Crescent City Elder Law Lawyers

Cassidy V. Petersen initially joined the firm in 2011 and has held various positions over the years – beginning as a receptionist, next as an estate planning paralegal, then as our firm administrator, and now as an attorney. Ms. Petersen focuses her practice in estate planning, business succession planning, probate, trust administration, Medicaid planning, VA planning, guardianship, and special needs planning.

Ms. Petersen, a Melbourne native, graduated from Melbourne High School in 2011. She earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Business Management, graduating cum laude, from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2014. Ms. Petersen received her Juris Doctor (J.D.), cum...

Aubrey Harry Ducker Jr. is a who has had years of accomplishments in the legal field. He has taken an interest in elder law after caring for his own grandmother and parents-in-law. Mr. Ducker has the first-hand experience in dealing with the stresses and anxieties that accompany deciding how to live the rest of one’s “golden years”. Attorney Aubrey Harry Ducker Jr. knows that adult children have to deal with this rite of passage. This involves specific stresses when making decisions for a parent or parents incapacitated by serious illnesses.

As a Family Law Attorney, Aubrey Harry Ducker Jr. takes...

Katherine is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. She is the immediate Past-President of the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association. She is a member of the Jacksonville Chapter, D.A.R.. She attended Riverside Presbyterian Day School and is a graduate of The Bolles School. She is happily married to Cameron Naugle, owner of Naugle Funeral Home and has two small children, Abigail and Logan, who are the light of her life. Katherine graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Emory University in 1998. She then graduated with a Juris Doctorate from Stetson University College of Law in 2001, and an M.B.A. from...

In 2016, Carla Trinca-Conley joined Berg Bryant Elder Law Group, PLLC, where she specializes in assisting elderly individuals and their families. Carla is passionate about getting to know each client's unique story and tailoring her legal services to their needs. She is a Board-Certified Elder Law attorney by the Florida Bar. At Berg Bryant, Carla is the lead attorney for guardianship cases, including guardianships over incapacitated adults, guardian advocacy proceedings for developmentally disabled individuals over 18, and guardianship proceedings for minors with funds from personal injury actions or inheritance. Carla is committed to helping her clients navigate the requirements of...

Robin Petersen is the Founder and Managing Partner of the Estate Planning & Elder Law Center of Brevard, which has been serving Brevard County since 1991. The practice focuses exclusively in the areas of Estate Planning and Elder Law, Wills and Trusts, Probate and Trust Administration (representing the executor or trustee, as well as serving as the executor or trustee of the estate), Guardianship, planning for long term care costs through asset protection, the use of VA Aid & Attendance, and Medicaid benefit options. Because he has dedicated over 25 years of practice to these types of law, Robin understands...

The firm works with Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Wills, & Trusts, Probate, Elder Law, Guardianship, Gun Trust, NFA Firearms, NFA Trust, Gun rights, Probate, Probate Litigation, Trusts, and Trust Litigation. Licensed in Texas and Florida

Peggy is a founding partner of The Law Offices of Hoyt & Bryan, a family wealth and legacy planning law firm specializing in wills, trusts and estates and elder law. She is a three-time Stetson University graduate receiving her B.B.A., cum laude, in 1981, her M.B.A. in 1982 and her J.D., cum laude, in 1993. Her passion is her pets - all of them - including 4 horses, 6 dogs and 2 cats! She enjoys long distance trail riding on Heaven and Vogue. Peggy practices in the areas of family wealth and legacy counselling, including trust and estate planning...

Markus A. Sermons, Esquire is a litigation attorney focusing in the areas of Probate, Guardianships, Divorce, and other Family Law issues, along with Trust Litigation, and general Civil Litigation. Prior to starting Sermons Law, PLLC, he spent several years in the Office of the Public Defender litigating criminal matters in the Juvenile and Felony divisions, but began his law career with the Office of the State Attorney as a Legal Trainee. With countless hearings and many jury and bench trials to his credit, Mr. Sermons has extensive courtroom experience.

Additionally, Mr. Sermons has also worked with...

Florida Bar Board Certified Elder Law Attorney focused on providing custom solutions and personalized legal and asset protection planning for caregivers and families in Northeast Florida. Offices located in Jacksonville, FL and Orange Park, FL. Kellen is a partner and co-founder of Berg Bryant Elder Law Group after having spent 7 years building his own practice from scratch. Kellen started his solo practice at 26 years old during the 2009 recession, with no contacts and no prior legal experience in elder law. Kellen has since built a practice that has served over 1500 families and supports a full office staff to...

Clay was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. He received his Bachelor of Science from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida in 2010. He then worked in the Orlando area and began law school the next year at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in Orlando where he received his Juris Doctorate degree in 2014. He enjoys learning about the world around him and spending time doing outdoor activities. Coming from a large family, he is very passionate about helping others through his legal services.

Karen Harkness Houser is an attorney with the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns, operating out of the firm's Melbourne office. She specializes in Commercial & Residential Real Estate, Corporate Law, Estate Planning, and Elder Law.

She graduated from Virginia Tech with her B.S. in 1981 and received her J.D. from the St. Thomas University School of Law in 1991. In 1992, Ms. Houser earned her LL.M in Taxation from the esteemed College of William and Mary.

She has handled numerous cases including Office, Warehouse, Shopping Center & Hotel Projects, Acquisition & Disposition of Raw Land, Construction...

Attorney Billy Brown specializes in the areas of commercial, business, corporate, real estate, timeshare, bankruptcy, and elder law. As a previous owner and consultant of businesses such as restaurants, medical offices, and internet companies, Attorney Brown understands the various needs of business entrepreneurs. Through his years of experience, he has witnessed many individuals face financial hardships due to numerous causes. Passionate about helping others, Attorney Brown committed his life to help those in need of legal representation. Prior to employment as a skilled lawyer, Attorney Brown began his pursuit when he attended the University of Central Florida. It...

Howard Rosenblatt is an Estate Planning and Probate attorney. He is based out of Gainesville and is versed in all matters of Estate Planning, including Wills and Trusts.

Mr. Rosenblatt graduated with his law degree from the University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law in 1981, and has been recipient of numerous legal and community-based awards and honors, including The Florida Bar Pro Bono Award (2019). NAIFA-Florida's Advisor of The Year Award (2018), Florida Jaycees speaker of the year award (1984). He is a Life member of the Million Dollar Round Table, a Fellow of The Florida...

I have worked for Finra, a financial regulator; LeClairRyan; and the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia. I have been recognized as a Technology Litigation Fellow by the Center for Legal and Court Technology, in Williamsburg, Virginia and was selected to participate in the Center’s annual lab trial. I focus on corporate law and estate planning for the small business owner. During my time at Finra, I worked in Registration and Disclosure, developing policies relating to past criminal sanctions, as well as assisting in decisions regarding expungment of customer complaints against registered brokers. While at LeClairRyan, I...

Beginning with his practice focused on real estate, commercial litigation, banking, and international law, Attorney Brian N. Mark expanded his practice to business and personal injury law as well. Attorney Mark is dedicated to serving his clients with upfront and honest representation and takes the time to guide his clients through every step of the case, detail by detail. Due to his passion for law, he has received bar admission from Florida, the U.S. Districts Court Southern District of Florida, and the U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida. Prior to his career as an attorney, Attorney Mark attended...

Attorney Ruth Rhodes is the owner of Rhodes Law, P.A., a Helping Seniors of Brevard Board Member, and a resident business at One Senior Place. Ruth C. Rhodes and Rhodes Law, P.A. help individuals and families with all areas of Elder Law, which includes, but not limited to, Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Guardianship, Probate and Trust Administration, and Medicaid Planning.

She graduated Valedictorian from the College of Law at Florida A&M University, and has more than 20 years of experience working in the legal field with more than 12 years as a practicing attorney.

Ms. Rhodes understands...

Lauren Richardson moved to Gainesville in 1993 to complete an LLM in Taxation at UF Law. Since then, she has focused her practice on protecting families and property through estate planning, guardianship, probate, special needs, and elder law. She also serves as co-counsel on wrongful death, personal injury and probate and trust litigation cases. Lauren's probate practice is Statewide. All other areas are throughout North Florida. Free phone consult. Reasonable fees.

S.I. "Sandy" Valbh is an Of Counsel attorney for the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns. He practices Business Law, Estate Planning & Probate Law, Tax Law, Civil Litigation, and Commercial Litigation.

He received his B.S. from Florida State University, double-majoring in Finance and Accounting (1994). He earned his J.D. from Drake University College of Law (graduating With Honors in 1997) and his LL.M. from the Georgetown University Law Center (graduating With Distinction in 1998).

Mr. Valbh assists with Estate and Trust Administration, Business and Commercial Transactions, Corporate and Partnership Tax Planning, and representation before the Internal...

Attorney Casey C. Harrison is a sympathetic and savvy probate attorney with nearly a decade of experience first working within, and later arguing in front of, Florida’s circuit and appellate courts. He applies this versatile background and inside-out understanding of Florida litigation to assist you with your most complicated probate matters in a comprehensive fashion. Attorney Harrison joined his brother Attorney McCabe Harrison in the family practice in 2020. Before that, he spent seven years working for a litigation firm in Clearwater, Florida, honing his ability to take cases to court and win arguments before judges. He has a range of...

Mr. Persad has worked in the legal profession for over 20 years. He is licensed to practice law in Florida, the United States Virgin Islands, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and before the U.S. Supreme Court. He earned his Juris Doctor degree and his Masters in Public Administration degree from the University of Akron in 1993 and 1994, respectively. He also holds a Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration from the University of the Virgin Islands and a diploma in paralegal studies from New York University. Mr. Persad's experience in the legal field...

We specialize in helping persons who are going through transitions which involve court actions because of divorce, family disputes, business disputes, criminal allegations and probate actions. We proactively help people and businesses plan for the future through wills, guardianships, trusts, incorporation and business planning. In addition, part of our practice helps persons qualify for disability income. Jeanine's background in criminal and family trials, mediation and economics is part of the experience that she uses to help persons secure their financial and emotional futures for themselves, their families and their businesses. Jeanine is a North Florida...

Douglas A. Oberdorfer is a committed and experienced Estate Planning attorney in Jacksonville, FL. If you are considering preparing a will or inheritance for you family, call our office and get the help you need. We handle everything included in the practice areas below and more.

Attorney Heather Barry grew up in Napa Valley, California as the youngest of three children. She pursued a variety of interests including Girl Scouts, dance, music, baseball and gymnastics. In high school Ms. Barry participated in Air Force ROTC, campus leadership and had the privilege to serve as a prosecutor in her government class mock trial where she first got her first exposure to law. Ms. Barry moved to Orlando, Florida in 2004 for college where she majored in Entertainment Business at Full Sail University and minored in Recording Arts. During her degree program Ms. Barry took several law...

This Florida native attended University of Florida Law School after graduating from Duke University. She is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell peer review rating system. This is their highest rating. Avvo national ratings gave her an excellent rating. The office practice includes bankruptcy, landlord tenant, foreclosure, family law, estate planning including wills and trusts, and probate and guardianship matters.

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...

Attorney Patrick L. Smith was born in Lakeland, Florida. He graduated from Lake Region High School and went on to receive degrees in Political Science and Economics from Stetson University. He received his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law. Prior to coming to Pippen & Associates, Patrick Smith worked at the Walt Disney World East coast tax department from 2002-2003. Patrick Smith is currently an attorney practicing in the fields of estate planning, corporations, and charitable giving. In addition to his current position as a partner at Pippen & Associates, he serves on the...

I am a Jacksonville, Florida native looking to help local families with their estate planning and elder care needs so that the financial aspect of death and incapacity is one less worry for your family.

Attorney Kristen M. Jackson is the founding partner at Jackson Montoya Law Firm. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale in 1974, and then another from the University of South Florida in 1981. Ms. Jackson then earned a Juris Doctorate from Stetson University in 1983, and an LLM in Taxation from Washington School of Law in 1983. Attorney Jackson established Jackson Montoya Law firm in 1996, after working for various other firms for 12 years. At the firm, Ms. Jackson focuses her practice on estate planning, probate and trust administration, elder law, business...

• I am the owner of the Law Office of Judith B. Paul, LC in Inverness, Florida, and a second career attorney practicing law since 2005 after graduating from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2005.
After nearly three years as a staff attorney in the probate and guardianship division for the family and civil courts of the Eighth Judicial Circuit in Gainesville, Florida and traveling to all six counties within the Circuit, including Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy, and Union I went into private practice.
We lived in Gainesville for nearly 15 years and recently my husband and I ...

Phillip Gunthert is an experienced Estate Planning & Probate attorney based in Central Florida who handles matters throughout the state of Florida. After working for another firm, he founded his practice in 2011, with the guiding principles of wanting to provide accessible counsel to those seeking guidance & direction regarding both advance planning of estate matters and probate matters, in a down-to-earth and understandable manner. His testimonials endorse his commitment to his clients and his area of expertise. When Phillip is not practicing law, he can be found spending time with his wife & 2 young children, catching up with rugby...

Many people ask me why I wanted to be an Attorney. It is a simple answer - It is what I always wanted to do. Everyone deserves a voice in a matter. That voice should be compassionate and realistic. That voice should explain to you what is going on in plain English. I went back to school later in life. I graduated with Honors, but the most important part of my journey was being a research assistant. Part of my job was to keep the first year students on track to succeed in Law School. I...

Shea Fugate is the founder and principal attorney at the Law Offices of Shea A. Fugate, P.A., located in Maitland and Orlando. Ms. Fugate concentrates her practice in the areas of disability law and elder law, helping the elderly and disabled in Florida plan for and receive appropriate care and benefits without depleting their vital financial resources.

Prior to becoming an attorney, Ms. Fugate worked for a disability law firm for seven years, serving as a social security disability (SSD) case manager and even writing appeals for the firm. This same firm later hired Ms. Fugate as an attorney, where she...

Jessica practices as an attorney in the areas of Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Probate Administration and Elder Law. In addition, Jessica is also a Florida Supreme Court Certified County Mediator. Prior to starting her own firm, Law Office of Jessica Lynn Silva, PLLC, Jessica was an Associate Attorney with Panouses Law Group.

Before practicing law, Jessica garnered legal experience through her previous roles as Judicial Assistant to Brevard County Judge David E. Silverman for four years, and as a Civil Litigation Paralegal, Real Estate Paralegal, Certified Notary Signing Agent, Real Estate Agent, Florida Mortgage Broker, Real Estate...