Kimmel & Batson

Kimmel & Batson represents a unique and distinguished approach to family law and estate planning in the Pensacola area. Established in 1976, the firm is built on a foundation of partnership, expertise, and shared commitment to serving clients facing life's most significant legal challenges. At the heart of this respected firm is an exceptional husband-and-wife team of board-certified attorneys: Robert R. Kimmel and Susan Crockett Batson. Together, they bring over eighty years of combined legal experience and a deep dedication to excellence in the practice of law.

What immediately distinguishes Kimmel & Batson is the complementary partnership of its founders. Robert R. Kimmel and Susan Crockett Batson have built their practice on the foundation of mutual respect, shared values, and complementary legal skills. This partnership model—where spouses work together in legal practice—brings a unique perspective to family law representation. The attorneys understand the complexities of relationships, family dynamics, and the emotional dimensions of family law matters through both professional experience and personal understanding of partnership and collaboration.

Both Robert Kimmel and Susan Batson are board-certified attorneys by The Florida Bar, a certification that reflects their specialized knowledge, experience, and commitment to high professional standards in their practice areas. Board certification is not automatically granted to all attorneys; it requires substantial experience, successful completion of a comprehensive examination, and ongoing commitment to continuing legal education and professional development. The fact that both partners maintain board certification demonstrates their serious investment in excellence and their recognition by the Florida Bar as specialists in their chosen fields.

Kimmel & Batson's history of professional recognition and ethical excellence was validated in 2023 when Martindale-Hubbell awarded the firm a Distinguished rating. This prestigious designation is reserved for law firms that are "widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards." The Martindale-Hubbell rating system, one of the oldest and most respected legal peer-rating systems in the United States, evaluates attorneys on factors including legal knowledge, communication abilities, ethical standards, and professionalism. A Distinguished rating represents the highest level of recognition from this authoritative source.

The firm's practice is divided into two primary areas of specialization: family law and divorce litigation on one hand, and estate planning and probate on the other. This dual focus allows the firm to serve clients' comprehensive legal needs, whether they are navigating the dissolution of a marriage or planning for the orderly transfer of their estates to the next generation.

In the family law and divorce litigation area, Kimmel & Batson provides comprehensive representation for clients facing divorce, custody disputes, and other family law matters. The attorneys handle both contested and uncontested divorces, understanding that divorce cases vary significantly in their complexity and emotional dimensions. Some divorces proceed relatively smoothly when both spouses can reach agreement on major issues; others involve substantial disputes over property division, custody, or support that require aggressive litigation. The attorneys at Kimmel & Batson are prepared to handle divorces at any point along this spectrum.

Child custody matters receive particular attention at the firm. The attorneys understand that custody disputes often involve questions about a child's best interests, parental capabilities, and the establishment of timesharing schedules that work for all family members. The firm provides careful counsel on custody matters and represents clients' parental rights with dedication and professionalism.

The firm also maintains an extensive estate planning and probate practice. Estate planning involves the comprehensive analysis of a client's assets, family situation, and goals to create an estate plan that efficiently passes assets to heirs while minimizing taxes and avoiding probate where appropriate. The attorneys at Kimmel & Batson work with clients to draft wills, establish trusts, designate beneficiaries, and create comprehensive estate plans that reflect their values and protect their families' interests.

When clients pass away, probate administration becomes necessary—the legal process through which a deceased person's estate is administered, debts are paid, and remaining assets are distributed to heirs. Kimmel & Batson represents both personal representatives (executors) and heirs through the probate process, ensuring that estates are administered properly and in compliance with Florida law.

Located at 715 N Baylen Street in Pensacola, Kimmel & Batson has served clients in the Pensacola area for nearly fifty years. The firm operates with office hours Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with after-hours appointments available for clients whose schedules require flexibility. The firm's Pensacola location provides convenient access for local clients, and the attorneys' deep roots in the Pensacola community provide valuable understanding of local court systems, judges, and legal practices.

Kimmel & Batson's approach to legal representation is grounded in careful listening, thorough analysis, and practical counsel. The attorneys understand that clients coming to a family law attorney are often facing significant stress, uncertainty, and life change. The firm's approach emphasizes clear communication, honest advice about both opportunities and challenges in each case, and strategic representation that protects clients' interests while allowing them to move forward constructively.

Whether you are contemplating divorce, facing a custody dispute, seeking to establish child support or alimony arrangements, or planning your estate, Kimmel & Batson offers the board-certified expertise, ethical standards, and proven experience that complex legal matters demand. The firm's nearly fifty-year history of service, combined with the distinguished partnership of board-certified attorneys Robert Kimmel and Susan Batson, makes Kimmel & Batson the trusted choice for family law and estate planning representation in the Pensacola area. Contact Kimmel & Batson at (850) 438-8000 to schedule your consultation with attorneys who combine extensive experience, professional recognition, and genuine commitment to your legal success.