North Fort Myers Estate Planning Lawyers

Christopher D. Smith received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) and his Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.). A long-time resident of Florida, Mr. Smith also graduated from Pine View School in Sarasota. He is a member of the bars of Florida, Virginia and Washington, D.C., and is admitted to practice in the Middle, Southern and Northern Districts of Florida. Christopher is also certified in consumer bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification.


Christopher started his career with the international law firm of Dechert LLP in 2001, working as an associate in the securities law...

John Carter has more that 25 years in the financial services industry. He runs a law office in St. Petersburg. Until recently, John served as Chairman, President, and CEO of a $50 billion asset management company consisting of approximately 120 funds and 35 investment sub-advisers. He has a vast amount of experience, which includes working for a law firm (Skadden Arps), a federal regulator (SEC), and leading companies (Franklin Templeton, Citigroup, and Transamerica). He is licensed as an attorney in Florida, the District of Columbia, and Virginia. John currently is obtaining a Master of Theology from Saint Leo University, Dade...

Jason devotes his legal career to helping individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of U.S. and international tax laws and regulations. His commitment is to provide the most sophisticated and highest quality tax services which has enabled him to build meaningful and lasting relationships with clients.

Jason has over 8 years of tax experience advising individuals and global organizations on tax issues related to domestic reporting and compliance, and international tax issues involving tax treaties, transfer pricing, and cross-border investments and business operations. He also represents individuals and businesses faced with IRS notices and audits, and can assist with...

Stephanie Koether is the founder and principal attorney at Koether Law, P.A., a Brandon family law firm helping families in the Bay Area with divorce, child custody and related matters as well as other important legal needs such as personal injury and estate planning. Ms. Koether completed her undergraduate studies at Fordham University in the Bronx, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. These studies have helped Ms. Koether understand the emotional and mental health challenges her clients are going through as they deal with a contested divorce or child custody dispute and other difficult matters. Upon completing her undergraduate degree,...

Amanda O. Singleton is an AV-Preeminent rated attorney who focuses her practice on estate planning, probate, guardianship, and caregiver advocacy. She writes and speaks nationally as an AARP Family Caregiving Expert. Amanda serves clients in Tampa Bay and throughout the state of Florida.

Spiro’s professional background includes estate planning and probate, elder law, corporate and business law, real estate and closings, intellectual property, civil litigation of all types, with wide experience in admiralty and environmental law, serious personal injury and probate litigation. He has handled class actions, consumer protection, and privacy matters, and was the first attorney to sue Microsoft in the In Re Microsoft Consumer Antitrust Litigation. He has also pursued claims against major financial institutions on behalf of defrauded customers, and he has tirelessly championed civil rights suits. A native of Tarpon Springs, Florida, Spiro was formerly a partner at Jones, Verras...

Mastry Law provides a no nonsense, cost effective approach to estate planning and probate law that allows you to pass your assets and your family legacy to whom you want, when you want and how you want. We focus on developing customized estate plans for families that want to protect their children and families with total assets of $100,000 or more. We believe that quality estate planning isn't just for the rich.

Ashley Ivanov's professional history includes working for a large international law firm and small to mid-size law firms, as well as clerking within a division of the Executive Office of the United States President. She has represented plaintiffs and defendants in a variety of causes of action, including but not limited to matters related to breach of contract, deceptive and unfair trade practices, construction defect, foreclosure, guardianship, breach of fiduciary responsibilities, and real estate. She currently focuses her practice primarily on probate and estate planning. Ashley uses her acute negotiating skills and meticulous attention to detail to zealously advocate for...

As a practicing attorney in Polk County, Florida, for over ten years, I'm proud to offer my clients advice and representation in the areas of family law, criminal defense, and elder law. My vision is to bring a personal feel and approach to each of my client's legal concerns. It is my goal to give each client effective advice and craft personal solutions for difficult legal matters. I'm privileged to be part of the Polk County community, and proud to know that when the good people of this community need my guidance and experience, I'll be here for them.

* Admitted to: Florida Bar, 1993; Tennessee Bar, 2007; U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 2000; U.S. Supreme Court, 2006. * Primary practice areas: Estate Planning (wills, trusts, Probate), Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Real Estate (commercial and residential title closings), transactions, and Business Entities. * A featured speaker for the 2007 Financial Professionals Expo, Tampa, Florida, and the 2000 Money Sense Live personal-finance seminar sponsored by the Tampa Tribune and the Financial Planning Association of Tampa Bay. Frequent seminar speaker on the topic of estate planning. Several appearances on local television shows, including FLA Law (cable), Eight on...

I am a native Floridian and Cuban-American, born and raised in the vibrant state of Florida. In 2015, I completed my bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Administration at the University of Central Florida. Before stepping into the legal field, I was deeply involved in coordinating healthcare services for injured workers within Florida’s workers’ compensation system. This role provided me with invaluable experience in navigating complex regulations and advocating for those who were injured. In 2017, I moved to Saint Petersburg to pursue my legal studies at Stetson University College of Law. During my time in law school, I sharpened my skills as...

A native Floridian who was raised in the Tampa Bay area, Mrs. Joyner is an alumnus of Plant City High School. She continued her education at Florida Gulf Coast University, graduating summa cum laude. Thereafter, she earned her Juris Doctorate degree from Florida A&M University College of Law graduating cum laude while maintaining full-time employment, actively participating in the Cherry Chapter of the International Legal Fraternity of Phi Alpha Delta, and volunteering at her son’s elementary school and cub scout den.

Mrs. Joyner is admitted to practice in all Florida courts as well as the United States...

Laurie Ohall is a Florida Board Certified Elder law attorney who has been practicing law since 1994. She concentrates her practice in the areas of estate planning and elder law which includes the related fields of asset protection planning, probate, special needs planning, guardianship advocacy and trust administration. Ms. Ohall is also licensed in Ohio and is Of Counsel at the Ohio law firm of Browning & Meyer Co., LPA. In 2015, Ms. Ohall was nominated by her peers and selected to the Florida Super Lawyers list for two years in a row (2015 & 2016). ...

I am an entrepreneur at heart and went to college to study business. While in college I began working at a law firm, where I discovered my passion for the law. While in law school, I focused my studies on business law, and wills, trusts and estates. I graduated from law school in May of 1996 and was admitted to the Florida Bar in September 1996.

My first job out of law school was working for a sole practitioner representing businesses in workers compensation cases. Soon thereafter I took a job with an international law firm managing a satellite office in...

Are you looking for an elder law lawyer in St. Petersburg? Stephanie Edwards of Edwards Elder Law, P.A. is dedicated to providing seniors, veterans, and family members with the compassionate and diligent representation needed to handle concerns of care and future planning. Ms. Edwards understands the necessity of personalized service when handling these sensitive matters. She believes in the importance of thoroughly listening and learning about a client’s unique situation and needs before creating a legal strategy or plan to address their concerns. Attorney Edwards received her J.D. from the University of Richmond T.C. Williams School of Law and later...

Seventh generation Floridian. I'm a one person office, with freelance support staff, which allows me to have very low overhead expenses. I provide personal attention to my clients with 24/7 access via text message, email, and telephone. I charge $175 per hour for civil matters. When it comes to exchanging documents, I prefer scanned copies, and uploading and downloading from a secured folder in the cloud, usually hosted by DropBox.

The law firm of Feldman & Roback focuses on real estate matters (such as the purchase, sale, and mortgage financing of real estate, title insurance, and closings), including the formation of limited liability companies and Florida land trusts as entities of choice for property transactions. We provide real estate closing services, including title insurance at competitive rates. We have been title agents for Old Republic Title Insurance Company and its predecessor, Attorneys’ Title Insurance Fund, for more than thirty-five years, and are also agents for Alliant National Title Insurance Company. As real estate lawyers, we can expertly advise and help...

Originally from a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dana Laganella practices in Estate Planning, Probate, Trust Administration and Elder Law. She attended law school at Quinnipiac University School of Law in Hamden, Connecticut and graduated Cum Laude. She was awarded the Best Advocate of the Northeast Region and was voted Best Attorney in East Manatee County by Living Out East Magazine. It is Dana’s commitment to providing quality, affordable legal services that has won her respect and acclaim from both her peers and her clients. She truly enjoys her work. Her passion for helping people in her community is evident in...

Mr. Friedland is currently licensed to practice law in the State of Florida and is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family, Appellate, and Circuit Civil Mediator. Mr. Friedland graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 1972 and from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1975. Mr. Friedland practiced in Connecticut from 1975 through 1988 when he relocated his practice to Sarasota, Florida. He is a member of the Family Law, Alternate Dispute Resolution Section, and the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Sections of the Florida Bar, Sarasota County Bar Association, and American...

As a partner at Band, Gates & Dramis, P.L., Chad Gates is proud to represent clients throughout the Sarasota area. He brings more than 20 years of impressive legal experience to the table, taking on a wide range of cases in that time. Attorney Gates handles matters involving estate planning, probate, personal injury, real estate law, corporate law, and various other issues. He boasts unwavering dedication to his clients, always striving to secure the best possible outcome on their behalves. From tenacious advocacy to skillful negotiations, he knows how to deliver it all. Attorney Gates is currently a member of...

DAVID P. JOHNSON received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Michigan School of Business Administration and his law degree from Wayne State University. He has been Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Tax Law since 1995 and Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates since 1996. He is one of thirty eight (38) of Florida's 100,000 attorneys to be Board Certified in both Tax Law and Wills, Trusts and Estates. Certification is the highest level of evaluation of an attorney's competency and experience in the areas approved by the Florida Supreme...

We handle almost all aspects of Retirement and Estate Planning. We assist you with planning for Medicaid qualification so that you can obtain payment for assisted living or long-term nursing care without depleting your assets. We create all types of trusts depending on the nature of your property and your plans for it. We draft documents that provide for end-of-life care to be exactly according to your wishes. Florida law is complex and there are specific rules and regulations we carefully follow to be sure your documents are all in legal compliance.

Elaine Thompson has been practicing law since 1989. She began her legal career working as an Assistant Attorney General in the Criminal Appeals Division of the Florida Attorney General's Office in Tampa. Ms. Thompson work in private practice includes work on workers compensation matters, criminal appeals, civil appeals, civil litigation, family appeals, medical malpractice, and personal injury cases. As an Assistant Public Defender, she served as a supervisor of the Appellate Division, represented clients in Baker Act proceedings, and handled post-conviction matters.

Ms. Thompson decided to focus her practice on the most rewarding work she performs...

Joe focuses on business and commercial litigation, real property disputes, landlord representation, title insurance claims, trust and probate litigation, and corporate and business disputes, including shareholder derivative and dissolution actions. In addition, Joe represents community associations, such as homeowners’ associations and condominium associations. Joe’s diverse experience also includes general probate administration, drafting of wills and trusts and transactional matters. Licensed in 2003, Joe has been awarded the prestigious AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest such recognition possible for a lawyer, and one which reflects the opinions of members of the bar and judiciary. Joe has also been...

BIOGRAPHY Jim Purdy is a highly accomplished attorney with over 30 years of experience, a master negotiator, and an expert in the art of conflict resolution. His robust legal background equips him to work on any case from beginning to end while keeping his clients informed throughout the lifecycle of their case. Mr. Purdy received his Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and history from the University of Minnesota’s College of Liberal Arts in 1989. He remained at his alma mater to pursue his law degree at the University of Minnesota Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctorate with...

We are a full-service law firm servicing clients in Tampa and throughout the State of Florida.

Brandon Robinson, Esq. received his Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management in 2011, from Hannibal-LaGrange University in Hannibal, Missouri. Brandon earned his Juris Doctor degree and a Certificate of Concentration in Elder Law from Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida, graduating cum laude in 2015. Upon graduation, Brandon received the Matthew Bender Elder Law Book Award as well as the William F. Blew Pro Bono Service Award, having provided over 470 hours of pro bono services during law school. Brandon was sworn in as a member of The Florida Bar in 2015, is...

Originally from Columbia, Missouri, Rodney Gerling is the firm’s Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Administration Attorney. He attended law school at Quinnipiac University School of Law in Hamden, Connecticut. He has been admitted to the Florida Bar and the Federal Bar. Rodney is also a member of the Manatee County and Sarasota County Bar Associations in addition to the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. He began his legal career at the Sarasota County Public Defender’s Office where he handled thousands of cases, served as Lead Attorney on over 50 Jury Trials, and became...

Teresa K. Bowman P.A. is a law firm providing legal advice and solutions for issues related to aging, disability, and illness. Our clients include individuals and their families facing tough challenges with care the care of a loved one, those in need advice for long term care planning, or simply clients who want to establish an estate plan as a foundation for life's changes. We pride ourselves on attention to detail, exceptional client service and personalized solutions to every client's unique needs. In addition to long term care planning we offer services in protection of assets, public benefits such as...

David has practiced law for 15 years and specializes in estate planning, wills, trusts, probate and defense of medical malpractice and civil rights lawsuits. He is a shareholder of Chapman Law Group and is licensed in both Michigan and Indiana. David is a Special Fiduciary at the Oakland County Probate Court. He is dedicated to educating the public on issues in estate planning including providing assets and care to loved ones, limiting taxes, and establishing healthcare protocols. David strives to serve each individual clients estate planning needs, tailoring each plan to address wealth preservation and family financial security. David holds a Certificate...

REAL ESTATE LAW We handle all aspects of residential and commercial real estate transactions including: contract drafting, due diligence, negotiations, contract review, title insurance, lease preparation and review, land trusts, quieting title, mortgage and note preparation and more. Are you are a seller, buyer, tenant, landlord, or lender involved in a real estate transaction? Call The Law Office of Leighton J. Hyde, P.A. for a free consultation. If you decide to hire us, we will work diligently to protect your interests. We are also equipped to handle your real estate litigation matters including: evictions, contract disputes, fraud and misrepresentation, code...