Durant Estate Planning Lawyers

William "Joe" Kopp is from Brecksville, Ohio. He graduated in 2005 from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration; and from Stetson University in 2008 with his Law Degree, a Concentration in Advocacy, and a Master's Degree in Business Administration.

Following law school he initially worked for a large, multi-state consumer bankruptcy firm in Tampa. Within one year of joining the firm, he was selected to train new attorneys and paralegals joining the firm. In 2011 he moved his practice to St. Petersburg, and in 2012 opened his own firm. In...

Joe Southron is a distinguished attorney and Partner at Four Rivers Law Firm, where he has been providing comprehensive legal services for over nine years. With a focus on intellectual property, business litigation, complex transactions, and corporate formation, he combines a wealth of knowledge and experience to help clients navigate even the most intricate legal challenges. What sets Joe apart is his commitment to remaining at a small law firm. By choosing this model, he ensures that each client receives the attention and dedication necessary to achieve the best possible outcomes. He believes that staying small allows for a more hands-on...

Erin M. Zides attended Barry University School of Law. While there, Erin earned the book award in Advanced Appellate Advocacy, Advanced Criminal Procedure and Legal Research and Writing II. Erin was also a member of the Trial Team. Erin graduated from Barry University School of Law and is admitted to practice in Florida and the U.S. District Court - Middle District of Florida. Erin is a partner at Tampa Law Group, P.A. and focuses on Family Law, Divorce, Wills, Trusts and Probate. The Tampa Law Group offices are located in Tampa and are...

Wendy began practicing law in 1997 and opened the lawfirm of Cohen & DePaul, PA along with her business partner in 2004. Wendy has also been a Certified Public Accountant since 1995. Her main areas of practice at Bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, elder law, and family law. Wendy also currently serves on the board of directors of Bay Area Legal Services and on the Hillsborough County Animal Advisory Committee

Laurel A. Tesmer, Esq., provides quality representation to residents in the Tampa Bay area. Focusing primarily on family law, probate, bankruptcy and estate planning, Ms. Tesmer was admitted to The Florida Bar in 2007. She has been serving clients in Florida ever since. For her undergraduate degree, Laurel attended the University of Florida in Gainesville. After graduation, she followed with Stetson University College of Law where she earned her juris doctor. Thoroughly involved during law school, Laurel was a member in a leadership development committee and the Phi Delta Phi Legal Honors Society. She also participated in mediation, arbitration...

I represent beneficiaries and personal representatives of probate estates throughout Pinellas County, Florida, including areas such as St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Pinellas Park, and the beaches. I have received the highest lawyer ratings on platforms like Justia, Super Lawyers, Martindale, and Avvo. I serve as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law. Throughout my career, I have written nationally-published books and articles for lawyers on topics such as real estate, wills, trusts, and probate law. I have also been a member of the Florida Bar Probate Rules Committee and have chaired the St. Petersburg Bar Association Probate Law Section. I...

I grew up in a large NAVY family. My father flew out of Tampa's MacDill Air Force Base in the sixties and I fell in love with the Tampa Bay community. After law school I came back to Florida to pursue my legal career with a passion for helping out individuals and families. I really enjoy the waterfront lifestyle here (when I can find the time to do so). I have a strong and long serving staff that makes client communication a top priority. My greatest joy is to work alongside my clients to help...

For the past four (4) decades I have been providing legal services to individuals in the areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law, Asset Protection, Probate & Trust Administration and Litigation, and Probate Avoidance. I have also represented Florida corporate entities, shareholders, LLC members, and partners in business transactions, contract drafting, succession planning, mergers & acquisitions, and business disputes. My clients include opposite-sex and same-sex couples, business owners, individuals looking to protect their assets from creditor claims, retirees, family members needing guidance in the administration of a Florida probate estate or an inheritance dispute, and relatives of individuals who need to...

I am a former prosecutor in both Sarasota, Florida and Maui, Hawaii. I have prosecuted and defended some of the most serious crimes.

My focus is provided the highest caliber legal representation to all of my clients in contested legal matters. Your right to a trial by jury is a fundamental right if you have been injured in an accident, accused of a crime or suffered a wrong at the result of someone else's behavior. I differentiate my practice in that I routinely try cases before juries and courts.

I am authorized to practice in all state and federal courts for...

Kevin Sanderson serves your legal needs throughout all of West Central Florida, including Sarasota, Casey Key, Siesta Key, Longboat Key, Bradenton, North Port, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, Arcadia, Englewood, and Naples.

Education
Kevin F. Sanderson is a graduate of Boston University (B.A., Psychology) and obtained his juris doctor from St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami, FL. He continued his education, obtaining his LL.M. (legal laureate masters) in international taxation and offshore finance, also at St. Thomas University School of Law. Kevin was born and raised in New Jersey.

Licenses
Mr. Sanderson is a member of the Florida Bar, a member...

The passion to practice law is #1 in my life! I enjoy the everyday opportunity to work with individuals, families and businesses; I help them to save time and trouble! Outside of work, I enjoy a number of activities and hobbies. For me, travel is paramount; I have been to all 50 US States, seven of seven continents and 117 countries! I enjoy photography (travel and landscape particularly), public speaking, non-fiction reading, creative writing and publishing articles, visiting art museums, jazz, gardening, hiking, kayaking, backgammon, attending performing arts and theatre productions, and dining on exotic cuisine. I have offices in Winter Haven and...

I decided to become a lawyer in honor of my friend, Sgt. Jessie Davila, who was killed in action while we were deployed to Iraq. My initial focus in the law was to help other Veterans navigate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability system as a Veterans lawyer. However, I discovered that many of the Veterans I was helping obtain VA disability benefits also needed help with estate planning and elder law concerns. This realization led me back to law school, where I earned my Masters in Law (LL.M.) in Elder journey in the legal profession started with internships...

We assist families avoid impoverishment from long term care and nursing home expense by qualifying their loved ones for Medicaid and VA benefits. We prepare Wills, Trusts and Durable Powers of Attorney and settle Estates and Trusts. We seek maximum recovery when loved ones are abused or neglected in a Nursing Home or ALF. Ted moved to Florida in 1960 from Michigan and began his firm in 1990. Over the 32 years that he has been in practice, Ted has helped many hundreds of families qualify for Medicaid and protect the assets that they have worked a lifetime to...

As a dedicated IRS Tax defense attorney Mary has been helping clients get tax debt relief by negotiating currently non-collectible status, offers in compromise, installment agreements, innocent spouse relief, audits, removing levies, releasing liens, and negotiating penalty abatement. Mary's career as a IRS tax attorney began in 1993 after graduating from Stetson University College of Law. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree in 1988 and a Master of Business Administration Degree in Finance from Wake Forest University, Babcock Graduate School of Management in 1990. Her career in tax law...

Experience, Respect and Reputation in the community for over 19 years. Dedicated and Aggressive Trial Defense, Criminal Defense, Juvenile Law, Domestic Violence, Family Law/Divorce, Probate, Estate Planning and Guardianship cases. Member United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, July 17, 1998 Member United States Middle District of Florida, August 14, 1998 Member of Sarasota County Bar Association, 1998-2017 Founding Member and Board of Directors of the Collaborative Family Law Professionals of Sarasota/Manatee Graduated Nova Southeastern University, Juris Doctor, January 31, 1998 Associate Editor for Nova Southeastern University Journal of International & Comparative...

Anne grew up in Manatee County, Florida and has always served those in her community. She has witnessed the devastation caused by failure of families to plan for long term care, disabilities and end of life. Her goal is to make these life challenges easier to negotiate for the Senior as well as for the Senior’s family. Having practiced law here since 1977, she practices Elder Law which includes probate and estates, estate planning, guardianships, wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, advance directives, Medicaid planning and Special Needs Trusts. In addition to her professional associations, Anne...

Attorney Aaron W. Saoud is the owner of the AWS Law Firm, which practices Probate, Estate Planning, Guardianships, and other related areas of law in Florida. The AWS Law Firm is based out of Tampa, Florida, and serves the majority of the state, from Jacksonville down to Miami, including Orlando, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota. The AWS Law Firm currently is comprised of eight upstanding professionals: four lawyers and four support staff to assist them. Attorney Saoud is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the Stetson College of Law, and is licensed to practice law in Florida, Michigan, and Illinois...

Walt Shurden is a Florida Board Certifed Elder Law Attorney and a former Georgia CPA who used to audit nursing homes and hopitals for a Medicare contractor. Now he represents families who seek Medicaid and VA eligibility because they need help paying for the high cost of long term care. He devises estate plans and asset protection plans for his clients. He also serves as fiduciary, and represents other fiduciaries in probate and trust administration proceedings. All four staff members are experienced and have been with the firm for over 10 years.

The overwhelming majority of my immigration law practice derives from repeat business and a very strong referral base of “happy customers” and a large supporting professional network. As such, it is important to me that my clients report back to me frequently with feedback. To me, there is no substitute for a happy referral by my clients and contacts to others who may need my services or advice. I welcome all referrals. While there is no substitute for a face-to-face meeting with me, in order for you to decide if I am the right lawyer for you,...

JEFFREY S. GOETHE is a partner with Barnes Walker, Goethe, Perron, Shea, & Robinson, PLLC. The firm's main office is in Bradenton, with appointments available in the firm's Anna Maria Island, Lakewood Ranch and Parrish offices. Mr. Goethe is a graduate of Maryville College and the University of Tennessee College of Law and was admitted to The Florida Bar in 1990. He is board certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in wills, trusts and estates law and a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Mr. Goethe is a member of the Florida Bar’s Real...

Daniel H. Smith is an elder law and estate planning attorney at Advocates in Aging, Law Office of Wiesner Smith PLLC in Sarasota, Florida, focusing on Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Veterans Benefits, Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning, Special Needs Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, Guardianship, and Assisted Living/Nursing Home Issues. Daniel is licensed to practice law in Florida and Virginia. Daniel is also a VA Accredited Attorney, and represents veterans and their families with benefits claims and appeals of VA Benefits decisions. Daniel received his law degree with honors from the George Mason University School of Law in Arlington,...

I have maintained a private law practice for 35 years in the areas of criminal defense, juvenile, dependency, bankruptcy, real estate, corporate, contracts, estate planning, and probate administration. I served the public sector as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Coumbus, Ohio; Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Juvenile Division for Jefferson County, Ohio; Special Agent and Assistant Ohio Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud Division; and Service/Safety Director for Reynoldsburg, Ohio. I was also a registered lobbyist and in-house legal counsel for the Ohio Municipal League. I am focusing my practice now on estate planning, business, and probate administration.

Dina Arvanitakis graduated from the University of Chicago and completed her Juris Doctorate & Master of Laws degree in International Business and Trade Law at the John Marshal Law School in 1999. Dina is licensed to practice law in Florida, Illinois and Washington D.C. Dina is a member of the Florida Board of Realtors and is a licensed real estate consultant with Real Net Brokerage. Bilingual: English / Greek

John Richert is a Managing Attorney at Richert Quarles, P.A. He received his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida and a Master’s in Business Administration from Stetson University in Deland, Florida in May 2013. While at Stetson, John participated in Stetson’s pro bono program and was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Before attending Stetson, John attended the College of William and Mary located in Williamsburg, Virginia and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration majoring in Finance. John was admitted to the Florida Bar in September 2013. John’s practice is focused...

Attorney Rachel Drude-Tomori is the Founding Partner of Drude Tomori Law, PA, a St. Petersburg law firm dedicated to providing estate planning legal services to individuals and families in St. Petersburg and surrounding areas. Rachel’s primary areas of focus include Estate Planning and Deferred Sales Trusts, and she frequently assists individuals and business owners in protecting their legacies from government and creditor interference. With over 15 years of legal experience, Rachel has developed estate plans for business owners, corporate executives, wealthy individuals, and professionals and their families with a wide range of estate planning objectives. She also develops estate plans...

Attorney L. Reed Bloodworth, Founder and CEO of Bloodworth Law, PLLC, is a Florida U.S. News & World Report Best Lawyer® in Commercial Litigation Award 2019-22; in Trusts & Estates Litigation 2022; and in Real Estate Litigation 2022. Bloodworth Law is a U.S. News & World Report "Best Law Firm" 2020-22 and has established itself with an office in Orlando and one in Winter Haven. Reed, a 2019-22 Super Lawyer, was named a Florida Trend’s Magazine Florida Legal Elite™ in Civil, Commercial Litigation 2017-19, 2021, a group of less than 1.3% of Florida's attorneys. Reed has been an attorney since 2004...