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Zoecklein Law P.A. Sarasota, Florida Office

โญ 4.9 Rating ยท 600+ Client Reviews ยท Florida Bar No. 0085615 ยท Statewide Service

When a loved one passes away, you need a plan for the future, or your family is facing a legal challenge in Sarasota 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 12th Judicial Circuit.

Our Sarasota office serves one of Florida’s largest retirement communities. We understand the unique estate planning and Medicaid challenges facing Sarasota families, and we practice regularly in the 12th Judicial Circuit probate division.

12th Judicial Circuit
Sarasota County
Also serving Bradenton, Venice, Siesta Key, North Port, and Osprey

Free Consultation

Talk to an attorney about your situation — no obligation.

(941) 313-3330 Schedule Online

Our Sarasota Practice Areas

Probate Administration

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

Learn about Medicaid Planning →

Trust Litigation

Breach of fiduciary duty, trust contests, trustee removal, forced accountings, and will contests in the 12th Judicial Circuit.

Learn about Trust Litigation →
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Guardianship

Adult and minor guardianship, emergency temporary guardianship, and guardian advocacy for families in Sarasota 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 Sarasota County: What to Expect

Probate cases in Sarasota County are filed in the 12th Judicial Circuit at the Sarasota County Courthouse, 2000 Main St., Sarasota, FL 34237. 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 12th 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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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 12th 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 Sarasota Office

Zoecklein Law, P.A. — Sarasota Office 3230 Southgate Circle, Suite 116, Sarasota, FL 34239
Phone: (941) 313-3330
Fax: (813) 925-4310
Serving Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Siesta Key, North Port, and Osprey, and all of Sarasota 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 (941) 313-3330 Schedule Online

Florida Probate โ€” Frequently Asked Questions

Where is probate filed in Sarasota County?

Sarasota County probate is filed with the Probate Division of the 12th Judicial Circuit at the Sarasota County Judicial Center, 2002 Ringling Boulevard, Sarasota. The 12th Judicial Circuit also covers Manatee and DeSoto counties. All filings go through the Florida Courts E-Filing Portal under Fla. R. Jud. Admin. 2.525.

Does Sarasota County have unusually high probate volume?

Yes. Sarasota County has one of Florida’s highest concentrations of retirees, which produces a steady probate caseload โ€” including a meaningful share of out-of-state decedents who owned Sarasota property as a second home. Our experience navigating ancillary probate for non-Florida-resident decedents with Sarasota County real estate is directly relevant for many local families.

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, ยง 4. Real estate transferred by a Lady Bird Deed also passes outside probate.

Can I handle a Sarasota probate if I live elsewhere in Florida?

Yes. We routinely handle Sarasota County probate matters for personal representatives and beneficiaries living anywhere in Florida or out of state. Florida law allows nonresident PRs in many circumstances under Fla. Stat. ยง 733.304, and the e-filing system means much of the work can be done remotely. We attend court appearances on your behalf when permitted.

How does Sarasota probate handle out-of-state property?

If the decedent owned property outside Florida, a separate ancillary probate is usually required in that state. We coordinate with local counsel in the other state to keep the two proceedings aligned. Conversely, if a non-Florida-resident decedent owned Sarasota County real estate, we open an ancillary Florida probate here under Fla. Stat. ยง 734.102 to transfer that property out of the estate.

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

Under Fla. Stat. ยง 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 โ€” 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 12th Judicial Circuit, Sarasota 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 Sarasota probate attorney

Sarasota probate is one of dozens of Florida counties we serve. See the statewide guide.

How Much Does a Probate Attorney Cost in Florida?

Detailed breakdown of Florida probate attorney fees under Fla. Stat. ยง 733.6171 and what most cases cost.

What does Florida probate cost?

Florida sets default probate attorney fees by statute under Fla. Stat. ยง 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.

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

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