Expertise.com

2024

Last updated:

Best Probate Lawyers in Palm Coast

Our Recommended Top 18

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

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

36Reviewed

28Curated

18Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

5011 Gate Parkway Building 100 Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (13)
Facebook
5.0 (12)
Google
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Coleman Law Firm PLLC assists residents of Palm Coast and other Floridians in a wide range of estate planning and administration matters. These include probate and estate administration, asset protection, elder law, Medicaid planning, and veterans benefits. Lead attorney Randolph Coleman has over 30 years of experience handling probate processes for families, personal representatives, or executors. He helps in asset collection, debt payments, and distribution of the remaining assets to the heirs or beneficiaries.

  • Estate Planning
  • Elder Law
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Carl Coleman - FounderActive46 yrs

2740 U.S. 1, St. Augustine, FL 32086

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (28)
Avvo
5.0 (23)
Facebook
5.0 (10)

Why choose this provider?

St. Augustine Law Group offers counsel and representation by real estate and probate attorneys in Palm Coast. The attorneys practice in many areas including business formation, purchase or sale, contracts and agreements, civil litigation, probate administration, and other business and corporate law cases. Handling real estate transactions and assisting in real estate development are also among their expertise. Both Richard L. Brooks II and Carla Lopera are members of the Florida Bar Association.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Richard Brooks - PartnerActive10 yrs

595 W. Granada Blvd., Suite A, Ormond Beach, FL 32174
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (16)

Why choose this provider?

Korey, Sweet, McKinnon & Simpson has been serving the Palm Coast area since 1984. It assists clients in the areas of probate and estate administration. Its team also provides estate planning services and counsels clients on matters concerning wills and living trusts. The firm's other areas of practice are elder, corporate, administrative, and personal injury law. One of its practitioners, Robert Kit Korey, is a member of The Florida Bar's Probate and Trust Law sections. He was admitted to the bar in 1972.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Robert Korey - PartnerActive52 yrs

1301 Plantation Island Dr Suite #202B, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (9)

Why choose this provider?

Larry T. Griggs, Attorney at Law, P.A., offers legal assistance to individuals and families in Palm Coast. It helps preserve a person's wealth and assets in the event of death through estate planning. It drafts tools such as powers of attorney, living wills, HIPAA releases, and health care directives. In addition, it prepares veterans asset protection and pet trusts. Larry T. Griggs is a member of the American Academy of Attorney-CPAs and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

  • Trusts
  • Estate Planning

4873 Palm Coast Parkway NW, Suite 5, Palm Coast, FL 32137
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
3.8 (13)
Avvo
5.0 (9)
Yelp
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Goan Law provides representation to clients in Palm Coast. With over 30 years in the legal industry, the firm has addressed the needs of individuals and families with matters involving personal injury, bankruptcy, family law, and wills and probate. Principal Timothy Goan helps people prepare wills and trusts and assists in the legalities of transferring assets to the beneficiaries. He also handles other complex probate matters and offers legal solutions for clients.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Timothy Goan - PrincipalActive36 yrs

389 Palm Coast Pkwy SW Ste. 4, Palm Coast, FL 32137
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (10)

Why choose this provider?

Selis Law Firm assists individuals in Palm Coast with their probate problems. It thoroughly processes clients’ assets without a funded trust agreement or will. It drives bank, investment, and retirement accounts to the rightful owners. It also commits to prioritizing clients’ peace of mind concerning their estate and long-term care planning, guardianship, and Medicaid issues. Scott Selis, the firm’s founder, is a current board member of the Flagler County Bar Association. He communicates information about cases in an easy-to-understand manner.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Scott Selis - FounderActive35 yrs

3430 Kori Road, Suite 4, Jacksonville, FL 32257
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (122)
Facebook
5.0 (92)

Why choose this provider?

Legacy Planning Law Group caters to clients looking to protect their families and preserve their legacy through estate planning and probate administration. One of its attorneys, Bill O’Leary, provides legal counsel from preparing their last will to passing their assets to the trust beneficiaries. He also offers special needs planning, pet trusts, and asset alignment. O'Leary was the president and a current member of the board of directors of the Financial Planning Association of Northeast Florida. The firm serves clients in Palm Coast and the surrounding areas.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

179 King Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (8)
Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Grady H. Williams, Jr., LL.M., Attorneys at Law, P.A., is an elder law and estate planning firm that serves clients in Palm Coast and the surrounding areas. It assists estate executors in meeting probate requirements, such as paying estate creditors and transferring assets to designated beneficiaries. The law firm provides compassionate estate planning services, including Medicaid planning, living will drafting, and home health care planning. Grady H. Williams Jr., the managing attorney, has prior experience as a real estate and finance attorney.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

1301 Plantation Island Drive, Suite 304, St. Augustine, FL 32080

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.9 (57)
Facebook
4.9 (31)

Why choose this provider?

Since its founding in 2007, Jackson Law Group has been providing a variety of legal services to individuals, families, and businesses in Palm Coast and neighboring metros. Its attorneys provide counsel and guide clients through the probate court process, which includes marshaling of assets of a decedent, settling estate debts and taxes, and distributing assets. They also assist in setting up estate planning documents such as last will and testament, trusts, and advance directives to help clients avoid the probate process.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Andrew Jackson - Founding PartnerActive18 yrs

222 Seabreeze Boulevard, Daytona Beach, FL 32118

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (91)
Facebook
4.6 (10)
Avvo
5.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Founded in 1983, Rice Law Firm is a multi-practice firm near Palm Coast that operates throughout Central Florida. Its probate practice serves executors, administrators, and the decedents' families. The firm's attorneys can guide executors through the challenges of probating a will, support administrators, and advise families on matters of law. Additionally, they can collect the estate, respond to claims from creditors, and ensure that state and federal taxes are paid before distributing the remaining estate to its heirs.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Paul Rice - Managing PartnerActive41 yrs

100 Island Cottage Way Ste 200D, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (15)

Why choose this provider?

McChesney Law Firm, PA, is a St. Augustine-based practice that caters to clients across Palm Coast. It deals with individuals going through the probate process. The firm also offers estate planning services and prepares documents—like wills and financial powers of attorney—to provide ways for clients to manage their affairs in the event of incapacity. It has experience reviewing documents prepared in a different state and updating them in compliance with Florida legal guidelines. Owner Maxine McChesney holds a master's degree in dispute resolution.

  • Estate Planning

104 Sea Grove Main Street, St. Augustine, FL 32080

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (30)
Facebook
5.0 (23)

Why choose this provider?

St. Johns Law Group represents individuals and businesses in Palm Coast. Its attorneys cater to clients planning for the future to minimize their probate and tax liabilities and assist them in distributing the decedent's assets. They collaborate with accountants and financial advisors to determine which financial planning mechanism fits the client's needs. Its attorneys use their technological capabilities in the courtroom to create a presentation to help tell a claim's story or make an impact on an important point.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Douglas Burnett - FounderActive26 yrs

1360 N. U.S. Highway 1, Ormond Beach, FL 32174

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.6 (18)
Avvo
5.0 (6)
Yelp
3.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Bonnie A. Berns, P.A.is a probate attorney with over 30 years of experience. She services the residents of Ormond Beach, Palm Coast, Flagler Beach, and other areas in Florida. Her legal experience has equipped her with the skills to assist clients in car, truck and motorcycle accidents, slip and falls, negligent security, insurance disputes, and wills. Berns is knowledgable in dealing with problems that involve multiple practice areas. Her office has a 24-hour hotline that is available for emergencies.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning
  • Probate Litigation

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Bonnie Berns - PrincipalActive46 yrs

33 Old Kings Road North, Palm Coast, FL 32137
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (5)
Avvo
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Robert G. Cuff PA is a solo practice based in Palm Coast that represents clients throughout Flagler County and Florida. Attorney Cuff has decades of experience in probate law. His experience includes guiding executors through the process, supporting administrators when no will has been left, and advising families of the decedent. Typical services include preparing and filing documents with the probate court, responding to claims from creditors, and distributing the estate in accordance with the courts' instructions.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Robert Cuff - PrincipalActive48 yrs

505 E. New York Avenue, Suite 7, DeLand, FL 32724
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.8 (146)
Facebook
5.0 (31)
Yelp
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Bauer & Associates Attorneys at Law is a DeLand-based firm that serves Palm Coast clients. It guides the estate's representatives throughout the probate process, from debt management to asset distribution. It also advocates for the client's interest in disputes involving the decedent's trusts. For individuals looking to avoid probate, the firm offers estate planning services and sets up documents like powers of attorney and living wills. One of its attorneys, Kirk Bauer, is the former president of the Volusia County Bar Association.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Kirk Bauer - Partner/ShareholderActive39 yrs

1616 Concierge Blvd Ste 101, Daytona Beach, FL 32117
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (31)
Facebook
4.6 (12)
Yelp
3.0 (4)

Why choose this provider?

Upchurch Law is a probate and estate litigation firm that serves the Palm Coast area. It provides representation for personal representatives, trustees, and heirs who are dealing with probate. The company covers various tasks on their behalf, such as sending notices to creditors, tracking down estate assets, and distributing assets to beneficiaries. It also helps clients reclaim probate rights through the litigation of estate. Upchurch Law is headed by Thomas Upchurch, a former assistant state attorney for Pinellas County.

  • Estate Planning
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Thomas Upchurch - PrincipalActive19 yrs

770 A1A Beach Boulevard, St. Augustine, FL 32080

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (12)

Why choose this provider?

Ginn & Patrou, PA is a law firm that exists to serve our clients as trusted advisors in a way that glorifies God, offering the services of probate lawyers near Palm Coast. Working from offices in St. Augustine and Jacksonville, the firm's legal team helps personal representatives navigate different kinds of probate and provides legal advice on any issues related to probate assets. Ginn & Patrou also specialize in estate planning, real estate closings, handling both simple and complex wills and trusts. Its other practice areas include elder law, business law, and personal injury.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Scott Patrou - PartnerActive11 yrs

1 Florida Park Drive South; Atrium Suite, Palm Coast, FL 32137
Website

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Offices of Katz and Green serves clients in the Palm Coast metro area. Its attorneys handle civil and commercial litigation, representing clients in situations such as will and trust administration proceedings. They also help clients plan for their estate, assisting them in drafting legal devices like guardianships. The firm's attorneys, B. Paul Katz and Jeffrey K. Green, have over 75 years of collective legal experience. Katz holds the civil litigation specialist title from the Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization.

  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
B. Katz - PartnerActive49 yrs
B. Katz - PartnerActive49 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 Palm Coast, Florida?

    Individuals in Palm Coast with non-emergency concerns can contact the Flagler County Sheriff's Office at 386-313-4911.

  • Is it possible to postpone probate indefinitely in Palm Coast if property taxes are always up to date?

    Yes, in Palm Coast, you can delay the start of the probate for an indefinite period as long as no tax deeds are due because of unpaid property taxes. However, the process might get complicated over time due to the deaths of the original heirs or their descendants or if contact is lost. Despite this, you can start probate with minimal information with the help of an experienced probate attorney who can guide you in gathering the necessary details.

  • What happens to the assets of a person who dies without a will in Palm Coast?

    If a person dies without a will in Palm Coast, their assets are distributed according to the state's "intestate" laws. The laws outline a specific order of heirs entitled to the probate estate, including a surviving spouse, descendants, parents, siblings, and remote heirs the court may identify. The percentage of the probate estate each heir is entitled to depend on the relationships between the deceased and the surviving relatives.

  • In Palm Coast, are all assets affected by Florida's intestate succession laws?

    No. In Palm Coast, only assets that go through probate are affected by Florida's intestate succession laws. Other valuable assets, such as those held in a living trust, life insurance policy with a named beneficiary, retirement account with a named beneficiary, transfer-on-death accounts, real estate with a transfer-on-death deed, and assets held in joint tenancy or tenancy by the entirety are not affected.

  • What should someone do if they suspect abuse of power by the personal representative of a loved one's estate in Palm Coast?

    The personal representative is responsible for accurately administering the estate by distributing assets per the decedent's will and resolving creditor claims. If someone suspects wrongdoing by the personal representative of a loved one's estate, they should seek guidance from a Palm Coast probate lawyer. An experienced probate lawyer can evaluate the personal representative's actions to determine whether there is a breach of fiduciary duty. If there is, the lawyer can assist in initiating the legal removal process.

  • What protections does Palm Coast offer to family members when a loved one passes away?

    The Florida probate law extends specific protections to families in Palm Coast who have lost a loved one. These protections include the Exempt Property statute, safeguarding specific "exempt property" from claims by the decedent's creditors, except those with established security interests. The spouse and dependent children are also entitled to a "family allowance" of up to $18,000, payable in a lump sum or installments, to financially assist them during the probate administration period.