Practices - Walser & Herman

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

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

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

Ms. Collister focuses her practice on Estate Planning, Probate, Trusts, Real Estate, Private Foundations and Charitable Organizations.

Ms. Collister has been an adjunct Professor at Palm Beach Community College teaching in the Paralegal Program where she enriched young minds for over 13 years. She also lectures on estate planning, probate and charitable foundations at various levels from basic to advance to attorneys, paralegals, and the public.

Ms. Collister is also very community-oriented and is an active participant in local and state-wide charitable organizations. She has served on the Board of Directors of Take Stock in Children, Inc. and College for Kids, Inc., organizations that provide mentors and college scholarships for Florida’s financially disadvantaged youths.

Ms. Collister earned her Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center. She is a member of The Florida Bar and a current member of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law section.

Kenneth B. Wheeler JD, LL.M. Tax

Of Counsel

Kenneth B. “Ken” Wheeler is a 1962 graduate of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, He is a former naval aviator and carrier pilot.

Following his military service, he received his JD and LL.M. Tax law degrees from the University of Florida Law School.

He has experience as a Tax-Trial Attorney with the IRS Chief Counsel’s Office in Washington, DC, and Jacksonville, Florida.

He has been engaged in the private practice of tax and estate law in Florida for more than 45 years. He focuses his practice on tax and estate-preservation planning and tax litigation with the IRS.

Practice Areas

Estate Planning

Guardianship

Probate & Trust Administration

Special Needs Planning

LGBT Planning

Long Term Needs

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