Bonita Springs Probate & Trust Administration Lawyer

Bonita Springs Probate and Trust Administration Starts With Knowing Which Court Has Your Case

Someone you love has died, and now you are responsible for what happens next, whether you were named personal representative of the estate or trustee of a trust. There are deadlines to meet, debts to pay in the order the law requires, and assets to deliver to the right people, all while you are grieving. Missing a step can cost the estate money it never needed to lose.

James R. Nici is a Bonita Springs probate and trust administration lawyer and a Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Wills, Trusts & Estates, one of fewer than 250 attorneys in Florida to hold that certification. With an LL.M. in Taxation, he guides families in Bonita Springs and Southwest Florida through the Lee County court process, so you know which court has your case, what is due first, and what your role requires.

Your first consultation is free and lasts 30 minutes. Tell us what you are dealing with, and we will map out what needs to happen next.

Probate and Trust Matters Our Bonita Springs Attorney Handles for Families

Every estate in Bonita Springs is different, and the right approach depends on what your loved one left behind and how it was titled.

Our probate and trust administration attorney works directly with personal representatives, trustees, and beneficiaries across Southwest Florida on:

• Formal and summary administration of Florida probate estates
• Trust administration for successor trustees, including notice, accounting, and distribution duties
• Locating, valuing, and transferring real estate, brokerage accounts, and business interests
• Resolving creditor claims and disputes among beneficiaries
• Guiding out of state family members through a Florida estate from a distance
• Tax sensitive administration for estates and trusts holding significant IRA, brokerage, or real estate assets

We build the plan around your specific estate, not a generic checklist, so you know which of these steps apply to you.

What a Bonita Springs Estate Actually Risks If the Deadlines Slip

Florida law sets hard limits on how long creditors have to make a claim against an estate.

Under Fla. Stat. § 733.702, most creditors must file their claim within three months of the first published notice to creditors, or the claim is generally barred. Creditors who miss that window are cut off, but a personal representative who publishes notice incorrectly, pays a claim without reviewing it, or fails to object to an invalid one on time can leave the estate paying money it never owed.

On the trust side, Fla. Stat. § 736.0813 requires a trustee to keep qualified beneficiaries reasonably informed about the trust and its administration, including notice that the trust exists, a copy of the trust instrument on request, and trust accountings. Our attorney reviews what your specific trust requires, so a first-time trustee is not guessing at what the law expects.

What protects a personal representative or trustee is doing each step in the right order, on the record, with someone confirming the deadlines before they pass, not after.

This reflects Florida law as of September 2026.

Estate Planning Designed Around Your Life

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Filing in Fort Myers: What Bonita Springs Personal Representatives and Trustees Need to Know

Most of Bonita Springs sits in Lee County, so most probate and trust matters for Bonita Springs residents are filed with the Lee County Clerk of Court in Fort Myers. If you live in the small Collier County corner of the city, the case is filed in Naples instead. Knowing the right courthouse from the start avoids a filing that has to be corrected and refiled later.

A Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Wills, Trusts & Estates, James R. Nici built the Strategic Estate Planning System® to help personal representatives and trustees keep track of each deadline, from the first filing to the final distribution. He brings that approach to families in Bonita Springs and across Southwest Florida.

What Our Bonita Springs Clients Say

Bonita Springs Probate and Trust Administration Attorney Questions We Hear Most

Is the first consultation free?

Yes. Your first consultation with our probate attorney is free and lasts 30 minutes. We talk through where the estate or trust stands, what happens next, and which deadlines apply.

What happens during the consultation?

We learn about the estate or trust, explain what Florida law requires of you, and outline the filings and deadlines ahead. If you move forward, our attorney handles them so you are not learning Florida probate law while you are grieving.

How long does probate take for a Bonita Springs estate?

A straightforward estate often resolves in six to twelve months. Estates with real property, business interests, or a disputed will can take longer. We give you a realistic timeline once we know what the estate includes.

Do I need an attorney to serve as personal representative or trustee?

Florida requires a personal representative in most probate cases to be represented by an attorney to file with the court. A trustee is not required to hire one, but the personal exposure for getting a duty wrong makes it worth having someone confirm each step.

How much does probate or trust administration cost in Florida?

Cost depends on the size and complexity of the estate, whether real property or a business is involved, and whether anyone contests the will or an accounting. After your free consultation, we give you a clear, written estimate before any work begins.

What is the difference between probate and trust administration?

Probate is the Lee County court process for distributing assets that were titled in the decedent’s own name. Trust administration happens largely outside of court, with the trustee carrying out the trust’s terms directly for the beneficiaries.

My family member owned property in more than one state. Does that change anything?

If the other state has real estate, it usually means a second, ancillary probate proceeding there, in addition to the primary Lee County case.

If you are looking at a stack of paperwork and are not sure which of these applies to you, that is what your free consultation is for.

Schedule Your Bonita Springs Probate and Trust Administration Consultation

Request your free 30-minute consultation with a Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Wills, Trusts & Estates serving Naples and Southwest Florida, and our team will reach out to schedule it.