By Ashley Robinson Estate planning in Jacksonville has become far more important as Northeast Florida continues growing through real estate expansion, business development, retirement migration, and multi-generational wealth transfer. From family-owned businesses in Duval County to high-value coastal properties near Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedra, many families now require structured legal planning to protect assets and avoid future probate complications.
A strong estate plan does more than distribute property after death. It can also help reduce family disputes, avoid unnecessary court involvement, protect minor children, preserve business continuity, and prepare for unexpected medical or financial emergencies.
Whether you need a simple will, a revocable living trust, Medicaid planning, or advanced tax and succession strategies, choosing experienced local counsel is essential.
Below is a breakdown of some of the top-rated estate planning attorneys and firms serving Jacksonville in 2026.
1. Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball, P.A.
- Primary Focus: High-Net-Worth Estate Planning, Tax Law & Business Succession
- Distinction: Long-established Jacksonville firm with strong estate and tax planning reputation
Fisher, Tousey, Leas & Ball is one of Jacksonville’s most respected full-service law firms. Their estate planning division regularly handles sophisticated trusts, tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies, business succession planning, and charitable estate structures for high-net-worth individuals and families.
The firm also assists business owners with protecting family companies and minimizing future probate and tax complications.
- Office Address: 501 Riverside Ave, Suite 600, Jacksonville, FL 32202
2. Law Office of David M. Goldman PLLC
- Primary Focus: Asset Protection, Revocable Trusts & Elder Law
- Distinction: Highly regarded Jacksonville boutique focused on probate avoidance
David Goldman’s firm is widely recognized for helping families build estate plans that avoid probate and protect long-term assets. The practice focuses heavily on revocable living trusts, Medicaid planning, powers of attorney, and elder care planning.
The firm is especially popular among retirees and families looking to protect homes and savings from future healthcare costs.
- Office Address: 3700 Kori Rd, Suite 4, Jacksonville, FL 32257
3. Schnauss Naugle Law, P.L.
- Primary Focus: Wills, Trust Administration & Family Estate Planning
- Distinction: Strong local reputation for personalized estate planning services
Led by Katherine Schnauss Naugle, this Jacksonville boutique focuses on practical family estate planning. The firm helps clients create wills, trusts, healthcare directives, guardianship plans, and powers of attorney.
They also guide families through probate and trust administration after the death of a loved one.
- Office Address: 81 Water St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
4. Legacy Planning Law Group
- Primary Focus: Living Trusts, Family Wealth Preservation & Legacy Planning
- Distinction: Client-focused firm emphasizing long-term multi-generational planning
Legacy Planning Law Group focuses on helping Jacksonville families create customized estate plans that evolve over time. Their attorneys regularly structure revocable and irrevocable trusts designed to protect inheritances, preserve family wealth, and simplify future asset transfers.
The firm also assists with incapacity planning and business succession matters.
- Office Address: 12627 San Jose Blvd, Suite 103, Jacksonville, FL 32223
5. Three Oaks Law
- Primary Focus: Special Needs Planning, Flat-Fee Estate Planning & Child Protection
- Distinction: Transparent flat-fee structure with strong family-centered planning approach
Three Oaks Law is highly regarded for helping families create affordable, organized estate plans without confusing billing structures. The firm focuses heavily on revocable trusts, minor child protection planning, and special needs trusts designed to preserve government benefit eligibility for disabled beneficiaries.
Their planning approach is especially popular with young families and parents of children with disabilities.
- Office Address: 13500 Sutton Park Dr S, Suite 601, Jacksonville, FL 32224
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I really need a trust if I already have a will?
A will and a trust serve different purposes.
A will explains how your assets should be distributed after death, but it usually still requires probate court involvement.
A revocable living trust can help many families avoid probate completely by allowing assets to transfer privately through the trust structure.
Q. What happens if someone dies without a will in Florida?
If a person dies without a valid will, Florida intestacy laws decide who inherits the property.
In most cases, assets go to:
- A surviving spouse
- Children
- Other close relatives
The court follows Florida statutes rather than personal family wishes.
Q. What is probate?
Probate is the legal court process used to transfer assets after someone passes away.
The process may involve:
- Validating the will
- Paying creditors
- Identifying beneficiaries
- Distributing property
Probate in Florida can sometimes take several months or longer depending on the complexity of the estate.
Q. Can estate planning help avoid family disputes?
Yes. One of the biggest benefits of estate planning is reducing confusion and conflict after death.
Clear legal documents can help families avoid disputes involving:
- Property division
- Guardianship of children
- Business ownership
- Healthcare decisions
- Financial control during incapacity
Without proper planning, disagreements often become expensive court battles.
Q. What documents are usually included in an estate plan?
A complete Florida estate plan often includes:
- Last Will and Testament
- Revocable Living Trust
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Surrogate Designation
- Living Will
- Guardianship Designations for Minor Children
The exact documents depend on family size, assets, business ownership, and long-term goals.
Q. Does Florida have an estate tax?
Florida does not currently impose a separate state estate tax.
However, very large estates may still face federal estate tax issues depending on asset value and federal exemption limits.
This is why many higher-net-worth families use trusts and tax planning strategies to preserve wealth for future generations.