Consolidating Franklin County's active, zero-discipline resident private estate planning, probate administration, Lady Bird deed, and coastal real property law firms across Eastpoint (32328), Apalachicola (32320), and St. George Island (32328) serving seniors throughout Carrabelle (32322), Lanark Village (32322), and Alligator Point (32346): (1) Law Office of Kristy Branch Banks, P.A. (Florida Sunbiz Document #P07000089395, 171 US Highway 98 West, Suite A, Eastpoint / Apalachicola, FL 32328, (850) 670-1255, https://www.kbblawfl.com), led by Principal Attorney Kristy Branch Banks, Esq. (Florida Bar #517143, admitted October 2001 — 25 years of continuous active licensure with 0 disciplinary actions), counseling Forgotten Coast retirees and surviving spouses on Last Wills and Testaments, revocable living trusts, 2nd Judicial Circuit formal and summary probate administration, Enhanced Life Estate ('Lady Bird') deeds, durable financial powers of attorney (F.S. Ch. 709), living wills, and coastal real estate title closings; (2) Donna Duncan, P.A. / Duncan Law & Title Services (Florida Sunbiz Document #P04000023068, 109 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue / P.O. Box 157, Apalachicola, FL 32320, (850) 653-8976), led by Donna R. Duncan, Esq. (Florida Bar #63869, admitted April 2009 — 17 years of active practice with 0 disciplinary actions), providing wills, estate administration, advance directives, quiet-title resolution, and coastal title insurance; (3) Forgotten Coast Law, a dedicated Franklin County estate planning division of Gellis Law, PLLC (Florida Sunbiz Document #L22000431453, located inside the historic Post Office and Customs House Building at 20 Avenue D, 2nd Floor, Apalachicola, FL 32320, (448) 500-6327, https://forgottencoast.law), led by Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist Sean William Gellis, Esq., B.C.S. (Florida Bar #105924, admitted October 2, 2013; Board Certified in State and Federal Government and Administrative Practice; former FDOT General Counsel and DMS Chief of Staff/COO; 0 disciplinary actions), offering in-office and in-home consultations across Franklin County for wills, living trusts, Lady Bird deeds, probate, and Florida powers of attorney; and (4) Manausa, Shaw & Minacci, P.A. — St. George Island Office (Florida Sunbiz Document #P11000032134, 140-D West First Street, St. George Island, FL 32328, (850) 799-1882, Fax (850) 799-1884, https://www.manausalaw.com; Tallahassee HQ at 1701 Hermitage Blvd, Ste 100, Tallahassee, FL 32308, (850) 597-7616), led by Real Property, Probate & Trust Law (RPPTL) Section Shareholders Daniel Evans 'Danny' Manausa, Esq. (Florida Bar #53971, admitted September 20, 1995; FSU Law J.D.; 0 discipline), Kyle Lee Shaw, Esq. (Florida Bar #61206, admitted December 6, 2008; FSU Law J.D.; 0 discipline), and David Kenneth Minacci, Esq., B.C.S. (Florida Bar #56774, admitted September 20, 1995; FSU Law J.D.; Board Certified in Construction Law & admitted in Georgia; 0 discipline), handling St. George Island, Eastpoint, Carrabelle, and Apalachicola probate, estate planning, barrier-island vacation/homestead succession, and title litigation (acceptsMedicaid: false).
Official Verification Sources: Law Office of Kristy Branch Banks, P.A. — Eastpoint / Apalachicola Estate Planning & Probate (#517143); Forgotten Coast Law / Gellis Law, PLLC — Downtown Apalachicola Estate Planning & Probate (#105924); Manausa, Shaw & Minacci, P.A. (St. George Island Office) & Donna Duncan, P.A. (Apalachicola)
Issuer: The Florida Bar & Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations
Notes: Verified 2026-10-26: (1) Kristy Branch Banks, Esq. (FL Bar #517143, admitted Oct 2001, 0 discipline; Law Office of Kristy Branch Banks, P.A., Sunbiz #P07000089395, 171 US Hwy 98 W, Ste A, Eastpoint / Apalachicola, FL 32328, (850) 670-1255, https://www.kbblawfl.com). (2) Donna R. Duncan, Esq. (FL Bar #63869, admitted Apr 2009, 0 discipline; Donna Duncan, P.A., Sunbiz #P04000023068, 109 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave, Apalachicola, FL 32320, (850) 653-8976). (3) Sean William Gellis, Esq., B.C.S. (FL Bar #105924, admitted Oct 2, 2013, 0 discipline; Forgotten Coast Law / Gellis Law, PLLC, Sunbiz #L22000431453, 20 Avenue D, 2nd Floor, Apalachicola, FL 32320, (448) 500-6327, https://forgottencoast.law).
Issuer: The Florida Bar & Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations
Notes: Verified 2026-10-26: Manausa, Shaw & Minacci, P.A. (Sunbiz Doc# P11000032134) operates its Franklin County coastal office at 140-D West First Street, St. George Island, FL 32328 ((850) 799-1882) alongside its Tallahassee office at 1701 Hermitage Blvd, Ste 100 ((850) 597-7616), led by Daniel E. Manausa (#53971, admitted Sept 20, 1995), Kyle L. Shaw (#61206, admitted Dec 6, 2008), and David K. Minacci (#56774, admitted Sept 20, 1995, B.C.S. Construction Law & GA Bar). All hold 0 disciplinary actions.
Factual details and direct answers about Law Office of Kristy Branch Banks, P.A. (Eastpoint / Apalachicola), Donna Duncan, P.A. (Apalachicola), Forgotten Coast Law / Gellis Law, PLLC (Sean W. Gellis, Esq., B.C.S.) & Manausa, Shaw & Minacci, P.A. (St. George Island Office) — In-County Probate, Estate Planning & Coastal Real Property Counsel's services, licensing, and credentials.
Which active law offices physically located inside Apalachicola, Eastpoint, and St. George Island prepare wills, revocable trusts, and Lady Bird deeds for Franklin County seniors?
Franklin County residents have direct access to four discipline-free local estate planning and real property offices: Law Office of Kristy Branch Banks, P.A. (#517143) at 171 US Highway 98 West, Suite A in Eastpoint/Apalachicola ((850) 670-1255); Donna Duncan, P.A. (#63869) at 109 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Apalachicola ((850) 653-8976); Forgotten Coast Law / Gellis Law, PLLC (#105924) in the historic Post Office and Customs House Building at 20 Avenue D, 2nd Floor in downtown Apalachicola ((448) 500-6327); and Manausa, Shaw & Minacci, P.A. (#53971, #61206 & #56774) at 140-D West First Street on St. George Island ((850) 799-1882), in addition to The Law Offices of Thomas M. Shuler, P.A. (#947891) at 34/40 4th Street in Apalachicola ((850) 653-5166).
How does an Enhanced Life Estate ('Lady Bird') deed protect a home in Apalachicola, Carrabelle, Eastpoint, or St. George Island?
A Florida Enhanced Life Estate ('Lady Bird') deed allows a Franklin County senior to retain 100% lifetime control—including the right to sell, mortgage, or revoke the deed without beneficiary consent—while preserving Florida's $50,000 Homestead Exemption and 3% Save Our Homes assessment cap. Upon death, ownership transfers automatically to named beneficiaries outside of Second Judicial Circuit probate and is protected against Florida Medicaid Estate Recovery (F.S. § 409.9101).
Connect with complementary legal, financial, and residential providers serving seniors in Apalachicola and Franklin County.
Centennial Bank — Apalachicola, Eastpoint, St. George Island & Carrabelle In-County Branches, Centennial Financial Services (Crowley Wealth / Ameriprise) & PeoplesSouth Bank (Apalachicola)
Apalachicola, Franklin County
(850) 653-2301
Apalachicola Housing Authority (HUD PHA #FL036) & Northwest Florida Regional Housing Authority (#FL046) — Franklin County Senior Public Housing & Section 8 Registry
Apalachicola, Franklin County
(850) 653-9304
George E. Weems Memorial Hospital (AHCA #4173 — Critical Access Swing-Bed Skilled Nursing, 24/7 Emergency & Weems Medical Centers East & West) & Ascension Sacred Heart Gulf Border Hospital
Apalachicola, Franklin County
(850) 653-8853
Expert guidance, benefit eligibility rules, and state protections for older Florida residents and family caregivers.
Florida Property Tax Exemptions for Seniors →
How Enhanced Life Estate ('Lady Bird') deeds and revocable living trusts preserve Franklin County homestead exemptions.
Free Legal Help for Seniors in Florida →
Guide to Florida wills, living trusts, durable powers of attorney, and 2nd Judicial Circuit probate in Franklin County.
Franklin County Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller — Probate, Guardianship & Small Estates Division (Hon. Michele Maxwell, Judge Jay Gordon Shuler, County Attorney Thomas M. 'Michael' Shuler, Esq. & 2nd Circuit Public Guardian)
Apalachicola, Franklin County
2nd Judicial Circuit Board Certified Elder Law Specialists (B.C.S.) — The Sketchley Law Firm, P.A. (Twyla L. Sketchley, B.C.S.), McConnaughhay & Rudd, P.A. (Jana E. McConnaughhay, B.C.S. & Kandace E. Rudd, M.S.W., B.C.S.) & Heuler, Wakeman, Solomon Law Group, P.L.L.C. (Victoria E. Heuler, B.C.S., Max J. Solomon, B.C.S. & Mary L. Wakeman, B.C.S.)
Apalachicola, Franklin County
Kristy Branch Banks, P.A., Donna Duncan, P.A. & The Law Offices of Thomas M. Shuler, P.A. — Forgotten Coast US-98 East Border Probate, Estate Planning & Coastal Real Property Counsel (Serving Indian Pass, Cape San Blas & Port St. Joe)
Apalachicola, Gulf County
Legal Services of North Florida, Inc. (LSNF) — 2nd Judicial Circuit & DOEA PSA 2 Title III-B Senior Legal Helpline & Apalachicola / Carrabelle Senior Center Mobile Outreach
Apalachicola, Franklin County
Disclaimer: This directory listing is for informational purposes only. Florida Senior Support does not endorse or guarantee the quality of services. Please verify information and services directly with the organization.