Debra G Simms

Debra G Simms

4.4
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 37 years

Estate planning Lawyer at Port Orange, FL
Practice Areas: Estate Planning, Probate, Family ... +2 more

823 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange, FL

About Debra

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Probate 30%

20 years

30%
Guardianship 5%

20 years

5%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Florida for 28 years

State: Florida

Acquired: 1997

Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Ohio for 37 years

State: Ohio

Acquired: 1988

Inactive

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

4.4 /5.0

40 Client Reviews

Showing 16 - 20 of 40 reviews

Posted by anonymous | April 02, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Folks, beware

This woman is not a good attorney. For starters she shows up uprepared and her verbal skills are weak at best. Furthermore, she doesn't listen to pertinent information you provide her that is essential to the case. I also suggest caution to be exercised in signing any billing agreements - she has a w...ay of springing extra fees on you in short order. We won our case, but I and another attorney in a completely different specialty were really the ones who won the case for her. In spite of this, she still had the unmitigated gall to charge additional money. She also speaks down to you if your status in her eyes warrants it. Like the titile warns - beware.

Debra Simms

Replied last April 02, 2016

It saddens me to read this review. I know who this is because I was warned that she does this to other professionals who try to help her. I took the case despite being warned by the mental professionals involved in the case. I won her very very complicated contested guardianship case and never asked for any money other than the original retainer. She wanted me to continue working with her after the case was over and when I told her that it was not included in the original retainer she became belligerent and abusive and harassed me and my paralegal. To any potential client, I invite you to meet me, assess my verbal skills, see if I am prepared, and decide for yourself. In over 27 years, I have never had this said about me.

Posted by anonymous | March 28, 2016

Excellent attorney

My dealings with Ms. Simms have been terrific. She is pleasant to deal with, she is very personable and is very knowledgeable. Thank you for all you have done!

Posted by John S. | November 18, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Estate Planning

Terrific!

I returned to Ms Simms for an update on my estate planning and also to discuss asset protection in case I ever need nursing home care. She really is terrific- smart, thorough, and very kind. Her new office located in Port Orange is welcoming, warm, and she wisely served plenty of water and snacks! ... My wife feels the same and we recommend her highly!

Posted by Pam | June 22, 2015 | Estate Planning

Absolutely the Best!

“My financial advisor found some problem areas in the trust I had and highly recommended Debra to me. She immediately saw that the old trust would have made available to me only the net income and I wouldn’t have been able to touch the principal when I needed it later in life. She fixed this and I ...had her rewrite my will, power of attorney and designation of health care surrogate. Debra is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, fun and wonderful to work for. She is dedicated, efficient and personable. On top of all this, her fees were quite reasonable.”

Posted by anonymous | June 15, 2015 | Bankruptcy & Debt

Bankruptcy Lawyer

I hired Debra Simms for a Bankruptcy. I met her one time. I was not satisfied with her services. I paid a $1500.00 retainer for her and was subbed to a rude paralegal that hung up the phone on me. I went to another attorney where I learned that she lacked knowledge of bankruptcy law. I requested a r...efund and she refused.

Debra Simms

Replied last June 15, 2015

I performed all services requested. I am sorry that my clients were not satisfied, but the work they paid for was competently performed. They have used and some other review services to put pressure on me to get their money back. I have practiced law for 27 years and I always try to provide excellent service.

See All Client Reviews

Debra G Simms's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Debra
Christopher Sprysenski headshot
Christopher Sprysenski

Estate planning lawyer | Sep 23

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 C Kamper headshot
Elizabeth Kamper

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer | Sep 10

Relationship: Friend

"I endorse this lawyer."

Nadine Marie Jett headshot
Nadine Jett

Family lawyer | Jan 14

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 D. Kramer headshot
Steven Kramer

Unknown lawyer | Jan 05

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Howard M Lewis headshot
Howard Lewis

Estate planning lawyer | Dec 26

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 Abigail Hoenig headshot
Lesley Hoenig

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer | Dec 22

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 Andrew Chen headshot
Dennis Chen

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer | Jan 25

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 A. Jones headshot
Ronald Jones

Estate planning lawyer | Sep 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

View All Endorsements
Elizabeth C Kamper headshot
Elizabeth Kamper

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Dineen Pashoukos Wasylik headshot
Dineen Wasylik

Copyright infringement lawyer

John Peter Page headshot
John Page

Business lawyer

Ronald A. Jones headshot
Ronald Jones

Probate lawyer

Lesley Abigail Hoenig headshot
Lesley Hoenig

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Oliver Max Gardner III headshot
Oliver Gardner

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Dennis Andrew Chen headshot
Dennis Chen

Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer

Lewis Matthew Roberts headshot
Lewis Roberts

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Steven D. Kramer headshot
Steven Kramer

Foreclosure lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

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 Directors

Board of Directors

2015 - Present

ARC, Volusia

Board of Directors

2014 - Present

Florida Bar

Certified Elder Law Attorney

2014 - Present

Volusia County Bar Association

Member, Elder Law Chair

2007 - Present

Met Life Hyatt Legal Plan

Panel 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!

See More Legal Cases

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

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

Avvo Rating

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