Business Details
26 Years
experience
Estate Planning Attorneys in Orlando
Sawyer & Sawyer is a dedicated law firm specializing in estate planning and elder law, committed to helping families navigate complex legal challenges. With over two decades of combined experience, our attorneys provide personalized guidance to protect inheritances, manage disability planning, and ensure seamless estate transitions. We actively participate in legal symposiums and maintain membership in leading elder law organizations to stay at the forefront of legislative changes. Our practice focuses on estate planning, long-term care Medicaid planning, guardianship, and probate administration.We serve clients across Central Florida with a client-centered approach that emphasizes compassion, expertise, and community engagement. Our team's deep understanding of government processes and elder care regulations has made us a trusted resource for families during critical life transitions. We pride ourselves on building long-term relationships through transparent communication and tailored legal solutions that address both immediate needs and future security.
Services
Estate Planning
Probate Administration
Guardianship
Medicaid Planning
Trust Administration
Long Term Care Planning
Wills
Living Trusts
Supplemental Needs Planning
Details
- Year established: 2000
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of specialized experience in Florida elder law and estate planning
- Our attorneys maintain active leadership roles in premier elder law organizations
- We provide personalized guidance through complex government processes and regulations
- Our team includes certified paralegals with decades of probate and guardianship expertise
- We combine legal excellence with compassionate support during family transitions
What people say
Knowledgeable, responsive, caring staff
Navigated complex procedures effortlessly
Empathetic throughout eligibility process
Truly felt like family
Most experienced law firm
Services
Estate Planning
Our estate planning services help clients create comprehensive legal frameworks to protect assets and ensure proper distribution. We specialize in customized wills, trusts, and power of attorney documents tailored to individual family needs. Our attorneys guide clients through complex decisions about healthcare directives and guardianship arrangements.
Probate Administration
We assist executors and beneficiaries through Florida's probate process with expert legal representation. Our services include estate inventory management, debt settlement, and asset distribution according to wills or state law. Our team handles contested probate matters and complex estate disputes with professional advocacy.
Medicaid Planning
Our Medicaid planning focuses on preserving assets while qualifying for government assistance. We help families navigate eligibility requirements and implement legal strategies for nursing home care funding. Our paralegals provide detailed guidance through application processes and documentation requirements.
Guardianship
We establish legal guardianships for minors and incapacitated adults through court proceedings. Our services include preparing necessary documentation, representing petitioners in hearings, and guiding guardians through their legal responsibilities. We handle both temporary and permanent guardianship arrangements.
Trust Administration
Our trust administration services help trustees fulfill their fiduciary duties according to grantor intentions. We assist with trust funding, tax compliance, and asset distribution. Our team provides ongoing support for revocable and irrevocable trust management across multiple generations.
People
Cary L. Moss
Managing Partner
Cary Moss has practiced elder law for 20 years, focusing on estate planning and probate. She serves on Florida's Joint Public Policy Task Force for the Elderly and previously led the Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys. Her expertise guides clients through complex estate transitions.
Thomas P. Moss
Senior Attorney
Thomas Moss combines law and business expertise in estate planning. He chairs legal committees and stays current with developments through national elder law organizations. He specializes in guardianship and trust administration for complex estates.
Danielle Taylor
Probate Team Lead
Danielle Taylor brings extensive probate court experience to trust administration. With over 15 years at the firm, she specializes in guardianship cases and estate settlements. Her practical knowledge helps clients navigate Florida's probate system efficiently.
Kathy Moylan
Medicaid Planning Team Lead
Kathy Moylan transitioned from customer service to elder law paralegal, graduating from Valencia College. She specializes in Medicaid eligibility and long-term care planning, helping families preserve assets while qualifying for government assistance programs.
Billie Jo Rudowitz
Director of Operations
Billie Jo Rudowitz oversees team development with 25 years of legal experience. Formerly a trial clerk at Orange County Courthouse, she maintains the firm's client-focused culture while managing operational efficiency across all practice areas.
Questions
What estate planning documents do I really need?
Every adult should have a will, durable power of attorney, and healthcare directives. We'll help determine if trusts or specialized documents are needed based on your asset level and family situation.
How does Medicaid planning work in Florida?
We analyze your assets and income to create strategies that meet Medicaid's strict eligibility requirements while preserving family wealth through legal exemptions and trust structures.
What happens if someone dies without a will?
Florida's intestacy laws will determine asset distribution. We help executors navigate probate court requirements and ensure proper estate administration according to state law.
How long does probate take in Central Florida?
Simple estates take 6-8 months, while contested cases may last years. Our attorneys streamline the process through proper documentation and court representation to minimize delays.
Can I create a guardianship for an elderly parent?
Yes, we help establish guardianships for incapacitated adults through court proceedings, ensuring proper legal authority for medical and financial decisions while protecting parental rights.
What's the difference between a will and a living trust?
Wills require probate court validation, while living trusts allow direct asset transfer without court involvement. We'll help determine which option better meets your estate goals and complexity.
