Expertise.com Homepage

2024

Last updated:

Best Probate Lawyers in Melbourne, FL

Our Recommended Top 15

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 Melbourne Probate Lawyers on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

31Reviewed

24Curated

15Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

1751 Sarno Road, Melbourne, FL 32935

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.7 (22)
Avvo
5.0 (6)

Why choose this provider?

Rhodes Law PA is an elder law firm in Melbourne with over 12 years' experience providing legal services. Its estate planning attorneys help clients prepare trusts and estates to reduce or prevent probates and ensure their final wishes are followed. If the will goes into probate, it guides administrators and executors through their duties, such as notifying the court, locating creditors, filing estate taxes, identifying beneficiaries, transferring real estate, and distributing the remaining assets.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Ruth Rhodes - OwnerActive18 yrs

2111 Dairy Road, West Melbourne, FL 32904

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (35)
Google
4.8 (27)
Facebook
4.3 (6)

Why choose this provider?

David H. Jacoby Elder Law is a legal practice based in the Melbourne metro that provides legal representation in probate proceedings and assists in all areas of estate planning. In practice since 1990, the firm's attorneys assist parties in summary and family probate administrations, formal probate administrations, and ancillary probate proceedings. The law firm's estate planning services include drafting of living wills and living trusts, preparation of power of attorney agreements, and advising on asset protection and estate tax matters.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
David Jacoby - Principal /FounderActive35 yrs

1696 West Hibiscus Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

FindLaw
4.5 (16)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Amy B. Van Fossen PA in Melbourne offers probate services for local clients and their families. It places a focus on helping seniors with probate and trust administration and estate planning. Its probate team offers both ancillary and formal administration, depending on the beneficiaries' level of comfort handling a loved one's final affairs and the wishes of the decedent. Elder law, VA benefits, and Medicaid planning are available.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Amy Van Fossen - Principal/FounderActive20 yrs

2111 Dairy Rd, Melbourne, FL 32904

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Anthony N. Brimo, P.A., is a legal practice in Melbourne that provides services concerning elder law. The firm's founding attorney, Anthony N. Brimo, helps clients make decisions about their wealth management that will impact the probate of their estates in the event of death. Brimo assists clients in drafting wills, preparing powers of attorney, and planning estate administration and healthcare directives. The lawyer has over 30 years of experience in both elder law and estate planning.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Anthony Brimo - PrincipalActive47 yrs

2115 Palm Bay, Palm Bay, FL 32905

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Roy A. Alterman Attorney At Law is a personal injury, real estate, and elder law firm that serves the residents of Melbourne. Its namesake has been practicing law for over three decades and is a former president of the Eau Gallie Rotary Club. He and his staff advise clients undergoing probate issues, from the absence of a will to disputing heirs claiming an inheritance. The firm represents individuals in proving the validity of a will and dealing with property ownership and postmortem debts.

  • Estate Planning
  • Living Wills
  • Probate

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Roy Alterman - PrincipalActive34 yrs
Roy Alterman - PrincipalActive34 yrs

310 Fifth Avenue, Indialantic, FL 32903

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.5 (15)
Yelp
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

For over 30 years, Panouses Law Group has been guiding Melbourne clients through the probate process. It helps transfer a decedent’s assets to the right beneficiaries. The firm also assists families in estate planning and prepares powers of attorney and wills. Founder Kurt D. Panouses is a board-certified attorney in will, trust, and estate law. Prior to establishing his own practice, he headed a Brevard County law firm’s trust and estate division. Panouses previously worked as a CPA at Price Waterhouse.

  • Estate Planning

7630 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32940

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (21)
Avvo
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Located in Melbourne, Prentice Law is an estate and elder law firm that provides legal counsel in probate and estate administration proceedings. When probate is a necessary step required to settle an estate, the firm's attorneys assist personal representatives and executors in areas that include initial probate petition filing, payment of estate debts and taxes, inventorying of assets, and final distribution of monies to heirs and beneficiaries. In addition to probate, the firm assists with estate planning and Medicaid planning.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Alec Prentice - Principal/OwnerActive19 yrs

1360 S Patrick Dr Suite 4, Satellite Beach, FL 32937

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (48)
Facebook
5.0 (10)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Jessica Lynn Silva caters to residents of Melbourne who have probate law issues. The firm plans a decedent’s estate by drafting wills and trust agreements. It produces health care directives to dictate the medical protocols to follow when the client is incapacitated. The practice also advises individuals as to life insurance policies and funeral preparations. Founder Jessica Lynn Silva is a Florida Supreme Court-certified county civil mediator. She spends her free time volunteering at her local church.

  • Estate Planning

The Riverfront Building 304 S. Harbor City Blvd., Suite 201, Melbourne, FL 32901

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Krasny and Dettmer, P.A., is a law firm based in Melbourne that helps people dealing with probate administration and litigation. One of its attorneys, Scott Krasny, assists clients with their estate planning needs and handles trusts and wills. He serves on the Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar Association. In addition to his legal practice, he frequently lectures on estate planning topics. Krasny has received the Pro-Bono Service Award from the Florida Supreme Court.

  • Estate Planning

701 Thomas Barbour Drive, Melbourne, FL 32935

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

Victor S. Kostro, P.A., comprises a team of professionals who provide services to companies, entrepreneurs, and professionals in Melbourne. Its team has 26 years of experience in handling different practice areas such as probate, estate planning, and elder law. The firm assists in collecting and protecting decedents' assets. It also takes care of handling creditors that need to be paid and protects beneficiaries by ensuring distributions are properly made. Victor Kostro holds a Masters of Laws in Taxation degree.

2020 West Eau Gallie Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32935

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (11)
Avvo
5.0 (1)
FindLaw
0.5 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Mommers & Colombo Attorneys at Law walks families through the lengthy and rigorous process of probate in Melbourne. Its namesake, Pierre A.L. Mommers, draws from more than 21 years of legal experience in handling the firm's estate planning matters and probate cases. Mommers prepare families and their loved ones in case of incapacitation or death by drafting powers of attorney, special needs trusts, and wills. He also assists executors tasked to administer revocable, irrevocable, testamentary, or discretionary trusts.

  • Estate Planning

730 E Strawbridge Ave. Ste 208, Melbourne, FL 32901

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Raymonda Chakhtoura, PLLC, is a legal clinic in Melbourne that provides solutions for family law, social security disability, and estate planning matters around the metro. Its principal attorney, Raymonda Chakhtoura, has been in the legal industry since 1988 and has helped families with estate and trust administration needs. Some of her services include powers of attorney, revocable and irrevocable living trusts, wills, advanced health care directives, and guardianships. Chakthoura is also fluent in French and Arabic.

  • Estate Planning

2418 Colonial Drive, Melbourne, FL 32901

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (6)
Yelp
5.0 (3)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Leonard A. Barrow, Jr., Attorney at Law is a firm that has been operating in Melbourne since 1987. It assists individuals in identifying and gathering decedents' assets, paying taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries as part of the probate processes. In addition, Leonard A. Barrow, Jr. handles wrongful death claims that are filed on behalf of a deceased person. He navigates through formal, summary, and ancillary probate administration proceedings. The attorney aims to provide wise legal advice to help clients make informed decisions.

  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Leonard Barrow - PrincipalActive37 yrs

321 6th Avenue, Indialantic, FL 32903

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Estate Planning & Elder Law Center of Brevard features a team of estate planning attorneys near Melbourne These attorneys have more than 30 years of experience in handling probate and estate administration matters. They offer help to individuals who are responsible for executing a loved one's will, as well as those who've lost a loved one that did not provide a will. In addition to probate law, the Estate Planning & Elder Law Center also handles estate and long-term care planning.

  • Trusts
  • Wills
  • Estate Planning

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Robin Petersen - Founder and Managing PartnerActive42 yrs

1119 Palmetto Avenue, Melbourne, FL 32901

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.1 (9)
Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Studenberg Law strives to preserve the legacy of families by helping clients with probate needs in Melbourne. The firm assists beneficiaries and personal representatives in collecting, liquidating, and distributing estate assets. It also handles curatorships, homestead proceedings, creditors' claims settlements, and fiduciary accounting matters. Managing attorney Ganon Studenberg is an accredited estate planner certified by the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils and a member of the Brevard County Estate Planning Council. He founded Studenberg Law in 2007.

  • Estate Planning

Compare our Top Probate Lawyers

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Rhodes Law, P.A.
1751 Sarno Road, Melbourne, FL 32935
David H. Jacoby Elder Law Advocates, P. A.
2111 Dairy Road, West Melbourne, FL 32904
Law Office of Amy B. Van Fossen, P.A.
1696 West Hibiscus Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901
Anthony N. Brimo, P.A.
2111 Dairy Rd, Melbourne, FL 32904
Roy A. Alterman Attorney At Law
2115 Palm Bay, Palm Bay, FL 32905
Panouses Law Group
310 Fifth Avenue, Indialantic, FL 32903
Prentice Law
7630 North Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL 32940
Law Office of Jessica Lynn Silva
1360 S Patrick Dr Suite 4, Satellite Beach, FL 32937
Krasny and Dettmer, P.A.
The Riverfront Building 304 S. Harbor City Blvd., Suite 201, Melbourne, FL 32901
Victor S. Kostro, P.A.
701 Thomas Barbour Drive, Melbourne, FL 32935
Mommers & Colombo Attorneys at Law
2020 West Eau Gallie Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32935
Raymonda Chakhtoura, PLLC
730 E Strawbridge Ave. Ste 208, Melbourne, FL 32901
Leonard A. Barrow, Jr. Attorney at Law
2418 Colonial Drive, Melbourne, FL 32901
Estate Planning & Elder Law Center of Brevard
321 6th Avenue, Indialantic, FL 32903
Studenberg Law
1119 Palmetto Avenue, Melbourne, FL 32901

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 Melbourne, Florida?

    For non-emergency cases or complaints such as parking disputes, abandoned or stripped vehicles, and noise from parties, the residents of Melbourne may call the local police by calling 321-608-6731.

  • What are the common issues faced by the people involved in a probate case in Melbourne?

    In a probate case in Melbourne, various disputes and complications might arise relating to the estate. The common types of issues that may come up in a probate case include trust and will contests, wrongful management of assets, breach of fiduciary duties, spousal rights disputes, and accounting issues.

  • What are the advantages of having a probate lawyer in Melbourne?

    A lawyer in Melbourne has several tasks when handling a probate case. The lawyers can help speed up the probate process, protect the estate against claims, assist with filing court documents, check any outstanding debts, and answer any questions their clients may have. Probate takes time and money, but having a lawyer can help streamline the process.

  • What happens to the asset in Melbourne if the heir or beneficiary passes away before they receive it?

    If a beneficiary or heir in Melbourne passes away before getting an inheritance, the assets will remain under the heir's probate plans. In most cases, a living testator can revise or update their will to state the beneficiaries' death. However, if the heirs survive the testator, even for just a day, their inheritance is now going to be paid under the heir's probate estate.

  • How long does the probate process take in Melbourne?

    A probate process in Melbourne may take anywhere from six to nine months. The probate system is time-consuming and complex, but having a lawyer, a personal representative, or an executor can make the process more manageable. The time it takes also depends on the complexity of the case and the size of the estate.

  • Is personal appearance required during a probate process in Melbourne?

    Personal appearance is not required in Melbourne probate matters because the procedure can be done over the phone, by email, postal mail, or online. However, if there is a dispute in a probate matter that requires a hearing, the personal representative or probate attorney must appear in Florida court.

Related Articles

FeaturedDo Probate Attorneys Accept Work on Contingency?

Do Probate Attorneys Accept Work on Contingency?

Working on contingency means a lawyer is only paid if their client has a successful outcome. With probate cases on the rise a...

You might also like...