Estate Planning Lawyers in St. Petersburg, FL: What to Check
Updated 2026-10-06
Estate planning is about deciding what happens to your property, your health care decisions, and your loved ones if you cannot speak for yourself or after you die. Many people put it off because it feels complicated or uncomfortable. A clear plan can make things easier for your family. This guide explains what to check first when you look for an estate planning lawyer in St. Petersburg, Florida.
What estate planning covers
An estate plan can include several documents, such as:
- A will, which says who receives your property and who manages your estate.
- A trust, which can hold property and may help with privacy or managing assets over time.
- A durable power of attorney, which names someone to handle financial matters if you cannot.
- Health care documents, such as an advance directive and a health care surrogate designation.
- Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance.
- Plans for minor children, such as naming a guardian.
The right mix depends on your family, your property, and your goals. You can compare local firms on the estate planning lawyers in St. Petersburg page.
Check what happens without a plan
If someone dies without a valid plan, or with property in their name alone, their estate may go through probate. St. Petersburg is in Pinellas County. According to the Sixth Judicial Circuit, the circuit serves Pasco and Pinellas counties, and its circuit court handles cases such as probate, family law, and felony criminal cases. An estate planning lawyer can explain how a plan may affect what your family deals with later.
Check the Florida Bar record
Lawyers who practice in Florida must be members of The Florida Bar. The Bar's Find a Lawyer directory lets you look up a lawyer by name. Check the lawyer's membership status and look for any public discipline.
A website or online ad is not an official record. Check it yourself before you sign.
Check for board certification, if it matters to you
The Florida Bar runs a board certification program, and its directory lets you search by certification. Wills, Trusts and Estates is one of the areas listed. Certification is an extra credential. Many lawyers who are not certified also do estate planning work regularly, so treat certification as one piece of information, not the only one.
Check that the lawyer fits your situation
Estate planning needs vary a lot. Ask:
- How much of your practice is estate planning?
- Do you work with families like mine, for example blended families, a family member with special needs, or a family business?
- Do you also handle probate and trust administration if needed later?
- Who will draft the documents, and who will meet with me to sign them?
- How do you coordinate with my accountant or financial adviser?
If you own property in another state, ask whether the lawyer can coordinate with a lawyer licensed there.
Check how fees work
Many estate planning lawyers charge a flat fee for a defined set of documents, such as a will, power of attorney, and health care documents. Others bill hourly, especially for complex plans or for updating older documents. Ask:
- What exactly does the flat fee include?
- Does the fee include funding a trust, such as retitling property?
- What will updates cost later?
- Are recording or filing costs separate?
Get the fee agreement in writing.
Gather your information
Before your first meeting, make a list of your property: real estate, bank and retirement accounts, life insurance, vehicles, and business interests, with rough values if you know them. Note who you want to receive property, who you trust to manage your affairs, and any existing wills, trusts, or beneficiary forms. Bring copies of deeds and recent account statements.
Watch for warning signs
Be careful with anyone who pressures you to buy a product, such as a pre-packaged trust kit, or who promises that a plan will avoid all taxes or all court involvement. A careful lawyer explains what a plan can and cannot do for your family.
Free and low-cost help
The Florida Bar offers a Lawyer Referral Service, listed on The Florida Bar's website. The Sixth Judicial Circuit has a self-help center on its website for people handling some court matters on their own. The USAGov legal aid page also explains free and low-cost legal help.
For other kinds of lawyers in the city, see lawyers in St. Petersburg, or read the estate planning practice page.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a lawyer to write a will in Florida?
Not always, but a will must meet legal requirements to be valid. Many people use a lawyer to make sure the documents are signed and witnessed correctly.
How do I check a Florida lawyer?
Use The Florida Bar's Find a Lawyer directory. Search the lawyer's name and confirm their membership status.
What is board certification?
It is an extra credential from The Florida Bar in a specific area of law, such as Wills, Trusts and Estates. Many uncertified lawyers also handle estate planning.
Which court handles probate in St. Petersburg?
Probate cases in Pinellas County are handled by the circuit court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit. A lawyer can explain the process.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed attorney about your situation.