Estate Planning Attorney in Tampa, FL
Your future, your family, your peace of mind — every decision matters. At The Law Office of Paul J. Monsanto, P.A., we create estate plans that protect what you’ve built and guide your loved ones long after you’re gone. Whether you’re preparing your first plan or updating an old one, we’ll make sure every document, signature, and instruction reflects your goals and safeguards your legacy.
Paul Monsanto is a Tampa native, a Duke Law graduate, and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). He brings legal precision and financial judgment to every estate plan he designs. That means every client benefits from both legal clarity and financial foresight — a rare combination in this field.
What Is Estate Planning?
Estate planning is more than just writing a will. It’s a structured plan that defines how your assets will be managed, who will make key decisions if you’re unable, and how your loved ones will be cared for when you’re gone.
A complete estate plan may include your will, trust, healthcare directive, financial power of attorney, Lady Bird deed, and beneficiary designations.
Without it, the law — not you — decides what happens next.
Step 1: Create Your Last Will and Testament
A Last Will and Testament is the foundation of any estate plan. It outlines how your property will be distributed, names your personal representative (executor), and can include charitable gifts.
If you pass away without a will (known as “intestate”), state law controls how your assets are divided. The process becomes longer, more expensive, and less private. A carefully drafted will keeps your wishes in control and minimizes unnecessary court involvement.
Providing for Your Family
Your will allows you to name a guardian for your minor children, ensuring their care is handled by someone you trust. You can also create Testamentary Trusts to provide ongoing financial stability for your children or grandchildren without triggering guardianship proceedings.
Step 2: Create Your Medical Directives and Financial Power of Attorney
Life can change quickly. If you become unable to make decisions due to illness or injury, your family shouldn’t have to guess what you would have wanted.
A Health Care Directive specifies your medical preferences, while a Durable Power of Attorney authorizes someone you trust to handle your financial and legal affairs if you can’t. These documents prevent confusion, family conflict, and court-appointed guardianships.
Paul will help you choose the right decision-makers and structure your powers of attorney to protect your autonomy while avoiding unnecessary risks.
Step 3: Name Beneficiaries for Your Non-Probate Assets
Not every asset passes through probate. Certain assets — such as retirement accounts, life insurance, and payable-on-death bank accounts — transfer directly to named beneficiaries.
Paul will review your designations to ensure they align with your will and trust documents so no asset slips through the cracks.
Even a single oversight in beneficiary naming can undo an entire plan. Proper coordination keeps everything consistent and legally sound.
Step 4: Consider a Florida Lady Bird Deed
Florida’s Lady Bird Deed (Enhanced Life Estate Deed) is a powerful estate planning tool that allows you to keep full control of your property during your lifetime while automatically transferring ownership upon death — without probate.
It’s a legal way to retain control, avoid court delays, and pass property directly to your beneficiaries. Paul will evaluate whether a Lady Bird Deed fits your situation or if other structures, such as a living trust, would be more effective.
Step 5: Consider Establishing a Trust
A trust offers privacy, efficiency, and protection. It helps your family avoid probate, manage assets across generations, and shield property from certain liabilities.
Paul designs living trusts, testamentary trusts, and special needs trusts based on your goals and family dynamics. For Tampa business owners and investors, trust structures can also provide asset protection and tax efficiency.
Trusts are not just for the wealthy — they are for anyone who wants to pass on stability instead of complications.
What Happens If You Don’t Have an Estate Plan
When there is no plan in place, Florida’s intestacy laws determine who inherits your assets. The court decides who manages your estate, appoints guardians, and may even oversee distributions for years. Costs rise, privacy disappears, and family disputes become more likely.
A proper estate plan prevents those outcomes. It protects your family, your legacy, and your dignity.
Why Tampa Clients Choose Paul J. Monsanto, P.A.
Clarity. Responsibility. Sound Judgment.
Those aren’t just values — they’re the foundation of every client relationship.
- Elite Legal and Financial Background: Duke Law graduate and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) — a rare combination that brings financial precision to legal strategy.
- Multi-State Bar Admission: Licensed in Florida and New York, with federal court experience.
- Local Connection: A Tampa native who built his practice where he lives and raises his family.
- Client-Centered Service: Every strategy is customized to the client’s exact financial and personal situation.
- Proven Track Record: Over 15 years of experience protecting clients’ assets and estates.
When you call Paul, you’re not getting a generic estate plan — you’re getting a strategic shield designed by someone who’s seen every angle of the law.
You can expect a very knowledgeable
and empathetic attorney
Frequently Asked Questions – Estate Planning in Tampa
What is the difference between a will and a trust?
A will takes effect after death and directs how your assets are distributed through probate. A trust can take effect immediately, allowing assets to transfer privately without court supervision.
Do I need an estate plan if I don’t have a large estate?
Yes. Estate planning isn’t just about wealth — it’s about control, medical decisions, guardianship, and preventing legal delays for your loved ones.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Review your plan every 3–5 years or after major life changes such as marriage, divorce, birth, or relocation.
What is a Florida Lady Bird Deed?
It’s a legal document that allows property owners to transfer their home to beneficiaries upon death while retaining full control during life and avoiding probate.
Can Paul handle both estate planning and probate?
Yes. Paul assists clients with creating new plans and managing existing estates through probate and trust administration.
FAQs – About Paul J. Monsanto’s Services
Do you combine estate planning with asset protection?
Yes. Paul integrates asset protection with wills, trusts, and tax planning to create complete financial security for individuals and families.
What makes Paul different from other asset protection attorneys in Tampa?
Few attorneys combine a Duke Law education, CFA-level financial understanding, and 15+ years of both litigation and estate planning experience. Paul brings clarity and foresight that others can’t.
How long does the process take?
It depends on your circumstances. Some clients have protection strategies in place within days; others require layered structures involving multiple entities or trusts.
Do you work with clients outside Tampa?
Yes. While based in Tampa and Wesley Chapel, Paul also serves clients across Hillsborough, Pasco, and surrounding counties.
What should I bring to a consultation?
Bring an overview of your assets — real estate, investments, business interests, and liabilities. The first meeting is about understanding your exposure, not selling you documents.
Practice areas
I am also available to assist with probate, real estate, Medicaid planning, asset protection and my clients’ other legal needs, when possible
