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2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Gainesville

Our Recommended Top 18

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Gainesville Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

42Reviewed

32Curated

18Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

6224 NW 43rd Street Suite B, Gainesville, FL 32653
Website

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Google
4.9 (72)
Avvo
5.0 (23)
Facebook
5.0 (18)

Why choose this provider?

Harrison Estate Law provides services to clients in the Gainesville metro. It assists in probate administration, including preparing the legal documents to be filed in probate court and advising on the personal representative's fiduciary responsibilities in transferring the estate's assets to the intended beneficiaries. Additionally, the law firm handles trust administration and ancillary administration. One of the firm's partners, McCabe G. Harrison, has an advanced degree in taxation, enabling him to manage the financial and tax aspects of the estate.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Casey Harrison - PrincipalActive14 yrs

200 NW 75th Drive Suite B, Gainesville, FL 32607

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Google
5.0 (8)
Facebook
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

PTM Trust and Estate Law serves individuals and families throughout the local metro and the adjoining areas. The firm handles matters surrounding probate and trust administration, taking on both summary and formal administration of an estate. Likewise, the firm offers estate planning services and helps with setting up living trusts, lady bird deeds, guardianship agreements, designations of health care surrogates, and powers of attorney. The firm's lawyer, Blake Moore, has had articles published by the Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association’s Forum 8.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

126 Northwest 76 Drive, Gainesville, FL 32607

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Avvo
5.0 (12)
Google
4.0 (8)
Yelp
3.5 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Home Town Law PA is a law firm that offers probate and estate administration services for clients in Gainesville. Attorney Sabrina Tomshinsky and her legal team are well-versed in the process of probating a will. They can offer assistance with related administrative duties, including taking inventory of assets, contacting creditors and settling debts, and preparing and filing final tax returns. Ms. Tomshinsky is admitted to practice in state and federal courts throughout Florida.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Sabina Tomshinsky - PrincipalActive19 yrs

806 NW 16th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601
Website

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Review Sources

Google
5.0 (13)

Why choose this provider?

Since 2020, Legally Remote has been working with clients across Gainesville. It helps them throughout the probate process and handles their concerns involving estate or trust administration. For clients seeking to minimize their tax liability, the firm performs estate planning and prepares documents like wills. It also provides qualified custodian services and allows individuals to sign documents digitally. Founder Minerva Santiago once worked as a partner at the Special Kids Law Center, which offers special needs planning solutions. She is fluent in Spanish.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

2830 Northwest 41 Street, Gainesville, FL 32606
Website

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Review Sources

Google
5.0 (9)
Facebook
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

The Miller Elder Law Firm PA features a probate attorney in Gainesville. Attorneys Shannon Miller is focused on helping her clients get through the probate process efficiently and without encountering major delays whenever possible. She assists with all steps, including repaying creditors, filing taxes, and distributing assets. In addition to probate law, Ms. Miller also practices in a variety of other legal areas. That includes estate planning, Medicaid planning, and trust litigation.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Shannon Miller - PrincipalActive30 yrs

4001 West Newberry Road, #E4, Gainesville, FL 32607
Website

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Google
5.0 (24)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Shigo Law Firm, P.A., has been serving people residing in Gainesville for more than 25 years. Its founders, Thomas and Lynne Shigo, focus on providing individualized attention to clients while also offering the resources of a large firm. They assist families in resolving various problems that come up throughout the probate process, such as tortious interference, the exploitation or abuse of the elderly, and fiduciary obligation breaches by personal representatives or beneficiaries. The other practice areas of the firm include business and tax law.

  • Probate Litigation

4046 W. Newberry Road, Gainesville, FL 32607

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Siegel Hughes & Ross offers probate and trust litigation solutions to clients throughout the Gainesville metro. Some cases that the firm handles include allegations of undue influence, breach of fiduciary duty, challenges to testamentary capacity, and defective execution. Its lawyers have more than nine decades of combined experience, and its founder, Brent G. Siegel, is board-certified by the Florida Bar Association in business litigation. He is also accredited as a mediator by the Supreme Court Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution Center.

  • Inheritance Taxes
  • Estate Taxes

3312 W. University Ave., Gainesville, FL 32607
Website

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Review Sources

Avvo
4.8 (88)
Google
4.4 (36)
Facebook
4.3 (20)

Why choose this provider?

Marraffino Law Firm has been helping Gainesville residents with their legal needs for over three decades. It offers estate planning services and guides families of lost loved ones throughout the probate process. The firm handles the preparation of wills, living wills and trusts, and health care powers of attorney. In addition to probate and estate planning matters, Marraffino Law Firm provides personal injury, bankruptcy, and family law representation. Founder Lawrence Joseph Marraffino also works as an adjunct law professor.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

4400 NW 23rd Ave Suite A, Gainesville, FL 32606

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Law Office of Larry E. Ciesla serves individuals and families dealing with probate matters in Gainesville. The firm's legal team also assists in the area of estate planning. It helps protect clients' assets in the event of death by preparing and drafting powers of attorney and special needs trusts. Real estate and elder law are other legal areas of practice. Primary attorney Larry E. Ciesla has been offering legal services since 1979. He is a co-author of the Eighth Judicial Bar Association's Guidelines of Professional Courtesy.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

1731 NW 6th St #A5, Gainesville, FL 32609
Website

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Review Sources

Google
4.9 (214)
Facebook
4.4 (15)
Avvo
4.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Established in 2014, Florida Probate Law Group is a legal practice that serves the Gainesville area. Its practice areas cover probate, guardianship, and settlement support. The settlement support involves wrongful death estate administration, deceased defendant estate administration, and special needs trusts. Its founding partner, R. Nadine David, was part of the honors program of his alma mater. She received the William F. Blews Award for Pro Bono Service and the Maria G. Martin Award for Best Treatise in Legal Ethics in 2010.

  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Charles David - PartnerActive13 yrs

2750 NW 43rd St. Suite 102, Gainesville, FL 32606
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.7 (37)
Google
5.0 (10)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Mary K. Wimsett represents clients in Gainesville in the areas of family and elder law. It assists individuals in navigating the probate process to facilitate the collection and distribution of the decedents' assets to designated beneficiaries. To protect clients' estate and properties for future generations, the law firm drafts last wills and testaments, durable powers of attorney, and advanced health care directives. A family advocate, founding attorney Mary Wimsett has helped more than 300 families through the adoption process.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Mary Wimsett - PrincipalActive27 yrs

5608 NW 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL 32653
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.6 (14)
Google
4.7 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Holden, Roscow & Caedington, PL Attorneys at Law, caters to clients in the Gainesville metro and the surrounding areas. It assists individuals throughout the entire probate process, including asset identification and collection, valid debts payment, and asset distribution to beneficiaries. The firm also provides estate planning services and guides in wills and trust drafting. Charles I. Holden, one of the firm's attorneys, has been practicing law since 1965. He is a board member of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce.

925 NW 56th Terrace Park Avenue, Suite B, Gainesville, FL 32605
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (36)
Yelp
1.0 (3)
Avvo
3.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Toney Law Firm provides legal assistance in matters of probate law to the locals of Gainesville. It guides its clients through a court-supervised process where the decedent's assets are identified, gathered, and distributed to the heirs or beneficiaries. The firm also handles other cases including elder law, real estate closings, guardianship, trust administration, and estate planning. Lead attorney A. Scott Toney is an active member of the Gainesville community, speaking for many events regarding estate planning and probate issues.

  • Estate Planning
  • Elder Law
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Aaron Toney - PrincipalActive31 yrs

1330 NW 6th Street, Gainesville, FL 32601

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (34)
Facebook
5.0 (6)
Justia
10.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Itasca Legal PLLC is a law firm located in Gainesville. Its attorney, Itasca M. Greagor, prepares various estate planning documents for clients. These include revocable living trusts, living wills, and durable powers of attorney. She also guides clients through the process of selecting healthcare surrogates. In addition, Greagor handles Real Estate Closing cases, Personal Injuties and the issues associated with it, including child support, alimony, and property division.

4545 Northwest 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32605
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (4)
Avvo
4.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Sam W. Boone Jr. PA is a Gainesville-based attorney who handles probate and estate administration. He is dedicated to providing compassionate, effective service for his clients as they navigate the probate process after a loved one has passed away. In addition to probate, he also handles a variety of other estate-related matters, including estate planning, Medicaid planning, and living wills. Mr. Boone has been named to the Florida Super Lawyers list and was provided an AV-Preeminent peer rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Sam Boone - PrincipalActive45 yrs

1 SE First Avenue, Gainesville, FL 32601
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (19)

Why choose this provider?

Scruggs, Carmichael & Wershow, P.A., is a general practice firm serving clients in Gainesville. It handles legal matters involving estate and trust administration, civil litigation, and family and administrative law. One of its associates, Bill Littell, carries over 40 years of experience, focusing his practice on estate planning. His services include preparing last will, revocable and irrevocable trusts, health care surrogate designation, and power of attorney. He also helps transfer the decedent's assets to their beneficiaries with minimum tax consequences.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Jonathan Wershow - PartnerActive52 yrs

5200 Southwest 91 Terrace, Gainesville, FL 32608

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (35)
Facebook
5.0 (3)
Avvo
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Warner, Sechrest, and Butts PA is a law office in Gainesville providing legal services for individuals and businesses. Its attorneys use their experience and knowledge to help clients navigate the probate proceedings, including notifying creditors, paying required debts, filing taxes, and distributing assets to the beneficiaries. The legal team also handles litigation, including claims against the estate, will contests, and disputes between heirs. Other practice areas include estate planning, business law, and personal injury claims.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
David Warner - PartnerActive26 yrs

5618 NW 43rd Street, Gainesville, FL 32653
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Since 2008, Ossi Law Group, P.A., has been serving clients in Gainesville and the surrounding areas. It assists clients in arranging and completing the transfer of their assets and wealth to designated beneficiaries. Its attorneys notify beneficiaries and heirs, identify and gather the assets of decedents, and work with creditors to settle valid claims. They also handle multi-generational planning for a variety of clients, including physicians, athletes, and businesses. Founding partner Susan M. Ossi is a board-certified specialist in wills, trusts, and estates law.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Susan Ossi - Founding PartnerActive23 yrs

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Gainesville, Florida?

    352-955-1818 is the non-emergency dispatch hotline for the Gainesville Police Department.

  • How does ancillary administration in Gainesville work for an out-of-state property?

    Gainesville's auxiliary administration procedure for out-of-state property entails collaboration between attorneys from each state. Together, they must ensure that the decedent's assets are handled correctly in each state and are properly transferred to beneficiaries or heirs. This coordinated effort makes it possible for the estate to be administered efficiently and effectively, even when assets are dispersed throughout several states.

  • Are you allowed to obtain a death certificate from a Gainesville funeral home for probate purposes?

    Funeral homes in Gainesville can prepare and file death certificates, which you can use for probate. Given the complexity of probate, it is generally advised to secure ten copies of the death certificate: five with the cause of death, and five without. Death certificates are crucial to settling the affairs of the deceased, and funeral homes and mortuaries regularly issue these for the purpose of probate proceedings.

  • What are the grounds for challenging a will in Gainesville ?

    A will can be challenged in Gainesville on grounds including alleging undue influence, incapacity, fraudulent conditions, or improper drafting brought on by drugs or alcohol. In Florida, you have the option of contesting a will if you believe that your deceased loved one's will was drafted illegally. However this procedure could be complicated and drawn out.

  • What is the probate timeline for estate administration in Gainesville?

    The probate timeline for estate administration in Gainesville varies, but generally speaking, it involves these processes: Starting the probate process within ten days, selecting a personal representative within one to four weeks, notifying heirs and beneficiaries, serving notice to creditors, providing proof of death within three months, listing estate assets, handling creditor claims, handling the election rights of the surviving spouse within six months, distributing assets, and closing the estate.

  • What happens to the debts of a decedent in Gainesville who passed away more than two years prior?

    No debts will be paid in Gainesville if the decedent's estate goes through probate after more than two years have passed, according to Florida Statute 733.710. The two-year limitation does not, however, apply to mortgages secured by real property, which may still require attention.