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Emma Sleeth Hemness

Elder law Attorney at Brandon, FL

5.0   6 reviews

also known as Emma Hemness

  • Licensed for 28 years
    State FL
    Acquired 1995
    Status
    Member in Good Standing No misconduct found

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

About Emma

Learn Emma’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  1. Elder law
    25%
    Elder Law is a highly specialized area of law dedicated to addressing the unique legal needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities. It may include obtaining government assistance benefits such as Medicaid and Veteran's benefits to defray the cost of a long term illness, such as Alzheimers. Elder Law also includes guardianship proceedings for those who are mentally impaired and need protection from others who may exploit their vulnerability.

  2. Estate planning
    25%
    Estate planning for persons of all ages includes legal documents which protect you, your spouse and your children while alive, as well as protect their inheritances following your demise. Probate avoidance and estate tax minimization are key objectives. Estate plans may be a Will or Living Trust. But, everyone should also have a Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Surrogate Designation and Living Will. Probate may be necessary as a part of Estate Planning with only a Will.

  3. Medicaid and medicare
    20%

  4. Guardianship
    10%

  5. Probate
    10%

  6. Trusts
    10%

EXPERIENCED, KNOWLEDGEABLE, REPUTABLE. LISTED AMONG TOP 50 WOMEN AND TOP 100 ATTORNEYS IN FLORIDA

Thank you for taking the time to learn a little more about me and my credentials as a Elder Law and Special Needs Attorney and founder of the Law Office of Emma Hemness located in Brandon, near Tampa Florida.  We focus on Planning, Protecting and Preserving those things that are most important to you and your loved ones.

 

If you have aging parents or a loved one with a intellectual disability, then you have come to the right place.  Our law firm only practices in the field of Florida Elder Law.  We handle matters related to Medicaid, Veterans Benefit, and SSI qualification.  We advise clients of all ages and wealth about what is best for their estate planning needs:  a Will or a revocable living trust.  We prepare necessary Florida documents such as Durable Power of Attorney and Advance Directives involving end of life care.  In addition to being your attorney for a probate or trust administration, our firm is frequently hired in contested matters such as guardianship and probate litigation.  We also protect our clients against elder exploitation and abuse.  If a person needs a special needs trust due to a personal injury settlement or medical negligence settlement, we are here to help.  We can also provide planning opportunities to allow you to look ahead into the future with certainty if you are concerned about outliving your money due to a long term illness.  We discuss how your hard-earned assets can be sheltered legally through specialized long term care asset protection trusts.

 

If you need skilled and knowledgeable elder law attorneys, please consider us.  We are here to help you with your aging loved ones or vulnerable disabled person.  In the meantime, please look at over 100 video FAQs on our website, to help you find immediate answers to your concerns.

 

Also, please LIKE our Law Firm Facebook page if you are interested in keeping up with the the latest news about aging matters and issues affecting persons with disabilities.  As you know, it's FREE.  

Awards

Client's Choice 2018
Client's Choice
2018

Photos and videos

Contact Emma

Law Office of Emma Hemness PA

Reviews

5.0 / 5.0
  6 customer reviews
5 Star
 
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4 Star
 
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Client's Choice 2018
Client's Choice
Client's Choice is an Avvo award granted to attorneys with a significant number of client reviews over 4 stars in a given year.
Posted by Galey | June 28, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Excellent Law Firm
Emma was very personable, as well as professional and answered all the questions we had. Our signed Estate Documents were given to us in a legal binder, which was very nice.
Posted by Scott | June 21, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
I am resting easier now.
Emma Hemness did estate planning for me and set up a special needs trust for my son. I found her to be kind, compassionate, intelligent and professional. There is much to be considered when leaving behind a child (at whatever age) who can't take care of himself. I have been blessed to have this young man in my life. Ms. Hemness thought of everything. She helped me to create a trust including a special needs trust and put together a living will. She helped me to consider end of life choices and create a power of attorney. The power of attorney will allow a family member an easy transition to administer my estate and help my son at my passing. She did all this while insuring my son would not be deprived of the social safety net that is helping him now. I am more than grateful to her for making something very difficult like this possible. I rest easier knowing I have done the best I can to protect my son.
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Posted by Veronica Joyce | June 15, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Ronnie and Barbara
Ms. Hemness has been our attorney for many years. Her integrity, broad knowledge, and dedication to service provides an admirable example to which all lawyers should aspire. If there were more stars, we would include them in our rating!
Posted by DALE | June 14, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Legal Assistance For the Whole Family
Guardianship and Special needs trust for our disabled daughter, Elder Law concerns for my father or our own estate planning. Emma Hemness and her staff have been there for us all.
Posted by William | May 3, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Wills and Trust
We were very happy with our Will and Trust condultion and the final paperwork.
Posted by anonymous | May 16, 2011
She's Good
We had need of Ms Hemness expertise 7 yerars ago for my father. Now that I am going through the same things for my mother, she is the first attorney that I would turn to.
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Cost

Rates
  • Hourly Rates $ 350-495 per hour
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Board Certified Elder Law Attorney
  • Law Office of Emma Hemness PA
  • 1998 - Present

Education

  • Stetson University College of Law
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • N/A
  • Florida Southern College
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • N/A

Legal Cases

  • Protecting Assets for Your Spouse whose is Ill.
  • Asset protection accomplished

Associations

  • Special Needs Alliance
  • Member
  • 2007 - Present
  • Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
  • Member
  • 2000 - Present
  • Florida Bar
  • Member
  • 1995 - Present
  • Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys
  • Member
  • N/A
  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
  • Member
  • N/A
  • Florida Bar, Elder Law Section
  • Member
  • N/A
  • Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys
  • President
  • 2015 - 2015
  • Better Living for Seniors of Hillsborough County
  • President
  • 2011 - 2012
  • Medicaid Committee, Elder Law Section
  • Co-Chair
  • 2010 - 2013
  • West Central Florida Area Agency on Aging
  • Chair
  • 2009 - 2012
  • Elder Law Section, Florida Bar
  • Chair
  • 2007 - 2008
View all associations

Honors and Awards

  • Top 50 Lawyers in Tampa Bay
  • Tampa Bay Magazine
  • 2017
  • Top 100 Lawyers in Florida
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2017
  • Top 50 Women Lawyers in Florida
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2017
  • Member of the Year
  • Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys
  • 2016
  • Top 50 Women Lawyers in Florida
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2016
  • Legal Elite
  • Florida Trend Magazine
  • 2016
  • Super Lawyer in Elder Law
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2015
  • Super Lawyer in Elder Law
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2014
  • Legal Elite
  • Florida Trend Magazine
  • 2014
  • Member of the Year
  • Florida Bar, Elder Law Section
  • 2011
  • Super Lawyer in Elder Law
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2011
  • Top 50 Women Attorneys in Florida
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2011
  • Super Lawyer in Elder Law
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2010
  • Super Lawyer in Elder Law
  • Super Lawyers Magazine
  • 2009
  • Member of the Year, Florida Chapter
  • National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
  • 2008
  • Certified Elder Law Attorney
  • National Elder Law Foundation
  • 2005
  • Board Certification in Elder Law
  • Florida Bar, Elder Law Section
  • 2004
View all awards

Speaking Engagements

  • Annual Update
  • Medicaid Planning
  • 2015
  • Certification Review Course in Elder Law
  • Medicaid
  • 2012
  • Certification Review Course in Elder Law
  • Medicaid
  • 2011
  • AFELA UnProgram
  • Hot Topics in Medicaid Reform
  • 2011
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (1)
Given (0)
Endorse Emma
Elder law Attorney | Jun 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Attorney Emma Hemness is an excellent attorney in the Tampa, Florida, area. Emma understands the unique needs of the seniors and their families needing long term care assistance and has significant experience helping seniors and their families in the areas of elder law, estate planning, guardianship and probate. When I recommend an attorney in Tampa, I recommend Emma."
This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.