Probate Attorney in St. Petersburg, FL
Compassionate, efficient probate help for St. Petersburg families — Pinellas County estate administration handled by phone, video, and e-filing, so you rarely set foot in the Clearwater courthouse.
When a St. Petersburg family loses a loved one, the estate often has to pass through probate — the court-supervised process of validating the will, paying creditors, and transferring assets. Cornerstone Wealth & Legacy Law guides St. Petersburg personal representatives and families through Pinellas County probate from start to finish, almost entirely by phone, video, and electronic filing.
Probate in St. Petersburg & the Sixth Judicial Circuit
St. Petersburg probate is administered through the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Pinellas County, part of Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit, with the main courthouse in Clearwater. Because Florida courts use electronic filing, we can open and complete most St. Petersburg estates without you traveling to the courthouse — but the process still follows strict statutory deadlines under Florida Statutes Chapter 733, including the notice to creditors and the claim period under §733.702.
How We Help St. Petersburg Personal Representatives
- Determining whether the estate needs formal administration (Chapter 733) or qualifies for summary administration (Chapter 735)
- Preparing and e-filing the petition, oath, and order appointing the personal representative
- Publishing and serving the notice to creditors and resolving claims
- Filing the inventory, handling homestead, and making final distribution to beneficiaries
- Clearing title to St. Petersburg-area real estate, including homestead property
Avoiding Probate Next Time
Many St. Petersburg families come to us after a hard probate and decide to spare their own heirs the same process. A properly funded revocable living trust, paired with beneficiary designations and the right deeds, keeps assets out of the Pinellas County probate court entirely. Take our free Estate Plan Score quiz to see where you stand.
St. Petersburg Probate FAQs
Where is probate filed for St. Petersburg residents?
Probate for St. Petersburg residents is filed with the Clerk of the Circuit Court for Pinellas County, part of Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit, with the main courthouse in Clearwater. Florida probate is handled largely through electronic filing, so a personal representative usually does not need to appear in person.
How long does probate take in St. Petersburg?
Most formal administrations for St. Petersburg estates take about six months to a year, driven by the creditor claim period: after the personal representative publishes a notice to creditors, creditors generally have until the later of three months from first publication or 30 days from service to file claims (Fla. Stat. §733.702), subject to a two-year absolute bar (§733.710). Summary administration, when available, can finish in a few weeks to a couple of months.
What is summary administration, and does my St. Petersburg estate qualify?
Summary administration is Florida's streamlined probate, available when the probate estate — excluding exempt and homestead property — is worth $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been deceased for more than two years (Fla. Stat. Chapter 735). Many St. Petersburg estates qualify, especially when most assets passed by trust, beneficiary designation, or joint title. Larger estates proceed as formal administration under Chapter 733.
Do I need a probate lawyer in St. Petersburg?
In Florida, formal administration generally requires a licensed attorney because the personal representative must be represented by counsel (with narrow exceptions). Cornerstone handles St. Petersburg probate remotely — preparing and e-filing the petition, notice to creditors, inventory, and final distribution with the Sixth Judicial Circuit — so you rarely need to visit the Clearwater courthouse.
Does Florida have an estate or inheritance tax?
No. Florida has no state estate tax and no state inheritance tax, so most St. Petersburg estates owe no death tax at the state level. Only very large estates may owe federal estate tax above the federal exemption amount.
Facing probate in St. Petersburg?
Start with a free 20-minute call. We'll explain exactly what the estate needs and how we can handle it remotely.
Schedule Your Free ConsultationCornerstone Wealth & Legacy Law, PLLC is licensed in the State of Florida and serves clients throughout the state. This page is attorney advertising and general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Estate planning, probate, and elder law outcomes depend on your individual facts and the proper execution of documents under Florida law.