Wendy A. Mara

Wendy A. Mara

Protecting you, your family, and your assets!
  • Probate, Family Law, Divorce ...
  • Florida
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Biography

Wendy A. Mara attended Stetson University and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1993
Ms. Mara taught language arts in high school for 13 years. While teaching full time, she earned her MBA degree from the University of Central Florida in 2006. Deciding to pursue a legal career, she entered law school at Florida Coastal School of Law where she graduated in the top 10 percent of her class. While in law school, she was a teaching and research assistant, earned the Dean’s Certificate for Pro Bono Work and became an award winning oralist for the Jessup International Moot Court Competition.
Following graduation from law school, she was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2009 and entered the private practice of law in the Ormond Beach-Volusia and Flagler County area.
Ms. Mara’s law practice is centered on probate, family law, guardianship, estate planning, and Medicaid Planning.
During her legal career, she has been recognized by her peers as a leader in the profession. She is a former treasurer and past president of the Volusia-Flagler Association for Women Lawyers being honored in 2015 with their Women of the Year Award for her work on behalf of women and children.
Ms. Mara is a former treasurer, secretary, and past president and current Chair of the Elder Law Section of the Volusia County Bar Association. Outside of the legal profession, she is an active leader in her community, involved in many activities and organizations. She is a former director of the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce, winner of the 2013 Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce Leadership Award, and former Chairperson of the PACE Center for Girls, Volusia-Flagler. Ms. Mara is a den leader for Cub Scout Pack 3074, and she enjoys volunteering for Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida and Council on Aging where she donates her time to provide pro bono legal assistance to low income individuals.

Practice Areas
    Probate
    Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
    Family Law
    Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Same Sex Family Law
    Divorce
    Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
    Estate Planning
    Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
    Elder Law
Additional Practice Area
  • Guardianship
Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
    Payments may be made online at wamara@maralawpa.com
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    Free Consultations for Medicaid Longterm Care
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Florida
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Managing Attorney
Mara Law, P.A.
- Current
Managing Member
Mara & Mara, Attorneys at Law
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Associate Attorney
Snell Legal
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Education
Florida Coastal School of Law
J.D. (2009)
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Honors: Graduated top 10% of Class
Florida Coastal School of Law Logo
University of Central Florida
MBA
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Honors: Phi Kappa Phi
University of Central Florida Logo
Stetson University
B.A. (1993) | English
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Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Activities: Phi Beta Kappa
Stetson University Logo
Awards
AV Preeminent
Martindale-Hubbell Lawyers Service
Peer Rated for Highest Level of Professional Excellence. Selected: 2021-2023
Client Champion - PLATINUM
Martindale-Hubbell Lawyers Service
Selected: 2021-2023
Rising Star
Super Lawyers
Rising Star 2016-2019 Probate and Family Law
Women of the Year
Volusia Flagler Association for Women Lawyers
Client Distinction
Martindale Hubbell
Client's Choice
Avvo
Leadership Award
Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce
Pro Bono Certificate
Florida Coastal School of Law
Professional Associations
Volusia Flagler Association for Women Lawyers
Awards Committee
- Current
Activities: Wendy Mara has served as a board member, Treasurer, President-Elect, President, and Chapter Representative.
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Volusia County Bar Association
Chair of Elder Law Section
- Current
Activities: Wendy Mara has served as a board member, Secretary, Treasurer, President-Elect and President. She is currently Chair of the Elder Law Section.
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Junior League of Daytona Beach
Co-Chair of State Public Affairs Committee
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Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce
Board Director
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Activities: Wendy Mara has served on the Leadership Committee frequently speaking in the Leadership Program and is currently a Board Director.
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Pace Center for Girls - Volusia/Flagler
Board Director and President
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Activities: Served as Board Director and President for two terms.
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Publications
Articles & Publications
What Happens to Your Assets if You or your Spouse Go Into a Nursing Home?
OurSeniors.net
Speaking Engagements
Becoming a Successful Woman, Fresh Start Program
Social Media and Advertising Rules, Florida Bar Convention
StandOut Self Assessment, Ormond Beach Leadership IX
Leadership Styles, Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce Alumni Lunch and Learn
Basics of Divorce, Divorce
Certifications
Collaborative Family Law
The Collaborative Family Law Group of Central Florida
Websites & Blogs
Website
Mara Law, P.A.
Blog
Mara Law, P.A. Blog
Legal Answers
2 Questions Answered
Q. My sister’s son and I want to purchase a home for my sister. We found a cash deal in a nice manufactured home community.
A: A manufactured home has a title similar to a vehicle title. If you put your name and your nephew's name on the title, that does not make either of you responsible for creditors of your sister. However, with your names on the title, the community will most likely find you liable for the rent associated with the manufactured home.
Q. I loaned my mother $43,000 at 7% interest 21 years ago secured by a promissory note.
A: Florida Homestead provisions protect the homestead from creditors except for mortgages, mechanics liens for work done to the homestead, and taxes. Your siblings are not required to pay off the note. If you don't agree to the sale of the homestead, the other owners can force sale of the property through a partition action. The partition action will cost money with attorney's fees and court costs. If the court orders the clerk of court to sell the property, the property will be sold at auction, and the proceeds will be much less than if the property had been sold at private sale.
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Contact & Map
Ormond Beach Office
555 West Granada Blvd., Ste. D-10
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
Telephone: (386) 672-8081
Fax: (386) 265-5995
Palm Coast Office (By Appointment Only)
389 Palm Coast Parkway SW, Ste. 4
Palm Coast, FL 32137
Telephone: (386) 672-8081
Fax: (386) 265-5995
Daytona Beach Office (By Appointment Only)
119 Magnolia Avenue
Daytona Beach, FL 32114
Telephone: (386) 672-8081
Fax: (386) 265-5995