Sun City Center Probate Lawyer: Expert Estate Administration in Hillsborough County

Florida Probate Law Group has helped thousands of families through the probate process on an affordable flat fee basis. Navigating the legal transition of an estate in Sun City Center requires a firm that understands the unique needs of Florida’s premier 55+ community. Whether the estate involve a home in Kings Point, Sandpiper Golf Club, or Renaissance, settling affairs in this region involves navigating the specific procedural requirements of the 13th Judicial Circuit.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we provide Sun City Center families with extensive experience, having successfully resolved thousands of probate cases since 2014. Our founding partners, R. Nadine David and Charles “Cary” David, are honors graduates of Stetson University College of Law and proud University of Florida alumni. We combine elite professional qualifications with a commitment to providing transparent, accessible legal services to seniors and their families.

Unmatched Qualifications and Insider Judicial Insight

Our firm offers a level of expertise that is unique in the Tampa Bay area, born from the distinguished professional histories of our founding partners:

Probate Court Staff Attorney Experience: Founding partner R. Nadine David served as a Probate Court Staff Attorney, working directly within the judicial system. This background provides her with a firsthand understanding of how judges review petitions and exactly what the court requires to move a case forward without the delays that often plague other firms.
Federal and Government Litigation: Founding partner Cary David gained elite experience during law school working for U.S. District Judge Elizabeth Kovachevich (the trailblazing former Chief Judge of the Middle District of Florida) and the Tampa U.S. Attorney’s Office. This high-level training ensures every estate is handled with absolute precision.
Local Professional Foundations: Both partners sat for and passed the Florida Bar Exam in Tampa, marking the beginning of their dedicated service to families across Hillsborough County. As regular attendees of the annual Florida-Georgia game, the Davids maintain deep roots in the regional community.

The Advantage of 13th Circuit Insight in 2026

In Hillsborough County, probate success is driven by a firm’s mastery of the local-local rules established by the Tampa bench. As of 2026, the 13th Judicial Circuit utilizes specific digital filing standards and mandatory checklists.

“Judge-Ready” Petitions: We understand the specific procedural expectations of the Hillsborough County probate judges, including Judge Michael J. Scionti and Judge Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe. Our firm prepares petitions designed to move through the system without the “Deficiency Notices” that often stall less experienced practitioners.
Mandatory Checklist Proficiency: Under Administrative Order S-2024-013, the 13th Circuit requires mandatory checklists to ensure all statutory requirements are met. Our internal knowledge allows us to satisfy these on the first submission, ensuring your case moves toward distribution as quickly as possible.
Homestead & Age-Restricted Property Expertise: For Sun City Center residents, the family home is often the primary asset. We specialize in filing Petitions to Determine Homestead to protect this equity from creditors and clear the title for heirs, ensuring compliance with Florida’s unique constitutional protections.

100% Remote Probate: No Travel Required

Many heirs of Sun City Center residents live out of state. We have pioneered a 100% Remote Probate model, allowing you to settle an estate without ever coming to court or to our office physically.

Virtual Consultations: Meet with our team via secure video from your home or from anywhere in the world.
Digital Execution: Sign nearly all required probate filings securely via electronic signature, compliant with Florida’s 2026 digital standards.
Electronic Representation: We manage all filings with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court and handle all virtual appearances before 13th Circuit judges on your behalf.

Affordable Flat Fees: Financial Certainty

We believe that probate should not be a financial mystery. Unlike many firms that charge a percentage of the estate’s total value, we offer affordable flat-fee pricing for all uncontested probate matters.

Summary Administration

An expedited path under Florida Statute 735.201 for Sun City Center estates where:

The total value of “non-exempt” assets is under $75,000.
OR the decedent has been deceased for more than two years.

Formal Administration

The standard process for larger estates or those with complex creditor issues, governed by Florida Probate Rule 5.200. This process is necessary when a Personal Representative must be officially appointed to handle bank accounts, litigation, or tax issues.

For a detailed walkthrough of the legal steps involved, read our Complete Guide to Florida Probate and our specific Hillsborough County Probate Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What counts as a “non-exempt” asset in a Sun City Center estate? In Florida, “exempt” assets—most notably a protected Florida Homestead—do not count toward the $75,000 threshold for Summary Administration. This means an estate can include a valuable home in Sun City Center and still qualify for the faster Summary process if the remaining liquid assets (bank accounts, stocks) are below $75,000. Learn more from the Florida Bar’s Consumer Pamphlet.

Where do I file the original Will for a Sun City Center resident? Under Florida Statute 732.901, the original Will must be deposited with the Hillsborough County Clerk of Courts within 10 days of receiving notice of the death. The courthouse is located at 800 E. Twiggs Street, Tampa, FL 33602. Our firm manages this secure physical filing for our clients.

What is a “Restricted Depository” in the 13th Circuit? Judges in Hillsborough County frequently require estate cash to be held in a Restricted Depository per Florida Statute 69.031. This account protects the assets by requiring a court order for any withdrawals. We coordinate directly with local financial institutions to satisfy this requirement.

Can an out-of-state relative serve as the Personal Representative? Yes. As long as you are a close blood relative (spouse, child, parent, sibling, etc.), you can serve as the Personal Representative for a Sun City Center estate even if you live in another state. This is governed by Florida Statute 733.304.

Secure Your Family’s Sun City Center Legacy

At Florida Probate Law Group, we combine unique qualifications and the experience of thousands of resolved cases with a deep commitment to the residents of Sun City Center. We handle the complexities of the law so you can focus on your family.

Client Reviews

I was very happy with her response to my questions and concerns about Florida probate. I am in Ohio and was not familiar with the process but they cleared everything up for me and made me feel comfortable going through the probate process with my loved ones will.

Roger

Honest and straight forward assessment of complex case. My case span both federal and state issues, as well as civil case of fraud which maybe criminal fraud. He told me what he could do, what his limits of scope were and what my best/safest position should be and gave me an outline of how to get...

S. Todd

The world of probate can be fairly daunting for one who has little to no experience. Between trying to figure out what to file and when to file, there is also the where. I was quite relieved to have Nadine and Cary to guide me through the court process.

Michael O.

I highly recommend using this law group for your Florida probate needs, and in particular, Charles David. He explained clearly what my 91 year old aunt would need to do in order to sell property that was in hers and her late husband's name.

Patti T.

Florida probate law group,was very helpful in answering the many questions that I had concerning my situation their input was very appreciated thank you.

Shirley M.

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