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Debra G Simms

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About Debra

Debra G. Simms is an experienced  attorney, with a practice specializing in estate planning, elder law, probate and guardianship, special needs trust, bankruptcy, divorce, family law, and mediation. She is a Florida Bar Certified Elder Law Attorney, only one of 99 such attorneys in the State of Florida.  She is also a Certified Civil Circuit Mediator, Certified Family Law Mediator, and certified Parent Coordinator in the State of Florida. Debra Simms has over 26 years experience as a lawyer.

Practice areas

OtherElder lawFamilyProbateEstate planning
  1. Estate planning: 40%

  2. Probate: 30%

    14 years

  3. Family: 15%

  4. Elder law: 10%

  1. Guardianship: 5%

    14 years

Languages spoken

English, Spanish

Photos and videos

2034270 1509981792

Contact

823 Dunlawton Ave.
address map

Debra G. Simms, PA Volusia Office

823 Dunlawton Ave.
Port Orange, FL, 32129

Debra G. Simms, P.A. Blog

Debra G. Simms

629 N. Dixie FW
New Smyrna Beach, FL, 32168

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
FLMember in Good Standing199709/29/2020
OHInactive198810/19/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers137
Legal guides10
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Elder Law CertificationFlorida Bar2014
Board Certified - Elder LawFlorida Bar2014
Preventative LawNational Preventative Law InstituteN/A
EditorLaw ReviewN/A
First Amendment Rights and ResponsibilitesAm JurN/A
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
PresidentDebra G. Simms, P.A.2007 - Present
AttorneyPearson-Wise & Simms1997 - 2006
AttorneyRoss, Britain & Schoenberg1992 - 1996
PresidentLaw Office of Debra G. Simms1988 - 1992
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Daytona Beach Symphony Board of DirectorsBoard of Directors2015 - Present
ARC, VolusiaBoard of Directors2015 - Present
Florida BarCertified Elder Law Attorney2014 - Present
Volusia County Bar AssociationMember, Elder Law Chair2014 - Present
Met Life Hyatt Legal PlanPanel Attorney2007 - Present
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Florida chapter)MemberN/A
AARPLawyer PanelN/A
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
WebsiteFlorida Academy of Elder Law Attoneys2015
City Magazine of Altamonte SpringsOur Digital Afterlife2013
SimmsLawFirm.comElder Law2012
SimmsLawFirm.com/blogEstate Planning2012
SimmsLawFirm.com blogProbate2012
Cleveland State Law ReviewSuccession Planning: The Daughter Option1988
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Cleveland State University - Cleveland-Marshall College of LawJD - Juris Doctor1987
Case Western Reserve UniversityMA - Masters1978
Ohio State UniversityBS - Bachelor of Science1974
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Medicaid PlanningMedicaid, Liens, Estate Recovery and Hardship Waivers2018
Healing PathMedicaid Planning2016
Healthy DecisionsMedical Directives and Living Wills2016
Kiwanis of New Smyrna BeachElder Abuse/Fraud2015
Stroke Victim Support GroupMedical Directives and Living Wills2015
Elder Care MattersMedicaid for Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facilites2015
4th of July bashEstate Planning and Long Term Nursing Care2014
Solosez Mid-Florida LunchSolo practice2014
Pershing Moms Day OutBasic Estate Planning for Moms2012
Educational MeetingAdoption for Same-sex Couples in Florida2012
Educational EventChoosing the Right Attorney for You2012
Charles Schwab Employee Benefits PlanFour Corners of Estate Planning2012
MetLife Legal PlanEstate Planning Basics2012
Continuing Legal EducationFlorida Estate Planning Basics2012
Real Estate UpdateForeclosure Process in Florida Today2012
Employee Benefits for Hyatt Legal PlanEstate Planning for You and Your Family2011
Seminole Public LibraryBankruptcy for Beginners - Your debt: Budge It!2011
POA's and Advanced DirectivesPowers of Attorney & Advanced Directives2011
Estate Planning: Wills and TrustsEstate Planning: Wills and Trusts2011
Estate PlanningBasic Estate Planning2011
Jewish Pavillion Health FairEstate Planning2010
Senior Lunch and LearnElder Law Issues2010
FAMU Law SchoolBeing a Sole Practitioner2010
COS SeniorsEstate Planning2008
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
DCF v. SorokinCase Dismissed, Ward and daughter prevailed
In re Shirley TousignantDebra G. Simms, on behalf of the son, Ricky Triplett
Estate PlanningAvoidance of probate and incapacity planning
ProbateOpening and closing probate within 3--6 months!
Elder LawMedicaid Eligibility for Long Term Care
Chapters 7 and 13Discharge of Debts

Reviews

(40)
5 Star
85%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
15%
Review Debra Simms

Estate review

Posted by

Debra was very helpful with my estate after the passing of my husband. It was very confusing but Debra was there to help and answer all my questions and put my mind at ease. Debra's staff is very professional and quick to answering emails and phone calls. I have recommended Debra to my neighbors and those that have hired her for their estate planning were well satisfied. They say she is very knowledgeable in her profession. If you need a professional attorney, hire Debra. Get a consultation and see for yourself. See does see clients during the Covid 19 crisis. Thanks Debra for a job well done.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Very thorough!

Posted by

I am a single woman with no children. I had no idea who to name as my beneficiaries or who I should name to handle my affairs if I get sick. Debra Simms is patient and understood my situation. We worked together to find the best solution. I highly recommend her!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Great Estate Planning

Posted by

Ms. Simms set up our revocable trust and other estate documents, such as living wills -- and changed all our deeds to be in the name of the trust-- she patiently answered all our questions (we had a lot, since we had done no planning at all). We can highly recommend Ms. Simms -- she and her staff are a pleasure to work with!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Professional and Friendly Estate Planning

Posted by

Ms. Simms provided us great advice about establishing a revocable trust and did not hesitate to answer all our questions. Creating the trust was quick, painless, and will make things much easier for our adult children to not only care for us as we age but to settle our estate when the time comes. We can highly recommend Ms. Simms for estate planning!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Professional and Honest

Posted by

We had our last will and testament drawn up and recorded in another state so we needed to update it as we are now Florida residents. My wife and I recently had a complete estate plan completed by Ms. Simms and was very satisfied with the process and her professionalism. She spent the total hour gathering all the legal information required for the plan answering our questions in detail. After completing the session she stated her price and asked if we wanted to proceed. I could have walked away at that point with all that information but felt very comfortable with her knowledge and professionalism so I agreed to continue with her representation. When I returned home I remembered that I forgot to mention an advertisement I had seen in the local newspaper that offered a price reduction. I informed her office and was subsequently granted the reduced price. Thanks
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Great Lawyer

Posted by

Hired Ms Simms to touch up my out of FL estate plan. She did an excellent and timely job.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Thorough and Knowledgeable

Posted by

Debra assisted us with our estate planning documents. She was very thorough and carefully listened to our needs and provided thoughtful answers to our questions. We definitely will use her again.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Happy client. I recommend Debra G. Simms, P.A.

Posted by

Ms. Simms and her staff worked hard to resolve my issues with my estate planning and upcoming nuptials. Very pleased with her professionalism and ethical recommendations for resolving my issues.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Probate of Estate

Posted by

I hired Debra to Probate my late brother's Estate after another lawyer sat on it and did nothing for over 10 months. She is professional, very knowledgeable and let me know what to expect. She took on a bad situation and got the job done. Her staff was very thorough, efficient and kind. I would highly recommend her with no hesitation. Thank you Debra and Kendall, I couldn't have gotten through this without you!!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Debra Simms is a highly knowledgable and caring lawyer

Posted by

Debra prepared for us trust document, power of attorney, health care proxy, living trust, deed and last will and testament after first meeting with us to determine our needs and wants. She prepared a memorandum of understanding so we would know clearly how the documents tie together and the steps we need to take to follow up on what needs to be done at our end to complete the process. We have never had a lawyer who did this step. We found her fees to be very reasonable. We recommend her very highly!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney
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Attorney endorsements

(8)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Christopher Sprysenski, Estate planning Attorney on Sep 23, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Debra is a caring, thoughtful attorney who approaches your estate planning needs with an eye towards her clients' true goals. Her passion for assisting clients plan for their future at any stage shines through in her communication and quality of work she performs. I would highly recommend Debra for your estate planning needs.

Elizabeth Kamper, Chapter 7 bankruptcy Attorney on Sep 10, 2013
Relationship: Friend

I endorse this lawyer.

Nadine Jett, Family Attorney on Jan 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Her willingness to contribute to the AVVO community along with the substance of those contributions displays an attorney that is ready, willing and able to zealously advocate for her clients. I wouldn't think twice about referring a potential client to Ms. Simms.

Steven Kramer

I endorse this lawyer.

Howard Lewis, Estate planning Attorney on Dec 26, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Simms is one of if not the finest estate planning attorney's in Florida. She is an outstanding attorney with an exceptional reputation. Attorney Simms is a credit to the legal profession and I needed an attorney in Florida she would be my first choice and the first choice we refer our clients to.

Lesley Hoenig, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Dec 22, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse Debra because I know she knows her Bankruptcy as well as Estate Planning and would do a great job for any of her clients.

Dennis Chen, Chapter 7 bankruptcy Attorney on Jan 25, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. I have known attorney Debra Simms for many years and find her to be very knowledgeable and hard working.

Ronald Jones, Estate planning Attorney on Sep 12, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

She uses a good, common sense, practical approach to estate planning.