Lake Mary Probate and Estate Planning Attorney | Yergey & Yergey, P.A.
Local Practice
Lake Mary is in Seminole County, so a Lake Mary resident's estate is administered in the Seminole County Circuit Court in Sanford, part of the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit — not in Orange County, where our office is. The Florida Probate Code is the same statewide, but Seminole's local procedures, filing practices, and scheduling differ from the Orange County Probate Division's, and we account for those differences in our Seminole County probate matters.
Yergey & Yergey, P.A. has practiced in Central Florida since 1928, and we represent Lake Mary clients in probate administration, estate planning, and trust administration.
Probate Court Information
Lake Mary probate matters are filed in the Seminole County Circuit Court — Probate Division, in Sanford.
The Seminole County Circuit Court is in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida. Seminole County probate proceedings follow the same Florida Probate Code that governs Orange County proceedings (Fla. Stat. Chapters 731–735), but the local administrative rules, filing procedures, and scheduling practices differ.
Applicable thresholds:
- Summary Administration (Fla. Stat. § 735.201): available when non-exempt assets do not exceed $150,000 for decedents who died on or after July 1, 2026 ($75,000 for earlier deaths), or the decedent died more than two years ago
- Formal Administration (Fla. Stat. § 733.101 et seq.): required for estates exceeding the Summary Administration threshold
- Formal Administration requires an attorney licensed in Florida to represent the personal representative (Fla. Prob. R. 5.030)
How We Serve Lake Mary Clients
Probate Administration
We represent personal representatives and beneficiaries in Seminole County Summary and Formal Administration, including contested matters — will contests under Fla. Stat. § 733.109, removal of personal representatives under Fla. Stat. § 733.506, and breach of fiduciary duty claims.
Estate Planning
Wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, durable powers of attorney, living wills, and health care surrogate designations for Lake Mary families.
Trust Administration
Guidance for Lake Mary successor trustees and representation of beneficiaries in trustee breach proceedings under Fla. Stat. § 736.0802.
Mediation
Both David A. Yergey, Jr. and David A. Yergey III are Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediators. We offer certified mediation for Lake Mary probate and trust disputes as an alternative to full litigation.
What to Bring to Your First Consultation
For a probate matter
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- The original will (if one exists) or the most recent copy you have
- A preliminary list of the decedent's assets and their approximate values
- Names and contact information for all beneficiaries and heirs at law
- Any prior correspondence with the probate court or other attorneys
For an estate planning consultation
- Current will, trust, or power of attorney documents if you have them — including any signed in another state
- A general list of your assets (real estate, bank accounts, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, business interests)
- Names of individuals you would want to serve as personal representative, trustee, or agent
- A list of your intended beneficiaries
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is probate filed for a Lake Mary resident?
- For a decedent domiciled in Lake Mary, in the Seminole County Circuit Court — Probate Division, at the Seminole County Courthouse, 301 N. Park Avenue, Sanford, under the venue rules of Fla. Stat. § 733.101. Seminole County is in the Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.
- Can an Orlando law firm handle a Seminole County probate?
- Yes. Our attorneys are members of The Florida Bar, which allows them to practice in courts throughout Florida, including the Seminole County Circuit Court.
Ready to speak with a Lake Mary probate attorney?
Call (407) 843-0430 or book a consultation online.
Or text PROBATE to (407) 906-9507 for a faster response.
Yergey & Yergey, P.A. | 910 N. Fern Creek Avenue, Orlando, FL 32803
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