We have not found any cost information for this lawyer
Melissa Finley Williams
also known as Melissa Williams
About Melissa
Biography
CALL US:
Melissa Finley Williams is the principal attorney at Finley Williams Law, PA. Mrs. Williams is a Florida native and was born in St. Petersburg, Florida and raised in Clearwater, Florida. She relocated back to the Tampa Bay area with her family in 2016. Prior to establishing the Finley Williams Law Firm in St. Petersburg, Mrs. Williams spent two years in a private law office practicing in the areas of wills, trusts and estates, Medicaid planning, and VA Aid & Attendance. She later joined a larger firm in the Orlando, Florida area and successfully grew and managed a new location for the firm in The Villages, Florida. While managing the firm's new location, Mrs. Williams focused her practice in the areas of estate planning, guardianship, Medicaid planning, VA Aid & Attendance, elder law, business law, landlord-tenant law, and homeowners association law.
Mrs. Williams is an active member of the Florida Bar, St. Pete Bar, Clearwater Bar, Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, and Florida Bar Elder Law Section. She has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law teaching interviewing, counseling, and negotiation to second and third-year law students. She volunteers her time with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Suncoast, helping youth reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. She is also a member of the Junior League of St. Petersburg.
Mrs. Williams graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she served as a Student Ambassador and was an active member of the Real Property Law Association. She also attended the University of Florida as an undergraduate student and graduated cum laude with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology. Mrs. Williams served as the Vice President and Secretary of the Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity during her undergraduate studies. She graduated salutatorian from Pinellas Park High School.
Mrs. Williams enjoys spending time with her family on the beach, boating, and watching Gator football games.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Florida for 13 years
State: Florida
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
Location
Finley Williams Law, PA
111 Second Avenue NE, Suite 909, Saint Petersburg, FL, 33701
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Melissa Finley Williams's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 10 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | May 19, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Best Choice I Ever Made
After our initial consultation, I hired Attorney Williams. Having her on my side has been such a relief after trying to deal with some personal legal matters on my own.. She is sharp, down to earth, and puts you at ease the moment you walk into her office. She came highly recommended and they were...
Posted by anonymous | April 24, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Professional and Caring
Mrs. Williams was able to see me within a few days of calling and I knew then she was the right person for my case. She handled a very stressfull situation with professionalism and patience. I would not have made it through the probate process without her help. On top of a good experience with Mrs. W...
Posted by anonymous | August 29, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent Guidance in Landlord Tenant Issue
Melissa Williams was efficient and extremely helpful in resolving my issue with a tenant who had become further and further behind on his rent. Unfortunately after many attempts to negotiate with the tenant by myself, I could not give anymore time and it was time to evict. I am extremely thankful for...
Posted by anonymous | February 12, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Made things simple
We had to have wills, trusts and healthcare surrogate documentation updated. Melissa was thorough and efficient. It was a fast and painless process.
Posted by Sheryl Garelick | January 8, 2016 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Super Professional Attorney and Colleague
I met Melissa for a consultation and was so impressed with her vast knowledge of elder law, estate planning and other topics of concern to me and my family that I asked her to speak to a large group I knew would also benefit from her expertise. She 'wow'ed them and I know many others became clients t...
Melissa Finley Williams's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have the utmost respect for Melissa as an attorney. She is a wonderful advocate for her clients, has a great deal of knowledge in her areas of practice and is respected by her fellow attorneys. I would not hesitate to recommend her."
"Melissa Finley Williams is the founder and principal of Finley Williams Law, P.A. in St. Petersburg. Melissa is a skilled attorney that works tirelessly for her clients. She has subject matter expertise in estate planning, elder law, guardianship, probate and trust administration, Medicaid and veterans benefits and real property law. She provides her clients with legacy planning that is tailored to their needs. Melissa maintains a blog to address various legal issues. She is active in The Florida Bar, St. Pete Bar, Clearwater Bar, Suncoast Estate Planning Council, Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers, and Florida Bar Elder Law Section. She has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. She has an exceptional “bedside manner” breaking down complex legal issues for her clients. Without hesitation I recommend and endorse Melissa."
"Melissa is without question one of the finest lawyers in the area. Her dedication to her clients and willingness to work hard to find the right solution for each client is refreshing. I can highly recommend her."
"I endorse this lawyer. Professional; Intelligent; Reasonable; and Zealous."
"Mrs. Finley Williams is a hard-working and diligent attorney. She is very knowledgeable and passionate about obtaining great results for her clients. I endorse this lawyer!"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have had the opportunity to work with Melissa on multiple occasions. She is an intelligent and passionate attorney who cares about her clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"I strongly endorse Ms. Williams as a litigator and elder law practitioner in the central Florida area. She understands both the equities and procedures of legal issues and effectively advocates for her clients in order to obtain good resolutions."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is an intelligent, caring and thorough attorney with a passion for what she does. Melissa has a complete understanding of the legal areas she practices and is able to provide sound legal advice with a consideration of the practical matters which the client is concerned with. She is a great attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is an excellent estate planning attorney and I recommend her whole-heatedly. She is detail-oriented and does solid work for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Melissa is an excellent wills ands trusts lawyer and I recommend her without hesitation. She is caring and does a great job!"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Melissa is a compassionate and patient attorney. She strives to work at the best of her ability, which in turn produces satisfactory results for her clients. I endorse this lawyer."
Jennifer Terrana
Guardianship lawyer
Charles Gallagher
Unknown lawyer
Benndrick Watson
Real estate lawyer
James Keedy
Mediation lawyer
Cara Singeltary
Real estate lawyer
Ashley Hunt
Guardianship lawyer
Charis Campbell
Family lawyer
Katina Pantazis
Unknown lawyer
Edward Emrick IV
Unknown lawyer
Amy Pittman
Estate planning lawyer
Experience
Honors
2017
Best Elder Law Firm - Pinellas County, Legal Elite
2017
Excellence Award for Real Property Law - Pinellas County, Legal Elite
2017
Best of Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Times
2013
Forty Under 40, Business In the Heart of Florida
2011
Lewis Ansbacher Real Property Award, Lewis Ansbacher Memorial
Work Experience
2016 - Present
Principal Attorney, Finley Williams Law, PA
2014 - 2016
Attorney, BCN Law Firm
2013 - 2015
Adjunct Professor, University Of Florida Levin College Of Law
2012 - 2014
Attorney, Trotter Soulsby, PA
2011 - 2012
Clerk, Chandler, Lang, Haswell & Cole, PA
2010 - 2010
Clerk, Sixth Judicial Circuit Court
Associations
2018 - Present
Junior League of St. PeteChair of Merchandising
2018 - Present
Leadership St. PeteMember - Class of 2018
2017 - Present
Junior League of St. PeteMember
2017 - Present
Thomas E. Penick, Jr. Elder Law American Inn of Court At Stetson LawMember
2017 - Present
St. Petersburg ChamberMember
2016 - Present
St. Petersburg Bar Association, Real Property SectionMember
2016 - Present
Better Living for SeniorsMember
2016 - Present
Guardian Association of Pinellas CountyMember
2016 - Present
Suncoast Estate Planning CouncilMember
2016 - Present
Florida Association for Women Lawyers (Pinellas County chapter)Member
2016 - Present
Clearwater Bar AssociationMember
2016 - Present
St. Petersburg Bar AssociationMember
2015 - Present
Bankruptcy Bar of the Middle District of FloridaMember
2012 - Present
Florida Bar, Elder Law SectionMember
2012 - Present
Florida Bar Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law SectionMember
2016 - 2016
Villages Women's Giving AllianceFounding Member
2016 - 2016
Leesburg Regional Medical Center FoundationBoard Member
2015 - 2016
Rotary Club of The Villages NoonCommittee Member
2015 - 2016
Boys & Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties - Lady Lake UnitBoard Member
2014 - 2016
Central Florida Association of Women LawyersMember
2014 - 2016
Cornerstone HospiceAdvisory Board
2014 - 2016
Lake County Bar AssociationMember
2012 - 2016
Sumter County Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
In re: Guardianship of JAS
Husband was named Guardian instead of a professional guardian.
In re: Guardianship of RB
Parties came to an agreement regarding the care of the AIP and the Agent retained the power to care for the AIP.
Education
2012
University of Florida, Fredric G. Levin College of Law
Juris Doctor
N/A
University of Florida
Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2016
Sudden Death - Are You Prepared?
Estate Planning
2016
Special Needs Planning
Planning for Special Needs Beneficiaries
2015
VA Aid & Attendance and Medicaid Planning in Florida
Medicaid and VA Benefits
2015
Getting Your "Closet" In Order
Estate Planning
2014
Medicaid Planning for Nursing Home Care
Medicaid Planning
2011
Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association
Problem Juries - CLE
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
What is an Authenticated Copy of a Will - in Florida?
19 Apr 2017
Q&A
Attorney is trying to administer a fraudulent amendment to a trust estate
31 Jan 2017
Q&A
Can I kick someone out of house co-owned in FL? Other owner in jail.
04 Sep 2016