Navigating the complexities of estate planning, probate, and guardianship administration and litigation cases requires compassion and a keen eye for the details. As the founder of Irama Valdes, P.A., Ms. Valdes is dedicated to aiding people with their incapacitation and end of life planning. She serves clients in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as well as throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties. Ms. Valdes also accepts some family law cases and those involving mental health proceedings. She speaks English and Spanish.
Ms. Valdes was born and raised in Miami, Florida and is a native Spanish speaker. She received an Associate in Arts Degree with Honors from Miami Dade College in 2004 and a Bachelor of Science in Communication, Cum Laude, from Florida International University in 2007. Ms. Valdes attended St. Thomas University’s School of Law where she attained her Juris Doctor in 2010. Irama spearheaded the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (V.I.T.A.) Program helping low-income individuals and families receive free assistance with preparing and filing their income tax returns. Dedicating over 200 hours to the V.I.T.A. program, she received the Outstanding Public Service Award for her leadership and dedication in Pro Bono services to the community and continues to give back to the community by taking pro-bono cases from several associations below.
Ms. Valdes is actively involved in the legal community. She currently serves as Vice-Chair for the Probate and Guardianship Committee of the Dade County Bar association. She previously served as the treasurer for the Miami Lakes Bar Association, and is a member of the Cuban American Bar Association, the Dade County Bar Association, the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Inc., the National Association of Professional Women and the South Miami Kendall Bar Association.
Considering each of her clients as members of her own family, Ms. Valdes strives to help them develop plans that are tailored to meet their needs and their wishes. She helps people create wills and trusts, establish powers of attorney, put living wills in place and designate guardians for themselves or their children. Beginning her career as an intern and then as an employee for the Miami-Dade County Probate Court’s chief judge, Ms. Valdes gained valuable knowledge of the processes and procedures related to probate administration, guardianship, and litigation matters related to both areas. She draws on this experience to help her expeditiously and efficiently achieve resolutions to her clients’ legal issues.
Irama has a passion for helping her clients through difficult times. Contact her today for a comprehensive consultation.
Practice areas
Estate planning is the process of anticipating and arranging for the disposal of an estate during a person's life. Estate planning typically attempts to eliminate uncertainties over the administration of a probate and maximize the value of the estate by reducing taxes and other expenses.
11 years
A guardianship is a legal proceeding in the circuit courts of Florida in which a guardian is appointed to exercise the legal rights of an incapacitated person and is governed by Chapter 744, Florida Statutes.
11 years
Probate is a legal process that takes place after someone dies. Probate is necessary to prove a deceased person's will is valid, to identify and inventory the deceased person's probatable assets, and distributing the property as the Will (or state law, if there's no will) directs.
11 years
Family law deals with family matters and domestic relations, including: marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships; adoption and surrogacy, child abuse and paternity, child support, and other related matters.
11 years
Languages spoken
English, Spanish
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
FL | Member in Good Standing | 2010 | 05/16/2022 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2022 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2021 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2020 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2019 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2018 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2017 |
Rising Star | Super Lawyers | 2016 |
200+ Pro Bono Hours | St. Thomas University School of Law | 2010 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Managing Partner | Irama Valdes, P.A. | 2016 - Present |
Vice-Chair | Probate & Guardianship Committee of the Dade County Bar Association | 2016 - Present |
Associate | Luis E. Barreto & Associates, P.A. | 2011 - 2016 |
Case Manager | 11th Judicial Circuit Court Of Miami Dade | 2011 - 2011 |
Summer Associate | Law Offices of Roberto Villasante | 2010 - 2010 |
Legal Intern | 11th Judicial Circuit Court Of Miami Dade | 2010 - 2010 |
President / Site Coordinator | Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) | 2008 - 2010 |
Staff Writer | Miami Living Magazine | 2005 - 2014 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
South Miami-Kendall Bar Association | Member | 2016 - Present |
BNI Miami Dade | Vice President Dadeland Chapter | 2016 - Present |
Miami Lakes Bar Association | Treasurer | 2015 - Present |
Cuban American Bar Association | Member | 2012 - Present |
Florida Association for Women Lawyers (Miami-Dade County chapter) | Member | 2012 - Present |
Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section | Member | 2011 - Present |
Caring About The Strays | Volunteer | 2010 - Present |
Miami Lakes Bar Association | Director | 2014 - 2016 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
ProbateLawMiami.com/Blog | Estate Planning for Singles | 2016 |
ProbateLawMiami.com/Blog | Make Sure He Sees the Glaciers! | 2016 |
ProbateLawMiami.com/Blog | Estate Planning for Elderly | 2016 |
ProbateLawMiami.com/Blog | Preneed Guardian for Children | 2016 |
ProbateLawMiami.com/Blog | Living Wills and Last Wills Are Not The Same | 2016 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
St. Thomas University School of Law | Juris Doctorate | 2010 |
Florida International University | BS - Bachelor of Science | 2007 |
Miami Dade Community College | Associate in Arts | 2004 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Dade County Courthouse; Probate Division | Probate: Summary Administration | 2014 |
Dade County Courthouse, Probate Division | Probate: Distribution and Discharge | 2014 |
Dade County Courthouse; Probate Division | Probate: Summary Administraion | 2012 |
Dade County Courthouse; Probate Division | Probate: Distribution and Discharge | 2012 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Estate Planning - Foreign National | Prepared Last Will and Testament for a foreign national in order to properly devise her interest in a U.S. Property. Successful execution of client's Last Will & Testament. |
Probate Administration | Obtained expeditious appointment of Personal Representative and Order Authorizing Sale of Real Property within three weeks of opening probate matter. |
Probate Litigation | Successfully defended Personal Representative against beneficiary's accusations of misappropriate of rental income from estate assets. Prepared accounting of rental income and obtained dismissal of beneficiary's claims against Personal Representative. |
Guardianship Litigation | Successfully defended Co-Guardian against allegations by other Co-Guardian of fraud and theft. Obtained sole guardianship for my client of her mother and obtained an Court order requiring removed Co-Guardian to account for misappropriated funds. |
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Gina Chevallier, Probate Attorney on Mar 19, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Irama is a highly knowledgeable and capable attorney. I endorse this lawyer.
Jeannine Rodriguez, Probate Attorney on Mar 14, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Irama is an attorney with heart. She is incredibly knowledgeable, informed, and responsive. She is my go-to person for all matters probate, and every referral always calls back with glowing remarks. I look forward to continuing to send her my trusted clients as I know they are in great hands.
David Farber, Probate Attorney on Aug 24, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Irama is a fantastic attorney with wonderful communication skills. She knows how to get the job done in timely, efficient, and cost effective manner while being ever so conscious of her client's loss and the grieving process. I have no hesitation in recommending her to my clients.
Emmanuel Miguelez, Probate Attorney on Aug 10, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Irama is very knowledgeable in the fields of probate, guardianships, and estate planning. She vigorously represents her clients' interests and is always willing to assist her peers. She is a fantastic attorney, and I would definitely recommend her.
Jose Lorenzo, Probate Attorney on Aug 9, 2016
Relationship: Worked for lawyer
I have had the pleasure of knowing Ms. Valdes for several years now. She is professional, knowledgeable and passionate about the practice of probate. We have discussed several probate matters in the past and I have always trusted her option and advice.
Melissa Alton, Estate planning Attorney on May 12, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I highly recommend Ms. Valdes to anyone seeking a professional and knowledge probate and estate planning attorney. I enthusiastically endorse this lawyer!
Barry Simons, Probate Attorney on Apr 20, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Irama is a wonderful person which makes her a better attorney for her clients. She is gracious with her time and is passionate about her clients and her practice. I highly recommend her.
Elina Santana, Probate Attorney on Apr 18, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Irama is passionate about her work and compassionate with her clients. I never hesitate to refer a client or friend to her because I know they will be treated with respect, dignity, and will receive accurate legal advice. I fully wholeheartedly her.
Ross Russell, Unknown Attorney on Apr 18, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Irama is an exceptional probate attorney. She is well respected among her peers and has maintained a reputation for excellence.
John Lassen, Unknown Attorney on Mar 12, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Matthew Lenza, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 24, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Irama answers questions on AVVO with skill and ease and i would be very comfortable referring her a case should the need ever arise.
Jeffrey DeCarlo, Probate Attorney on Jan 19, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Irama was extremely knowledgeable and responsive; a pleasure to deal with and always professional. I have no hesitancy in recommending her if you are someone that needs to open a probate or litigate a probate matter.
Gina Nguyen, Guardianship Attorney on Jan 5, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Irama is a caring and knowledgeable attorney. She is dedicated to her clients and advocates for their wellbeing.
Jacqueline Augusto, Probate Attorney on Dec 16, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Irama is a wonderful attorney who is well respected in the probate community. She has the experience necessary to counsel her clients in their time of need. Irama has a great demeanor and is always attentive to her clients.
Andrea Reyes, Elder law Attorney on Dec 10, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Irama Valdes is a very energetic and driven attorney. She genuinely cares about her clients and treats them with the utmost respect. Her personal experiences fuel the passion that drives her legal career. She cares about the elderly and wants to provide a guiding hand in what is a very complicated and often, scary process of estate planning and guardianship. I have also known Irama for over a decade when we attended high school together. She has always been an outstanding person. I endorse her as an attorney.
Jesse Philippe-Auguste, Probate Attorney on Dec 6, 2015
Relationship: Friend
I have known Irama for years. Since high school in fact. Irama is a very capable and professional attorney and I fully recommend her services!
Haydee Sera, Probate Attorney on Apr 21, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Ms. Valdes is an excellent, detail-oriented attorney. I have had the pleasure of working with Ms. Valdes on a probate matter and know the attention she places on her cases and, more importantly, to her clients. Ms. Valdes has a thorough understanding of this area of law and is a wonderful attorney to serve Florida's legal community.
Raiza Reyes, Guardianship Attorney on Apr 16, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Irama is an amazing and effective lawyer who takes great pride in representing her clients. I endorse her.
Lorena Cortes, Unknown Attorney on Mar 22, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Ms. Valdes is a very professional and experienced attorney. I highly recommend her.
Kenia Molina, Unknown Attorney on Mar 13, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
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