotiated, especially for simple estates. Putnam County firms typically follow the schedule for routine work and negotiate on complex matters.
A probate attorney files the petition with the Clerk of Circuit Court, publishes the required creditor notices, prepares the inventory and accounting, handles creditor claims and tax filings, and guides the final distribution. They represent the personal representative — not the beneficiaries — a distinction that matters if a dispute develops.
Solo PracticeJacksonville, FL
Since 1966 · Serves 15 counties
Jacksonville firm handling estate administration for families across northeast Florida, from Duval and Clay through Marion and Suwannee counties. Opens probate estates, investigates creditor claims, addresses estate and income taxes, and distributes assets to heirs; also drafts wills, trusts, and advance directives. Robert W. Elrod, Jr. continues a practice his father started in 1966.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateWills Trusts
- Office
- 233 East Bay Street, 10th Floor, Suite 1032Jacksonville, FL 32202
FirmSt. Augustine, FL
Serves 4 counties
St. Augustine firm on A1A Beach Boulevard with a second office in Jacksonville, handling St. Johns and Duval County probate and trust administration. Guides personal representatives through formal administration and small-estate dispositions, and pairs that with estate planning, elder law, and tax work. Jonathan P. Hermes is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder LawTax Planning
- Office
- 460 A1A Beach BlvdSt. Augustine, FL 32080
Solo PracticeSt. Augustine, FL
Serves 4 counties
St. Augustine solo practice serving St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, and Clay counties. Handles estate planning, probate, estate and trust administration, and sealing and expungement. Brittany Fraser Keith is a St. Augustine native and offers consultations of up to an hour at no charge.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateSealing ExpungementWills Trusts
- Office
- 1510 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd., Suite BSt. Augustine, FL 32084
Solo PracticeGainesville, FL
Since 1927 · Serves 11 counties
Gainesville firm founded in 1927 by E.G. Baxter and E.A. Clayton, one of the oldest continuously operated law firms in Florida. Handles estate administration, probate, trust administration, and asset-protection and charitable trusts for families across eleven north-central Florida counties, from Alachua and Marion to Lafayette, Dixie, and Putnam.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateTax Planningand 3 more
- Office
- 18 NW 33rd CourtGainesville, FL 32607
FirmGainesville, FL
Since 1974 · Serves 12 counties
Gainesville firm serving Alachua County and north-central Florida since 1974. Handles probate and estate administration, trust administration, wills and trusts, Medicaid planning, and elder and minor guardianships. Richard Knellinger was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1974 and holds Martindale-Hubbell's AV Peer Review Rating.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbateElder Lawand 2 more
- Office
- 2815 NW 13th Street, Suite 305Gainesville, FL 32609
FirmLive Oak, FL
Since 2007 · Serves 8 counties
North Florida firm with offices in Live Oak, Lake City, and Jacksonville, working the Third Judicial Circuit -- Suwannee, Columbia, Lafayette, Hamilton, Madison, Taylor, and Dixie counties. Handles probate, wills and estates, guardianship, and family law. Serving clients since 2007.
PracticesEstate PlanningProbateGuardianshipWills Trusts
- Office
- 320 White AvenueLive Oak, FL 32064
Firm listings are for informational purposes only. SimplyTrust does not endorse or recommend any specific firm or attorney. Contact firms directly to verify their current practice areas and availability.
