Florida uses formal, court-supervised probate, which makes an attorney worthwhile for most estates in Sarasota 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. Sarasota 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 & County Comptroller, 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.
FirmSarasota, FL
Since 1983 · Serves 4 counties
Sarasota elder-law and probate practice operating since 1983 across Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto, and Charlotte counties. Works with personal representatives through the Twelfth Judicial Circuit on inventory, creditor claims, homestead, and accountings, plus trust administration and guardianship. Ira Wiesner is a Florida Bar board-certified elder law specialist.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationElder Lawand 2 more
- Office
- 328 N Rhodes AveSarasota, FL 34237
FirmSarasota, FL
Since 1995 · Serves 3 counties
Sarasota elder law and estate planning firm founded in 1995, serving Sarasota, Tampa, and St. Petersburg. Handles probate and trust administration, guardianship proceedings, long-term care planning, special needs trusts, and veterans benefits. Two of its attorneys were among the first three board certified elder law attorneys in Florida.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 2 more
- Office
- 46 N. Washington Blvd., Suite 21Sarasota, FL 34236
FirmSarasota, FL
Since 1971 · Serves 2 counties
Sarasota estate and trust firm on Main Street, practicing in Sarasota and Manatee counties since 1971. Handles probate and estate administration, trust administration, contested wills and trusts, inheritance disputes, guardianship, and Medicaid planning across Sarasota, Bradenton, and Lakewood Ranch. R. Craig Harrison is board certified by The Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 3 more
- Office
- 1605 Main Street, Suite 1111Sarasota, FL 34236
Solo PracticeSarasota, FL
Since 2011 · Serves 2 counties
Sarasota practice founded in 2011, with a second office in Lakewood Ranch, serving Sarasota and Manatee counties. Handles probate, trust administration and settlement after death, estate and gift tax planning, and probate and trust disputes including arbitration and mediation. David M. Silberstein has been Florida Bar board certified in both Tax Law and Wills, Trusts and Estates since 1998.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationTrust Litigationand 4 more
- Office
- 1515 Ringling Boulevard, Suite 860Sarasota, FL 34236
FirmSarasota, FL
Serves 2 counties
Sarasota firm on Fruitville Road serving Sarasota and Manatee counties, including Bradenton. Teresa K. Bowman and Chrystal R. Koch guide personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries through probate and trust administration, from the initial filings and creditor notices to distribution and closing. Bowman is a Certified Elder Law Attorney credentialed by the National Elder Law Foundation.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationElder LawGuardianshipand 3 more
- Office
- 3277 Fruitville Road, Suites D-1 & D-2Sarasota, FL 34237
FirmBradenton, FL
Since 1995 · Serves 4 counties
Bradenton firm serving Manatee and Sarasota counties from five offices, including Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, Anna Maria Island, and downtown Sarasota. Handles formal and summary probate administration, creditor claims, trust administration and accountings, will contests and fiduciary disputes, and guardianship proceedings. Established 1995.
PracticesEstate PlanningTrust AdministrationProbate LitigationGuardianshipProbate Administration
- Office
- 3119 Manatee Avenue WestBradenton, FL 34205
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.
