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About Me - Debra L. Feit and The Feit Law Firm
Debra L. Feit, Esq. and The Feit Law Firm
I am an experienced estate planning attorney with a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree in estate and tax planning from Boston University. Since 2013, I have been helping individuals and families with comprehensive estate planning, litigation, and appellate law. I started my law firm after I moved into a condominium and began to see first hand that some homeowners were utterly powerless against the dictates of the empowered condo boards. As I grew into my law practice, I began to see the need for a responsible estate planning attorney in South Florida. That was when I began to focus my practice growth on estate planning, creating trusts to meet the clients' needs, and protecting assets from probate and taxes. It became clear that merely hiring the most expensive law firm or the biggest law firm does not guarantee that the estate plan will be "better."
My law firm is based in South Florida, and I provide legal services to Florida residents statewide through virtual consultations via Zoom and other online meeting platforms.
As a dedicated Florida estate planning lawyer, I assist clients with wills, trusts, asset protection, and tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies. I also focus on handling estate disputes, probate appeals, and litigation matters to ensure that my clients' rights are protected throughout the legal process.
In addition, my firm has handled many lawsuits, representing both plaintiffs and defendants, in both Florida state court as well as Federal court. I have also represented clients in California and Texas state courts, as well as before the bankruptcy court in Texas. I am experienced in the strategy of litigation. In all but one case, I have obtained excellent results for my clients. The outlier case was one of my first cases, and it became apparent at trial that my client had not been honest with me. The dishonesty with his lawyer was fatal to his case.
My firm is also skilled at handling appeals. An appeal requires specific knowledge with respect to the rules of the court, when to file, and the law upon which an appeal may be filed. Filing an appeal requires skill, intimate knowledge with the rules of procedure and how those rules interplay with the appellate rules. Starting with an honest assessment if appeal is possible through the court's decision, my firm will be with you the entire way to help you achieve the desired outcome.
I have recently added prenuptial and postnuptial agreements to my firm's offerings. The young couples of today who are getting married for the first or second time are educated about the need to be clear about the ownership of their assets. Couples who are older when they get married are not starting out in life together but joining their lives and are cognizant of the need to protect the fruits of the labors of their hard work. I am skilled at guiding my clients through what may be difficult conversations and achieve their goals.
My legal expertise is backed by a strong educational background. I hold a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Nova Southeastern University and an MBA from the University of Miami. I completed my undergraduate studies at Smith College. I have deep ties to the South Florida community, having lived here for the last 20 years, and having grown-up here.
In addition to my legal practice, I am actively involved in Jewish charitable organizations and community initiatives. I am a life member of Hadassah, continuing a third-generation legacy of advocacy and service to Hadassah. I am an avid needlepointeter and knitter, and I am now becoming proficient in DIY home renovations - I have even taken down a wall and built a kitchen pantry! There is nothing I will not try. My dedication to my clients is no different and it extends beyond legal representation—I strive to provide compassionate and personalized estate planning solutions tailored to their unique needs.
Family is the core part of my life. I have two adult children—one who is also an attorney who works in the corporate world and another who works for a major corporation in South Florida. Both my kids graduated from local public schools, where they excelled and had wonderful experiences. They both went to NYU and loved living in New York City but ultimately returned home to South Florida. When I am not advising clients on estate and tax planning strategies, I enjoy spending time at the beach, embracing the South Florida lifestyle.
If you are looking for a knowledgeable and experienced South Florida estate planning attorney who can assist with wills, trusts, probate, tax planning, and estate litigation, I am here to help. Contact me today for a consultation to secure your family's future and protect your assets with a comprehensive estate plan.
Why Your Lawyer Needs to Write Well
The two most important skills your lawyer must have are the ability to conduct legal research and the ability to write well. In another post I will address the importance of knowing how to conduct legal research, but today I am going to explain the importance of competent writing. Recently, the Florida Supreme Court has issued an edict that cases are to be moved more quickly through the system, so that gone are the days when a case could languish in court for three or even four years, or longer. Further, the courts have the authority to make their decisions on the papers that the lawyers submit, rather than having a hearing. Hearings are time consuming and it could take months to get onto the court's very busy calendar. Being able to write well has never been as essential as it is now and will continue a most important skill into the future as more courts adopt the Federal practice of ruling only on the written papers.
Most appeals are granted and denied based upon the briefs presented to the appellate court. Appellate briefs have strict page and word limits. It is vital that an appellate brief is concise and well-written. Word choice matters. Document structure matters. Identifying the winning argument and persuading the court matters. Persuading your opponent also matters.
But the ability to write well extends well beyond the courtroom: The ability to write well is an essential skill for any attorney, as clear and precise language can make the difference between a successful case and costly misunderstandings. Legal documents must be carefully crafted to ensure they are enforceable, unambiguous, and tailored to the client’s specific needs. Strong writing skills also enhance communication with clients, making complex legal concepts more understandable. Whether drafting contracts, wills, or court filings, a lawyer’s ability to write clearly and persuasively is crucial to achieving the best possible outcome for their clients.
Most lawyers do not write well. Ask for writing samples. My firm is more than happy to provide you with numerous writing samples of documents filed in court.
Featured Service: Prenuptial Agreements
(This area of the website will feature different services offered by the Firm with basic explanations. If you would like more information, click on a link to schedule an appointment.)
A prenuptial agreement is a legally binding contract between two individuals who are planning to marry. It must be signed before the marriage. The purpose of the prenup is to outline how your assets, debts, and financial matters will be handled during the marriage and in the event of a divorce. Clauses can also be added so that if either party dies without a will, the prenuptial agreement can act as a will and prevent the estate from being distributed under the rules of intestacy.
The prenup provides clarity and protection for both parties, ensuring that their financial interests are safeguarded and expectations are set from the start. A well-drafted prenuptial agreement can help avoid future disputes, protect family inheritances, and preserve business interests. This is especially important for blended families and second marriages where the parties may be bringing their own considerable wealth the marriage.
While discussing a prenup may seem unromantic, it is a responsible and forward-thinking financial tool that strengthens a couple’s financial foundation. I work closely with clients to draft personalized and fair prenuptial agreements that reflect their unique circumstances and long-term goals.
Next moth, I will explain how a postnuptial agreement works in conjunction with a prenuptial agreement and why both may be necessary.