Polk County Elder Law Lawyers

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 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

Christopher Sean Mulligan is a Florida native and third generation Florida attorney. Born in Inverness, Florida, Mr. Mulligan graduated with honors and a Bachelor in Science from Florida State University, majoring in Political Science and Criminology/Criminal Justice and then obtained his Juris Doctorate in 2006 from the George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C. While in Washington, Mr. Mulligan worked for a variety of nonprofit organizations in the areas of domestic violence, criminal justice reform, education policy, and campaign finance reform. Mr. Mulligan has been quoted or published in the New York Times, The Washington Post,...

Denyse D. Kruse, Esq. is a shareholder at Kruse Law, P.A. where she focuses her practice in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration, and Elder Law. Denyse graduated cum laude from Stetson University College of Law in 2016 and earned a certificate of concentration in elder law. Denyse earned the William Blews bro bono award, the Carol A. Samuels Unsung Hero Leadership Award and is a member of the Spanish Honors Society. Denyse also served as the president of the elder law society and as a senior editor for the Journal of International Aging...

Cynthia Rayhorn is a probate and adult guardianship attorney. My firm is Benkert Law, PLLC. I serve Hillsborough, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties. If a loved one dies, I help the personal representative or executor by navigating the Probate process. I establish guardianships for people with developmental disabilities and incapacitated adults.

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...

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....

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...

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...

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...

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...

Adam S. Towers is a shareholder with the Central Florida law firm of Bogin, Munns & Munns. In 2007, he was the founding attorney at the firm's Gainesville office.

Adam S. Towers specializes in Business Law, Commercial Litigation, Real Estate, Civil Litigation, and Estate Planning & Probate. Since 2001, he has handled a wide variety of cases such as insurance claims, eminent domain, contract disputes, code enforcement, and residential evictions & foreclosures.

He belongs to both the Florida and the California bars, and received his J.D. from California's University of the Pacific. He is on the Board of Directors...

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...

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.

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...

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.

John R. Frazier J.D., LL.M., MBA is an experienced Medicaid planning attorney who has helped well over 3,000 clients qualify for nursing home or assisted living coverage with Medicaid. People just like you. He understands the problems facing seniors today and he knows how to use the current laws to help solve your Elder Law issues. Attorney Frazier also can help with Veterans Benefits for Aid & Attendance. Based in Largo, Florida, Attorney Frazier can help anyone in the state of Florida with no in-person office visit required. Attorney Frazier has free audios, videos, eBooks, etc. on...

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.

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,...

Providing expectional service to discerning clients in Central Florida for over 25 years in probate and estate planning matters, Astrid de Parry has extensive civil trial practice experience representing a broad range of interests. Upon graduating from Cornell University Law School in 1977, Ms. de Parry served as Assistant University Counsel for Cornell University from 1977 to 1980. Thereafter, she served as General Counsel for the University of Alaska Statewide System of Higher Education from 1980 to 1985. After moving to Florida in 1985, Astrid de Parry went to work for a large law firm in Orlando, focusing on...

Samantha’s primary practice includes Estate Planning, Probate, Guardianship, and Elder Law. Her clients range from young individuals to seniors and their caregivers. She represents individuals in all forms of Probate and Guardianship proceedings and has drafted hundreds of documents to meet her client’s estate planning goals. Additionally, Samantha works one on one with clients to plan for and defray the cost of long term care. Samantha was born and raised in Ocala, Florida. She attended Florida State University then attended Florida Coastal School of Law from which she obtained her Juris Doctorate. Samantha is active in the...

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...