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Sarasota Trust Litigation Attorney

Florida trust disputes in Sarasota and Sarasota County — handled by Zoecklein Law, P.A.

📞 Free consultation: 877-206-0022

⭐ 4.9 Rating · 600+ 5-Star Reviews · 5,000+ Clients · Florida Bar No. 0085615 · Sarasota & Statewide Service

Sarasota, Florida is a high-net-worth retirement community, and the Sarasota County Circuit Court Probate Division handles some of the largest and most sophisticated trust disputes in the state. Cases involve closely held businesses, multi-state assets, restoration-property appraisal disputes, and intergenerational wealth transfers governed by the Florida Trust Code (Chapter 736).

Zoecklein Law, P.A. represents Sarasota beneficiaries and trustees in disputes filed in the Sarasota County courthouse on Ringling Boulevard. Appeals from Sarasota trust orders go to the Florida Second District Court of Appeal, where our firm has recent appellate experience.

Sarasota Trust Litigation Services

Trustee Removal

Petitions to remove Florida trustees under Fla. Stat. § 736.0706 for breach of trust, lack of cooperation, unfitness, or persistent failure to administer.

Trust Accounting Demands

Petitions to compel annual accountings under § 736.08135 and objections to deficient accountings under § 736.1008.

Breach of Fiduciary Duty

Surcharge actions to impose personal liability on trustees for self-dealing, imprudent investment, comingling, or favoritism among beneficiaries.

Trust Contests

Challenges to trust validity based on lack of capacity, undue influence, fraud, or improper execution under §§ 736.0406 and 732.5165.

Beneficiary Disputes

Disputes among beneficiaries over interpretation, distributions, accounting objections, and trust modification.

Successor Trustee Petitions

Petitions to appoint successor trustees when the named successor cannot serve or when the court must select an independent fiduciary.

Where Sarasota Trust Cases Are Heard

Sarasota Probate Division & Trust Litigation Venues

Trial court (probate division): Sarasota County Circuit Court, Probate & Trust Division — 2000 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34237.

Appellate court: Florida Second District Court of Appeal. The 2d DCA recently issued Schiro v. Elliott, No. 2D2025-2366 (Fla. 2d DCA May 29, 2026), in our firm's favor — affirming homestead protection for trust property against judgment creditors.

Sarasota considerations: Sarasota trusts often involve significant real estate holdings (luxury homes, condos, undeveloped land), closely held businesses (restaurants, marinas, professional practices), and art or collectibles — all of which require valuation expertise during discovery. Our firm coordinates with established Sarasota appraisers, accountants, and forensic experts.

Mediation: Sarasota Circuit Court routinely refers contested trust matters to mediation. Both court-connected and private mediators are common; mediation is typically required before a contested case is set for trial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I file a trust lawsuit in Sarasota?

Sarasota trust lawsuits are filed in the Sarasota County Circuit Court, Probate Division, at the Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center, 2000 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34237. The court has jurisdiction over trusts administered in Sarasota County, trusts with Sarasota-resident trustees, and trusts holding Sarasota real property.

What makes Sarasota trust litigation unique?

Sarasota cases frequently involve: (1) high-value real estate requiring appraiser experts; (2) closely held businesses with valuation disputes (restaurants, marinas, professional practices); (3) blended-family disputes between second-marriage beneficiaries and children of first marriages; (4) art, collectibles, and yacht-asset valuation; (5) multi-state trusts with trustees or beneficiaries in northern states. These complexities push Sarasota litigation toward the higher end of typical Florida cost and duration ranges.

How long does a Sarasota trust case take?

Most Sarasota County trust cases take 12–24 months from filing to final judgment. High-value contested cases involving complex valuation, multi-state discovery, or business interests can take 24–36 months. Uncontested removals and accounting demands typically resolve in 60–180 days. The Sarasota Probate Division has experienced trust judges who actively manage cases to keep them moving.

How much does Sarasota trust litigation cost?

Sarasota trust litigation typically costs $3,500–$5,000 for initial filings and motion-driven work, $25,000–$75,000 for cases settling at mediation, and $75,000–$200,000+ for cases that go to trial with multiple experts. Florida’s fee-shifting statute, Fla. Stat. § 736.1004, can shift fees to the losing party in trust-code and breach-of-fiduciary-duty actions — see Levine v. Stimmel, 272 So. 3d 847 (Fla. 5th DCA 2019).

Does Zoecklein Law travel to Sarasota for trust cases?

Yes — our office in Brandon (150 E. Bloomingdale Ave.) is approximately 75 minutes from downtown Sarasota. We routinely handle Sarasota County trust cases, including court appearances at 2000 Main Street and depositions at Sarasota offices. Florida appellate jurisdiction is statewide; the Second District Court of Appeal hears Sarasota appeals.

Trust Litigation Guide

The complete Florida trust litigation guide

Grounds for removal, accounting demands, surcharge actions, no-contest rules, costs, and remedies under Chapter 736.

Brice Zoecklein, Esq.
About the Attorney

Brice Zoecklein, Esq.

Managing Attorney, Zoecklein Law, P.A. · Florida Bar No. 0085615 · Trust Litigation, Estate Planning, Probate

Have a Sarasota trust dispute? We can help.