About Walser and Herman Law Firm, Your Florida Probate Law Firm

Founded in 1983, our Florida probate law firm has been providing trust and estate legal services to the Palm Beach County community for more than 30 years. This covers everything from estate planning, elder law, probate administration and trust administration. As a Medicaid planning attorney in Florida, you can rely on us to help you navigate all state and federal aspects of securing later-in-life healthcare.

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Experienced Florida
Elder Law Attorneys

Our Trust and Estate law firm is equipped with experienced Florida Elder Law attorneys who can provide affordable and timely probate services for the settling of an estate with property located in any of Florida’s 67 counties. 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.

Free 30 Minute Consultation
Review your current estate plan and objectives.
Weekends & Other Emergency Meetings
Our associates are available on weekends for an additional fee.
Probate
We specialize in dealing with probate and issues related to closing an estate located anywhere in Florida.

Our Story

The Walser & Herman Law Firm has been specializing in providing legal services in estate planning, elder law, and probate administration for more than 30 years.

Walser & Herman Law Firm was founded in 1983 to serve the Palm Beach community and has since prepared thousands of estate plans for many generations of families in South Florida. Maintaining relationships with our clients and the community is a priority for our firm.

While the field of trust & estates, as all fields within the legal profession, have evolved to keep pace with technological advances as well as shifts in social norms, we take pride in maintaining our core values of providing top quality individualized service that only a boutique firm can offer.

One of the advantages to working with a Florida estate planning attorney that specializes in one practice area of law is the reassurance that we frequently address issues regarding estate planning, probate administration, trustee and guardianship situations on a regular basis and have a depth of knowledge built by our hands-on experience.

South Florida is a wonderful community that attracts a number of families and individuals seeking residency in the locale, whom are seeking a comfortable setting to enjoy their lives — whether that means making Florida their primary residence or merely a vacation reprieve to escape the winter. As such, this area is prominently known for those looking to retire, as well as individuals seeking second or third homes for vacation purposes. We recognize the benefits associated with Florida and have assisted many families with their transition to establishing a domicile in Florida, as well as developing an estate plan to protect their assets as well as to protect themselves and their family members.

We take pride in assisting our clients to the best of our ability, and enjoy providing our services to both the Florida community, and those in the northeast United States that need assistance with property or other issues located in our state.

Our Team

Our experienced team of attorneys is here to help you navigate your estate plan and the Florida probate process.

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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About Walser and Herman Law Firm, Your Florida Probate Law Firm

Experienced Florida Elder Law Attorneys

Our Story

Our Team

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Experienced Florida
Elder Law Attorneys