Lake Nona Probate Lawyer: Expert Estate Administration in Orange County

Florida Probate Law Group has helped thousands of families get through the probate process on an affordable flat-fee basis. Navigating an estate in Lake Nona – from the modern residences of Laureate Park and VillageWalk to the high-value estates in Lake Nona Golf & Country Club – requires a legal team that understands the technical demands of the 9th Judicial Circuit. Our firm’s efficiency in this market is backed by hundreds of 5-star Google reviews from families who have seen us successfully clear the administrative hurdles that often stall other Florida attorneys.

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

2026 Transparent Flat-Fee Pricing: All-Inclusive Savings

In a fast-growing community like Lake Nona, where modern estate values frequently reach into the multi-millions, traditional percentage-based legal fees can be predatory. Under Florida Statute 733.6171, lawyers are often permitted to charge a “presumed reasonable” fee based on a percentage of the estate’s value—often 3%. For a $1,500,000 Lake Nona estate, a percentage-based firm might charge $45,000 for a routine probate.

At Florida Probate Law Group, we reject this model. As of 2026, our flat-fee prices for uncontested probate cases are:

Summary Estate Administration: $3,500
Formal Estate Administration: $6,655

These fees are truly all-inclusive. They cover all court filing costs, legal publication fees, and certified mailings within the United States. Our flat-fee model provides massive savings for high-value estates, ensuring that the wealth built in Lake Nona stays with the heirs, not the law firm.

Unmatched Litigation Experience: Protecting Your Legacy

The key to a smooth uncontested probate in Orange County is having a lawyer who understands exactly how contested probates work. Founding partner Charles “Cary” David has extensive experience in high-stakes litigation, famously representing eighteen family members in the multi-million dollar Bo Diddley trust litigation to restore the icon’s legacy. Cary has also managed numerous multi-million dollar probate disputes involving residential and commercial interests throughout Florida.

This litigation background provides a significant advantage for our uncontested probate clients in Lake Nona:

Litigation-Proofing the File: We identify “red flags”—such as vague Will provisions or complex creditor issues—during the first week. We draft petitions so precisely that they discourage challenges from disgruntled relatives or aggressive creditors before they ever start.
Avoiding Administrative Pitfalls: Combined with founding partner R. Nadine David’s experience as a former Probate Court Staff Attorney, we offer a perspective that combines “behind-the-bench” procedural knowledge with front-line litigation toughness.

The Advantage of 9th Circuit Judicial Insight in 2026

If you are probating an estate for a Lake Nona resident, your case will be adjudicated at the Orange County Courthouse in downtown Orlando. Success in the 9th Judicial Circuit is driven by a firm’s mastery of the local-local rules established by the bench.

Judicial Assignments for 2026

Per Administrative Order 2025-13, the Orange County Probate Division (Division 5) is led by:

Judge Mark S. Blechman (Subdivision 01-5)
Judge Heather L. Higbee (Subdivision 02-5; Associate Administrative Judge for Probate)
Judge Alicia L. Latimore (Subdivision 09-5)

Mandatory Filing Protocols

As of 2026, the 9th Circuit maintains strict procedural requirements to manage its high case volume:

Notice Regarding Original Will: Per Administrative Order 2021-24, all litigants must file a specific “Notice Regarding Original Will” with the opening of any estate. Failure to include this notice results in an automatic rejection by the Clerk.
The 10-Day Rule: Under Florida Statute 732.901, the original Will must be physically delivered to the Orange County Clerk of Courts (425 N. Orange Ave., Suite 335, Orlando, FL 32801) within 10 days of receiving notice of death.

100% Remote Probate: Serving Lake Nona from Anywhere

Whether you are local to Orlando or an out-of-state heir, probate administration can be completed remotely without ever coming to court or to our office physically.

Virtual Consultations: Connect with our team via secure video conferencing from anywhere in the world.
Digital Signature Integration: Execute all necessary petitions and oaths via secure electronic signature, compliant with 2026 digital standards.
Physical Document Management: We manage the physical deposit of the original Will at the downtown Orlando courthouse so you never have to battle traffic or security.
Virtual Representation: We handle all appearances before 9th Circuit judges on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What counts as a “non-exempt” asset in a Lake Nona 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 high-value home in Lake Nona and still qualify for the faster Summary process if the remaining liquid assets are below $75,000. Learn more from the Florida Bar’s Consumer Pamphlet.

What is a “Restricted Depository” in the 9th Circuit? Judicial officers in Orange 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 withdrawal, providing an extra layer of security for the heirs.

Where do I file the original Will for a Lake Nona resident? The original Will must be delivered to the Orange County Clerk of Courts, led by Tiffany Moore Russell, at 425 N. Orange Ave., Orlando, FL 32801. Our firm handles this physical deposit securely for all clients.

Our Connection to the Lake Nona Community

For our founding partners, Lake Nona is a community where we are personally invested. As sponsors of Inter Gainesville KF in the USL League Two, our team regularly travels to compete against our Lake Nona counterparts (who are the class of the league). We have a deep appreciation for the world-class soccer culture in the area, and our founders are frequently seen on the sidelines of youth soccer tournaments at the Lake Nona Performance Club and surrounding fields. This local presence drives our commitment to providing Lake Nona families with elite legal representation that honors their legacy.

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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