Estate Planning & Probate Law Firm in Pinellas Park, Florida

Law Office of Thomas G. Tripp

4930 Park Boulevard Suite 12 Pinellas Park, Florida 33781 USA

 (727) 544-8819
 (727) 546-0529

www.pinellasprobatelaw.com
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Law Firm Overview Free Consultation

At The Law Office of Thomas G. Tripp, I provide personal estate planning, elder law and probate services. As a solo attorney practice consisting of myself and two legal assistants, I get to know my clients and their extended families. I think that is an important part of estate planning. I tend to think of my law office as a kitchen table where we can talk about your family, your property and your concerns. The law tends to create certain presumptions about your family. If those presumptions are not true, then your lawyer needs to know and plan accordingly.

In the real world, life is complicated. We have second marriages, blended families, life partners and nontraditional relationships that we need to plan for. A one-size-fits-all approach to estate planning simply does not work. It can end up accomplishing the opposite of what you want. For example, if you want your life partner to make health decisions for you if you are incapacitated, you will need to spell out your wishes in your Designation of Health Care Surrogate. Otherwise, the state could put someone else in charge. If that someone else is a family member who disapproves of your relationship, your life partner could be barred from even seeing you.

The estate plan that is appropriate for someone else's family may not be appropriate for yours. To be effective, your plan needs to be based on your assets, your family dynamics and your wishes. My law office is located in Pinellas County. It is easily accessible from Interstate 275 and U.S. 19 and offers free parking in front of the office.

Practice Areas

Additional Practice Areas: Living Wills and Advance Directives; Durable Powers of Attorney; Guardianships; Probate Administration; Probate and Trust Litigation; Fiduciary Representation; Out-of-State Probate Representation.

Practice Areas Description

The Law Office of Thomas G. Tripp offers legal representation on the following areas of practice:

- Estate Planning

Everyone needs to have an estate plan in place. Whether you are young and recently married or already retired, it is important to establish an estate plan while you are of sound mind and body. At The Law Office of Thomas G. Tripp, I will provide you with a private consultation to review your assets, family relationships and desires. Based on your goals and desires, we will create an appropriate plan tailored to your needs.

* Wills

I recommend that everyone have a will to direct the final distribution of any assets held at the time of death. The will and its application will be affected by how your assets are titled at the time of your death and who your family members are. One of the reasons to have a will is to avoid intestacy. If you die without a will, your property will be distributed according to the Florida law of intestate succession, which may not be to the people you want to have it. If you have minor children, they will receive their entire inheritance at age 18, whether they are ready to handle it or not.

* Trusts

Trusts can be designed to meet specific estate-planning needs, from minimizing estate taxes to providing assets to a person with special needs. Trusts can be revocable or irrevocable. A revocable trust offers flexibility with the ability to amend, revoke or terminate any aspects of the trust during the grantor's life. A revocable trust may be appropriate for you depending on the nature of your assets, how you want your assets distributed, and whether you have family members who need specific protection. At The Law Office of Thomas G. Tripp, I will take the time to review your assets and needs, and help you determine whether a trust is a viable option for your estate planning goals.

* Living Wills and Advance Directives

A living will is a written statement regarding the level of treatment, if any, you would desire in the event that you are suffering from an illness or injury under circumstances that you are unable to make decisions on your own. Examples of times when you could not make decisions on your own would be if you are in a persistent vegetative state, an end stage condition or some other terminal condition. At The Law Office of Thomas G. Tripp, I can provide you with the sound counsel and experienced representation you need to protect your rights and interests.

* Durable Powers of Attorney

A durable power of attorney, including a financial power of attorney, is a document that you create in advance of becoming incapacitated. It designates a trusted person to act as your agent with regard to your assets, liabilities and all financial aspects of your life. At The Law Office of Thomas G. Tripp, I draft durable powers of attorney and designations of health care surrogate for individuals and families throughout the Pinellas County-St. Petersburg-Tampa Bay area.

* Guardianships

At The Law Office of Thomas G. Tripp, I represent family members who seek to establish guardianships over the person and property of incapacitated persons. I help my clients determine the best course of action by reviewing the factual situation carefully, including the public and court records, and by obtaining information from local or state agencies involved. Many times, I am contacted by family members after a guardianship proceeding has already begun. With my years of experience as a guardianship lawyer, and knowledge of the local rules and procedures, I am able to get involved in the pending proceeding and provide representation for my clients.

- Probate Law

Upon the death of a Florida resident, it is typical for next of kin to talk to a Florida probate lawyer to determine the proper course of action with regard to the assets, debts and personal property of the decedent. At The Law Office of Thomas G. Tripp, I provide experienced counsel and advocacy to family members, beneficiaries, executors and personal representatives in the Florida probate administration process.

* Probate Administration

Probate administration can be very complex and personal representatives can be held accountable for mistakes. It is important to speak with an experienced attorney who can protect your rights and interests in Florida probate proceedings. At The Law Office of Thomas G. Tripp, I provide experienced counsel and advocacy to family members, beneficiaries, executors and personal representatives in the probate administration process.

* Probate and Trust Litigation

It is common within my law practice to represent a beneficiary named in a will or trust, or a family member not named in a will or trust, to try perfect my client's interests in a deceased person's estate plan. I also represent fiduciaries such as trustees, personal administrators, executors and guardians in all types of disputes involving their rights and obligations. The following are examples of the types of probate and trust litigation I handle: Will contests; Undue influence; Elective share; Family allowance; Removal actions; Guardianship disputes.

* Fiduciary Representation

If you have been named an executor under a will, a personal representative of an estate, a trustee or successor trustee under a trust, a principal under a power of attorney or health care surrogate, or a guardian of a ward, you have been given a high level of responsibility. As a fiduciary, you can also be held accountable for mistakes. I often represent people who have been named as a fiduciary in an estate-planning document that I have drafted. I also represent people who have been named as a fiduciary in will, trust or estate-planning document that has been drafted by another lawyer.

* Out-of-State Probate Representation

If you have been named an executor, personal administrator or beneficiary of a Florida estate and you live outside Florida, you will need the assistance of a local attorney to help you determine the proper course of action with regard to the assets, debts and personal property of the decedent. As a counselor and probate lawyer, I can guide you through all steps of the Florida probate process. In most cases, I can handle all aspects of the probate process without the need for you to travel to Florida. We can communicate by e-mail, fax, postal service and telephone so you can go about your daily affairs while I act on your behalf.

- Elder Law

At The Law Office of Thomas G. Tripp, I represent family members who seek to establish guardianships over the person and property of incapacitated persons. I help my clients determine the best course of action by reviewing the factual situation carefully, including the public and court records, and by obtaining information from local or state agencies involved. Typically, the alleged incapacitated person is elderly and has lost the ability to make competent decisions regarding their finances, assets and personal care. Incapacity is a terrible thing for the family and the incapacitated person to go through.

Attorneys

Mr. Thomas G. Tripp Attorney Elder Law, Estate and Trust, Estate Planning, Probate, Will

More Information on Law Office of Thomas G. Tripp

Pinellas Park, FL Estate Planning Lawyer
Elder Law Firm in Pinellas Park, Florida
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Pinellas Park, FL Probate Litigation Lawyer
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