Probate Lawyer Palm Beach County | The Law Office of David M. Garten, Esq.

The Law Office of David M. Garten, Esq. is one of Palm Beach County’s most experienced probate and estate litigation law firms. For more than 30 years, Attorney David M. Garten has represented individuals, families, trustees, beneficiaries, and financial institutions throughout Palm Beach County in all aspects of probate litigation, trust contests, will disputes, guardianship proceedings, fiduciary litigation, and estate administration.

Palm Beach County is home to some of Florida’s most significant estates and most complex trust structures. When disputes arise over those estates, the families and institutions involved need a trial lawyer with the sophistication, experience, and determination to fight for their rights in Palm Beach County Probate Court and throughout the Florida court system. That is exactly what The Law Office of David M. Garten, Esq. provides. Attorney Garten personally handles every case from the first consultation through final resolution — giving every Palm Beach County client the individual attention and dedicated representation their matter deserves.

Serving individuals, families, and financial institutions throughout Palm Beach County for over 30 years.

Probate & Estate Litigation Throughout Palm Beach County

We serve clients across all of Palm Beach County — from Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens in the north to Boca Raton and Delray Beach in the south, and from Palm Beach and North Palm Beach on the coast to Wellington and Greenacres inland. Here is an overview of the probate and estate litigation services we provide to Palm Beach County clients:

Probate Attorney Palm Beach County

Our probate attorney serves Palm Beach County residents throughout the full Florida probate process. We handle formal and summary administration in Palm Beach County Probate Court, guiding personal representatives, executors, and beneficiaries through every stage of the process with efficiency and full compliance with Florida’s probate code. For official Florida probate court information, visit floridacourts.gov.

Probate Litigation Attorney Palm Beach County

Our probate litigation attorney represents Palm Beach County clients in all forms of contested probate proceedings — executor misconduct, beneficiary conflicts, creditor disputes, and challenged estate accountings. Attorney Garten is a seasoned trial lawyer who prepares every Palm Beach County probate case for court from the very beginning, ensuring clients are never caught off guard.

Trust Litigation Attorney Palm Beach County

Palm Beach County trusts frequently hold substantial multi-generational wealth. When those trusts become the subject of a dispute, our trust litigation attorney has the knowledge and experience to protect our clients’ interests. We represent trustees and beneficiaries throughout Palm Beach County in all types of trust litigation matters. For consumer information on Florida trusts, visit floridabar.org.

Estate Litigation Lawyer Palm Beach County

Our estate litigation lawyer has handled some of the most complex and high-value estate disputes in Palm Beach County’s history. Whether your matter involves a contested will, a disputed trust amendment, a financial elder abuse claim, or a challenge to a personal representative’s conduct, Attorney Garten brings more than 30 years of proven Palm Beach County courtroom experience to bear on your case.

Guardianship Attorney Palm Beach County

Attorney Garten is one of Palm Beach County’s most recognized and respected guardianship litigators. Our guardianship attorney serves clients throughout the county in establishing, contesting, and modifying guardianships for incapacitated adults and minors, and in all forms of guardianship litigation including guardian removal proceedings and financial elder abuse claims. For Florida guardianship resources, visit the Florida Department of Elder Affairs at elderaffairs.org.

Inheritance Dispute Lawyer Palm Beach County

Our inheritance dispute lawyer represents heirs, beneficiaries, and surviving spouses throughout Palm Beach County who believe their inheritance rights have been violated. We pursue every available legal remedy — through negotiation, mediation, or courtroom litigation — to secure the inheritance our clients are rightfully owed.

Will Contest Attorney Palm Beach County

Our will contest attorney has decades of experience litigating will validity disputes throughout Palm Beach County. We represent clients challenging wills based on lack of capacity, undue influence, fraud, and improper execution — and clients defending valid wills against unfounded challenge claims — in Palm Beach County Probate Court. For consumer information on Florida wills, visit floridabar.org.

Trust Contest Lawyer Palm Beach County

Our trust contest lawyer represents Palm Beach County clients challenging trusts created through fraud, undue influence, or lack of capacity, and defends legitimate trusts against unfounded contest claims. Attorney Garten has litigated significant trust contests throughout Palm Beach County involving substantial assets across multiple generations.

Fiduciary Litigation Attorney Palm Beach County

Our fiduciary litigation attorney holds Palm Beach County trustees, executors, and guardians accountable when they breach their legal duties. We pursue claims for self-dealing, unauthorized asset transfers, failure to account, and other fiduciary violations, working aggressively to recover misappropriated assets for the beneficiaries and heirs who were harmed.

Estate Administration Attorney Palm Beach County

Our estate administration attorney assists personal representatives throughout Palm Beach County with every phase of estate administration — from asset identification and creditor notification to court filings, accountings, and final distributions — helping estates close efficiently and in full compliance with Florida law. For probate filing information and court locations, visit mypalmbeachclerk.com.

Probate Dispute Lawyer Palm Beach County

Our probate dispute lawyer represents clients throughout Palm Beach County — heirs, beneficiaries, personal representatives, and creditors — in all types of contested probate proceedings, bringing the skill, experience, and determination needed to pursue a favorable resolution in every matter we handle.

Probate Court Attorney Palm Beach County

The Law Office of David M. Garten, Esq. has decades of experience in Palm Beach County Probate Court in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit. Our deep familiarity with local rules, judicial expectations, and court procedures gives Palm Beach County clients a meaningful advantage throughout their case. For court locations, filing deadlines, and case search tools, visit mypalmbeachclerk.com.

Probate Trial Lawyer Palm Beach County

Our probate trial lawyer has tried complex probate, trust, and guardianship cases throughout Palm Beach County and is known for thorough preparation, strategic advocacy, and a relentless commitment to achieving the best possible result for every client at trial. When your case requires a courtroom victory, Attorney Garten is ready to deliver.

Estate Lawsuit Attorney Palm Beach County

Our estate lawsuit attorney handles civil actions arising from estate disputes throughout Palm Beach County — including tortious interference with inheritance, financial elder abuse, and breach of fiduciary duty — representing both plaintiffs and defendants with the same commitment to thorough preparation and results-driven advocacy.

Attorney David M. Garten - Probate Lawyer Lake Worth Florida — Attorney David M. Garten — One of Palm Beach County’s most experienced probate and estate litigation attorneys with over 30 years of courtroom experience.

Why Palm Beach County Families and Institutions Choose The Law Office of David M. Garten, Esq.

Families, trustees, and financial institutions throughout Palm Beach County choose Attorney David M. Garten because of his unique combination of trial experience, personal attention, and exclusive focus on probate and estate litigation:

30+ Years of Palm Beach County Litigation Experience — Attorney Garten has devoted his entire career to probate, trust, and guardianship litigation in Palm Beach County and throughout South Florida.
Trial Lawyer, Not an Estate Planner — We do not draft wills or create estate plans. Our sole focus is litigating and winning contested probate and estate matters for our clients.
Personal Representation — Every Palm Beach County client works directly with Attorney Garten from the first consultation through final resolution.
Recognized Guardianship Litigator — Attorney Garten is one of Palm Beach County’s most experienced guardianship attorneys with hundreds of cases and decades of results to his credit.
Referral Friendly — We actively work with estate planners, CPAs, financial advisors, and trust officers throughout Palm Beach County and welcome professional referrals.

Helpful Legal Resources for Palm Beach County Probate Matters

We encourage Palm Beach County clients and families to use these trusted legal resources to better understand Florida probate and estate law:

Florida Courts — Official Florida court system self-help resources and probate information:
floridacourts.gov
The Florida Bar — Consumer resources on probate, wills, trusts, guardianship, and elder law:
floridabar.org
Palm Beach County Clerk of Courts — Probate court filing information, case search, and courthouse locations:
mypalmbeachclerk.com
Florida Department of Elder Affairs — Resources for seniors and families navigating guardianship and elder care in Florida:
elderaffairs.org
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) — Information on elder law, guardianship, and finding qualified attorneys:
naela.org
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) — Educational resources on trust and estate law for families and professionals:
actec.org

Communities We Serve Throughout Palm Beach County

The Law Office of David M. Garten, Esq. serves clients throughout all of Palm Beach County. Click any link below to learn more about our probate and estate litigation services in your specific community:

Frequently Asked Questions — Probate & Estate Law in Palm Beach County

Where is Palm Beach County Probate Court located?

The Palm Beach County Probate Court is located at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in downtown West Palm Beach at 205 North Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. The probate division is part of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida. Our probate court attorney has decades of experience appearing in this courthouse and knows the local rules, filing procedures, and judicial expectations inside and out. For court locations, hours, and filing information, visit mypalmbeachclerk.com.

How does Florida law protect beneficiaries from trustee misconduct?

Florida’s Trust Code gives beneficiaries significant legal protections against trustee misconduct, including the right to receive regular accountings, the right to petition the court to compel an accounting, the right to seek trustee removal, and the right to pursue claims for breach of fiduciary duty. Our trust litigation attorney in Palm Beach County can advise you on your rights as a beneficiary and take legal action to enforce them when necessary. For more on Florida trust law, visit floridabar.org.

What is the role of the personal representative in a Florida probate estate?

The personal representative — sometimes called the executor — is the person appointed by the probate court to administer the estate. Their duties include locating and valuing estate assets, notifying creditors, paying valid debts and taxes, filing required court documents, and distributing the remaining assets to beneficiaries. Personal representatives have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the estate and its beneficiaries. Our estate administration attorney in Palm Beach County can help personal representatives fulfill these duties correctly and avoid personal liability. For more information, visit floridacourts.gov.

Does The Law Office of David M. Garten accept referrals from Palm Beach County professionals?

Yes. We actively welcome referrals from estate planning attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, bank trust departments, private bankers, and other professionals throughout Palm Beach County. If you have a client who needs experienced probate or estate litigation counsel, please contact our office at 561-628-6515.

Contact Our Palm Beach County Probate Lawyers Today — Free Consultation

If you are dealing with a probate dispute, trust litigation matter, will contest, guardianship proceeding, or estate lawsuit anywhere in Palm Beach County, contact The Law Office of David M. Garten, Esq. today. Do not wait — probate deadlines are strict and early legal action is critical to protecting your rights and your inheritance.

Call us at 561-628-6515 or complete the contact form below to schedule your free consultation with one of Palm Beach County’s most experienced probate lawyers.

We serve clients throughout West Palm Beach, Lake Worth, Palm Beach Gardens, North Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Jupiter, Riviera Beach, Greenacres, Wellington, and all of Palm Beach County.