Updated October 2026. This guide now compares 8 estate planning firms serving Collier County and adds local probate court, homestead, and part-year resident details.
TL;DR: Our top pick for help with estate planning in Collier County is Goodwin Law, known for transparent flat-fee pricing and a client-first approach to wills, trusts, and probate. Safe Harbor Law Firm, Dunwody White & Landon, Loughlin Law, Nici Law Firm, the Law Office of Conrad Willkomm, Linde, Gould & Associates, and Wilson & Johnson round out the list, covering elder law, board-certified trust and estate work, virtual flat-fee planning, and tax-driven plans for new Florida residents. Most firms offer a free consultation to start.
Who can help with estate planning in Collier County, Florida? Florida-licensed estate planning attorneys based in Naples, such as Goodwin Law, Nici Law Firm, and Wilson & Johnson, along with firms that serve Collier County clients virtually, like Loughlin Law. Several of the attorneys below are board certified by The Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates.
Finding help with estate planning in Collier County matters whether you’re drafting your first will or restructuring a complex estate involving multiple properties.
Collier County, which includes Naples and Marco Island, has more retirees and second-homeowners than most places in Florida.
As a result, local attorneys often work on estate plans that involve several states, complex trusts, and Florida’s unique homestead protections.
These are issues that attorneys in other areas may not see as often. If you are comparing by city rather than county, see our guide to the best estate planning attorneys in Naples, Florida.
Estate Planning Firms in Collier County at a Glance (October 2026)
| Firm | Best For | Collier County Office | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Goodwin Law, P.A. | Flat-fee wills, trusts, and probate | 9955 Tamiami Trail N, Suite 4, Naples | Flat fees quoted upfront, free consultation, serves Collier and Lee counties |
| 2. Safe Harbor Law Firm | Elder law and Medicaid planning | 4500 Executive Drive, Suite 100, Naples (also Bonita Springs and Fort Myers) | Founder Pam Buff Baker named a Naples Illustrated Top Lawyer in Trusts and Estates (2021, 2022, 2024) |
| 3. Dunwody White & Landon, P.A. | High-net-worth tax planning | Naples (also Coral Gables and Palm Beach) | Alfred J. Stashis Jr. is Florida Bar board certified in Wills, Trusts and Estates and an ACTEC Fellow |
| 4. Loughlin Law, P.A. | Virtual, flat-fee estate planning | Serves Naples and Collier County virtually from Boca Raton | Flat fees, free consultation, handles probate in every Florida county |
| 5. Nici Law Firm | Estate and gift tax planning, Florida domicile planning | 1865 Veterans Park Drive, Suite 203, Naples | James Nici is Florida Bar board certified in Wills, Trusts and Estates and holds an LL.M. in Taxation |
| 6. Law Office of Conrad Willkomm, P.A. | Multilingual families, plans tied to real estate | 3201 Tamiami Trail North, 2nd Floor, Naples (also Fort Myers) | Flat fees, free consultation, service in English, Spanish, Russian, and Creole |
| 7. Linde, Gould & Associates | Elder law plus trust and estate disputes | 3001 Tamiami Trail N, Suite 204, Naples (also Fort Myers) | Matthew A. Linde is Florida Bar board certified in both Elder Law and Wills, Trusts and Estates |
| 8. Wilson & Johnson | Change of domicile and multi-generational wealth | 2425 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 211, Naples | Founder George A. Wilson, board certified in Wills, Trusts and Estates, has practiced in Naples since 1981 |
Estate Planning Tools and What They Actually Do
| Tool | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Last Will and Testament | Directs how assets are distributed and names a guardian for minor children. |
| Revocable Living Trust | Lets assets pass to beneficiaries without going through probate court. |
| Durable Power of Attorney | Authorizes someone to manage your finances if you become incapacitated. |
| Healthcare Surrogate Designation | Names someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you can’t. |
| Florida Homestead Designation | Protects a primary residence from certain creditors and caps property tax increases. |
Who Can Help With Estate Planning in Collier County, Florida?
The following eight firms were chosen because they focus on wills, trusts, and probate matters in Collier County. Goodwin Law ranks first for its flat-fee model and free consultation, followed by firms that add elder law, board-certified tax planning, virtual service, and litigation experience.
1. Goodwin Law, P.A.
Goodwin Law is a leading option for estate planning in Naples and Collier County. Attorney Matthew Goodwin started the firm in 2015.
They help with trust and estate planning for both simple and complex estates, as well as real estate closings and probate administration.
The firm uses a flat-fee model, so clients know the cost upfront instead of being charged for each call. They also offer a free consultation to review your estate plan before you decide to move forward.
Goodwin Law serves Lee County as well, which helps clients with assets in both areas. Their team includes attorney Alexandra Kane, who specializes in trust and probate matters, and of counsel attorney M. Francesca Passeri. The office is at 9955 Tamiami Trail N, Suite 4, Naples, FL 34108.
2. Safe Harbor Law Firm
Safe Harbor Law Firm is another option to consider. Pam Buff Baker founded the firm, which was named a Top Lawyer in Trusts and Estates by Naples Illustrated in 2021, 2022, and 2024.
Their practice combines estate planning, elder law, and Medicaid planning.
This mix of services is helpful for clients who want to plan for more than just what happens after death. It also covers incapacity and long-term care needs. The team lists seven attorneys and offers a complimentary first meeting.
The firm has offices in Naples (4500 Executive Drive, Suite 100), Bonita Springs, and Fort Myers to make things easier for clients across Collier and Lee counties.
3. Dunwody White & Landon, P.A.
Dunwody White & Landon is also worth considering. Shareholder Alfred J. Stashis Jr. is board certified by the Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts, and Estates, which is a rare distinction.
He is also a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), and was included in Naples Illustrated’s 2026 Top Lawyers list.
The firm’s attorneys often work with high-net-worth estates that need advanced tax planning beyond a basic will or trust. Nine of its lawyers were included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
The firm works with clients in Naples, Palm Beach, and Miami. This is helpful for families who have property or beneficiaries in different parts of Florida.
4. Loughlin Law, P.A.
Loughlin Law, P.A. is a Florida estate planning and probate firm that serves Naples and Collier County clients virtually from its main office at 150 East Palmetto Park Road, Suite 800, in Boca Raton.
The firm prepares wills, trusts, and related estate planning documents and handles probate administration in every Florida county, including Collier. Its attorneys include Nicole Loughlin, Kayleigh Kaboudan, Carly Lambert, and of counsel Curtis Davis.
Loughlin Law works on flat fees for estate planning and offers a free consultation. Small probate estates are typically handled on a flat fee, while larger estates may follow Florida’s statutory fee schedule.
This virtual model suits part-year residents who want a Florida plan in place before they arrive for the season.
5. Nici Law Firm
Nici Law Firm is led by James Nici, a Board-Certified Specialist in Wills, Trusts, and Estates by The Florida Bar who also holds an LL.M. in Taxation. The office is at 1865 Veterans Park Drive, Suite 203, in North Naples.
With more than 30 years of practice, the firm focuses on estate planning, probate and trust administration, asset protection, and Florida domicile planning, including estate and gift tax planning, IRA planning, special needs planning, and plans for blended families.
The firm’s Strategic Estate Planning System® is its structured approach to preserving wealth, minimizing taxes, and protecting inheritances.
Nici Law Firm is a strong fit for Collier County residents who are relocating from higher-tax states or who need a plan built around estate and gift tax exposure.
6. Law Office of Conrad Willkomm, P.A.
Law Office of Conrad Willkomm, P.A. handles estate planning, probate and trust administration, real estate, and business law from offices at 3201 Tamiami Trail North, 2nd Floor, in Naples and in Fort Myers.
The firm prepares wills, trusts, advance healthcare directives, living wills, and digital asset planning documents. Its attorneys include Conrad Willkomm, Kara Abarmoff, and Julia Goncharova.
Willkomm uses a flat fee structure, offers a free first consultation, and serves clients in English, Spanish, Russian, and Creole.
Because the same office closes real estate transactions, it is a practical choice when your plan involves retitling Collier County property into a trust.
7. Linde, Gould & Associates
Linde, Gould & Associates brings a litigator’s perspective to estate planning. Founding attorney Matthew A. Linde is Florida Bar Board Certified in both Elder Law and Wills, Trusts and Estates, and is a Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA) through the National Elder Law Foundation.
The Naples office is at 3001 Tamiami Trail N, Suite 204, with a second office in Fort Myers. The firm covers estate planning, probate and trust administration, probate and trust litigation, elder law, and guardianship, serving Naples and Marco Island.
The firm reports having resolved more than 400 estate and trust disputes, and it states a $1,000 minimum fee for new estate planning clients.
That litigation background is useful for families who want a plan drafted to withstand a future challenge.
8. Wilson & Johnson
Wilson & Johnson is a long-established Naples estate planning firm in the Bigham Galleria Building at 2425 Tamiami Trail N., Suite 211. Founder George A. Wilson has practiced estate and tax planning in Naples since 1981 and is certified by The Florida Bar as a specialist in Wills, Trusts and Estates.
The firm’s seven attorneys handle estate planning, estate administration, guardianship, and real estate, including family partnerships, charitable foundations, and change-of-domicile work.
Mr. Wilson holds a Master of Laws in Estate Planning from the University of Miami and authored a chapter on domicile and avoiding ancillary administration, a frequent issue for Collier County residents who still own property in another state.
Wilson & Johnson is well suited to families with multi-generational wealth or a pending move of domicile to Florida.
Collier County Estate Planning Specifics: Probate Court, Homestead, and Part-Year Residents
Three local factors change how an estate plan should be built in Collier County: where and how probate is filed, Florida’s homestead rules, and the large share of residents who live here only part of the year.
Where Is Probate Filed in Collier County?
Probate for Collier County residents is filed with the Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller and heard in Florida’s Twentieth Judicial Circuit. The Clerk’s Probate Department is at 3315 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 102, Naples, FL 34112, phone (239) 252-2646.
Florida offers two main tracks. Summary administration is available when the estate subject to administration is worth $75,000 or less, or the decedent has been dead for more than two years. Formal administration applies to larger estates or whenever a personal representative must be appointed, and in formal administration the personal representative is generally required to be represented by a Florida attorney.
Whoever holds the original will must deposit it with the Clerk within 10 days of learning of the death. A funded revocable trust keeps most assets out of this process entirely, which is why Collier County attorneys recommend trusts so often.
How Florida Homestead Rules Shape Collier County Estate Plans
Florida homestead affects three parts of a plan. First, the homestead exemption can reduce the taxable value of your primary residence by up to $50,000, and the Save Our Homes cap limits annual assessment increases to 3% or the change in the Consumer Price Index, whichever is lower. Applications go to the Collier County Property Appraiser by March 1, and the home must be your permanent residence as of January 1.
Second, up to $500,000 of accumulated Save Our Homes savings can be ported to a new Florida homestead, which matters when downsizing within Naples or Marco Island.
Third, the Florida Constitution restricts how a homestead can be devised. If you are survived by a spouse or a minor child, the home generally cannot be left to anyone else, and it is protected from most creditors. Getting this wrong is one of the most common reasons Collier County estates end up in litigation.
Part-Year Residents and Snowbirds: Domicile and Ancillary Probate
If you split time between Collier County and another state, your plan should settle where you are domiciled. Florida has no state income tax and no state estate or inheritance tax, so many part-year residents file a Declaration of Domicile with the Collier County Clerk, update their driver’s license and voter registration, and claim homestead here.
Documents drafted elsewhere may need to be re-executed under Florida formalities. A Florida will must be signed in the presence of two witnesses, and a notarized self-proving affidavit lets the court admit it without tracking down those witnesses later.
Real estate outside Florida still requires ancillary administration in that state unless it is held in a trust or another non-probate form. Firms such as Nici Law Firm, Wilson & Johnson, and Loughlin Law handle domicile and multi-state planning regularly.
What Happens If You Don’t Have an Estate Plan in Florida?
If you do not have a valid will or trust, Florida’s intestacy laws will decide how your assets are divided.
This process might not match what you want, especially if you have a blended family or an unmarried partner, since they do not have automatic inheritance rights under state law.
The state also chooses who will be the guardian of your minor children if both parents die without a plan. Most families prefer to make this decision themselves instead of leaving it up to the probate court.
With an estate plan, you can name healthcare surrogates and powers of attorney. This means someone you trust can make decisions for you if you become unable to do so, not just after you pass away.
If you live in Collier County and own property in other states, having a plan can also help you avoid ancillary probate, which is a separate court process needed when you own real estate outside Florida.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can help with estate planning in Collier County, Florida?
Florida-licensed estate planning attorneys based in Naples can help, including Goodwin Law, P.A. (our top pick for flat-fee wills, trusts, and probate), Safe Harbor Law Firm, Dunwody White & Landon, Nici Law Firm, the Law Office of Conrad Willkomm, Linde, Gould & Associates, and Wilson & Johnson. Loughlin Law, P.A. also serves Collier County clients virtually on flat fees. Several of these attorneys are board certified by The Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates.
How much does estate planning cost in Collier County?
Pricing varies by firm and plan complexity. Goodwin Law, Loughlin Law, and the Law Office of Conrad Willkomm quote flat fees upfront, and Linde, Gould & Associates states a $1,000 minimum fee for new estate planning clients. Most firms on this list offer a free initial consultation, so you can get a quote before committing.
Where is probate filed in Collier County, Florida?
Probate is filed with the Collier County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller, Probate Department, 3315 Tamiami Trail East, Suite 102, Naples, FL 34112, and heard in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit. Estates of $75,000 or less may qualify for summary administration; larger estates generally go through formal administration with a Florida attorney.
Do I need a Florida estate plan if I only live in Naples part of the year?
Yes, if Florida is or will become your legal domicile. Part-year residents typically file a Declaration of Domicile with the Collier County Clerk, claim homestead by March 1, and re-execute wills and powers of attorney under Florida formalities. Property kept in another state should be placed in a trust to avoid ancillary probate there.
How does Florida homestead affect my estate plan in Collier County?
Homestead lowers your taxable value by up to $50,000 and caps assessment increases at 3% or CPI, whichever is lower, with up to $500,000 of savings portable to a new Florida home. It also restricts who can inherit the house if you leave a spouse or minor child, so the deed, trust, and will must be coordinated.
Is a will enough, or do I need a trust in Florida?
A will alone still goes through Collier County probate. A funded revocable living trust usually avoids probate, keeps the estate private, and prevents ancillary probate for property in other states, which is why most Naples estate planning attorneys recommend it for homeowners.
Conclusion
Getting help with estate planning in Collier County requires comparing more than price.
Board certification, elder law integration, and transparent billing can all shape how smoothly your plan comes together and how well it holds up over time. Goodwin Law remains our first call for flat-fee planning, while the other seven firms cover specialized needs from Medicaid planning to multi-state domicile work.
Before deciding, schedule a consultation and ask how the firm would structure your specific estate. If a home purchase is part of the move, our guide on who to hire for a real estate closing in Collier County covers the title side, and our statewide list of the best estate planning attorneys in Florida widens the search beyond Southwest Florida.
Explore our blog for more guides on estate planning attorneys and law firms across the U.S.
