Nocatee Estate Planning Lawyers

Melissa Karp Elsbree has lived in Sarasota since 1972. After graduating high school, she attended The American University in Washington, D.C., obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice in 1983. Melissa subsequently earned her J.D. degree from Florida State University College of Law in December of 1990, immediately began her law practice in her hometown of Sarasota, and has practiced exclusively in Sarasota since that time. Formerly a partner of Karp & Karp, P.A., Melissa has longstanding experience in handling complex civil litigation matters, concentrated primarily in the areas of family law and divorce, foreclosure defense...

Christopher D. Smith received his B.A., magna cum laude, from Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) and his Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University (Washington, D.C.). A long-time resident of Florida, Mr. Smith also graduated from Pine View School in Sarasota. He is a member of the bars of Florida, Virginia and Washington, D.C., and is admitted to practice in the Middle, Southern and Northern Districts of Florida. Christopher is also certified in consumer bankruptcy law by the American Board of Certification.


Christopher started his career with the international law firm of Dechert LLP in 2001, working as an associate in the securities law...

For nearly three decades I have navigated the legal system, achieving the results my clients desire. As a former prosecutor with hundreds of trials under my belt, I understand that a successful lawyer is not just an aggressive one in the courtroom but also a compassionate one outside of it. Anyone can be aggressive; it takes experience and dedication to understand when to be each. You need a lawyer to preserve your interests during the worst of times. My job and my privilege is to assist my clients through the legal system and the pitfalls that are contained therein.

We handle almost all aspects of Retirement and Estate Planning. We assist you with planning for Medicaid qualification so that you can obtain payment for assisted living or long-term nursing care without depleting your assets. We create all types of trusts depending on the nature of your property and your plans for it. We draft documents that provide for end-of-life care to be exactly according to your wishes. Florida law is complex and there are specific rules and regulations we carefully follow to be sure your documents are all in legal compliance.

We have helped thousands of people with their workers' compensation claims due mainly to having been open for 17 years. Despite that, this is a low-volume office, meaning we only represent a very limited number of clients at one time. We do this because we pride ourselves.on an unmatched level of personal service, the kind of service we would like to receive if we needed assistance. Call us today if you have suffered a workplace accident.

Eric M. Borgia, P.A. specializes in representing clients in the areas of real estate, general business, finance and corporate law. For More than 19 years Eric M. Borgia has built his career serving businesses, real estate developers, financial institutions, investors, and individual clients. Our local reputation for professionalism, personalized and concierge service, our many years of regional experience and our significant network of contacts, as well as our ability to create practical and cost effective solutions, distinguish us from other firms and allow us to produce superior results for our clients.

I have been an attorney for over 35 years. I am a federal trial lawyer. I have tried cases in state and federal court in Illinois and Florida, I am licensed to argue before the Supreme Court of the United States. I have tried divorce and criminal cases in Illinois and Florida. I have tried cases before administrative judges and arbitrators in Florida and Illinois. I graduated De Paul Law school in Chicago and became a member of the Illinois bar in 1983. I attended the masters of Law in Taxation program from 1983-1985. I was admitted to...

Estate Planning, Probate, Trust Administration, Business Planning and Corporate Legal Counsel

Mr. Friedland is currently licensed to practice law in the State of Florida and is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family, Appellate, and Circuit Civil Mediator. Mr. Friedland graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 1972 and from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1975. Mr. Friedland practiced in Connecticut from 1975 through 1988 when he relocated his practice to Sarasota, Florida. He is a member of the Family Law, Alternate Dispute Resolution Section, and the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Sections of the Florida Bar, Sarasota County Bar Association, and American...

Bishop L. Toups is an estate planning, elder law, and tax attorney in Southwest Florida. He helps clients with their various estate planning needs and helps clients navigate the Medicaid system here in Florida. He also represents clients nationwide and worldwide in front of the IRS. Bishop is also a V.A. accredited attorney and helps Veterans obtain benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

He graduated from The Florida State University, Stetson University of College of Law, and he received a tax law degree (LL.M.) from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, which is consistently ranked a top 3...

As a partner at Band, Gates & Dramis, P.L., Chad Gates is proud to represent clients throughout the Sarasota area. He brings more than 20 years of impressive legal experience to the table, taking on a wide range of cases in that time. Attorney Gates handles matters involving estate planning, probate, personal injury, real estate law, corporate law, and various other issues. He boasts unwavering dedication to his clients, always striving to secure the best possible outcome on their behalves. From tenacious advocacy to skillful negotiations, he knows how to deliver it all. Attorney Gates is currently a member of...

Bart Scovill was admitted to the practice of law in the State of Florida in 1993. Prior to Law School, he served four years in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1985. Since admission to the bar, he has handled a wide variety of legal issues including business law, transactional law, construction law, and guardianships. His primary focus is on Estate Planning, Probate Administration, and Business Law. He is married and has two beautiful daughters. Outside of the office, he enjoys snow skiing with his family, both teaching and training in Karate, and playing and coaching volleyball.

Mr. May is a native of central Florida with strong ties to the gulf coast. He attended undergraduate studies at the University of Florida where he earned his Bachelor's of Science in Business Adminstration, double majoring in finance and risk and insurance management. Thereafter he worked as a real estate appraiser for several years prior to returning to school to obtain his juris doctorate from the Florida State University College of Law. After graduation, Mr. May worked his way up to partnership status in a mid-sized law firm in Tallahassee, Florida, and in early 2012 he moved his...

Barbara M. Pizzolato, P.A., is committed to offering you the kind of personalized, customized legal services you expect and deserve. With 28 years of experience in a multitude of jurisdictions and practice areas, Ms. Pizzolato has mastered the tools and strategies inherent in proper estate planning, allowing her to effectively address the legal issues affecting you, your loved ones and your business. In addition, Ms. Pizzolato is dedicated to forging strong personal relationships with her clients. She will work with you in a collaborative way to guide you through difficult and complicated personal and business matters, and work tirelessly...

For over a decade, Grivas Law Group, P.A. has been protecting our client’s estates and property rights throughout the Suncoast. As a small, family-operated law firm, we prioritize great client service and take the time to better understand the challenges and hurdles you face. Please let us know how we can help you.

We are legal professionals who live in, and are committed to assisting the people of the Sarasota-Bradenton area. We are experienced in a number of fields, including estate planning, probate, real and intellectual property, environmental, health, family, corporate and contract law. We believe that, as...

Dr. Levins is a member of the Florida Bar and Lee County Bar Association. He is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and is Certified in Financial Management (CFM). He has taught a variety of courses at Florida universities including Investments, International Finance, Managerial Accounting, Managerial Finance, Statistics, and Advanced Economics. Dr. Levins is licensed as a Professional Engineering (PE) in Ohio and Florida. Res Gestae The Official Publication of The Lee County Bar ASSOCIATION. February 2013 Page 29

Teresa K. Bowman P.A. is a law firm providing legal advice and solutions for issues related to aging, disability, and illness. Our clients include individuals and their families facing tough challenges with care the care of a loved one, those in need advice for long term care planning, or simply clients who want to establish an estate plan as a foundation for life's changes. We pride ourselves on attention to detail, exceptional client service and personalized solutions to every client's unique needs. In addition to long term care planning we offer services in protection of assets, public benefits such as...

Stephen W. Buckley has a wide-range of experience in wills & trusts, estate planning, probate, and real estate for Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A. since 1969. Stephen is from Hartford, Connecticut, and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1969 after graduating from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1966 and Florida State University with a Juris Doctor degree (Phi Delta Phi) in 1969. He was a member of the Grievance Committee for the Twentieth Judicial Circuit (1976-1977). Mr. Buckley is a member of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law...

TASO M. MILONAS is admitted to practice before all courts in Florida and the U.S. Tax Court. He received his LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida Frederic G. Levin College of Law and J.D. from Stetson University College of Law. He has been qualified and testified as a subject-matter expert in State and Federal Courts in the areas of estate planning, undue influence, breach of fiduciary duty, fiduciary accounting, Florida Probate Code, Florida Trust Code, Florida Uniform Principal and Income Act, federal income, gift and estate tax and legal ethics. A significant portion of Taso’s...

Serving Charlotte and Sarasota Counties since 1998.

Serving Lee Collier Charlotte Glades Hendry
And Desoto counties in Bankruptcy since
1978. Free Consultation walkin or call
239/334/0128

Serving individuals and families in Charlotte County, North Port, Florida, and the surrounding areas for over 30 years. Our Law Firm specializes in Estate Planning (Trusts, Wills, and Health Planning documents), Probate (Formal Administration, Summary Administration, Ancillary Administration, Trust Administration), and Real Property Law (Deeds, Assignment of Lease, Contract review).

Kristi grew up in the Midwest and graduated from Manchester University in 2010 with a degree in political science and peace studies. Before attending Whittier Law School, she moved to Florida and began working as a paralegal in a Brandon, Florida firm practicing in estate planning and probate. During law school, Kristi was an extern for the Honorable Scott C. Clarkson of the United States Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California. She also worked in the Law School’s Children’s Rights Clinic and represented the interests of parents and special needs students exposed to unique legal issues regarding the Individuals with...

I am attorney Jennifer Neilson and I serve clients nationwide with matters throughout Florida. I meet clients by appointment in Lee, Collier, Charlotte and Sarasota Counties. I assist my clients in matters of probate and estate administration, as well as estate planning, elder law and real estate. A large number of my clients reside outside the State of Florida and rely on me to efficiently administer the estates of their loved ones through probate and trust procedures. I attend to every detail of the estate including petitioning the court for homestead protection and facilitating transfer or...