Estate Planning

An effective estate and incapacity plan drafted by a knowledgeable and experienced estate planning attorney can help accomplish your objectives, preserving family harmony while ensuring you get the assistance you may need during a period of incapacity while alive.

Since 2006, Attorney Mark James has actively helped his clients with their Florida Estate and Incapacity Planning needs in a personalized, efficient, and cost-effective manner.

Probate

Largely governed by Florida Statutes Chapters 731 through 736, Probate in Florida can be a time consuming and tedious process compounded by the ever present family stress involved when a loved one passes.  Our experienced, compassionate, and diligent team is ready to answer your questions and guide you throughout the Florida Probate Process, whether there is a valid will (testate) or no will (intestate) in an efficient, cost-effective manner.

Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

Agreements created by an experienced Estate Planning and Family Law Attorney can help harmonize marital relationships by removing doubt and providing certainty. Postnuptial Agreements are often essential estate planning tools to be used to maintain family harmony when a loved one passes. With many years of experience in Family, Property and Estate Planning Law, Attorney Mark James is uniquely qualified to professionally assist his clients in this sensitive area.

Homestead Law

Both Constitutional and Statutory in nature, Florida Homestead Law is unique, multifaceted, and often described as a "Legal Chameleon" where the law of unintended consequences often appears in Estate Planning, Marital and Family Law, Probate and Bankruptcy, and Property Tax matters.  Attorney Mark James is uniquely qualified with experience in all these relevant areas, assisting his clients with a commanding knowledge and understanding of Florida Homestead Law.

Real Property

Interests in Florida Real Estate can be complex and intertwined. Real Property issues often arise in Divorce, Partition, Property Tax, Foreclosure, Probate, Bankruptcy, Estate Planning, Homestead, and Elder Law.  It is important to seek competent legal counsel with experience and expertise in the relevant legal arena.  Attorney Mark James brings his breadth and depth of knowledge and successful experience in these multiple legal areas for the benefit of his clients.

Wills

Having a will in Florida can help ensure that your property passes according to your wishes when you pass away.  It is often said, ".. if you don't have a will, the State of Florida has one for you..."  Under Florida Law, when you die without a will, Chap. 732 of the Florida Statutes & the Florida Constitution primarily govern how your property passes. Sometimes, intestacy doesn't pose a problem, but sometimes the law of unintended consequences provides an undesired result.

Trusts

Often utilized as a tool for probate avoidance and ensuring your wishes are honored in a blended family situation, the Revocable Living Trust in Florida is often the cornerstone of a high quality Florida Estate Plan. A knowledgeable and experienced estate planning attorney since 2006,  Attorney Mark James can assist you with this critical planning tool and all the flexibility it can provide.

Power of Attorney

A properly advised and drafted Power of Attorney can be a cornerstone of your incapacity plan, but it is not without its risks.  Be sure to consult with an experienced attorney who can explain the pros and cons of this powerful legal instrument.

Healthcare Directives

A healthcare directive, also known as an advance directive, is a set of medical instructions for what to do when someone is unable to make important medical decisions on their own.

Living Will

Different from a Will, a Living Will is an extremely important advance directive, assisting loved ones and medical providers by informing your personal desires under certain end-stage conditions.

Elder Law

Many senior citizens need long-term care at some point. Some senior citizens do not have family members who can give them the kind of care they need, and because of that as well as many other factors, they will need nursing home care.