Business Details
27 Years
experience
Affordable Florida Probate and Estate Legal Services
Since 1999, Statewide Probate has provided compassionate and skilled probate administration services to clients across Florida. Our team of experienced attorneys and legal professionals specializes in navigating Florida's complex probate laws, offering personalized guidance to executors and families during challenging times. With over 50 years of combined experience, we prioritize responsive support, transparent communication, and cost-effective solutions tailored to each estate's unique needs. Our practice focuses on uncontested probate matters, allowing us to streamline processes and reduce fees compared to traditional law firms.We serve clients in all 67 Florida counties from our Pensacola headquarters, leveraging technology to assist out-of-state executors without requiring in-person court appearances. Our commitment to affordability is demonstrated through hourly billing or flat fees rather than percentage-based charges, ensuring clients receive value-driven legal services. Through free 20-minute consultations, we help clients understand their options and make informed decisions about probate administration.
Services
Probate Administration
Real Estate Probate
Estate Planning
Guardianship Law
Legal Consultations
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- We offer free 20-minute probate consultations to clarify your options
- Our attorneys charge hourly rates or flat fees instead of 3% estate-based fees
- We serve all 67 Florida counties with remote-friendly probate administration
- Our team has over 50 years combined experience in Florida probate law
- We provide responsive support with prompt call and email responses
What people say
Made this very easy
Responsive support
Cost-efficient manner
Timely and professional service
Highly recommend
Services
Probate Administration
Our probate administration service guides executors through Florida's legal process for managing deceased assets. We handle inventory, debt settlement, tax compliance, and asset distribution while minimizing court appearances. With expertise in both formal and summary administration, we serve estates of all sizes across all 67 counties, offering hourly rates or flat fees instead of percentage-based charges.
Real Estate Probate
Specializing in Florida real estate probate, we assist with homestead property transfers, title clearances, and property sales during estate administration. Our attorneys navigate complex property laws, including homestead exemptions and multi-county transactions. We coordinate with local closing companies to facilitate smooth real estate transactions while maintaining compliance with state probate regulations.
Estate Planning
We provide comprehensive estate planning services to establish clear asset distribution directives. Our practice includes creating legally sound wills, trust arrangements, and guardianship plans that align with Florida's specific probate requirements. This proactive approach helps families avoid common probate complications while ensuring client intentions are preserved through proper legal documentation.
Guardianship Law
Our guardianship services focus on protecting vulnerable individuals through court-approved legal frameworks. We assist with establishing guardianship for minors and incapacitated adults while ensuring compliance with Florida's probate court requirements. This includes navigating the intersection between guardianship proceedings and estate administration processes.
Legal Consultations
We offer free 20-minute probate consultations to evaluate estate requirements and recommend appropriate legal strategies. These sessions provide clarity on probate obligations, cost estimates, and process timelines. Our attorneys deliver straightforward guidance to help executors make informed decisions about estate administration.
People
Bruce A. McDonald
Senior Partner
With over 30 years of Florida legal experience, Bruce A. McDonald founded Statewide Probate to provide accessible probate solutions. A Florida State University law graduate, he specializes in business law and probate administration while maintaining active Florida Bar membership.
Kathlyn M. White
Probate Attorney
Kathlyn M. White focuses on probate, estate planning, and guardianship law with particular expertise in real estate-related probate matters. Her background in real estate law enhances her ability to resolve complex property issues during estate administration.
Questions
What is Florida probate administration?
Florida probate administration is the legal process for managing a deceased person's assets, paying debts, and distributing remaining property to heirs through court supervision.
Do I need a probate attorney in Florida?
Florida law requires executors to use a licensed probate attorney for most estates involving real property, ensuring compliance with state-specific legal requirements.
How much do probate services cost?
Our fees are based on actual work performed through hourly rates or flat fees, avoiding the standard 3% estate value charges used by many firms.
Can out-of-state executors use your services?
Yes, our remote-friendly process allows out-of-state executors to complete probate without in-person Florida court appearances through proper legal representation.
What's the difference between formal and summary probate?
Formal administration handles larger estates with structured creditor periods, while summary administration provides faster resolution for smaller estates under $75,000 or those older than two years.
