By Ashley Robinson Planning your estate is about far more than deciding who receives your property. In Palm Bay and across Brevard County, a properly structured estate plan helps families avoid probate delays, protect real estate, reduce family disputes, and prepare for unexpected medical or financial emergencies.
Florida estate law contains strict rules involving wills, trusts, homestead property, probate administration, and incapacity planning. Without proper legal guidance, even small drafting mistakes can create major problems for surviving family members.
Below is a researched overview of five highly regarded estate planning and elder law attorneys serving the Palm Bay area in 2026.
1. Arcadier, Biggie & Wood, PLLC
- Address: 2815 W New Haven Ave STE 304, Melbourne, FL 32904, United States
- Phone: +13219535998
Best For: Family estate planning and asset protection
Arcadier, Biggie & Wood is one of Brevard County’s most established full-service law firms. The firm is highly respected for helping families create customized estate plans designed to protect assets, preserve family homes, and reduce probate complications.
They also assist clients with elder law planning and healthcare-related legal protections.
Key Services:
- Revocable living trusts
- Asset protection planning
- Medicaid planning
- Guardianship planning
- Probate administration
Office Address: 2815 W New Haven Ave, Suite 304, Melbourne, FL 32904
2. Slonim Law
- Address: 2230 N Wickham Rd Ste a, Melbourne, FL 32935, United States
- Phone: +13217575701
Best For: Elder law and modern estate planning
Slonim Law is known for combining traditional estate planning with forward-looking legal strategies. The firm places strong emphasis on incapacity planning, digital asset protection, and long-term healthcare preparation.
They are especially popular among retirees and families looking for proactive planning solutions.
Key Services:
- Durable powers of attorney
- Healthcare directives
- Medicaid planning
- Digital estate planning
- Trust creation
Office Address: 605 E Strawbridge Ave, Melbourne, FL 32901
3. Roy A. Alterman, P.A.
- Address: 2115 Palm Bay Rd NE, Palm Bay, FL 32905, United States
- Phone: +13217270222
Best For: Local estate planning and probate guidance
Roy Alterman has served Palm Bay and Brevard County for decades and is well known for providing approachable, easy-to-understand estate planning advice. His background in both estate and real estate law gives clients added protection when dealing with Florida homestead property and title transfers.
Key Services:
- Wills and trusts
- Probate administration
- Elder law planning
- Real estate-linked estate planning
- Healthcare directives
Office Address: 5200 Babcock St NE, Suite 405, Palm Bay, FL 32905
4. Rhodes Law, P.A.
- Address: 1751 Sarno Rd Ste 2, Melbourne, FL 32935, United States
- Phone: +13216104542
Best For: Seniors and long-term care planning
Attorney Ruth Rhodes is widely recognized throughout Brevard County for her elder law and estate planning work. Her firm focuses heavily on helping seniors and families avoid probate complications while preparing for future healthcare and incapacity issues.
Key Services:
- Revocable trusts
- Long-term care planning
- Medicaid planning
- Powers of attorney
- Probate avoidance strategies
Office Address: 8085 Spyglass Hill Rd, Melbourne, FL 32940
5. Dean Mead
- Address: 7380 Murrell Rd Ste 200, Melbourne, FL 32940, United States
- Phone: +13212598900
Best For: High-net-worth estates and business succession
Dean Mead is one of Florida’s most respected estate and tax planning firms. Their Space Coast office serves Palm Bay-area families, executives, and business owners with sophisticated estate and succession planning strategies.
The firm is especially strong in corporate succession and advanced trust structures.
Key Services:
- Business succession planning
- Tax-efficient estate structures
- Charitable trusts
- Multi-generational wealth planning
- Complex probate matters
Office Address: 7380 Murrell Rd, Suite 201, Melbourne, FL 32940
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does an estate planning attorney do?
A: An estate planning attorney helps organize how your property, finances, healthcare decisions, and assets will be managed during life and distributed after death.
Q: What is probate in Florida?
A: Probate is the court-supervised process used to distribute a deceased person’s assets and settle debts.
Q: Can a trust help avoid probate?
A: Yes. A properly funded revocable living trust can help many families avoid probate court entirely.
Q: What is a durable power of attorney?
A: A durable power of attorney allows someone you trust to manage financial matters if you become incapacitated.
Q: Why is Florida homestead law important?
A: Florida homestead laws provide major protections for primary residences and can affect how property passes to heirs.
Q: Should retirees in Florida have an estate plan?
A: Yes. Estate plans help retirees protect assets, prepare for healthcare needs, and simplify inheritance transfers for family members.
Q: When should an estate plan be updated?
A: Estate plans should usually be reviewed after marriage, divorce, retirement, relocation to Florida, major property purchases, or significant financial changes.