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Probate Attorney Brandon, Florida

Looking for a Probate Attorney Near You in the Tampa Bay Area?

Zoecklein Law is a local Tampa Bay probate attorney with our home office located in Brandon, Florida, at the heart of Hillsborough County. We have been serving probate and estate clients near you in Brandon, Tampa, Riverview, Valrico, Plant City, Seffner, Apollo Beach, Sun City Center, and surrounding Hillsborough County communities for over a decade.

When you search for a “probate attorney near me” in the Tampa Bay area, you want a Florida-licensed probate lawyer who knows the local probate division, files routinely with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court at the Edgecomb Courthouse (800 E. Twiggs St., Tampa), and can meet with you in person or by video. That’s exactly what we do.

Local Florida Probate Attorney — Visit Our Brandon Office

Address: 150 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon, FL 33511
Hours: Monday—Friday, 8:30 AM — 5:00 PM ET
Phone: (877) 206-0022 (toll-free)
Service area: All 67 Florida counties (in-person consults at our Brandon or St. Petersburg offices; remote consults statewide)

Why a Local Hillsborough County Probate Attorney Matters

Florida probate is filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled. For Hillsborough County residents, that means the Edgecomb Courthouse probate division. Local attorneys know the specific judges, the standard local procedures, and the preferences of the probate division — details that can shave weeks off an administration. Our Brandon office is six miles from the Edgecomb Courthouse and our team files in Hillsborough County probate routinely.

Out-of-county clients ask: do I need a probate attorney near the courthouse? Generally no — Florida attorneys can appear statewide and most probate filings are done electronically. But you do want an attorney whose office and processes are organized around Florida probate practice. That’s our entire focus.

⭐ 4.9 Rating · 600+ Client Reviews · Florida Bar No. 0085615 · Statewide Service

When a loved one passes away, you need a plan for the future, or your family is facing a legal challenge in Hillsborough County — you need an attorney who knows the local courts and can guide you through it. At Zoecklein Law, P.A., we handle probate, estate planning, Medicaid planning, trust litigation, guardianship, and real estate matters throughout the 13th Judicial Circuit.

As a Brandon-based firm, our office is minutes from the Bloomingdale and Valrico communities. We handle matters in the 13th Judicial Circuit daily, giving us deep familiarity with the local judges, court staff, and procedures that affect your case.

13th Judicial Circuit
Hillsborough County
Also serving Tampa, Riverview, Valrico, Plant City, and Seffner

Free Consultation

Talk to an attorney about your situation — no obligation.

(813) 501-5071 Schedule Online

Our Brandon Practice Areas

Probate Administration

Formal and summary administration, ancillary probate for out-of-state decedents, creditor claims, homestead issues, and personal representative disputes in Hillsborough County.

Learn about Florida Probate →
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Estate Planning

Revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, advanced directives, and Lady Bird deeds. Customized plans to protect your family and avoid probate.

Learn about Estate Planning →
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Medicaid Planning

Protect your home and savings from nursing home costs. Asset protection trusts, QITs, crisis planning, and spend-down strategies for Brandon families.

Learn about Medicaid Planning →

Trust Litigation

Breach of fiduciary duty, trust contests, trustee removal, forced accountings, and will contests in the 13th Judicial Circuit.

Learn about Trust Litigation →
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Guardianship

Adult and minor guardianship, emergency temporary guardianship, and guardian advocacy for families in Hillsborough County.

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Real Estate Litigation

Partition actions, quiet title, real estate fraud, ejectment, and homestead disputes arising from inherited or co-owned property.

Learn about Real Estate →

Probate in Hillsborough County: What to Expect

Probate cases in Hillsborough County are filed in the 13th Judicial Circuit at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs St., Tampa, FL 33602. A typical formal administration takes 6 to 12 months.

  1. File the petition — We file the petition for administration and the original will with the 13th Judicial Circuit probate division.
  2. Appoint a personal representative — The court appoints the executor named in the will or a qualified family member.
  3. Notify creditors — Florida requires publishing a notice and directly notifying known creditors. Creditors have 3 months to file claims.
  4. Inventory assets — The personal representative identifies, locates, and values all estate assets.
  5. Pay debts and taxes — Valid creditor claims, taxes, and administration expenses are paid from the estate.
  6. Distribute to beneficiaries — Remaining assets are distributed according to the will or Florida intestacy law.
Not sure if you need probate? Some assets pass outside probate automatically — joint accounts, beneficiary designations, assets in trust, and property with a Lady Bird deed. Learn how to avoid probate in Florida, or call us for a free assessment.

Medicaid Planning for Brandon Families

A nursing home in Florida costs $9,000 to $12,000 per month. Without planning, most families lose nearly everything. Our Medicaid planning attorneys help Brandon families protect their assets while qualifying for long-term care benefits.

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Asset Protection

Irrevocable trusts, Lady Bird deeds, spousal transfers, and strategic spend-down to protect your home and savings.

7 Protection Strategies →

Crisis Planning

When a parent has already entered a nursing home. Immediate steps to protect assets and qualify for Medicaid as fast as possible.

Crisis Planning →
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Protect Your Home

Lady Bird deeds, homestead exemptions, and strategies to keep your home safe from Medicaid estate recovery.

Can Medicaid Take Your House? →
The 5-year rule matters. Florida Medicaid has a 60-month look-back period. Gifts and asset transfers made within 5 years of applying can trigger severe penalties. Learn about the look-back period — or schedule a consultation now to start planning ahead.

Why Families Choose Zoecklein Law

Local Court Experience

We practice in the 13th Judicial Circuit and know the local rules, judges, and procedures.

500+ Five-Star Reviews

Rated one of the top probate and estate planning firms in the Tampa Bay area.

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Same-Day Response

We return calls and emails the same business day. Your case matters to us.

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7 Florida Offices

Brandon, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Lakeland, New Port Richey, Bradenton, and West Palm Beach.

Contact Our Brandon Office

Zoecklein Law, P.A. — Brandon Office 150 E. Bloomingdale Ave., Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: (813) 501-5071
Fax: (813) 925-4310
Serving Brandon, Tampa, Riverview, Valrico, Plant City, and Seffner, and all of Hillsborough County.

Ready to Talk?

Every case starts with a free, no-obligation consultation. Tell us about your situation and we will explain your options.

Call (813) 501-5071 Schedule Online
Florida family reviewing probate documents

Florida Probate — Frequently Asked Questions

Where is probate filed in Hillsborough County?

Hillsborough County probate is filed with the Probate Division of the 13th Judicial Circuit at the George E. Edgecomb Courthouse, 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa. Filings are submitted electronically through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal (myFlCourtAccess) per Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.525. Our Brandon office handles probate matters throughout the 13th Circuit.

What is summary administration vs. formal administration in Hillsborough County?

Hillsborough County follows the statewide framework. Summary administration is available when the estate’s non-exempt assets are $75,000 or less, OR the decedent has been deceased for more than 2 years. It is faster and does not appoint a personal representative. Formal administration is the standard process for larger or more complex estates and requires a court-appointed personal representative with Letters of Administration.

How long does Florida probate take?

Most Florida probate cases take 6 to 12 months from petition to distribution. Formal administration of complex estates can run 12 to 24 months. Summary administration (estates under $75,000 of non-exempt assets) typically wraps in 60 to 90 days. The most common delays come from creditor claim periods, asset valuation disputes, and missing documentation.

What assets avoid Florida probate?

Assets that pass outside Florida probate include: revocable trust property; joint tenancy with right of survivorship; accounts with named beneficiaries (401(k), IRA, life insurance); payable-on-death (POD) bank accounts; transfer-on-death (TOD) investment accounts; and homestead property protected by Florida Constitution Article X, § 4. Real estate transferred by a Lady Bird Deed also passes outside probate.

Do I need to live in Hillsborough County to retain a Brandon probate attorney?

No. Our Brandon office serves families throughout Florida. We routinely handle probate matters where the personal representative or beneficiaries live out of state, and we coordinate filings, hearings, and signings remotely. Florida law sets specific qualifications for a personal representative — we will tell you up front if there is a residency issue and how to handle it.

How much does a probate attorney cost in Florida?

Under Fla. Stat. § 733.6171, Florida sets default probate attorney fees by statute: 3% on the first $1,000,000 of estate value, 2.5% on the next $4,000,000, with reduced rates above. We offer flat-fee alternatives on many simpler estates and summary administrations. Court costs and personal representative fees are separate. Most cases run between $3,500 and $5,000 in attorney fees depending on estate size and complexity.

How long does a creditor have to file a claim against the estate?

Under Fla. Stat. § 733.702, known and reasonably ascertainable creditors must file claims within 30 days of personal service or 3 months after the first publication of notice to creditors, whichever is later. Unknown creditors have 2 years from the date of death under the statute of repose. Proper notice procedures matter — done correctly, they shorten the window for surprise claims.

How Florida Probate Works: Our 5-Step Process

1

Free Consultation

30 minutes, no obligation

2

Petition Filing

We file with the 13th Judicial Circuit, Hillsborough County

3

PR Appointment

Court issues Letters of Administration

4

Inventory & Creditor Notice

Identify assets, publish notice, handle claims

5

Distribution & Closure

Pay debts, distribute to beneficiaries, close the estate

Ready to handle probate? Speak with a Florida attorney today.

Florida Probate Overview

Florida probate from your Brandon-based law firm

Hillsborough County is our home base; learn how Florida probate works statewide.

Florida Probate Attorney Fees: What It Actually Costs

Wondering what Florida probate actually costs? See the statutory fee schedule, flat-fee alternatives, and real cost examples.

What does Florida probate cost?

Florida sets default probate attorney fees by statute under Fla. Stat. § 733.6171:

  • 3% on the first $1,000,000 of estate value
  • 2.5% on the next $4,000,000
  • Reduced rates above $5,000,000

For simpler estates and summary administrations we offer flat-fee alternatives that often save the family money. Most cases run between $3,500 and $5,000 in attorney fees depending on estate size and complexity. Court costs and personal representative fees are separate.

We give you a clear written quote before any work begins.

Hillsborough County Probate Court filing fees and other clerk costs are charged to the estate separately and vary by petition type.

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