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Probate Litigation

Top-Ranked Probate Litigation Lawyers in Tallahassee, 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 Tallahassee, Florida are Thomas Robert Thompson “Tom” (LexRank 84.00), George J Little (80.00) and Belinda Rene Takach France (80.00).

This ranking lists 25 probate litigation lawyers in Tallahassee, Florida, in order of their LexRank score, calculated from their Florida Bar records and other cited sources. Their experience ranges from 0 to 51 years in practice.

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

    Thomas Robert Thompson “Tom”

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 35 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 22.7)
    • Reputation 4/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  2. No change

    George J Little

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 45 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 22.7)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.2)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    4.00 points behind #1 (Thomas Robert Thompson “Tom”): Reputation −4.

  3. No change

    Belinda Rene Takach France

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 38 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 22.7)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.2)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  4. No change

    Carolyn Thompson Leboeuf

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 43 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 22.7)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.2)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  5. No change

    David Barkley Switalski

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 33 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 22.7)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.2)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  6. No change

    Ian C. White

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 25 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 22.7)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.2)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  7. No change

    Owen K Goodwyne

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 51 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). 1.40 points behind #6, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.7)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.2)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    1.40 points behind #6 (Ian C. White): Data quality −1.4.

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

  8. No change

    Jennifer Leigh Sweeting “Jen”

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #8 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 #7, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Experience 27.6/30 (ranking avg 22.7)
    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.2)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    1.00 points behind #7 (Owen K Goodwyne): Experience −2.4.

  9. No change

    Christopher Bruce Norris “Toby Norris”

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #9 with 75.20: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Experience (25.2/30); held back by Reputation (0/20). 2.40 points behind #8, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.2)
    • Experience 25.2/30 (ranking avg 22.7)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    2.40 points behind #8 (Jennifer Leigh Sweeting “Jen”): Experience −2.4.

  10. No change

    Trudy Elizabeth Innes Richardson

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #10 with 75.00: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20). 0.20 points behind #9, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    0.20 points behind #9 (Christopher Bruce Norris “Toby Norris”): Practice-area relevance −5.

  11. No change

    Robert Scott Williams

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #11 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 22.7)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
  12. No change

    Kimberly Lionel King “Kim”

    Gardner Bist King & Wood, LLP · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #12 with 73.60: strongest in Experience (30/30) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20). 1.40 points behind #11, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Experience 30/30 (ranking avg 22.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    1.40 points behind #11 (Robert Scott Williams): Data quality −1.4.

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

  13. No change

    Harriet Williams Williams

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

    Verified
    • 37 years experience
    • Guardianship · Probate Litigation
    • Bar status verified
    View profile
    Why #13?

    Ranks #13 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 22.7)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

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

  14. No change

    Justin Givens

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #14 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). 2.00 points behind #13, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.2)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 21.6/30 (ranking avg 22.7)

    2.00 points behind #13 (Harriet Williams Williams): Experience −8.4.

  15. No change

    Zachary Jackson Brewer “Zach”

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #15 with 69.20: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (19.2/30). 2.40 points behind #14, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.2)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 19.2/30 (ranking avg 22.7)

    2.40 points behind #14 (Justin Givens): Experience −2.4.

  16. No change

    M Lane Johnson

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #16 with 69.20: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (19.2/30).

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.2)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 19.2/30 (ranking avg 22.7)
  17. No change

    Linjé E Rivers

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #17 with 69.20: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (19.2/30).

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.2)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 19.2/30 (ranking avg 22.7)
  18. No change

    Jami A Coleman

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #18 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). 1.20 points behind #17, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.2)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 18/30 (ranking avg 22.7)

    1.20 points behind #17 (Linjé E Rivers): Experience −1.2.

  19. No change

    Kesha Kristal Beharry “Kristal”

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #19 with 65.45: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (19.2/30). 2.55 points behind #18, mostly professional credentials.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.2)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 19.2/30 (ranking avg 22.7)

    2.55 points behind #18 (Jami A Coleman): Professional credentials −3.8.

  20. No change

    Kendra Eleanor Parris

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #20 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). 1.25 points behind #19, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 19.2/30 (ranking avg 22.7)

    1.25 points behind #19 (Kesha Kristal Beharry “Kristal”): Practice-area relevance −5.

  21. No change

    Jessica Gertel McGrew

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #21 with 64.00: strongest in Professional credentials (15/15) and Local relevance (5/5); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (20.4/30). 0.20 points behind #20, mostly data quality.

    Strongest

    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)
    • Local relevance 5/5 (ranking avg 5)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 20.4/30 (ranking avg 22.7)

    0.20 points behind #20 (Kendra Eleanor Parris): Data quality −1.4.

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

  22. No change

    Amy Elizabeth Parker Martin

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #22 with 58.20: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (13.2/30). 5.80 points behind #21, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 13.2/30 (ranking avg 22.7)

    5.80 points behind #21 (Jessica Gertel McGrew): Experience −7.2.

  23. No change

    Luke William Forsthoefel

    Independent practice · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #23 with 56.00: strongest in Practice-area relevance (20/20) and Data quality (10/10); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (6/30). 2.20 points behind #22, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Practice-area relevance 20/20 (ranking avg 18.2)
    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 6/30 (ranking avg 22.7)

    2.20 points behind #22 (Amy Elizabeth Parker Martin): Experience −7.2.

  24. No change

    Max Jordan Solomon

    Heuler, Wakeman, Solomon Law Group, PLLC · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #24 with 54.60: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Reputation (0/20) and Experience (9.6/30). 1.40 points behind #23, mostly practice-area relevance.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)
    • Experience 9.6/30 (ranking avg 22.7)

    1.40 points behind #23 (Luke William Forsthoefel): Practice-area relevance −5.

  25. No change

    Tazara Mary Christiana Fields “Taz”

    The Sketchley Law Firm, P.A. · Tallahassee, FL

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

    Ranks #25 with 45.00: strongest in Data quality (10/10) and Professional credentials (15/15); held back by Experience (0/30) and Reputation (0/20). 9.60 points behind #24, mostly experience.

    Strongest

    • Data quality 10/10 (ranking avg 9.8)
    • Professional credentials 15/15 (ranking avg 14.8)

    Held back by

    • Experience 0/30 (ranking avg 22.7)
    • Reputation 0/20 (ranking avg 0.2)

    9.60 points behind #24 (Max Jordan Solomon): Experience −9.6.

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 pages251 facts for 25 lawyers

Probate Litigation market in Tallahassee

LexRanked tracks 25 lawyers and 3 law firms in probate litigation law in Tallahassee, Florida. 25 of the lawyers have verified professional data. Data verified October 22, 2026.

Lawyers
25
Law firms
3
Verified professional data
25 of 25
Average rating
Withheldtoo few sourced ratings
Median review count
Withheldtoo few sourced counts
Median experience
21 years25 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 Tallahassee

What sets these Tallahassee 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 0 to 51 (median 21)
Languages besides English French (1)
License status with The Florida Bar Eligible to practice, verified for every lawyer
Most common law school Florida State University College of Law (15 lawyers)

Who is included in this ranking?

Lawyers eligible to practice in Florida, with a Tallahassee 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 Leon County is in Florida's Second 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 Tallahassee?

State court cases in Leon County are heard in Florida's Second Judicial Circuit.

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: Thomas Robert Thompson “Tom”, George J Little, Belinda Rene Takach France, Carolyn Thompson Leboeuf and David Barkley Switalski and others.

What is the difference between the top two lawyers?

Thomas Robert Thompson “Tom” scores 84.00 and George J Little 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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