Helping You Plan
for the Long Term

When it comes navigating estate and probate law in Florida, know that our team at Walser & Herman is here for you. Our passion is working with our clients to prepare for life, longevity, and a lasting legacy, which is why we offer dedicated estate planning, elder law, and probate administration services that ensure both you and your family are prepared for whatever is to come.

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Helping You Plan
for the Long Term

When it comes navigating estate and probate law in Florida, know that our team at Walser & Herman is here for you. Our passion is working with our clients to prepare for life, longevity, and a lasting legacy, which is why we offer dedicated estate planning, elder law, and probate administration services that ensure both you and your family are prepared for whatever is to come.

Learn More

Helping You Plan
for the Long Term

When it comes navigating estate and probate law in Florida, know that our team at Walser & Herman is here for you. Our passion is working with our clients to prepare for life, longevity, and a lasting legacy, which is why we offer dedicated estate planning, elder law, and probate administration services that ensure both you and your family are prepared for whatever is to come.

Learn More

30+ Years of Experience

You want to have experience by your side when you’re planning out the future of your estate. We’re here to guide you through every step of arranging for and protecting your assets, with more than three decade’s worth of experience providing expert elder law, probate services, and estate planning in Florida.

Estate Planning

Careful planning and smart decision making are key to building an estate plan and to sustain it. We offer designated estate planning support that meets your unique needs, including practical solutions to all of your estate planning and asset protection concerns.

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Elder Law & Guardianship

Who will care for you if you are no longer able to care for yourself? Maintain an active role in future decision making by appointing a preferred guardian of your choice and setting directives that ensure your needs and preferences will always be met.

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Probate & Trust Administration

Make sure that your estate is always in good hands. We can walk you through all of the various types of probate and trust administration in all 67 counties located in Florida, as well as assist you in setting forth all legal preferences for your estate within your will.

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Special Needs Planning

Set up a designated Special Needs Trust so that you never have to worry about the care of a loved one with disabilities. Directives include special equipment, therapies, medical second opinions, travel expenses, and other extra services or expenses related to maintaining his or her standard of living.

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LGBT Planning

We have always made it our mission to support all families, and that includes services that help protect the rights of same-sex couples. This includes crucial estate and life planning tools that ensure the care of your family both within and outside of the state of Florida.

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Long Term Needs

A lot can change as you get older. We can help you plan ahead for any potential long term needs that you may have, with a variety of tools that may be useful for you throughout the years to come.

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Elder Law and
Probate Attorneys – Florida

FREE 30min Call

24/7 Emergencies

Since 1983, our practice has been helping individuals in South Florida protect their assets, both now and for future generations. Our specialties include estate planning, special needs planning, Medicaid planning, elder law and guardianship, and probate and trust administration, plus a lasting commitment to ensuring that our clients can enjoy their long lives without worrying about the future. We also offer specialty services that meet your family where it’s at, including LGBT planning for same-sex couples.

Our main service area is Boca Raton and Palm Beach, as well as Broward County, but we offer qualified support throughout all 67 Florida counties. Wherever you live in Florida, contact our team to get the help that you need when it comes to your estate, your family, and your future.

Given that issues with an estate often arise unexpectedly and have to be addressed by relatives who may not be familiar with the Florida area, our associates are available by phone every day of the week, including weekends, with the complementary option of an in-person consultation during non-regular business hours for an additional fee.

Our Difference

Get expert assistance where it matters most—plus the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your family will always have what they need.

Hands-On Estate Planning Services
Elder Law and Guardianship Services for All Situations
Providing Probate Services ANYWHERE in Florida

Whatever your needs or preferences, our attorneys are ready to work on your behalf to protect your assets and provide you with assurance that your estate and your family are always in the best of hands.

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Our Team

From wills and trusts to probate and trust administration to Medicaid planning, Florida-based Walser & Herman Law Firm is ready to go to work on your behalf. Our experienced team of attorneys is here to help you navigate your estate plan and the Florida probate process, with a wide range of expertise and specialty service provisions that cover all of you and your family’s legal needs as you age.

Thomas C. Walser, JD, LLM

Partner/Attorney

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Thomas C. Walser, JD, LLM

Partner/Attorney

Originating from Minnesota, Thomas C. Walser received his Bachelors of Science (B.S.) in Accounting from the Mankato State University, Minnesota in 1972. He obtained a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Minnesota Law School in 1976. Thomas C. Walser, as founder of the Walser & Herman Law Firm has committed himself and his career to the field of trust and estates, exemplified by attaining an LLM or graduate law degree in the area of estate planning from the University of Miami School of Law, Heckerling Institute, graduating in 1983. The Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning is often regarded as one of the most prestigious and renowned programs specializing in the area of trust and estates.

Mr. Walser is a former CPA who has practiced tax law for over 35 years. He began his professional career as a tax accountant in 1975, serving in the tax department of Touché Ross & Co., one of the big eight accounting firms in Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1979 he was employed in the legal department of United Air Lines, Chicago, Illinois. While at United Air Lines, he provided legal, tax and pension services to United Air Lines and its parent holding company, UAL, Inc. In 1977 he accepted a position as International Tax Attorney in the International Tax Department of McDermott, Inc., where he traveled extensively to the Middle East, India, Mexico and Europe, dealing with area management, foreign advisors, and foreign tax authorities.

Mr. Walser has been in private practice in Florida since 1983. His law practice includes the areas of wills, trusts, probate and estate planning. His tax practice includes individual, corporation and partnership income taxation, estate tax planning and the preparation of all applicable income tax returns.

Christa W. Herman, Esq.

Partner/Attorney

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Christa W. Herman, Esq.

Partner/Attorney

Christa W. Herman was born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in Canton, Georgia. She received her undergraduate degree from Berry College located in Rome, Georgia, in 2008, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science (B.S.) in Finance along with a minor in music.

Mrs. Herman relocated to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 2009 to attend Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center, where she obtained her juris doctorate (JD) in 2012. Mrs. Herman was admitted to practice law in Florida in July 2012.

Prior to attending law school, Mrs. Herman worked as an Intern with Sellers & Warren, P.A., Attorneys at Law-Real Estate Closing Attorneys in Woodstock, Georgia, and as a Legal Administrative Assistant at The Mason Law Firm, LLC, Counselors At Law-Trial Attorneys and Mediators in Canton, Georgia. In 2011, Mrs. Herman joined The Law Office of Mitchell I. Kitroser, P.A. in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida as a Law Clerk, and continued to work there as an Associate Attorney until May 2013. Mrs. Herman started working with the Walser & Herman Law Firm in May 2013 as an Associate Attorney. She practices in a variety of law fields, including Estate Planning, Special Needs Planning, Medicaid Planning, Guardianship, and Probate and Trust Administration.

Mrs. Herman is a member of the Buddy Walk Committee for the Gold Coast Down Syndrome Organization located in Boynton Beach, FL, and a volunteer with the Els for Autism Foundation located in Jupiter, FL. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Herman has a younger brother, with Down Syndrome, and a younger sister. Growing up in a supportive and diverse family environment has greatly influenced Mrs. Herman’s involvement with special needs individuals. She is passionate about providing legal services in a timely, caring, and professional manner in order to meet the needs of today’s families. Mrs. Herman lives in Jupiter, FL with her loving husband and fellow attorney, Michael Herman, Jr.

Jay L. Kauffman, Esq.

Of Counsel

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Jay L. Kauffman, Esq.

Of Counsel

Jay Kauffman represents individuals and families in prosecuting and defending claims regarding estates, trusts and guardianships, including disputes over: the validity and construction of testamentary documents and advanced directives; the modification or reformation of estate plans; the inclusion or exclusion of assets in estates or trusts; the validity of purported gifts; the mental capacity of alleged incapacitated persons; the existence and sufficiency of lesser restrictive alternatives to guardianship; the appointment of guardians; breaches of fiduciary duty in the administration of estates, trusts and guardianships; and tortious interference with expectancies.

Mr. Kauffman also represents fiduciaries in the efficient administration of estates, trusts and guardianships. Mr. Kauffman has represented clients primarily in Florida’s Palm Beach and Broward Counties in such matters for more almost 20 years. Prior to that, he wrote and negotiated contracts for a telecommunications company and litigated commercial cases.

Mr. Kauffman is a graduate of Rutgers College, Rutgers University (B.A. with Honors in Economics,1993) and The University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 1996). He has been admitted to the Florida Bar since 1996.

Mr. Kauffman co-authored the following published legal authorities:

Chapter 4, Rights of the Surviving Family, Litigation Under Florida Probate Code, 5th edition (2005), 6th edition (2007) and 7th edition (2009);

Chapter 14 Appellate Practice In Probate, Litigation Under Florida Probate Code, 5th edition (2005), 6th edition (2007) and 7th edition (2009);

Chapter 3, Jurisdiction, Practice Under Florida Probate Code, 4th edition (2006), 5th edition (2008), 6th edition (2010) ), 7th edition (2012), 8th edition (2014), 9th edition (2016), and 10th edition (2018);

Mr. Kauffman has also co-authored several Florida Bar Journal Articles regarding estate litigation.

Mr. Kauffman is currently a member of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law (RPPTL), Elder Law, and Trial Law sections of the Florida Bar. He lives in Boynton Beach with his wife and two daughters.

Bettee M. Collister, Esq.

Of Counsel

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Kenneth B. Wheeler JD, LL.M. Tax

Of Counsel

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Client
Testimonials

Read what past clients have to say about their experience with Walser & Herman – Elder Law and Probate Attorneys.

Dear Mr. Walser, I just wanted to thank you for your time and help in all you did for us. My personal friend, who was previous client of yours, was right when she recommended us to you and vice versa. We appreciate your patience in dealing with my inheritance, and we certainly will be calling on you in the future.

- Sandra

I just wanted to comment about the professional treatment I received during a recent consultation with attorney Christa W. Herman. Not only did she provide excellent advice, she was extremely knowledgeable about the probate issue I had and was kind and respectful to me. I will highly recommend her services. You should be very proud of her.

- Brian

We are so lucky to have the great advice from Christa Herman. Aside from her charm and warmth she was a delightful young women. Every question was answered and she listened carefully to our concerns. She gave us as much time as we needed and we never felt rushed. We thankfully came to the right place. We would also like to mention the receptionist, Jackie, who was wonderful on the phone and a true asset to their firm. We would not hesitate to use this firm for future dealings.

- Karen

Helping You Plan
for the Long Term

Helping You Plan
for the Long Term

Helping You Plan
for the Long Term