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Probate Litigation

Top-Ranked Probate Litigation Lawyers in Jacksonville, Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.225 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of October 31, 2026, the top-ranked probate litigation lawyers in Jacksonville, Florida are Jason Edward Havens (LexRank 84.00), Pamela Jacobs Soule (80.00) and John Phillips Cole (80.00).

This ranking lists 25 probate litigation lawyers in Jacksonville, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. Their experience ranges from 18 to 56 years in practice. 2 of the 25 list Spanish on their Florida Bar profile.

Lawyers ranked
25
Fully verified
25 of 25

The ranking

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

  1. No change

    Jason Edward Havens

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

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

    Ranks #1 with 84.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Reputation (4/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.1)
  2. No change

    Pamela Jacobs Soule

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 30 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #2?

    Ranks #2 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20). 4.00 points behind #1, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

    4.00 points behind #1 (Jason Edward Havens): Reputation −4.

  3. No change

    John Phillips Cole

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

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

    Ranks #3 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 22.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)
  4. No change

    Douglas Aaron Oberdorfer

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

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

    Ranks #4 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 22.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)
  5. No change

    Vivile R Dietrich

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

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

    Ranks #5 with 78.80: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.20 points behind #4, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

    1.20 points behind #4 (Douglas Aaron Oberdorfer): Experience −1.2.

  6. No change

    M David Epstein “M. David Epstein”

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 54 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.20 points behind #5, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

    0.20 points behind #5 (Vivile R Dietrich): Data quality −1.4.

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

  7. No change

    James Arthur Nolan

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 29 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

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

  8. No change

    Debbie Lee Clark “Debbie”

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 25 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #8?

    Ranks #8 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

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

  9. No change

    Patrick Power Coll

    Smith Hulsey & Busey · Jacksonville, FL

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

    Ranks #9 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

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

  10. No change

    William Stafford Frazier

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

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

    Ranks #10 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

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

  11. No change

    Donald Wayne Matthews

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

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

    Ranks #11 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

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

  12. No change

    Ronald W Maxwell

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 56 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #12?

    Ranks #12 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

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

  13. No change

    James Roland McCachren III

    Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP · Jacksonville, FL

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

    Ranks #13 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

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

  14. No change

    Thomas James Sweet

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

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

    Ranks #14 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

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

  15. No change

    Carole Annette Vogel

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

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

    Ranks #15 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

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

  16. No change

    Francis M Boyer

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 18 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #16?

    Ranks #16 with 75.60: strongest in Reputation (4/20) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Experience (21.6/30). 3.00 points behind #15, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 22.1)

    3.00 points behind #15 (Carole Annette Vogel): Experience −8.4.

  17. No change

    Charlie James Gillette Jr.

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 37 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #17?

    Ranks #17 with 75.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.60 points behind #16, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

    0.60 points behind #16 (Francis M Boyer): Practice-area relevance −5, Reputation −4.

  18. No change

    Lara Alexis Mason

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 25 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #18?

    Ranks #18 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 22.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)
  19. No change

    William Andrew O’Leary

    Legacy Planning Law Group · Jacksonville, FL

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

    Ranks #19 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 22.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)
  20. No change

    Julie Anne Saieg “Julie”

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

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

    Ranks #20 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 22.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)
  21. No change

    Kevin Schaun Sanders

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 40 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #21?

    Ranks #21 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 22.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)
  22. No change

    Hollyn June Foster

    Bowers & Foster Elder Law, P.A. · Jacksonville, FL

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

    Ranks #22 with 74.00: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Experience (24/30); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.00 points behind #21, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)
    • Experience 24/30 (ranking avg 22.1)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

    1.00 points behind #21 (Kevin Schaun Sanders): Experience −6.

  23. No change

    Shea Michael Moser

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 20 years experience
    • Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #23?

    Ranks #23 with 74.00: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Experience (24/30); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)
    • Experience 24/30 (ranking avg 22.1)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)
  24. No change

    Caroline Carthage Emery

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

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

    Ranks #24 with 73.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.40 points behind #23, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

    0.40 points behind #23 (Shea Michael Moser): Practice-area relevance −5, Data quality −1.4.

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

  25. No change

    Maria Rogers

    Independent practice · Jacksonville, FL

    Verified
    • 25 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #25?

    Ranks #25 with 73.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.1)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

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

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 · 25 profile pages246 facts for 25 lawyers

Probate Litigation market in Jacksonville

LexRanked tracks 53 lawyers and 8 law firms in probate litigation law in Jacksonville, Florida. 53 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 22, 2026.

Lawyers
53
Law firms
8
Verified professional data
53 of 53
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
20 years53 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 Jacksonville

What sets these Jacksonville 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 25 ranked lawyers Figure
Years in practice 18 to 56 (median 30)
Languages besides English French (2), Spanish (2), Arabic (1), Turkish (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 (10 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a Jacksonville office address and probate litigation as a practice area on record. It compares 25 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 Duval County is in Florida's Fourth 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 Jacksonville?

State court cases in Duval County are heard in Florida's Fourth Judicial Circuit.

Are there Spanish-speaking probate litigation lawyers in Jacksonville?

Yes. 2 of the 25 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?

25 of the 25 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Jason Edward Havens, Pamela Jacobs Soule, John Phillips Cole, Douglas Aaron Oberdorfer and Vivile R Dietrich and others.

Which lawyers speak Spanish?

7 of the 53 lawyers in this ranking have it on record, 7 confirmed by a verified fact or an official record. They are ranked separately by the same LexRank score. Top-Ranked Spanish-Speaking Probate Litigation Lawyers in Jacksonville, Florida

What is the difference between the top two lawyers?

Jason Edward Havens scores 84.00 and Pamela Jacobs Soule 80.00, a gap of 4.00 points, mostly in reputation. 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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