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Probate Litigation

Top-Ranked Probate Litigation Lawyers in Gainesville, Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.222 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked probate litigation lawyers in Gainesville, Florida are Maritza Arroyo (LexRank 80.00), Shannon McKenzie Miller (79.00) and James Fenner Gray (78.60).

This ranking lists 22 probate litigation lawyers in Gainesville, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. Their experience ranges from 3 to 45 years in practice. 2 of the 22 list Spanish on their Florida Bar profile.

Lawyers ranked
22
Fully verified
22 of 22

The ranking

Ordered by organic LexRank score; paid placements are labelled and never affect a position. How we rank

  1. No change

    Maritza Arroyo

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 37 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #1?

    Ranks #1 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 20.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  2. No change

    Shannon McKenzie Miller

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 31 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #2?

    Ranks #2 with 79.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Reputation (4/20). 1.00 points behind #1, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 20.8)
    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    1.00 points behind #1 (Maritza Arroyo): Practice-area relevance −5.

  3. No change

    James Fenner Gray

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 45 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #3?

    Ranks #3 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.40 points behind #2, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 20.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    0.40 points behind #2 (Shannon McKenzie Miller): Reputation −4, Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  4. No change

    Krista Lynn Brindle Collins

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 22 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #4?

    Ranks #4 with 76.40: strongest in Experience (26.4/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20). 2.20 points behind #3, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 26.4/30 (ranking avg 20.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    2.20 points behind #3 (James Fenner Gray): Experience −3.6.

  5. No change

    Norman Shelton Bledsoe Jr. “Norm”

    Folds Walker, LLC · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 21 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 75.20: strongest in Experience (25.2/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.20 points behind #4, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 25.2/30 (ranking avg 20.8)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.9)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    1.20 points behind #4 (Krista Lynn Brindle Collins): Experience −1.2.

  6. No change

    Aaron Scott Toney “Scott”

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 75.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.20 points behind #5, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 20.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    0.20 points behind #5 (Norman Shelton Bledsoe Jr. “Norm”): Practice-area relevance −5.

  7. No change

    Corey Slavens King “Coryn”

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 27 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 75.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 20.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  8. No change

    Lauren Nagel Richardson

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #8?

    Ranks #8 with 75.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 20.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  9. No change

    Summer Griggs Harris

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 24 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #9?

    Ranks #9 with 72.40: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (0/20). 2.60 points behind #8, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 20.8)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    2.60 points behind #8 (Lauren Nagel Richardson): Data quality −1.4, Experience −1.2.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  10. No change

    Nicolas Ben Harvey “Nick”

    Withers Harvey, P.A. · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 18 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #10?

    Ranks #10 with 71.60: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (21.6/30). 0.80 points behind #9, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 20.8)

    0.80 points behind #9 (Summer Griggs Harris): Experience −7.2.

  11. No change

    Kay Lennon McGrew “KAY”

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 18 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #11?

    Ranks #11 with 70.20: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Experience (21.6/30); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.40 points behind #10, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.9)
    • Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 20.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    1.40 points behind #10 (Nicolas Ben Harvey “Nick”): Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  12. No change

    Robert DeV. Bunn

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 20 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #12?

    Ranks #12 with 69.00: strongest in Experience (24/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.20 points behind #11, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 24/30 (ranking avg 20.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    1.20 points behind #11 (Kay Lennon McGrew “KAY”): Practice-area relevance −5.

  13. No change

    Charles Michael David “Cary”

    Florida Probate Law Group · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 15 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #13?

    Ranks #13 with 68.00: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (18/30). 1.00 points behind #12, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 20.8)

    1.00 points behind #12 (Robert DeV. Bunn): Experience −6.

  14. No change

    Casey Craig Harrison

    Harrison Estate Law, P.A. · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 15 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #14?

    Ranks #14 with 68.00: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (18/30).

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 20.8)
  15. No change

    Scott J Anderson

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 19 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #15?

    Ranks #15 with 67.80: strongest in Experience (22.8/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.20 points behind #14, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 22.8/30 (ranking avg 20.8)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    0.20 points behind #14 (Casey Craig Harrison): Practice-area relevance −5.

  16. No change

    Roseanne Nadine David “Nadine”

    Florida Probate Law Group · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 15 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #16?

    Ranks #16 with 63.00: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (18/30). 4.80 points behind #15, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 20.8)

    4.80 points behind #15 (Scott J Anderson): Experience −4.8.

  17. No change

    Nicholas Victor Aviles

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 11 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #17?

    Ranks #17 with 61.80: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (13.2/30). 1.20 points behind #16, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.9)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 13.2/30 (ranking avg 20.8)

    1.20 points behind #16 (Roseanne Nadine David “Nadine”): Experience −4.8, Data quality −1.4.

    Not on record (scores 0, never estimated): website.

  18. No change

    John Pierce Senkarik “Pierce”

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 9 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #18?

    Ranks #18 with 60.80: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (10.8/30). 1.00 points behind #17, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 10.8/30 (ranking avg 20.8)

    1.00 points behind #17 (Nicholas Victor Aviles): Experience −2.4.

  19. No change

    María del Carmen Curatolo “Maria Curatolo”

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 13 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #19?

    Ranks #19 with 60.60: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (15.6/30). 0.20 points behind #18, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 15.6/30 (ranking avg 20.8)

    0.20 points behind #18 (John Pierce Senkarik “Pierce”): Practice-area relevance −5.

  20. No change

    Julie Marble

    Harrison Estate Law, P.A. · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 5 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #20?

    Ranks #20 with 56.00: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (6/30). 4.60 points behind #19, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 6/30 (ranking avg 20.8)

    4.60 points behind #19 (María del Carmen Curatolo “Maria Curatolo”): Experience −9.6.

  21. No change

    Danielle C. Adams

    Folds Walker, LLC · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 4 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #21?

    Ranks #21 with 54.80: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (4.8/30). 1.20 points behind #20, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 4.8/30 (ranking avg 20.8)

    1.20 points behind #20 (Julie Marble): Experience −1.2.

  22. No change

    Allison Lindsay Carter

    Independent practice · Gainesville, FL

    Verified
    • 3 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #22?

    Ranks #22 with 53.60: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (3.6/30). 1.20 points behind #21, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 3.6/30 (ranking avg 20.8)

    1.20 points behind #21 (Danielle C. Adams): Experience −1.2.

Data sources behind the scores

Every score on this page is calculated from facts backed by these sources. Each profile shows which source supports which fact and when it was last checked.

  • floridabar.org · Official / regulatory · 22 profile pages221 facts for 22 lawyers

Probate Litigation market in Gainesville

LexRanked tracks 22 lawyers and 4 law firms in probate litigation law in Gainesville, Florida. 22 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 22, 2026.

Lawyers
22
Law firms
4
Verified professional data
22 of 22
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
18.5 years22 lawyers

Calculated by LexRanked from its own records on ; data verified . Ratings and review counts count only when backed by a source; figures from fewer than three profiles are withheld. All lawyers in Gainesville

What sets these Gainesville lawyers apart

Every lawyer in this ranking has a The Florida Bar license verified as eligible to practice, and every fact shown links to its source. The figures below come from each lawyer's Florida Bar profile.

Fact about the 22 ranked lawyers Figure
Years in practice 3 to 45 (median 18.5)
Languages besides English Spanish (2), American Sign Language (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer
Most common law school University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law (11 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a Gainesville office address and probate litigation as a practice area on record. It compares 22 probate litigation lawyers, using only facts with a cited source. The Florida Bar does not board-certify lawyers in probate litigation, so the practice area is the one each lawyer lists on their Florida Bar profile, which The Florida Bar does not review. How we rank.

Florida rules to know

Florida probate disputes run on short deadlines: an objection to a will is due 3 months after the notice of administration is served, creditor claims are generally due 3 months after the first notice to creditors, and most claims end 2 years after death.

Rule What it means
Will contest deadline An objection to a will's validity must be filed within 3 months after the notice of administration is served (Fla. Stat. § 733.212)
Undue influence A will, or any part of it, procured by fraud, duress, mistake or undue influence is void (§ 732.5165)
Burden of proof The will's proponent proves its execution; the contestant then proves the grounds, and a presumption of undue influence shifts the burden where it applies (§ 733.107)
Creditor claims Claims are due by the later of 3 months after first publication of the notice to creditors or 30 days after service on a creditor (§ 733.702)
Two-year bar Most claims against a decedent end 2 years after death (§ 733.710)
Trust contests A contest of a revocable trust is barred 6 months after the trustee sends the trust and the required notice, if that is earlier (§ 736.0604)
Court Where cases are heard
State court circuit Alachua County is in Florida's Eighth Judicial Circuit

How to choose among these lawyers

Confirm the license, ask who will handle your matter, and get the fee terms in writing before you sign.

  1. Look up the lawyer in The Florida Bar's directory and check the bar number shown on their LexRanked profile.
  2. Ask whether the lawyer you meet will handle your matter personally, and how many matters like yours they have handled recently.
  3. Ask how they charge and what costs are extra, and get the agreement in writing.
  4. If you prefer to work in another language, check the languages listed on each profile.

Further reading

Sources for the rules above

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to contest a will in Florida?

An interested person served with the notice of administration must file an objection within 3 months after service, under section 733.212. The period can be extended only for a misstatement by the personal representative about the deadline.

On what grounds can a will be challenged?

A will, or any part of it, is void if procured by fraud, duress, mistake or undue influence (section 732.5165). A will is also open to challenge if the person who made it was not of sound mind (section 732.501).

How long do creditors have to file a claim against an estate?

By the later of 3 months after the first publication of the notice to creditors or 30 days after a creditor is served (section 733.702). Most claims are barred 2 years after death in any case (section 733.710).

How long do I have to contest a trust in Florida?

For a trust that was revocable at death, the earlier of the general limitations period or 6 months after the trustee sends you the trust and the notice the statute requires (section 736.0604).

Which court handles cases in Gainesville?

State court cases in Alachua County are heard in Florida's Eighth Judicial Circuit.

Are there Spanish-speaking probate litigation lawyers in Gainesville?

Yes. 2 of the 22 ranked lawyers list Spanish on their Florida Bar profile. Each LexRanked profile shows the languages on record.

How is this ranking ordered?

By the LexRank score, calculated only from facts with a cited source: experience, practice-area relevance, awards on record such as board certification, professional credentials, data quality and location. Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Payment never changes a position.

Do client reviews affect the LexRank score?

Client reviews do not affect the LexRank score: neither star ratings nor the number of reviews is scored. Reviews are shown on profiles for information only, and Reputation counts only awards on record, such as board certification. How we rank

Which lawyers are verified?

22 of the 22 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Maritza Arroyo, Shannon McKenzie Miller, James Fenner Gray, Krista Lynn Brindle Collins and Norman Shelton Bledsoe Jr. “Norm” and others.

What is the difference between the top two lawyers?

Maritza Arroyo scores 80.00 and Shannon McKenzie Miller 79.00, a gap of 1.00 points, mostly in practice-area relevance. Compare them side by side

About this ranking

Last updated
Methodology
LexRank v1.2 - deterministic, reproducible scoring
Editorial review
LexRanked editorial team,
Independence
Positions are never sold. Paid placements, if any, are labelled and do not affect scores.

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