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When a family faces a trust dispute, probate, estate litigation, a contested will or complicated estate administration, the search for the right lawyer often starts at the Florida Bar Lawyer Directory. The directory is a free public tool maintained by The Florida Bar and updated daily. It lets anyone search by name, firm, city, or practice area and view basic profile information for every attorney licensed in Florida.
Many people type in broad terms like probate or trusts and estates and then face a long list of results. That is where the real work begins. Not every attorney who lists trusts and estates as a practice area handles litigation. Some focus almost entirely on drafting documents and planning. Others handle administration but rarely appear in court. If your situation involves a fight over a trust, a will contest, removal of a personal representative, or claims of breach of fiduciary duty, you need someone whose practice is centered on those disputes.
Here is a practical way to use the directory more effectively.
Start by searching under practice areas that match the problem. Look for listings that include trusts and estates, probate litigation, or estate administration. Then open individual profiles and note the firm name, location, and years of practice. The directory itself does not rank lawyers by experience or results, so the next step is your own research. Check whether the attorney limits the practice to trust and estate litigation and administration. A focused practice usually means deeper familiarity with the Florida Trust Code, the Florida Probate Code, and the specific procedures that apply in circuit court.
Beyond the directory itself, look for evidence of actual courtroom and administration experience. Ask whether the lawyer has handled jury trials, contested accountings, surcharge claims, will contests, trust modification or removal proceedings under Florida law. Those are the matters that separate general probate work from true trust and estate litigation.
The Florida Bar Lawyer Directory is an excellent starting point. It confirms that the attorney is licensed in good standing and gives you the basic contact information. The directory cannot tell you who has the depth of experience needed for complex or contested matters. That information comes from the attorney’s own practice focus and track record.
If you are dealing with a Florida trust or estate dispute and want counsel whose work is limited to litigation and administration of those matters, the directory search is only the first step. A conversation about the specific facts of your case will reveal whether the attorney has the right background for the work ahead.
About the author
Attorney Adrian Philip Thomas is a shareholder and founding partner of Adrian Philip Thomas, P.A., a boutique attorney law firm located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He has practiced law for the past 30 years, maintaining an office in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida. Mr. Thomas is "AV" rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been selected on multiple occasions as one of Florida's Legal Elite by Florida Trend Magazine and selected as a Super Lawyer. Mr. Thomas concentrates his practice in estate and trust litigation, both prosecuting and defending, which includes matters involving estates, trusts, and probate. He represents clients with disputes throughout the State of Florida. Attorney Adrian Philip Thomas has a Master of Laws from the University of Miami, a Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University, and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Florida. Attorney Adrian Philip Thomas has lectured at continuing legal education seminars on various probate topics.
This article is general legal information about Florida law, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult a Florida-licensed attorney about your specific situation.
