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Guardianship

Top-Ranked Guardianship Lawyers in Orlando, Florida

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

Summary

As of November 1, 2026, the top-ranked guardianship lawyers in Orlando, Florida are Keith James Hesse (LexRank 80.00), Craig Ronald Lynd (80.00) and Christine Ann Wasula (80.00).

This ranking lists 25 guardianship lawyers in Orlando, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. Their experience ranges from 10 to 57 years in practice. 5 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

    Keith James Hesse

    Shuffield, Lowman & Wilson, P.A. · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 43 years experience
    • Guardianship
    • 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 19.7)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.3)
  2. No change

    Craig Ronald Lynd

    Kaufman & Lynd, PLLC · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 29 years experience
    • Guardianship
    • 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 19.7)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.3)
  3. No change

    Christine Ann Wasula

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 28 years experience
    • Guardianship
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #3?

    Ranks #3 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.3)
  4. No change

    Mercedes Ruth Wechsler

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 29 years experience
    • Guardianship
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #4?

    Ranks #4 with 80.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.3)
  5. No change

    Thomas P Moss

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 28 years experience
    • Guardianship
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #5?

    Ranks #5 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20). 1.40 points behind #4, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.3)

    1.40 points behind #4 (Mercedes Ruth Wechsler): Data quality −1.4.

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

  6. No change

    Esther Marie Whitehead

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 37 years experience
    • Guardianship
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #6?

    Ranks #6 with 78.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.3)

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

  7. No change

    Adam Harold Sudbury

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 22 years experience
    • Guardianship
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #7?

    Ranks #7 with 76.40: strongest in Experience (26.4/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20). 2.20 points behind #6, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 26.4/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.3)

    2.20 points behind #6 (Esther Marie Whitehead): Experience −3.6.

  8. No change

    Sancha Kathleen Brennan

    Zimmerman, Kiser & Sutcliffe, P.A. · Orlando, FL

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

    Ranks #8 with 75.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15). 1.40 points behind #7, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    1.40 points behind #7 (Adam Harold Sudbury): Practice-area relevance −5.

  9. No change

    Pedro Pablo Mendez

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

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

    Ranks #9 with 75.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)
  10. No change

    Anthony M Nardella Jr. “Tony”

    Nardella & Nardella, PLLC · Orlando, FL

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

    Ranks #10 with 75.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)
  11. No change

    David Pilcher

    Bogin, Munns, & Munns, P.A. · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 32 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #11?

    Ranks #11 with 75.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)
  12. No change

    Aubrey Harry Ducker

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

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

    Ranks #12 with 75.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)
  13. No change

    Christopher H Hunt “Christopher”

    Kaufman & Lynd, PLLC · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 20 years experience
    • Guardianship
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #13?

    Ranks #13 with 74.00: strongest in Experience (24/30) and Practice-area relevance (20/20). 1.00 points behind #12, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 24/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.3)

    1.00 points behind #12 (Aubrey Harry Ducker): Experience −6.

  14. No change

    Ameli Padron-Fragetta “Ameli”

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

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

    Ranks #14 with 73.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15). 0.40 points behind #13, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    0.40 points behind #13 (Christopher H Hunt “Christopher”): Practice-area relevance −5, Data quality −1.4.

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

  15. No change

    Harriet Brown Birk

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

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

    Ranks #15 with 73.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

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

  16. No change

    James Alfred Burzee

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

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

    Ranks #16 with 73.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

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

  17. No change

    Donald William Scarlett

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

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

    Ranks #17 with 73.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15).

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

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

  18. No change

    Ryan James Vescio

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

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

    Ranks #18 with 70.20: strongest in Experience (25.2/30) and Professional credentials (15/15). 3.40 points behind #17, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 25.2/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    3.40 points behind #17 (Donald William Scarlett): Experience −4.8.

  19. No change

    Deborah A Cook “Deborah”

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 16 years experience
    • Guardianship
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #19?

    Ranks #19 with 69.20: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (19.2/30). 1.00 points behind #18, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    Held back by

    • Experience 19.2/30 (ranking avg 19.7)

    1.00 points behind #18 (Ryan James Vescio): Experience −6.

  20. No change

    Danielle Marie Harris

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

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

    Ranks #20 with 68.00: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (18/30). 1.20 points behind #19, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    Held back by

    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 19.7)

    1.20 points behind #19 (Deborah A Cook “Deborah”): Experience −1.2.

  21. No change

    Renée Vermette Peppy

    The Elder Law Center of Kirson & Fuller · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 15 years experience
    • Guardianship
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #21?

    Ranks #21 with 68.00: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (18/30).

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    Held back by

    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
  22. No change

    Mary Williams Kaplan “Mary”

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

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

    Ranks #22 with 65.40: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Experience (20.4/30). 2.60 points behind #21, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Experience 20.4/30 (ranking avg 19.7)

    2.60 points behind #21 (Renée Vermette Peppy): Practice-area relevance −5.

  23. No change

    Joshua Eli Adams

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

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

    Ranks #23 with 65.20: strongest in Experience (21.6/30) and Professional credentials (15/15). 0.20 points behind #22, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 19.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    0.20 points behind #22 (Mary Williams Kaplan “Mary”): Data quality −1.4.

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

  24. No change

    Beatriz Enid Collazo Alicea “Bettie”

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 11 years experience
    • Guardianship
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #24?

    Ranks #24 with 63.20: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (13.2/30). 2.00 points behind #23, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    Held back by

    • Experience 13.2/30 (ranking avg 19.7)

    2.00 points behind #23 (Joshua Eli Adams): Experience −8.4.

  25. No change

    Patrick N. Harris

    Independent practice · Orlando, FL

    Verified
    • 10 years experience
    • Guardianship
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #25?

    Ranks #25 with 62.00: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (12/30). 1.20 points behind #24, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 17.3)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.7)

    Held back by

    • Experience 12/30 (ranking avg 19.7)

    1.20 points behind #24 (Beatriz Enid Collazo Alicea “Bettie”): 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 · 25 profile pages251 facts for 25 lawyers

Guardianship market in Orlando

LexRanked tracks 43 lawyers and 13 law firms in guardianship law in Orlando, Florida. 43 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 22, 2026.

Lawyers
43
Law firms
13
Verified professional data
43 of 43
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
15 years43 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 Orlando

What sets these Orlando 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 10 to 57 (median 28)
Languages besides English Spanish (5), French (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 Orlando office address and guardianship as a practice area on record. It compares 25 guardianship lawyers, using only facts with a cited source. The Florida Bar does not board-certify lawyers in guardianship, 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

A Florida guardianship starts with a verified petition to determine incapacity, and the court-appointed guardian must report to the court within 60 days and file a plan every year; the ward keeps rights such as yearly review and restoration as soon as possible.

Rule What it means
Petition Any adult may file a verified petition to determine that a person is incapacitated (Fla. Stat. § 744.3201)
Who may serve A Florida resident 18 or older; a nonresident only if related to the ward as the statute lists (§ 744.309)
Disqualification A person convicted of a felony may not serve as guardian (§ 744.309(3))
Initial report The guardian files an inventory or initial plan within 60 days after letters of guardianship are signed (§ 744.362)
Annual plan A guardian of the person files an annual guardianship plan within 90 days after the anniversary month (§ 744.367)
Rights kept The ward keeps rights including an annual review, continuing review of restrictions and restoration to capacity at the earliest possible time (§ 744.3215)
Court Where cases are heard
State court circuit Orange County is in Florida's Ninth 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

Who can file for guardianship in Florida?

Any adult may file a verified petition to determine that a person is incapacitated, under section 744.3201. The court then decides on capacity and on who should serve as guardian.

Can someone outside Florida be a guardian?

Only if related to the ward in a way section 744.309 lists, such as by blood or adoption, or the spouse of such a relative. Florida residents 18 or older may serve unless disqualified.

Who cannot be a guardian in Florida?

A person convicted of a felony, or one who cannot carry out the duties because of incapacity or illness or is otherwise unsuitable (section 744.309(3)).

What reports must a Florida guardian file?

An initial report within 60 days after letters are signed (section 744.362) and, for a guardian of the person, an annual guardianship plan within 90 days after the anniversary month (section 744.367).

What rights does a person under guardianship keep?

Among others, an annual review of the guardianship report and plan, continuing review of any restriction of rights and restoration to capacity at the earliest possible time (section 744.3215).

Which court handles cases in Orlando?

State court cases in Orange County are heard in Florida's Ninth Judicial Circuit.

Are there Spanish-speaking guardianship lawyers in Orlando?

Yes. 5 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: Keith James Hesse, Craig Ronald Lynd, Christine Ann Wasula, Mercedes Ruth Wechsler and Thomas P Moss and others.

Which lawyers speak Spanish?

9 of the 43 lawyers in this ranking have it on record, 9 confirmed by a verified fact or an official record. They are ranked separately by the same LexRank score. Top-Ranked Spanish-Speaking Guardianship Lawyers in Orlando, Florida

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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