St. Petersburg Probate Attorney

Welcome to the homepage of James W. Martin, P.A., a Florida wills, trusts and probate attorney who practices law in St. Petersburg, Florida, and who is Board Certified in Real Estate Law by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization, and who served six years on The Florida Bar Probate Rules Committee, and who wrote six volumes of legal forms books for West Publishing. With decades of legal experience, he holds the highest ratings on Martindale, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Lawyers.com, and Justia. In addition to his law practice, he shares his knowledge and skills as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law, and he has authored nationally-published law journal articles and law books. He invites you to explore his website to learn more about his legal services and how he can help you navigate your legal needs in Florida wills, trusts, and probate.

“My goal in every probate case is to help my clients exercise their rights and perform their duties with as little risk as practical and as quickly as legally possible.”

Tampa St. Petersburg Probate Attorney James W. Martin

Most cases begin with a free phone consultation where James W. Martin learns the facts of the case. He takes all calls himself at 727-821-0904, so potential clients speak directly to this Florida attorney.

How Do You Know If You Are an Heir of a Florida Resident Who Died?

Probate attorney James W. Martin helps his clients determine if they are heirs of a Florida resident who died or a nonresident who died owning assets in Florida. He uses his Intestate Heirs Decision Tree for Florida Probate Assets to apply the Florida Probate Code to the facts of each probate case. With decades of experience dealing with Florida wills, trusts, probate, and real estate, he is often able to quickly determine whether his client has a case or not.

Florida Probate and Trust Administration and Litigation

Tampa St. Petersburg probate attorney James W. Martin understands the complexities and sensitivities surrounding Florida trust and probate administration and litigation. Navigating the intricacies of the legal system can be overwhelming, particularly when dealing with the emotional aftermath of losing a loved one. James W. Martin is committed to providing personalized, compassionate, and effective legal representation to protect his clients’ interests and rights in trust and probate matters.

Florida probate attorneys and trust attorneys are familiar with Florida Statutes Chapters 731 through 740 regarding probate estates and trusts. For example, Florida Statutes Section 732.502 sets forth the requirements for signing a Florida will.

Florida Probate Estates

Commencing and administering Florida probate estates first appears to be a confusing and difficult process for all parties involved. Pinellas County probate attorney James W. Martin’s extensive experience with wills, trusts, and estates of Florida residents has provided him a strong foundation from which to advise his probate estate clients.

He provides advice and representation in Florida probate and trust administration. Every probate case involves filing a petition with the probate court to commence administration. James W. Martin has extensive experience in commencing and administering Florida probate cases, from the simplest cases to the most complex estate cases.

James W. Martin served six years on the Probate Rules Committee of The Florida Bar.

James W. Martin is the author of nationally published articles on probate, such as Ten Tips for Handling Complex Probate, published in The Practical Lawyer, by the American Law Institute — American Bar Association.

James W. Martin answers many frequently asked questions about probate on his Florida Probate and Estate FAQ page.

Florida Real Estate Sales, Construction, and Leases

As a Florida Board Certified Real Estate Lawyer, James W. Martin offers comprehensive legal services encompassing all aspects of Florida real estate transactions for trusts and probate estates. He is adept at advising clients on the sale of residential, industrial, vacant land, and commercial properties, to provide a smooth and legally sound process. He also provides proficient legal guidance in the realm of construction law, assisting property owners in the nuances of Florida construction law. Additionally, he handles matters related to leases involving trust and probate estates.

As a real estate and probate attorney, he is familiar with various Florida Statutes governing real property in Florida, such as Florida Statutes Chapter 475 regulating real estate brokers and agents, Florida Statutes Chapters 689 through 723 governing real property and personal property, and Florida Statutes Chapter 117 regarding notaries public.

James W. Martin’s board certification in Real Estate Law was issued by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education after years of education and experience and passing a second bar exam on the subject of Florida real property law. There are only seven Florida Bar Board Certified Real Estate Lawyers in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Florida Probate Attorney Fees and Costs

Everyone involved in Florida probate cases wants to know about the fees and costs in probate. In Florida, the attorney represents the personal representative, and the attorney’s fees are payable from estate assets. Florida probate attorney James W. Martin charges hourly attorney’s fees in probate cases, not a percentage of the probate estate value.