Merritt Island Elder Law Lawyers

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...

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...

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 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...

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...

Attorney Cheryl Ward will meet your legal needs and exceed your expectations. Mrs. Ward is a Florida Bar licensed attorney practicing throughout the state of Florida. It is her mantra that client satisfaction comes first.

Social Security Disability and Retirement, Estate Planning, Elder Law, Veterans Benefits. Krista L. Rush is a seasoned attorney representing clients for over twenty years in Brevard County, including Melbourne, Palm Bay, Rockledge and Titusville. We love helping individuals and families of all ages and all backgrounds. Come see why working with an attorney one on one makes a difference!

Amy B. Van Fossen established The Law Office of Amy B. Van Fossen P.A. (formerly The Law Office of Amy B. Jackson P.A.) in 2004. Amy was born and raised in southeastern Ohio and has two daughters, Katie and Savannah, who both share her passion for our elder community. Savannah provides medical care to the elder community as an RN. Katie is a second-generation attorney, chairing the Probate, Medicaid & VA departments at the Law Office of Amy B. Van Fossen, P.A. Ms. Van Fossen received her undergraduate degree in Organizational Behavior from Rollins College and earned her JD from Barry...

Tyler Puttick joined the law firm of Rossway Swan in 2018 and practices in the areas of real estate law, probate and trust administration, estate planning and general corporate law. Prior to joining the Firm, Mr. Puttick served as a Law Clerk for the Firm in 2013 and later practiced at a boutique firm serving clients on the Treasure and Space Coasts.

Mr. Puttick earned his Juris Doctor degree from Stetson University College of Law, where he was a member of the selective Elder Law Concentration Program and the Elder Law Society. He received a Certificate of Concentration in Elder Law...

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...

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...

David Pilcher is an attorney for the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns. He specializes in Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Guardianship, Business Entity Formation, Business Law, Commercial Litigation, and Civil Litigation.

He is a native to Florida, born in Orlando and raised in Sanford. He attended Brigham Young University on a full academic scholarship, receiving his B.S degree in Computer Science.

He worked for large companies including IBM before deciding on a career in law. David Pilcher returned to Brigham Young University (once again on scholarship) to its J. Reuben Clark Law School...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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 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...

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...

Ryan Saboff was born in Orlando, Florida and is a lifelong resident of Central Florida. He attended the Park Maitland School and Trinity Preparatory School. He graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degrees in both finance and real estate. Ryan then worked for five years with Farmer’s Insurance Exchange as a Senior Liability Representative for both standard and non-standard insurance companies resolving complex bodily injury claims. He then graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University College of Law in Orlando, Florida where he served as a supervising editor of law review. While in law school, Ryan worked in the legal departments...

Anamaria Taitt earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Central Florida and her law degree from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University. She lives in Central Florida and serves clients from throughout the Orlando area and the state of Florida.

She decided to specialize in Estate Planning and Family Law because it was an area of practice where she could help families across a wide range of legal needs.

“I saw a substantial need for these services in the Central Florida area,” Ana says. “Florida is already one of the most highly populated states in the nation, and because we’re growing so...

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....

“As an Assistant State Attorney, I spent years in the courtroom prosecuting those who took financial advantage of senior citizens. While it was incredibly rewarding to see justice served, I always wished I could have done something to help prevent the exploitation in the first place. Now, as an elder law attorney, I help my clients strategize and plan the best way to protect their assets from theft and fraud."

Kathryn N. Lewis earned her bachelor’s degree in 2004 from the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University and her juris doctorate, cum laude, from Stetson University...

Matthew C. Shapiro is a seasoned attorney concentrating in wills, trusts, estates, and civil litigation. Mr. Shapiro graduated with honors from Florida International University, ranking in the top ten of his class. His distinguished academic background laid a strong foundation for his legal career, where he has consistently demonstrated expertise and excellence. During his career, Mr. Shapiro has provided comprehensive estate planning services to thousands of clients, expertly drafting crucial documents such as revocable living trusts of varying complexities, wills, powers of attorney, health care surrogates, living wills, enhanced life estate deeds, trust amendments, and codicils. Having served as the lead or...

Katherine Barski is an associate attorney with the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns. Her primary areas of practice are Estate planning, Probate, Litigation, Elder Law, and Real Estate. She received her M.B.A. from Nova Southeastern University (1993) and her J.D. from Loyola University New Orleans School of Law (1996). Ms. Barski has held the distinction of SuperLawyer since 2016.

“Assisting family members in disputes relative to the estates and trusts of their loved ones is rewarding. I provide clients with skilled representation in alternate dispute processes such as mediation, and in trial. Being part of a multidisciplinary team is essential in meeting the needs of our clients.”

Mr. Mighdoll is a 1973 graduate of the State University of New York at Stony Brook and received his Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law in Boston, Massachusetts in 1976. From 1976 to 1979, he served as an assistant public defender in Miami and West Palm Beach. Mr. Mighdoll was...

A 1982 graduate of St. John’s University School of Law, Mr. Kitroser worked as an associate in a real estate practice and in civil litigation before taking a position as confidential law clerk for New York State Supreme Court Justice Richard A. Goldberg. He relocated to Palm Beach County in 1995, accepting a position as Assistant State Attorney with the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s office. Mitchell Kitroser chose to focus his law practice on providing legal services geared to the specialized needs of today’s family. Mr. Kitroser is a member of the Florida Bar, the Palm Beach County Bar Association,...