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Geoffrey Hamilton Hoatson

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Avvo Rating10
  • Orlando, FL
  • Licensed for 13 years
Geoffrey Hamilton Hoatson
Geoffrey Hamilton Hoatson
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About Geoffrey

Protecting You. Your Family. Your Future.

My name is Geoff Hoatson and I’m the founder of the Family First Firm. I grew up in Central Florida surrounded by all my extended family. Both of my grandfathers were veterans of World War II and my paternal grandfather received the Purple Heart and Silver Star from Fleet Admiral Nimitz for his heroism as a medic on the Pacific Front. I gained a deep respect for our service members and my elders, while listening to them recount their time in the service. I knew that I wanted to help these people I admired so much. Unfortunately, over the years, both grandfathers ended up with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. My paternal grandfather was able to be qualified for Medicaid and my maternal grandfather was able to receive benefits from the VA. To call these benefits a blessing is a massive understatement; they allowed both of my grandmothers to age in their homes with dignity.  

Born and raised in the Orlando area, I attended a local high school and then the University of Central Florida. It wasn’t until I went to Emory University for law school that I left Central Florida for the very first time. However, that choice was an easy one, because Emory is ranked as one of the top law schools in the country and has one of the preeminent estate planning programs. After graduating from Emory, I returned to Orlando to marry my fiancée, start a family, and begin the practice of law. 

In 2009, I decided to go out on my own and open the Family First Firm to help seniors and service members protect themselves, their families, and their legacies from the unique problems that our seniors face.  We are proud to have helped countless families achieve their goals and gain peace of mind. We would be honored to help you too.

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Practice areas

OtherMilitary lawMedicaid and medicareProbateEstate planning
  1. Estate planning: 20%

  2. Probate: 20%

  3. Medicaid and medicare: 20%

  4. Military law: 20%

  1. Elder law: 20%

Languages spoken

English, Spanish

Photos and videos

1800258 1431463714

Contact

Family First Firm

1901 West Colonial Drive
Orlando, FL, 32804

Website
http://www.familyfirstfirm.com 

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
FLMember in Good Standing200810/11/2021
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers7
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Rising StarSuperLawyers2019
Top 40 Lawyers Under 40American Society of Legal Advocates2018
10 Best Elder Law Attorneys - Client SatisfactionAmerican Institute of Legal Counsel2017
10 Best Elder Law Attorneys - Client SatisfactionAmerican Institute of Legal Counsel2016
Lawyer of Distinction nomineeLawyers of Distinction2016
Best Probate AttorneyExpertise2016
First Place - YLS tournamentOrange County Bar Association2014
Client Choice Award - Estate PlanningAvvo2013
Client Choice Award - ProbateAvvo2013
Client's Choice - Elder LawAvvo2013
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Owner and FounderFamily First Firm2009 - Present
Associate AttorneyA. Anthony Giovanolli, P.A.2009 - 2009
AssociateCrowell & Carmona2008 - 2009
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Academy of Florida Elder Law AttorneysMember2016 - Present
National Academy of Elder Law AttorneysMember2016 - Present
Florida Bar, Elder Law SectionMember2015 - Present
ElderCounselMember2015 - Present
Hospice of the Comforter FoundationVice President2014 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Trusts and Estates SectionMember2014 - Present
Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law SectionMember2014 - Present
WealthCounselMember2014 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember2012 - Present
Volie A. Williams American Inn of CourtMember2012 - Present
Orange County Bar AssociationMember2011 - Present
Florida Bar, Family Law SectionMember2010 - Present
Seminole County Bar AssociationMember2010 - Present
Emory University Law School Alumni AssociationPresident2014 - 2015
Emory University Law School Alumni AssociationVice President2013 - 2014
Orange County Bar AssociationSecretary - Young Lawyers2011 - 2012
Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law SectionSecretary2011 - 2012
Seminole County Bar Association, Young Lawyers SectionVice President2011 - 2012
Emory University School of Law ReviewEditor2007 - 2008
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
FamilyFirstFirm.comThe Future of Long Term Care2016
FamilyFirstFirm.comUnderestimating the Risk of Disability2016
FamilyFirstFirm.comThe Many Faces of Dementia2015
FamilyFirstFirm.comAvoid a Tax Time Bomb2015
FamilyFirstFirm.comImportance of a Comprehensive Power of Attorney2015
FamilyFirstFirm.comWhy Consider Long-Term Care Planning2015
Family First FirmCreating a Plan for Your Incapacity2015
Family First FirmCreating a Plan for Your Incapacity - Part 22015
My Central Florida FamilyEstate Planning for the Blended Family2014
BlogThe Future of Alimony: Should You Be Scared?2013
BlogHow a Revocable Trust Can Protect Your Assets and Family2013
BlogWhy You Want to Avoid Probate2013
Emory Law JournalEditor2008
Emory Law JournalEditor2008
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Emory University School of LawJD - Juris Doctor2008
University of Central FloridaBS - Bachelor of Science2005
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Sailing into your Senior YearsEstate Planning and Elder Law2016
Provide and ProtectEstate Planning and Elder Law2016
Planning over 50Estate Planning and Elder Law2016
Let's Talk Future 96.5FMElder Law2016
Let's Talk Future - 96.5Probate2016
Growing Your GardenElder Law & Estate Planning2016
Ask an AttorneyProbate2016
Ask an AttorneyElder Law2016
Ask an AttorneyEstate Planning2016
Recent Developments in Advanced Healthcare DirectivesAdvanced healthcare directives2015
Provide and ProtectEstate and charitable planning2015
Let's Talk Future - 96.5Estate Planning2015
Florida Conference Association of Seventh-Day Adventists Annual MeetingEstate Planning2015
Northwestern Mutual Education SeminarEstate Planning in Today's Economy2013
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Redacted v. RedactedMy client won the ability to relocate with her children

Reviews

(17)5.0 stars
5 Star
94%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
6%
Review Geoffrey Hoatson

Set up for success

5.0 stars

Posted by

My wife and I went to see Mr. Hoatson shortly after we got married to set up our estate plan. Geoff was very thorough in explaining our many options. As business owners, we really needed to get the right answers to the "what if" questions. What would happen to our business, our home, our assets!? After meeting with Mr. Hoatson, I am positive that we made one of the most important decisions. Setting up our estate with The Family First Firm. Thank you Geoff and Family First.
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This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Great Service and Compassion during a Difficult Time

5.0 stars

Posted by

When my Father, a 90-year-old WWII veteran, indicated that, he was no longer able to manage his affairs I had to act quickly. I had never been privy to my Father’s finances or affairs until he asked for help. Furthermore, I live out of state. I was stressed handling this matter from afar. Luckily, Attorney Geoff Hoatson was recommended by my father’s longtime attorney as a specialist in Estate Planning. From the beginning, Geoff and his staff were clear, efficient, professional, and caring. Geoff and his staff worked quickly and offered solutions to issues I did not even know we had. He and his staff accommodated my schedule to ensure all matters were well attended. They are attentive to detail and responsive. I highly recommend Attorney Geoffrey Hoatson and The Family First Firm!
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This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Excellent guide for Medicaid and VA benefits

5.0 stars

Posted by

We recommend Geoff and Family First Firm to all of our residents' families. They navigate families through the qualification process for VA and Medicaid benefits. These benefits can be a great way to supplement care costs for memory care services like ours. Geoff's team is excellent to work with, and they always answer our questions with proven experience and knowledge.
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Consulted attorney

Excellent Experience and Professional Firm

5.0 stars

Posted by

Geoffrey just did A-Z estate planning for my family and we were very pleased with his firm. They met with us at our convenience and got everything squared away for us in a timely manner and before we left the country on vacation. Needless to say; we were able to relax even more on our vacation knowing that our family affairs are in order should anything happen. We absolutely recommend the Family First Firm to our friends, family, and anyone needing to plan for their families future. They made this experience about as easy and enjoyable as it can be.
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This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Honest and diligent attorney

5.0 stars

Posted by

I came across Geoffrey and his team using avvo, one of my requirements was that the attorney had to be honest and I found that with Geoffrey. He and his team handled my case in very professional and diligent manner. I came to them towards the end of May 2015 to petition a divorce and by the third week of August 2015 I was officially divorced. His team was always available to me and answered any questions or concerns that I had in a timely manner. Very friendly staff and most important very honest, you won't be disappointed. If I ever come across any other legal issues Geoffrey and his team will be the first one's on my mind. Thank you Geoffrey and your wonderful staff for all your help.
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This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Divorce

5.0 stars

Posted by

I found Geoffrey and his team on Avvo, I was looking for a christian lawyer as it was a requirement of mine, I had read the reviews of the other clients and they seemed happy with his services. Geoffrey and his team worked diligently to get my case resolved as soon as possible and were always available to me whenever I had questions regarding my case. They say lawyers aren't the most honest people out there but if you decide to go with Geoffrey and his team you won't regret your decision. Thank you for all your help!
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This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

A Trusted Friend and a Talented Attorney

5.0 stars

Posted by

I have sent numerous clients to Geoff and I will continue to do so. It's a wonderful feeling when someone I refer calls me later and thanks me for introducing them to the person I referred them to. This has happened with Geoff more times than I can count. He is a solid family man and just as solid of an attorney. I'm privileged to call him a friend and I'm more privileged to call him a colleague as I consider him top shelf.
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If you want honesty and brains choose him.

5.0 stars

Posted by

Geoff Hoatson is a very honest man, who won sugar coat anything. He will work hard for you and when times may feel hard and you feel like as if nothing is going anywhere Geoff will always come through. He took my situation from where I wasn't seeing my daughter only 1 day a month due to her mother withholding her from me and turned it into almost 50 percent time shared. I highly recommend Geoff and will change your situation as he did mine. It's not exactly over with my case, but with the amount of faith I have in him I know that everything will be alright. Thanks .
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Divorce Attorney

5.0 stars

Posted by

Geoff is an excellent attorney who is professional, insightful, and extremely knowledgeable about the intricacies of the law. He always kept me updated and always answered my emails and/or phone calls in a timely manner. He gave me advice based on the boundaries of the law and took the time to clarify anything I might not have understood. Mr. Hoatson will continue to represent me through this process and if there is any other legal issue I have I will hire him to represent me and no one else.
More

Great family law attorney!

5.0 stars

Posted by

Geoff represented me in a difficult family law dispute. He kept me informed and involved in the process and resolved the case favorably for me. We didn't even have to go to trial which saved me a bunch of money. Of course, if we had, I'm confident that he would have done well as he was always very well prepared.
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Attorney endorsements

(22)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer
Lawyer Christopher Sprysenski

Christopher Sprysenski, Elder law Attorney on Sep 9, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Geoff is an outstanding lawyer. Geoff practices with a professionalism and attention to detail that is not often found in today's legal environment. The care and communication he provides to his clients is second to none. I highly endorse him for your elder law or estate planning needs.

Lawyer Aurora McCreary

Aurora McCreary, Estate planning Attorney on Sep 12, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Geoff Hoatson is professional and welcoming. He dedicates his time to each client rather than attempting to go strictly for a larger number of clients. He understands the important of Estate Planning and Probate and ensures that his client's feel comfortable through what generally is an uneasy process. Geoff is great at thinking outside the box and understanding what your priorities are.

Lawyer Laura Cowan

Laura Cowan, Estate planning Attorney on Jul 25, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Geoff is intelligent, caring, and capable. I know his clients are in very good hands.

Lawyer Yahima Suarez

Yahima Suarez, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 1, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Varvara Mariana Gokea

Varvara Gokea, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 28, 2017
Relationship: Other

I highly recommend and endorse Geoff. I heard him speak about Estate Planning, Elder Law and Probate and I was very impressed with his expertise and professionalism.

Lawyer Joshua David Meier

Joshua Meier, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 28, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Nicholas A Tarjoman

Nicholas Tarjoman, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 28, 2017
Relationship: Other

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Alexandra K. Varela

Alexandra Varela, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 28, 2017
Relationship: Other

Geoff and I are part of the same estate planning organization. He is a great attorney and very knowledgeable about estate planning. He is often answering questions for younger attorneys. He is passionate about his work and I would strongly recommend him to people looking for an estate planning attorney in his area.

Lawyer Aurora McCreary

Aurora McCreary, Estate planning Attorney on Sep 12, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Geoff Hoatson is professional and welcoming. He dedicates his time to each client rather than attempting to go strictly for a larger number of clients. He understands the important of Estate Planning and Probate and ensures that his client's feel comfortable through what generally is an uneasy process. Geoff is great at thinking outside the box and understanding what your priorities are.

Lawyer Christopher Sprysenski

Christopher Sprysenski, Elder law Attorney on Sep 9, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Geoff is an outstanding lawyer. Geoff practices with a professionalism and attention to detail that is not often found in today's legal environment. The care and communication he provides to his clients is second to none. I highly endorse him for your elder law or estate planning needs.

Lawyer Melisa Lyn Medina

Melisa Medina, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 30, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Geoff is extremely professional and personable. I would highly recommend this attorney.

Lawyer Bonnie Klein Rhoden

Bonnie Klein Rhoden, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 21, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

A highly respected professional in estate planning. You can rest assured you are in good hands with Mr. Hoatson. I recommend him with no reservation.

Lawyer Jessica Marie Hallgren Kendrick

Jessica Hallgren Kendrick, Estate planning Attorney on Dec 17, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Geoff is a dedicated and knowledgable professional who I have referred my client and friends to, knowing they will receive the best representation. I endorse Geoff!

Lawyer Lawrence G. Walters

Lawrence Walters, Elder law Attorney on Sep 14, 2015
Relationship: Friend

Geoff is a colleague and friend. His firm has established a solid reputation in family, estate, and elder law. His conscientious and assertive approach to the practice of law has earned him the respect of the Central Florida legal community. His clients are fortunate to have him on their side.

No photo

Judd Nemiro, Unknown Attorney on May 28, 2015
Relationship: Other

I endorse this lawyer for being a top-notch attorney in the community.

Lawyer Jonathan T. Gilbert

Jonathan Gilbert, Estate planning Attorney on May 15, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I do not hesitate to refer clients to Geoff for their estate planning needs. He does an excellent job in guiding clients through each step of the process, making them feel comfortable and informed about all aspects of the process.

Lawyer Travis Martin Williams

Travis Williams, Estate planning Attorney on May 14, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Geoff is knowledgeable and dedicated to helping clients with both immediate issues and securing their future well being.

Lawyer Eric Parke LaRue II

Eric LaRue, Unknown Attorney on Feb 6, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Geoff is an intelligent and hardworking attorney. I have no hesitation in recommending Geoff to any prospective clients.

Lawyer Jessica Ann Travis

Jessica Travis, Family Attorney on Dec 6, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Lawyer Michael Phillip DeVoe

Michael DeVoe, Unknown Attorney on Nov 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Mr. Hoatson is a knowledgeable attorney with good judgment. I recommend him.

Lawyer Steven D. Kramer

Steven Kramer, Family Attorney on Nov 14, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Geoff is energetic and driven lawyer. On top of that, Geoff is a great guy. I have a great deal of faith in Geoff Hoatson.

Lawyer Jonathan Matthew Witt

Jonathan Witt, Family Attorney on Nov 6, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Mr. Hoatson is a thoughtful, aggressive, competent attorney, and I gladly endorse him.

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