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Probate Litigation

Top-Ranked Probate Litigation Lawyers in Ocala, Florida

Updated Methodology LexRank v1.211 lawyers rankedReviewed by LexRanked editorial team

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked probate litigation lawyers in Ocala, Florida are Stephen Fulton Shaw “Steve” (LexRank 80.00), Joseph Warren Bullard (80.00) and W E Bishop Jr. “W.E. Bishop” (78.60).

This ranking lists 11 probate litigation lawyers in Ocala, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. Their experience ranges from 9 to 61 years in practice. 1 of the 11 lists Spanish on their Florida Bar profile.

Lawyers ranked
11
Fully verified
11 of 11

The ranking

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

  1. No change

    Stephen Fulton Shaw “Steve”

    Independent practice · Ocala, FL

    Verified
    • 28 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).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.0)
  2. No change

    Joseph Warren Bullard

    Independent practice · Ocala, FL

    Verified
    • 42 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).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.0)
  3. No change

    W E Bishop Jr. “W.E. Bishop”

    Independent practice · Ocala, FL

    Verified
    • 61 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). 1.40 points behind #2, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.0)

    1.40 points behind #2 (Joseph Warren Bullard): Data quality −1.4.

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

  4. No change

    John Roberts

    Independent practice · Ocala, FL

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

    Ranks #4 with 74.00: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10). 4.60 points behind #3, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.0)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)

    4.60 points behind #3 (W E Bishop Jr. “W.E. Bishop”): Experience −6.

  5. No change

    Renee Ruska Pelzman

    Independent practice · Ocala, FL

    Verified
    • 44 years experience
    • Insurance · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 73.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15). 0.40 points behind #4, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    0.40 points behind #4 (John Roberts): Practice-area relevance −5, Data quality −1.4.

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

  6. No change

    Patrick G Gilligan

    Independent practice · Ocala, FL

    Verified
    • 42 years experience
    • Civil Rights · Eminent Domain
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 73.33: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Practice-area relevance (13.3/20). 0.27 points behind #5, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)

    Held back by

    • Practice-area relevance 13.3/20 (ranking avg 18.0)

    0.27 points behind #5 (Renee Ruska Pelzman): Practice-area relevance −1.7.

  7. No change

    Melody Weeks Vanderlaan

    Independent practice · Ocala, FL

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

    Ranks #7 with 72.60: strongest in Experience (27.6/30) and Data quality (10/10). 0.73 points behind #6, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 27.6/30 (ranking avg 24.4)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)

    0.73 points behind #6 (Patrick G Gilligan): Experience −2.4.

  8. No change

    Michael Alfred Hollander

    Independent practice · Ocala, FL

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

    Ranks #8 with 69.20: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Experience (19.2/30). 3.40 points behind #7, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.0)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)

    Held back by

    • Experience 19.2/30 (ranking avg 24.4)

    3.40 points behind #7 (Melody Weeks Vanderlaan): Experience −8.4.

  9. No change

    Brian Joseph Laird

    Independent practice · Ocala, FL

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

    Ranks #9 with 65.60: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Experience (15.6/30). 3.60 points behind #8, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.0)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.5)

    Held back by

    • Experience 15.6/30 (ranking avg 24.4)

    3.60 points behind #8 (Michael Alfred Hollander): Experience −3.6.

  10. No change

    Samantha Shealy Rauba “SAMANTHA”

    Independent practice · Ocala, FL

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

    Ranks #10 with 65.20: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Experience (21.6/30). 0.40 points behind #9, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 24.4)

    0.40 points behind #9 (Brian Joseph Laird): Practice-area relevance −5, Data quality −1.4.

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

  11. No change

    Sarah Caroline Rummel

    Independent practice · Ocala, FL

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

    Ranks #11 with 55.65: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Experience (10.8/30). 9.55 points behind #10, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.0)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Experience 10.8/30 (ranking avg 24.4)

    9.55 points behind #10 (Samantha Shealy Rauba “SAMANTHA”): Experience −10.8, Professional credentials −3.8.

    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 · 11 profile pages109 facts for 11 lawyers

Probate Litigation market in Ocala

LexRanked tracks 11 lawyers in probate litigation law in Ocala, Florida. 11 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 30, 2026.

Lawyers
11
Law firms
0
Verified professional data
11 of 11
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
23 years11 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 Ocala

What sets these Ocala 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 11 ranked lawyers Figure
Years in practice 9 to 61 (median 23)
Languages besides English French (1), Spanish (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 (5 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a Ocala office address and probate litigation as a practice area on record. It compares 11 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 Marion County is in Florida's Fifth 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 Ocala?

State court cases in Marion County are heard in Florida's Fifth Judicial Circuit.

Are there Spanish-speaking probate litigation lawyers in Ocala?

Yes. 1 of the 11 ranked lawyers lists 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?

11 of the 11 ranked lawyers have fully verified profiles: Stephen Fulton Shaw “Steve”, Joseph Warren Bullard, W E Bishop Jr. “W.E. Bishop”, John Roberts and Renee Ruska Pelzman and others.

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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