Forest City Estate Planning Lawyers

A veteran of the United States Army and Texas National Guard, and a native Floridian, John Russo has a passion for helping his neighbors. Born and raised in Central Florida, John chose to serve his country in the United States Army. After his service, he attended the University of Texas at Austin, earning a Bachelor of Science in Applied Learning and Development. Pursuing his interest in the law, John earned his Juris Doctor degree at the University of Wyoming. This background provided John with the foundation that developed his commitment to professional excellence, client service, and providing the best possible legal...

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 was born and raised in the farmlands of the Midwestern United States. I earned an Associate in Science degree from Lincoln Trail College, marking a significant milestone as the first person in my family to obtain a college degree. My educational journey continued at Southern Illinois University, where I achieved both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Organic Chemistry. My legal education began at the University of Houston and concluded at Indiana University School of Law in Indianapolis, Indiana, where I graduated with a Juris Doctorate cum laude in 2008. During my time in law school,...

Welcome to the Law Offices of Stacy A. Eckert. Mr. Eckert provides his clients with personalized service and attention in cases involving bankruptcy, estate planning and probate, foreclosure defense, corporate and business law along with real estate disputes. As a 39 year resident of Volusia County, he has dedicated his career to providing his clients with caring and competent service while keeping them informed and up to date on the processes involved with their cases. Over the years, Mr. Eckert has filed over 3000 bankruptcy cases, both personal and business. He has handled and defended against multiple...

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...

Shannon Thomas, Esquire is an Associate Attorney with Anderson and Associates, P.A. Mr. Thomas practices business, intellectual property, real estate, wills, trusts, and probate. He has and continues to serve as a volunteer attorney with the Community Legal Aid services for Mid-Florida, providing access to justice through high quality legal assistance to low-income people throughout 12 counties of Central Florida. Mr. Thomas graduated from Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University College of Law. During law school, he was elected as the evening student representative for the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Society. Mr. Thomas obtained a Bachelor of Science in Sports...

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...

Mr. Yee was born in New York City, but moved to Florida in 1979 while still a child. Growing up in the Dr. Phillips area of Orlando, Florida, he has first hand witnessed the expansive growth of Central Florida. He is now married to his beautiful wife, Jenni, and has a wonderful son, Liam, all living in Winter Garden, Florida.

Mr. Yee graduated with honors from Stetson University with a Bachelors of Business Administration, majoring in corporate finance with a minor in information systems. After graduating from Stetson, Mr. Yee attended Syracuse University College of...

Attorney Wheelock has been in private practice since 1986, he provides services in numerous areas of law. With his military background Mr. Wheelock represents service personnel around the globe in military law, divorces with miliatry issues and in military justice matters.

Established in 1990.

Protecting Individuals, Families and Businesses for over 29 years! The Mendez Law Firm is dedicated to protecting our clients. Every day, we help people like you get their lives back on track by fighting their legal battles for them.

Specialties:
Serious Personal Injury Auto, Motorcycle & Truck Accidents, Slip & Fall Accidents, Wrongful Death, Family Estate Planning, Wills & Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Asset Protection, Bankruptcy

Attorney Melora G. Vandersluis has been a resident of Central Florida since 2012. She graduated cum laude from Barry University School of Law where she earned the distinction of “Outstanding Senior Editor” on Law Review and competed nationally while on the Moot Court Honors Board. She was awarded the highest grade in Torts I, Torts II, and Mediation. She completed an externship in federal court with The Honorable John Antoon II. She is a Florida Supreme Court certified county mediator. Prior to attending law school, she served in Higher Education for 15 years as an English professor, department chair, and associate...

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...

Stephanie Vollrath attended Barry University School of Law, graduating as valedictorian, acting as senior editor of Barry Law Review, and booking seven classes. After graduating, Stephanie had the honor of being hired as a judicial clerk for the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Daytona Beach, Florida. While there, she researched and drafted legal memoranda on many areas of Florida Law. Stephanie was also an adjunct professor at Barry University School of Law. Following her time at the Fifth District Court of Appeal, she opened Vollrath Law, PA in 2013, where she focuses her practice on Estate Planning...

Todd Mazenko is a decorated U.S. Navy veteran who received his law degree from the University of Florida (Cum Laude). Attorney Mazenko is the founder and owner of the Mazenko Elder Law Firm located in Mount Dora, Florida. His law practice focuses on estate planning, probate, Medicaid Planning, and will contests and trust litigation. Attorney Mazenko is the chairman of the Advent Health Waterman Foundation Board of Directors, is a member of the Christian Legal Society and is active in his local Church. He also serves as a volunteer for several Veteran’s groups including the Wounded Warrior Project...

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....

The passion to practice law is #1 in my life! I enjoy the everyday opportunity to work with individuals, families and businesses; I help them to save time and trouble! Outside of work, I enjoy a number of activities and hobbies. For me, travel is paramount; I have been to all 50 US States, seven of seven continents and 117 countries! I enjoy photography (travel and landscape particularly), public speaking, non-fiction reading, creative writing and publishing articles, visiting art museums, jazz, gardening, hiking, kayaking, backgammon, attending performing arts and theatre productions, and dining on exotic cuisine. I have offices in Winter Haven and...

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.

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...

Theodore W. Small Jr. ("Ted Small") has over 30 years of legal experience, formerly with the large law firm of Holland & Knight LLP in its Tampa, Washington DC, and Orlando offices and currently as a small firm practitioner in Volusia County, Florida. Attorney Small brings the training and experience from his large firm experience to a small firm setting with the goal of pursuing cost-effective solutions for businesses, employers and elder law clients. Attorney Small also has experience as a mediator and NAM arbitrator and is available to serve as a professional neutral to resolve commercial and...

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...

Legal Practice Areas: Family Law Business Law Estate Planning Probate Civil Appeals (Appellate Law) Landlord/Tenant Pet Trust Guardianships Litigation Percentage: 90% of Practice Devoted to Litigation Bar Admissions: Florida, 2008 Education: University of Florida Levin College of Law Gainesville, Florida J.D. cum laude – 2008 University of Florida Gainesville, Florida B.A. – 2004 Major: English Professional Associations and Memberships: Eighth Judicial...

Matthew is a native of Florida and Brevard County and was raised locally in Merritt Island. Matthew has an extensive and diverse education which includes a bachelor’s degree in accounting, a master’s degree in taxation, and a law degree. Prior to practicing law Matthew acquired his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license and worked in public and private accounting for several years before entering law school. Matthew’s unique background in law, accounting, and taxation provide a unique perspective that is unmatched by most attorneys. Matthew has been located in the same office in Cocoa for the past 15 years practicing...

Before becoming an attorney, I spent 7 years in the insurance and financial services industry. I became frustrated with the fact my “client” was not the person I was selling insurance or financial services to but was instead the company for which I worked. I decided to become a lawyer because the client – the person I represent – is the one to whom I owe my loyalty. From the moment I entered law school I knew I wanted to practice estate planning and related areas of law because they were directly related to my prior work experience;...

Elan is a graduate of NYU School of Law (Masters in Tax Law), Emory University School of Law (Juris Doctorate), and Florida State University. Elan has devoted her practice (over 16 years) to estate planning, estate administration, tax and business law. She is respected by her peers and loved by her clients for her compassionate, knowledgeable approach to each matter she handles.

I am a Board Certified Elder Law attorney practicing primarily in the areas of Estate Planning, Medicaid Asset Protection, Probate, Guardianship, Family Law, and Bankruptcy. These are all areas which affect senior citizens. I have 3 locations to best serve my clients: The Villages, Orlando, and Volusia County, FL