Suncoast Legal PLLC guides families and personal representatives through Florida probate in Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Dunedin, and communities throughout Pinellas County.
When a loved one passes away, their estate often must pass through the Florida probate process before assets can be distributed to family members and beneficiaries. Suncoast Legal PLLC provides probate representation to families across Pinellas County — from Clearwater and St. Petersburg to Largo, Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Seminole, Pinellas Park, Belleair, and the barrier island communities along the Gulf Coast.
Attorney Anthony Thomas handles each matter personally, guiding personal representatives and families from the initial evaluation of the estate through final discharge and closing.
Probate proceedings for Pinellas County decedents are filed in the Probate Division of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, located at the Pinellas County Justice Center in Clearwater. Florida law generally requires the proceeding to be filed in the county where the decedent was domiciled at the time of death. If the decedent was not a Florida resident but held property in Pinellas County, the proceeding may be filed here as an ancillary administration.
Familiarity with the local court, its procedures, and its filing requirements matters. Suncoast Legal's practice is centered in Clearwater, within the Sixth Judicial Circuit.
Florida offers two primary forms of probate administration. Which applies depends on the size of the estate and how long the decedent has been deceased:
Summary Administration is an expedited process available when the total value of probate assets is $75,000 or less, or when the decedent has been deceased for more than two years. It does not require appointing a personal representative and is generally faster and less costly than formal administration. It is commonly used for smaller estates of Pinellas County residents, including retirees and long-term residents whose primary assets passed outside of probate through beneficiary designations or joint ownership.
Formal Administration is required for estates with probate assets exceeding $75,000, or when the nature of the estate demands it regardless of size. It involves appointing a personal representative, publishing a Notice to Creditors, filing an inventory of estate assets, managing a creditor claims period, and ultimately distributing the estate under court supervision. Formal administration provides the broadest legal protection for personal representatives and beneficiaries alike.
Suncoast Legal serves families and personal representatives across the full extent of Pinellas County, including:
Whether you are a personal representative managing a formal administration, a beneficiary with questions about the process, or a surviving spouse navigating your statutory rights, Suncoast Legal is available to assist regardless of where in the county you are located.
A significant share of Pinellas County estates involve Florida homestead property. The constitutional protections surrounding homestead — including restrictions on devise, the surviving spouse's right to a life estate or fee simple interest, and exemption from most creditor claims — create complexities that go beyond the standard probate process. Properly addressing homestead in the probate petition is essential to clear title and avoid future disputes. Suncoast Legal has experience handling Pinellas County probate estates where homestead property is a central issue.
It is common for individuals who lived elsewhere — in another Florida county, another state, or abroad — to own real property or financial accounts in Pinellas County. When the decedent's primary estate is administered elsewhere, an ancillary administration may be required in Florida to transfer that property. Suncoast Legal handles ancillary proceedings in the Sixth Judicial Circuit for families coordinating estates across multiple jurisdictions.
Suncoast Legal provides full-service probate representation for Pinellas County families, including:
Every Pinellas County estate is different. Contact Suncoast Legal to discuss your family's situation and learn how we can help you navigate the process efficiently and correctly.
Suncoast Legal provides clear, practical guidance for families and personal representatives navigating Florida probate. Schedule a consultation to discuss your situation.
Schedule a Consultation (813) 344-5946