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Probate Litigation

Top-Ranked Probate Litigation Lawyers in Melbourne, Florida

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

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked probate litigation lawyers in Melbourne, Florida are Glen Everett Chaney (LexRank 80.00), Stephen Paul Heuston (79.00) and Mildred Prieto (78.60).

This ranking lists 25 probate litigation lawyers in Melbourne, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. Their experience ranges from 7 to 40 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

    Glen Everett Chaney

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

    Verified
    • 40 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 21.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 16.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)
  2. No change

    Stephen Paul Heuston

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

    Verified
    • 33 years experience
    • Estate Planning · 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 21.1)
    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.9)

    1.00 points behind #1 (Glen Everett Chaney): Practice-area relevance −5.

  3. No change

    Mildred Prieto

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

    Verified
    • 27 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 21.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 16.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)

    0.40 points behind #2 (Stephen Paul Heuston): Reputation −4, Data quality −1.4.

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

  4. No change

    Christopher J Coleman

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

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

    Ranks #4 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 21.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 16.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)

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

  5. No change

    Stephen John Lacey

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

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

    Ranks #5 with 77.60: strongest in Experience (27.6/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.00 points behind #4, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 27.6/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 16.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)

    1.00 points behind #4 (Christopher J Coleman): Experience −2.4.

  6. No change

    William Arthur Johnson

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

    Verified
    • 35 years experience
    • Elder Law · Guardianship
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 77.33: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Reputation (4/20); held back by Practice-area relevance (13.3/20). 0.27 points behind #5, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.9)

    Held back by

    • Practice-area relevance 13.3/20 (ranking avg 16.7)

    0.27 points behind #5 (Stephen John Lacey): Practice-area relevance −6.7.

  7. No change

    Robert Joseph Naberhaus III

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

    Verified
    • 25 years experience
    • Estate Planning · Guardianship
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 77.33: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Reputation (4/20); held back by Practice-area relevance (13.3/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.9)

    Held back by

    • Practice-area relevance 13.3/20 (ranking avg 16.7)
  8. No change

    David Conrad Netzley II “Dave”

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

    Verified
    • 28 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). 2.33 points behind #7, mostly reputation.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)

    2.33 points behind #7 (Robert Joseph Naberhaus III): Reputation −4.

  9. No change

    Michelle Stein Spira “Michelle”

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

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

    Ranks #9 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 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)
  10. No change

    Pierre Anthony Lothar Mommers

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

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

    Ranks #10 with 73.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.40 points behind #9, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)

    1.40 points behind #9 (Michelle Stein Spira “Michelle”): Data quality −1.4.

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

  11. No change

    Raymonda Chakhtoura

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

    Verified
    • 38 years experience
    • Consumer Protection · Insurance
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #11?

    Ranks #11 with 72.50: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Practice-area relevance (12.5/20). 1.10 points behind #10, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)
    • Practice-area relevance 12.5/20 (ranking avg 16.7)

    1.10 points behind #10 (Pierre Anthony Lothar Mommers): Practice-area relevance −2.5.

  12. No change

    Gregory John Schwendeman

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

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

    Ranks #12 with 72.40: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.10 points behind #11, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)

    0.10 points behind #11 (Raymonda Chakhtoura): Data quality −1.4, Experience −1.2.

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

  13. No change

    Francine Rae Yancey

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

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

    Ranks #13 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 #12, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 16.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)
    • Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 21.1)

    0.80 points behind #12 (Gregory John Schwendeman): Experience −7.2.

  14. No change

    Amy Beth Van Fossen

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

    Verified
    • 22 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #14?

    Ranks #14 with 71.40: strongest in Experience (26.4/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.20 points behind #13, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 26.4/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)

    0.20 points behind #13 (Francine Rae Yancey): Practice-area relevance −5.

  15. No change

    Ruth Celia Rhodes

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

    Verified
    • 20 years experience
    • Elder Law · Guardianship
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #15?

    Ranks #15 with 71.33: strongest in Reputation (4/20) and Experience (24/30); held back by Practice-area relevance (13.3/20). 0.07 points behind #14, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.9)
    • Experience 24/30 (ranking avg 21.1)

    Held back by

    • Practice-area relevance 13.3/20 (ranking avg 16.7)

    0.07 points behind #14 (Amy Beth Van Fossen): Experience −2.4, Practice-area relevance −1.7.

  16. No change

    Wayne F Jentis

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

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

    Ranks #16 with 64.20: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (19.2/30). 7.13 points behind #15, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)
    • Experience 19.2/30 (ranking avg 21.1)

    7.13 points behind #15 (Ruth Celia Rhodes): Experience −4.8, Reputation −4.

  17. No change

    Angelo Michael Martin

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

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

    Ranks #17 with 63.20: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (13.2/30). 1.00 points behind #16, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 16.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)
    • Experience 13.2/30 (ranking avg 21.1)

    1.00 points behind #16 (Wayne F Jentis): Experience −6.

  18. No change

    Kimberli L. Trader-Jones

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

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

    Ranks #18 with 62.00: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (12/30). 1.20 points behind #17, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 16.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)
    • Experience 12/30 (ranking avg 21.1)

    1.20 points behind #17 (Angelo Michael Martin): Experience −1.2.

  19. No change

    John Mason Williams IV “Mason”

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

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

    Ranks #19 with 61.80: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (16.8/30). 0.20 points behind #18, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)
    • Experience 16.8/30 (ranking avg 21.1)

    0.20 points behind #18 (Kimberli L. Trader-Jones): Practice-area relevance −5.

  20. No change

    Tyler Grant Puttick

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

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

    Ranks #20 with 60.33: strongest in Reputation (4/20) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (14.4/30) and Practice-area relevance (13.3/20). 1.47 points behind #19, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.9)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Experience 14.4/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
    • Practice-area relevance 13.3/20 (ranking avg 16.7)

    1.47 points behind #19 (John Mason Williams IV “Mason”): Experience −2.4, Practice-area relevance −1.7, Data quality −1.4.

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

  21. No change

    Austin Richard Payne

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

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

    Ranks #21 with 59.60: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (9.6/30). 0.73 points behind #20, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 16.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)
    • Experience 9.6/30 (ranking avg 21.1)

    0.73 points behind #20 (Tyler Grant Puttick): Experience −4.8, Reputation −4.

  22. No change

    Walter Nathanael Meloon “Nathan”

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

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

    Ranks #22 with 59.60: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (9.6/30).

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 16.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)
    • Experience 9.6/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
  23. No change

    Shane M. Smith

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

    Verified
    • 12 years experience
    • Bankruptcy · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #23?

    Ranks #23 with 59.40: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (14.4/30). 0.20 points behind #22, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)
    • Experience 14.4/30 (ranking avg 21.1)

    0.20 points behind #22 (Walter Nathanael Meloon “Nathan”): Practice-area relevance −5.

  24. No change

    Kelly Marie Keene

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

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

    Ranks #24 with 59.40: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (14.4/30).

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 15)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.9)
    • Experience 14.4/30 (ranking avg 21.1)
  25. No change

    Kaitlin J Stolz “Katie Jackson Stolz”

    Independent practice · Melbourne, FL

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

    Ranks #25 with 57.40: strongest in Reputation (4/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Experience (8.4/30). 2.00 points behind #24, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.9)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.7)

    Held back by

    • Experience 8.4/30 (ranking avg 21.1)

    2.00 points behind #24 (Kelly Marie Keene): Experience −6.

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 pages261 facts for 25 lawyers

Probate Litigation market in Melbourne

LexRanked tracks 27 lawyers in probate litigation law in Melbourne, Florida. 27 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 30, 2026.

Lawyers
27
Law firms
0
Verified professional data
27 of 27
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
20 years27 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 Melbourne

What sets these Melbourne 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 7 to 40 (median 22)
Languages besides English Spanish (2), Arabic (1), French (1), German (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer
Most common law school Stetson University College of Law (4 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a Melbourne 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 Brevard County is in Florida's Eighteenth 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 Melbourne?

State court cases in Brevard County are heard in Florida's Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.

Are there Spanish-speaking probate litigation lawyers in Melbourne?

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: Glen Everett Chaney, Stephen Paul Heuston, Mildred Prieto, Christopher J Coleman and Stephen John Lacey and others.

What is the difference between the top two lawyers?

Glen Everett Chaney scores 80.00 and Stephen Paul Heuston 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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