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Debra G Simms
About Debra
Biography
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
5
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Florida for 28 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
Licensed in Ohio for 37 years
State: Ohio
Acquired: 1988
No misconduct found
Location
Debra G. Simms, PA Volusia Office
823 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange, FL, 32129
Debra G. Simms
629 N. Dixie FW, New Smyrna Beach, FL, 32168
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Debra G Simms's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
40 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (40)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
Estate Planning (18)
Probate (6)
Elder Law (4)
Trusts (4)
Wills & Living Wills (4)
Bankruptcy & Debt (3)
Power Of Attorney (3)
Divorce & Separation (2)
Family (2)
Consumer Protection (1)
Debt Settlement (1)
Guardianship (1)
Landlord & Tenant (1)
Lawsuits & Disputes (1)
Marriage & Prenuptials (1)
Medicaid & Medicare (1)
What Clients Mention
Practice Area Knowledge (24)
Case Results (13)
Recommendation (11)
Cost of Services (10)
Professionalism (10)
Communication Style (9)
General Knowledge (8)
Responsiveness (7)
Character & Conduct (5)
Compassion (4)
Advocacy (3)
Staff & Support (3)
Free Consultations (2)
Punctuality (2)
Trustworthiness (2)
Showing 6 - 10 of 40 reviews
Posted by Richard | May 13, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Great Lawyer
Hired Ms Simms to touch up my out of FL estate plan. She did an excellent and timely job.
Posted by Sherrie | October 25, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Thorough and Knowledgeable
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.
Posted by anonymous | August 29, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning
Happy client. I recommend Debra G. Simms, P.A.
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.
Posted by Elizabeth | August 27, 2018 | Probate
Unprofessional & RUDE
I called the office to make an appointment for consultation & the receptionist was SOOO RUDE and UNPROFESSIONAL. After questioning the receptionist on a 3week wait and asking nicely if I could be referred to a fellow colleague of the attorney for consult since I have to leave and be with grieving fam...
Debra Simms
Replied last August 27, 2018This review is very distressful to me because it contains completely false information. This individual called my office and demanded a free consult the same day. In a very polite manner, she was told that she could not be accommodated that day and was offered several appointment times, some of which did not fit into her schedule. Therefore, the first mutually acceptable appointment was in 3 weeks. When we were asked for a referral to another attorney, she was told that we would get back to her - we did not refuse to give her one. Truthfully, given the rudeness of this "doctor" and her use of foul language gave me pause as to whether I would want to provide such a referral to a colleague. MONEY had nothing at all to do with this situation; rather it was her belligerent and disrespectful telephone conduct, as well as her insistence that she been seen immediately. It should also be noted that her situation was not at all an emergency; rather she was requesting that documents be reviewed.
Posted by anonymous | August 14, 2018 | Hired Attorney
Unsatisfactory
Ms. Simms did some work for us and on of the documents we asked her to change a section. She refused. We had to pay another attorney to fix what I had already paid Ms. Simms for. And, the new attorney found two errors on the document she prepared.
Debra Simms
Replied last August 14, 2018My ethical obligations do not allow me to make changes on documents that are not requested by the client. This reviewer was not my client.
Debra G Simms's Lawyer Endorsements
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"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."
"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."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known attorney Debra Simms for many years and find her to be very knowledgeable and hard working."
"She uses a good, common sense, practical approach to estate planning."
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Experience
Honors
2014
Elder Law Certification, Florida Bar
2014
Board Certified - Elder Law, Florida Bar
N/A
Preventative Law, National Preventative Law Institute
N/A
Editor, Law Review
N/A
First Amendment Rights and Responsibilites, Am Jur
Work Experience
2007 - Present
President, Debra G. Simms, P.A.
1997 - 2006
Attorney, Pearson-Wise & Simms
1992 - 1996
Attorney, Ross, Britain & Schoenberg
1988 - 1992
President, Law Office of Debra G. Simms
Associations
2015 - Present
Daytona Beach Symphony Board of DirectorsBoard of Directors
2015 - Present
ARC, VolusiaBoard of Directors
2014 - Present
Florida BarCertified Elder Law Attorney
2014 - Present
Volusia County Bar AssociationMember, Elder Law Chair
2007 - Present
Met Life Hyatt Legal PlanPanel Attorney
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Florida chapter)
Member
AARP
Lawyer Panel
Sample of Legal Cases
DCF v. Sorokin
Case Dismissed, Ward and daughter prevailed
In re Shirley Tousignant
Debra G. Simms, on behalf of the son, Ricky Triplett
Elder Law
Medicaid Eligibility for Long Term Care
Chapters 7 and 13
Discharge of Debts
Estate Planning
Avoidance of probate and incapacity planning
Probate
Opening and closing probate within 3--6 months!
Education
1987
Cleveland State University - Cleveland-Marshall College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1978
Case Western Reserve University
MA - Masters
1974
Ohio State University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2018
Medicaid Planning
Medicaid, Liens, Estate Recovery and Hardship Waivers
2016
Healthy Decisions
Medical Directives and Living Wills
2016
Healing Path
Medicaid Planning
2015
Stroke Victim Support Group
Medical Directives and Living Wills
2015
Kiwanis of New Smyrna Beach
Elder Abuse/Fraud
2015
Elder Care Matters
Medicaid for Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facilites
2014
Solosez Mid-Florida Lunch
Solo practice
2014
4th of July bash
Estate Planning and Long Term Nursing Care
2012
Real Estate Update
Foreclosure Process in Florida Today
2012
Pershing Moms Day Out
Basic Estate Planning for Moms
2012
MetLife Legal Plan
Estate Planning Basics
2012
Educational Meeting
Adoption for Same-sex Couples in Florida
2012
Educational Event
Choosing the Right Attorney for You
2012
Continuing Legal Education
Florida Estate Planning Basics
2012
Charles Schwab Employee Benefits Plan
Four Corners of Estate Planning
2011
Seminole Public Library
Bankruptcy for Beginners - Your debt: Budge It!
2011
POA's and Advanced Directives
Powers of Attorney & Advanced Directives
2011
Estate Planning: Wills and Trusts
Estate Planning: Wills and Trusts
2011
Estate Planning
Basic Estate Planning
2011
Employee Benefits for Hyatt Legal Plan
Estate Planning for You and Your Family
2010
Senior Lunch and Learn
Elder Law Issues
2010
Jewish Pavillion Health Fair
Estate Planning
2010
FAMU Law School
Being a Sole Practitioner
2008
COS Seniors
Estate Planning
Publications
2015
2013
City Magazine of Altamonte Springs
Our Digital Afterlife
2012
SimmsLawFirm.com
Elder Law
2012
SimmsLawFirm.com/blog
Estate Planning
2012
SimmsLawFirm.com blog
Probate
1988
Cleveland State Law Review
Succession Planning: The Daughter Option
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can I sue my husband mistress in florida. We been married for 8 yrs and have 3 children but 1 die. Now he have 2 kids by
08 Aug 2014
Q&A
How to change alimony I receive to direct deposit? Divorce was in the state of New Jersey.
08 Aug 2014
Q&A
Can a Bank refuse to Notarize a Power of Attorney giving power to family member to use income, making phone calls, sign docs..?
06 Aug 2014
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
AGING WITH DIGNITY AND THE FIVE WISHES
20 Aug 2014
Legal Guide
WHY HIRE A PROBATE ATTORNEY?
10 Aug 2014
Legal Guide
What happens to your online accounts when you die?
02 Aug 2014