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Probate Litigation

Top-Ranked Probate Litigation Lawyers in St. Petersburg, 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 St. Petersburg, Florida are April Denise Hill “April Mosley” (LexRank 84.00), Teresa S Fitzpatrick (80.00) and Susan Marie Helms “SUSAN BINGHAM” (80.00).

This ranking lists 25 probate litigation lawyers in St. Petersburg, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. Their experience ranges from 12 to 62 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

    April Denise Hill “April Mosley”

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 29 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 21.2)
    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.1)
  2. No change

    Teresa S Fitzpatrick

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 31 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 21.2)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

    4.00 points behind #1 (April Denise Hill “April Mosley”): Reputation −4.

  3. No change

    Susan Marie Helms “SUSAN BINGHAM”

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 34 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 21.2)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

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

    Vitas John Lukas

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 41 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 21.2)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

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

    Jesse Leland Skipper

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #5 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 21.2)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

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

    Eddie Ahava

    Ahava Legacy Law, PA · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #6 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 21.2)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

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

    Keisha Ann Bell

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #7 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 21.2)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

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

    Misa A. Everist

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #8 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 21.2)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

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

    Peter Rudy Wallace

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #9 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 21.2)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

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

    Guillermo A Ruiz

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 62 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). 1.40 points behind #9, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.2)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

    1.40 points behind #9 (Peter Rudy Wallace): Data quality −1.4.

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

  11. No change

    Brant Allan Bailey

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 47 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 21.2)
    • 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

    David Phillip Folkenflik “DAVID”

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 33 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 21.2)
    • 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

    Michael H Gorsen

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 29 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 21.2)
    • 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

    Jennifer Ann Kramer

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

    Verified
    • 29 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 21.2)
    • 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

    David William Foster

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #15 with 75.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 3.60 points behind #14, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.2)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

    3.60 points behind #14 (Jennifer Ann Kramer): Practice-area relevance −5.

  16. No change

    Russell Robert Winer

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #16 with 73.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.40 points behind #15, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 21.2)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

    1.40 points behind #15 (David William Foster): Data quality −1.4.

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

  17. No change

    Mai Kim Ong

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #17 with 72.40: strongest in Experience (28.8/30) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.20 points behind #16, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 28.8/30 (ranking avg 21.2)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

    1.20 points behind #16 (Russell Robert Winer): Experience −1.2.

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

  18. No change

    C Hunter Rawls

    Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #18 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 #17, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)
    • Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 21.2)

    0.80 points behind #17 (Mai Kim Ong): Experience −7.2.

  19. No change

    Elizabeth Dianne Moneymaker “Liz”

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #19 with 71.40: strongest in Experience (26.4/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.20 points behind #18, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 26.4/30 (ranking avg 21.2)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

    0.20 points behind #18 (C Hunter Rawls): Practice-area relevance −5.

  20. No change

    Ashley Drew Graham

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #20 with 71.40: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Experience (22.8/30); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.00 points behind #19, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)
    • Experience 22.8/30 (ranking avg 21.2)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

    0.00 points behind #19 (Elizabeth Dianne Moneymaker “Liz”): Experience −3.6, Data quality −1.4.

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

  21. No change

    Rachel L Drude “Rachel Drude Tomori”

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #21 with 70.40: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (20.4/30). 1.00 points behind #20, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)
    • Experience 20.4/30 (ranking avg 21.2)

    1.00 points behind #20 (Ashley Drew Graham): Experience −2.4.

  22. No change

    Benjamin Frank Diamond

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #22 with 70.20: strongest in Experience (25.2/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.20 points behind #21, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 25.2/30 (ranking avg 21.2)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)

    0.20 points behind #21 (Rachel L Drude “Rachel Drude Tomori”): Practice-area relevance −5.

  23. No change

    Robert D King “Bobby”

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #23 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). 2.20 points behind #22, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)
    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 21.2)

    2.20 points behind #22 (Benjamin Frank Diamond): Experience −7.2.

  24. No change

    Michael George Meyer “Michael”

    Independent practice · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #24 with 67.80: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (19.2/30). 0.20 points behind #23, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)
    • Experience 19.2/30 (ranking avg 21.2)

    0.20 points behind #23 (Robert D King “Bobby”): Data quality −1.4.

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

  25. No change

    Alexander Thomas Lewis “Alex”

    Battaglia, Ross, Dicus & McQuaid, P.A. · St. Petersburg, FL

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

    Ranks #25 with 64.40: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (14.4/30). 3.40 points behind #24, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.5)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.6)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.1)
    • Experience 14.4/30 (ranking avg 21.2)

    3.40 points behind #24 (Michael George Meyer “Michael”): Experience −4.8.

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 pages248 facts for 25 lawyers

Probate Litigation market in St. Petersburg

LexRanked tracks 39 lawyers and 3 law firms in probate litigation law in St. Petersburg, Florida. 39 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 30, 2026.

Lawyers
39
Law firms
3
Verified professional data
39 of 39
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
19 years39 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 St. Petersburg

What sets these St. Petersburg 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 12 to 62 (median 29)
Languages besides English Spanish (2), French (1), Japanese (1), Lithuanian (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer
Most common law school Stetson University College of Law (7 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a St. Petersburg 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 Pinellas County is in Florida's Sixth 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 St. Petersburg?

State court cases in Pinellas County are heard in Florida's Sixth Judicial Circuit.

Are there Spanish-speaking probate litigation lawyers in St. Petersburg?

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: April Denise Hill “April Mosley”, Teresa S Fitzpatrick, Susan Marie Helms “SUSAN BINGHAM”, Vitas John Lukas and Jesse Leland Skipper and others.

What is the difference between the top two lawyers?

April Denise Hill “April Mosley” scores 84.00 and Teresa S Fitzpatrick 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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