By Ashley Robinson Planning an estate in Miami involves far more than simply drafting a basic will. South Florida families often deal with high-value real estate, blended family structures, international assets, business succession concerns, and Florida’s strict probate and homestead laws. A poorly structured estate plan can leave loved ones trapped in expensive court proceedings, exposed to unnecessary taxes, or fighting over inheritance rights years later.
Whether you are building a revocable living trust, protecting assets from future creditors, preparing Medicaid strategies for aging parents, or structuring a long-term family wealth transfer plan, working with an experienced Miami estate planning attorney is one of the most important financial decisions you can make.
Below is a researched breakdown of five of the top-rated estate planning attorneys and firms serving the Miami market in 2026.
1. Nelson & Nelson, P.A.
Primary Focus: Advanced Asset Protection, Estate Tax Planning, and High-Net-Worth Trust Structures
Why They Stand Out: One of Miami’s most respected estate planning firms for complex wealth preservation and tax-sensitive estate planning.
Nelson & Nelson is widely recognized for handling sophisticated estate structures involving large real estate portfolios, family businesses, and multi-generational wealth transfers. The firm includes Florida Bar Board Certified specialists in Taxation and Wills, Trusts & Estates. They frequently design irrevocable trusts, family limited partnerships, and advanced asset protection strategies for high-net-worth clients throughout South Florida.
- Office Address: 2775 Sunny Isles Blvd, Suite 118, North Miami Beach, FL 33160
2. Chepenik Trushin LLP
Primary Focus: Probate Administration, Trust Litigation, and Revocable Living Trusts
Why They Stand Out: Strong combination of estate planning and courtroom litigation experience.
Chepenik Trushin LLP is highly respected because the firm handles both proactive estate planning and probate litigation disputes. Their attorneys understand how estate plans fail in real-world court battles, which helps them draft stronger and more durable trust structures. The firm is especially known for trust administration, elder law planning, guardianships, and resolving family inheritance conflicts.
- Office Address: 12550 Biscayne Blvd, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33181
3. Perez-Roura Law
Primary Focus: Probate Avoidance, Elder Law, and Medicaid Planning
Why They Stand Out: Personalized estate planning for families focused on protecting long-term assets.
Perez-Roura Law has built a strong reputation across Miami for helping families avoid probate through properly funded revocable living trusts. The firm also integrates long-term care planning and Medicaid asset protection into estate plans, helping aging clients preserve family assets from nursing home expenses and healthcare-related financial risks.
- Office Address: 4715 Bird Rd, Miami, FL 33155
4. Eric S. Kane, P.L.
Primary Focus: Trust Administration, Tax-Oriented Estate Planning, and Charitable Giving
Why They Stand Out: Deep analytical estate planning backed by advanced tax law credentials.
Eric S. Kane holds both a J.D. and an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Miami. His boutique practice focuses on customized estate plans tailored to each family’s financial structure and long-term goals. He is especially sought after for trust administration guidance, charitable planning strategies, and sophisticated tax-sensitive estate structures.
- Office Address: 20900 NE 30th Ave, Suite 403, Aventura, FL 33180
5. Greenberg Traurig / Holland & Knight
Primary Focus: International Estate Planning, Cross-Border Wealth Management, and Corporate Succession
Why They Stand Out: Institutional-level representation for ultra-high-net-worth families and international investors.
These global law firms maintain elite private wealth divisions in Miami handling cross-border estate structures, foreign asset reporting, business succession planning, and international tax coordination. They are commonly retained by multinational business owners, foreign nationals moving capital into Florida, and families with assets spread across multiple jurisdictions.
Office Addresses:
- Greenberg Traurig: 333 SE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33131
- Holland & Knight: 701 Brickell Ave, Suite 3300, Miami, FL 33131
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning in Miami
Q. Do I still need a trust if I already have a will?
Yes, in many cases. A will alone does not avoid probate in Florida. If assets remain titled solely in your personal name when you pass away, your family will usually need to open a probate case in Miami-Dade County court before property can legally transfer to heirs.
A properly funded revocable living trust can help your family avoid probate, maintain privacy, and speed up asset transfers.
Q. What documents are usually included in a Florida estate plan?
A complete Florida estate plan often includes:
- Last Will and Testament
- Revocable Living Trust
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Healthcare Surrogate Designation
- Living Will / Advance Directive
- HIPAA Authorization Forms
- Guardianship designations for minor children
The exact structure depends on your assets, family situation, and long-term goals.
Q. What happens if someone dies without a will in Florida?
If a person dies without a valid will, Florida intestacy laws decide who inherits the estate. This means the state—not the family—controls how assets are distributed.
The surviving spouse and children usually inherit first, but the percentages can vary depending on blended families, prior marriages, and whether children are shared between spouses.
Q. Does Florida have an estate tax or inheritance tax?
Florida does not currently impose a separate state estate tax or inheritance tax. However, very large estates may still face federal estate taxes if they exceed federal exemption limits.
Q. Can a trust help avoid probate in Miami?
Yes. One of the biggest reasons families create revocable living trusts is to bypass probate court entirely. Assets that are properly transferred into the trust during your lifetime can usually pass directly to beneficiaries without court supervision.
This is especially valuable in Miami, where probate cases involving real estate and family disputes can become lengthy and expensive.
Q. Are Florida homestead laws important in estate planning?
Absolutely. Florida homestead protections are some of the strongest in the country, but they also create strict inheritance restrictions when a surviving spouse or minor child exists.
For example, you generally cannot leave your protected homestead property to someone outside the immediate family if you are survived by a spouse or minor child. Improper drafting can completely invalidate parts of an estate plan.
Q. How often should an estate plan be updated?
Most attorneys recommend reviewing an estate plan every 3 to 5 years or immediately after a major life event such as:
- Marriage or divorce
- Birth of a child
- Death of a beneficiary
- Large increase in assets
- Purchase of real estate
- Starting or selling a business
- Moving to Florida from another state
Laws and tax rules also change over time, making periodic updates important.