Southwest Florida and statewide
Where We Serve
Zacharia Frey PLLC is in Bonita Springs, on the line between Lee and Collier counties, about half an hour from Naples and half an hour from Fort Myers. Most of our clients in Naples, North Naples, Estero and Fort Myers never make the drive: we work by video, phone and email, and we handle probate and guardianship in courts across Florida, most of it by video hearing.
How we work with clients anywhere in Florida
Florida estate planning, Medicaid and probate law is statewide. A will, a trust, a power of attorney or a Medicaid application is prepared the same way for a client in Naples, in Fort Myers or in St. Augustine. So the first meeting is a video call or a phone call, drafts and questions move by email, and the information we need arrives through a secure online intake. Wills, trusts and powers of attorney must be signed with the witnesses and notary Florida requires; we schedule that step around the client, whether at our office or elsewhere.
Florida Medicaid applications are filed with the Department of Children and Families through its statewide system, not with a county office, so the county you live in does not change how an application is prepared, filed or appealed. The same is true of a Qualified Income Trust.
Naples, North Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero and Fort Myers
Naples and North Naples (Collier County). About half an hour south of the office. Collier County probate and guardianship cases are filed with the Collier Clerk of Courts and heard at the Collier County Courthouse in East Naples when a hearing is in person. We teach free estate planning and long-term care seminars in Naples, and partner Ehren Frey graduated at the top of his class from Ave Maria School of Law in Naples.
Bonita Springs and Estero (Lee County). Our office is at The Promenade at Bonita Springs, 26811 South Bay Drive, Suite 270. We are members of the Estero Chamber of Commerce, and our Smart Way to Pay for Long-Term Care seminar is held at the Estero Recreation Center.
Fort Myers (Lee County). About half an hour north of the office. Lee County probate and guardianship cases are filed with the Lee Clerk of Court and heard at the Lee County Justice Center in downtown Fort Myers when in person. We teach seminars in Fort Myers as well.
Courts where we handle probate and guardianship
We currently handle probate and guardianship matters in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee and Pinellas counties, and we have handled matters as far north as St. Johns County. Because Florida probate rules are statewide, the county mainly determines which clerk receives the filing and which judge hears it.
Most hearings are now held by video. We appear in person when a judge requires it, which in our practice is most often in Collier, Lee and Pinellas counties.
- Collier County
- Lee County
- Charlotte County
- Sarasota County
- Manatee County
- Pinellas County
Long-term care in Lee and Collier counties
The PACE program we work with most is Hope PACE, which serves Lee County and has sites in Collier and Charlotte counties. Our PACE guide explains who qualifies and how it compares with nursing home Medicaid.
For families comparing care settings, our nursing home cost guide gives the figures Florida Medicaid uses and how they compare with what facilities in the region charge. The Smart Way to Pay for Long-Term Care is the free tool we built for that decision.
Our offices
Main office
Bonita Springs
26811 South Bay Drive, Suite 270
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
The Promenade at Bonita Springs. Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 5:00; evenings and Saturdays by appointment.
Open in Google MapsBy appointment
Lakewood Ranch
8470 Enterprise Circle, Suite 300
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
For clients in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Open in Google MapsBy appointment
Hillsboro Beach
1021 Hillsboro Mile, #502
Hillsboro Beach, FL 33062
For clients in Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Open in Google MapsQuestions families ask
Do I have to come to Bonita Springs to work with you?
No. Many of our clients never visit the office. The first meeting is by video or phone, drafts and questions go by email, and intake is done through a secure online form. Florida estate planning and Medicaid law is the same in every county, so where you live changes nothing about the plan.
Do you handle probate and guardianship in Collier County and Lee County?
Yes. Collier County matters are filed with the Collier Clerk of Courts in Naples and Lee County matters with the Lee Clerk in Fort Myers. We also handle cases in Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee and Pinellas counties. Most hearings are held by video; we appear in person when the court requires it.
Do you serve Naples and North Naples?
Yes. Naples is about half an hour south of our Bonita Springs office, and a large share of our estate planning, Medicaid and probate clients live in Naples, North Naples and the communities along the Collier County coast. We teach free seminars in Naples several times a year.
Do you take clients outside Southwest Florida?
Yes. We have clients across the state, including matters as far north as St. Johns County, and clients who moved to Florida from other states. Our Lakewood Ranch and Hillsboro Beach offices are available by appointment for clients on the Gulf Coast north of Sarasota and on the Atlantic coast.
Where do you hold seminars?
In Naples, Fort Myers and Estero. Upcoming dates are on our events page, and the Estero seminar on paying for long-term care has its own page with registration.
Wherever you are in Florida, start with a conversation
A consultation by video or phone, or at the Bonita Springs office. Call (239) 345-4545 or send the form.
Schedule a consultation