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2024

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Best Probate Lawyers in Jacksonville

Our Recommended Top 19

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

189Reviewed

121Curated

19Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

4465 Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, FL 32217

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (23)
Avvo
5.0 (15)
Justia
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Forefront Law is a legal practice in Jacksonville that helps individuals and families with legal issues on probate matters. Its probate services include ancillary probate and formal administration or summary administration. The firm's other areas of practice include family law, divorce, child custody, prenuptial agreements, guardianship, and relocation. With a mission to understand the circumstances of each client completely to form customized case strategies, the firm offers flexible communication channels and meeting options. Managing attorney Judy-Ann Smith has conducted various speaking engagements for the National Business Institute.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Judy-ann Smith - Managing AttorneyActive11 yrs

4465 Baymeadows Rd Ste 3, Jacksonville, FL 32217

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Review Sources

Google
4.8 (23)
Avvo
5.0 (15)
FindLaw
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Judy-Ann Smith Law Firm PA concentrates its Jacksonville practice on estate planning and probate, representing clients who live or have family assets within the state. The firm's attorneys guide executors through the complexities of the law while they fulfill their duties towards the decedent. Its services include creating an inventory of the estate, ensuring all creditors and taxes are paid from it, preparing and filing documents at court, and distributing the estate to the beneficiaries in accordance with the decedent's will.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Paige Poechmann - Associate AttorneyActive18 yrs

301 W. Bay Street Suite 1456-57, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Website

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Review Sources

Google
5.0 (94)
Facebook
5.0 (57)
Avvo
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Law Offices of Mark F. Moss PLLC handles the probate matters of clients in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas. It helps gather, identify, and distribute the assets of deceased clients to their beneficiaries. It also assists individuals in planning the future of their assets and families by providing living trusts, last will and testaments, and pet care planning services. The law firm's founder, Mark F. Moss, served as the Governance Chair on the Board of Directors for Riverside Avondale Preservation.

  • Probate Litigation

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Mark Moss - PrincipalActive9 yrs

1543 Kingsley Avenue, Suite 18-B, Orange Park, FL 32073

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (90)
Google
5.0 (81)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Attorney Markus Sermons opened Sermons Law PLLC in 2017 to provide legal representation to clients in the greater Jacksonville metro area. He assists clients through the complexities of the probate administration process and provides probate litigation services. The firm also handles disputed wills, trusts, deeds, and titles and takes on cases involving guardianship, adoption, child custody, divorce, personal injury, and traffic offenses. Attorney Sermons served as a staff attorney in the Probate Division of the Court Administration.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Probate Litigation

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Markus Sermons - PrincipalActive15 yrs

2114 Oak Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Finnell, McGuinness, Nezami & Andux, P.A., is a law firm that handles probate matters in Jacksonville. It represents decedents, beneficiaries, and appointed executors in probate disputes. These include contested claims regarding the validity of the will and the distribution of inherited assets. The firm can handle ownership transfers to named beneficiaries and payments to creditors and tax offices on behalf of the deceased. It employs eight different lawyers with over 100 years of combined experience in probate and criminal defense and family law.

10161 Centurion Pkwy N STE 310, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Website

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Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (11)
Yelp
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Based in Jacksonville, Florida, The Coleman Law Firm PLLC is a probate and estate law firm that has been serving the northeast part of the state for over 35 years. The firm assists clients with planning of wills and trusts, asset titling and protection, and execution of a living will or advance directive. Founding attorney C. Randolph Coleman was featured by Best Lawyers in their Best Lawyers in America list in 2020.

  • Estate Planning
  • Trust Administration
  • Probate Litigation

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Carl Coleman - FounderActive46 yrs
C. Coleman - PrincipalActive46 yrs

4540 Southside Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32216
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.2 (41)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Heekin Law is a Jacksonville law firm providing legal counsel and representation in different areas of estate planning and probate. Led by David Heekin, who founded the firm in 2004, Heekin Law's attorneys handle estate administration, including ancillary proceedings for estates that contain property located outside Florida. They can help creditors file their claims in probate court. They also guide clients in preparing estate plans that may include tools like wills, trusts, living wills, and powers of attorney.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Maryann Jaghab - Managing PartnerActive8 yrs
David Heekin - President & FounderActive23 yrs

1548 Lancaster Terrace, Jacksonville, FL 32204

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Purcell Flanagan Hay Greene has three law offices in Florida, and one is located in Jacksonville. Its team works with various clients in the local metro, including high-net-worth individuals and business owners looking for estate planning services and legal assistance in the probate process. It also handles real estate transactions, tax planning, and business entity formations. This law firm houses attorneys carrying Florida Bar board certifications in tax law, elder law, and wills, trusts, and estates.

2518 Park Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

The Calley Law Firm provides solutions to the problems of families, estates, and businesses in the Jacksonville area. It represents clients in filing creditor claims and transferring properties through probate courts. Its legal team reviews property documents, deeds, and wills for the probate process. The team also assists clients in the ancillary administration of estates with out-of-state properties. David Calley has been practicing law since 1993 and was a U.S. Navy lieutenant from 1987 to 1997.

  • Probate Litigation

501 Riverside Avenue, Suite 600, Jacksonville, Fl 32202
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (8)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball, Attorneys at Law, assists clients in Jacksonville in various legal matters, including estate planning and probate. The firm's lawyers aim to help clients minimize taxes and costs while transferring assets to rightful heirs. They draft wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, and advanced directive documents according to each client's goals. This law office also supports executors in carrying out their duties to manage a decedent's estate. Founder and senior partner Michael Fisher is a board-certified wills, trusts, and estates attorney.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Casey Arnold - PartnerActive16 yrs

2257 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32204

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (12)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Poucher Law has been helping clients in Jacksonville and the surrounding areas for over three decades. Allen L. Poucher, Jr., the firm's attorney, works with individuals and families with probate and estate-related concerns. He takes a holistic approach to estate planning and matters regarding elder and disability law to establish and implement a family plan suited to clients' specific circumstances. Poucher is also a Veteran's Administration Benefits attorney and a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Allen Poucher - PrincipalActive44 yrs

320 1st Street North Suite 613, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (26)

Why choose this provider?

Romanello Goode, P.L., Attorneys at Law, is a legal practice with offices in Jacksonville and Jacksonville Beach. The firm provides legal services to clients seeking assistance with the probate process. It also handles residential and commercial real estate matters, contract preparation and review, homeowner or condominium association affairs, corporate transactions, and business entity formations. Duane C. Romanello, a partner with the firm, earned his Juris Doctor Degree in 1995 and Master of Laws in Taxation in 1996.

7807 Baymeadows Rd E Ste 402A, Jacksonville, FL 32256

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 1991, the law firm of Grady H. Williams Jr. LLM Attorneys at Law PA concentrates its practice on elder law, estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate. It serves the metro area from offices in Jacksonville, Orange Park, St. Augustine, and Julington Creek. In probate matters, the firm's attorneys are experienced in compassionately and sensitively representing their clients, assisting executors and beneficiaries as the decedent's will journeys through the court process. The firm also mediates in disputes between all stakeholders.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Grady Williams - Managing AttorneyActive33 yrs

1830 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (29)
Avvo
5.0 (12)
Facebook
5.0 (7)

Why choose this provider?

Caroline Emery Attorney at Law, PLLC, serves individuals and families in Jacksonville and the surrounding locations. It deals with probate administration, allowing its clients who have lost a loved one to focus on grieving. It also works on cases related to durable powers of attorney, guardianship and pre-need guardianship, healthcare surrogate, and living will. Caroline Emery, the attorney, brings over 35 years of experience in the legal field. She is the founder of the Florida Trial Court Staff Attorneys Association.

  • Trust Administration

9957 Moorings Drive, Suite 201, Jacksonville, FL 32257

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (22)
Facebook
5.0 (11)
Yelp
3.5 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Fusillo Law, PLLC, offers probate law services to residents of Jacksonville and nearby communities. It provides legal solutions for individuals who can no longer manage their assets. It also represents clients in real estate transactions. The firm aims to provide continuous communication by implementing a 24-hour response time for phone and email inquiries. Its founder, Michelle Fusillo, is a member of the Florida Bar and the New Jersey Bar. She has experience in business by working in marketing and operations management before attending and finishing law school.

  • Trusts
  • Living Trust

7545 Centurion Parkway, Unit 108, Jacksonville, FL 32256

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (93)
Facebook
4.8 (26)
Yelp
1.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Berg Bryant Elder Law Group, PLLC, caters to families in Jacksonville and the surrounding communities. It addresses the intricate final issues of an estate after a loved one passes away. The firm assists with identifying the decedent's assets and debts and guides families in planning through the administration process. It also offers long-term care asset protection and estate planning. Kellen Bryant, the firm's co-founder, has served over 1,500 families and is a member of various elder law organizations, including ElderCounsel and NAELA.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

3840 Belfort Road, Jacksonville, FL 32216
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (21)
Facebook
5.0 (14)
Avvo
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

DiFranza Law, P.A., handles probate and estate planning matters in the Jacksonville area. It helps clients create estate plans that determine how assets should be distributed upon the owner's demise. The firm prepares estate planning documents such as powers of attorney, trusts, living wills, and health care directives. Founder Lisa A. DiFranza serves as a teacher for Jacksonville Area Legal Aid volunteers and is a member of the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys. Other areas of practice include guardianship and elder law.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Lisa Difranza - FounderActive13 yrs

9310 Old Kings Road South, Suite 1501, Jacksonville, FL 32257

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
3.9 (36)
Avvo
4.7 (12)
Yelp
4.5 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Daniel M. Copeland Attorney at Law, P.A. counsels individuals in and around the Jacksonville area. Its team guides clients through probate proceedings, representing them in disputes with second or third spouses and stepchildren. The professionals also provide estate planning services, which cover the drafting of wills, trusts, healthcare directives, and powers of attorney. Other practice areas include business formation and real estate litigation. Firm attorney Daniel Copeland is a Jacksonville native who established his law office a year after graduating from law school in 2002.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Jacksonville, FL 32256

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.7 (9)
Google
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Douglas, Hedstrom, P.A. is a general practice law firm providing top-notch legal representation for individuals and businesses in the Jacksonville area. Their attorneys have vast legal experience in various fields, including business and corporate law, probate, real estate law, employment law, securities law and investment fraud, family law, criminal defense, bankruptcy, and government affairs. Clients commend the staff of Douglas, Hedstrom, P.A. for their exceptional service and expertise.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning
  • Living Trust

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Charles Douglas - Managing PartnerActive18 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 Jacksonville, Florida?

    Call the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 for non-emergencies.

  • Should you be concerned about the costs of hiring a probate lawyer in Jacksonville?

    If you are concerned that legal fees will reduce the value of your remaining assets, keep in mind that courts in Florida prohibit lawyers from charging their clients more than is reasonable. For estates under $100,000, the court requires a fixed-rate fee; otherwise, the fee is a combination of fixed-rate and percentage-based. For estates worth $100,000 or less, a flat fee of $3,000 or less is charged. The allowed percentage for values above it begins at 3%.

  • Are handwritten or holographic wills valid in a Jacksonville court?

    Handwritten or holographic wills can be certified in court and deemed valid as long as they meet the minimum court requirements. However, in order for such a will to be valid in court, it must be signed by the deceased and countersigned by two witnesses who must be present during the signing. However, if an out-of-state holographic will has been deemed valid by a court in the home state where witnesses are not required, the will be considered valid in a Jacksonville court.

  • Is there a required form when filing a statement of claim in Jacksonville?

    No, but certain information must be included in the claim statement. This information includes the claimant's name, signature, and address, as well as the nature of the claim and the amount sought. The claim must begin with a standard header that includes the probate file number and the name of the decedent. It can be delivered in person, mailed, or emailed to: 

    Duval County Clerk of Courts Attn: PROBATE DEPARTMENT 501 West Adams Street, Room 1173 Jacksonville, FL 32202

  • Where do you start in considering whether probate in Jacksonville is necessary?

    To assess whether probate is necessary, check first if the assets are under the name of the decedent and not designated to any beneficiaries. These types of assets must undergo probate to be able to be distributed or transferred. An asset cannot be probated if it is a jointly held property or life insurance with designated beneficiaries. You can check the title of a real property in Jacksonville at the Duval County Property Appraiser. If it is solely under the name of the decedent, then it will undergo probate.

  • Are Jacksonville probate proceedings open to the public?

    Yes. Probate matters in Jacksonville are public records that can be checked at the court's Official Records online portal. If you cannot find it or access it online, you can visit the probate court personally or send them mail at: Duval County Clerk of Courts Attn: Official Records and Research 501 West Adams Street, Room 1253 Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Call the department at (904)255-2000 for more information.