St. Petersburg Real Estate and Probate Attorney

Welcome to the homepage of James W. Martin, P.A., a real estate and probate attorney practicing in St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida, who has served on The Florida Bar Probate Rules Committee and is Board Certified in Real Estate Law by The Florida Bar. 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 has authored nationally-published law journal articles and law books for West Publishing among others. 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 real estate, wills, trusts, and probate matters.

“My goal in every 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.”

St. Petersburg Real Estate and Probate Attorney James W. Martin

James W. Martin is Board Certified in Real Estate Law by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization.

And he serves as Adjunct Professor of Law at his alma mater Stetson University College of Law, which is rated #1 by U.S. News and World Report in Trial Advocacy and #3 in Legal Writing.

Most cases begin with a 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 St. Petersburg, Florida, attorney.

Florida Board Certified Real Estate Attorney

As a St. Petersburg real estate attorney James W. Martin is Board Certified in Real Estate Law by The Florida Bar Board of Legal Specialization and Education. Board certification in real estate is an achievement held by less than one percent of Florida attorneys. To become board certified, a real estate attorney must not only pass the Florida Bar exam but also pass an additional bar exam on just Florida real estate law.

This Pinellas County real estate attorney is the author of nationally published articles on real estate, such as Tips for Handling the Complex Real Property Transaction, published in The Practical Real Estate Lawyer by the American Law Institute CLE. And he has written four volumes of legal forms books for attorneys on the subject of Florida real estate sales, leases, and transactions, including the new books “Florida Real Estate Sales Contracts” and “Florida Real Estate Lease Agreements”.

Florida real estate laws can be complicated so he provides clients with comprehensive legal services for many aspects of Florida real estate law, including listing agreements, buyer broker agreements, contracts for sale and purchase, closing documents, leases, easements, deeds, and other real estate documents and transactions.

James W. Martin answers many frequently asked questions about Florida real estate law on his Florida Real Estate Law Frequently Asked Questions FAQ page.

Florida Probate Attorney

As a St. Petersburg probate attorney James W. Martin understands that dealing with probate and estate matters can be a complex and emotionally draining process. He is here to guide you through every step of the Florida probate process, from estate administration to will disputes, ensuring your rights are protected and your loved one’s wishes are honored.

With extensive experience in Florida probate law, he handles a broad range of issues including estate planning, wills and trusts, homestead, probate administration and litigation, and trust administration and litigation. He understands the sensitive nature of these matters and strives to provide compassionate and effective legal representation. His goal is to help you navigate the probate process as smoothly as possible.

James W. Martin answers many frequently asked questions about probate on his Florida Wills, Trusts and Probate Law Frequently Asked Questions FAQ page.

Florida Business Contract Review and Drafting

Attorneys draft and review all types of contracts, such as real estate sales contracts, lease agreements, and employment agreements. Jim Martin has taught contract drafting as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law for over fifteen years, and he has written over a dozen books and articles on contract drafting that have been published in national and state bar publications. His article “Fifty Tips for Writing the Contract That Stays Out of Court” received The Florida Bar’s Writing Competition Award. In addition, he has been the speaker at national, state and local bar association conventions and seminars on the subject of drafting contracts and other legal documents.

James W. Martin answers many frequently asked questions about Florida business law on his Florida Business Law Frequently Asked Questions FAQ page

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

Pinellas County Florida 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.

Pinellas County Probate and Trust Administration

Probate and trust 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. That’s why he is committed to providing personalized, compassionate, and effective legal representation to protect his clients’ interests and rights in trust and probate matters.

Florida trust and probate attorneys are familiar with the Florida Probate Code in Florida Statutes Chapters 731 through 740 regarding probate estates and trusts for residents of Florida or those owning real estate in Florida. For example, Florida Statutes Section 732.502 sets forth the requirements for signing a Florida will, which, if not followed, can sometimes be the basis for a will contest.

Probate in Pinellas County, Florida

Commencing and administering Pinellas County, 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.

Florida Real Estate in Probate

As a Florida Board Certified Real Estate Lawyer, James W. Martin offers comprehensive legal services encompassing all aspects of Florida real estate transactions involving homestead, 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.