Kevin Burke - Lawyer in Bristol, BS40 5NU, England, United Kingdom, FL

Kevin Michael Burke

Immigration Attorney at Bristol, BS40 5NU, England, United Kingdom, FL

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Florida Trust, Pour-over Will, & Power of Attorney

Defense of claims for Florida based mortgage arrears in 'same name'

I found Kevin through the U.S.Embassy website. Having undergone several months of high anxiety trying to communicate reasonably with Florida based Lawyers determined to pursue me as the person responsible for defaulting on very large mortgage amounts on property in Florida I reached a point where I could go no further and things were looking bleak. I could get no clear, confident advice from the British based Lawyers I approached and while my local M.P. was sympathetic she was unable to advise beyond seeking legal help. Kevin was very helpful - reasonable, thorough and positive yet realistic throughout he eventually succeeded in getting the claims against me dismissed despite a very intransigent Lawyer acting against. His qualifications and experience in the State of Florida and his willingness to go the extra mile undoubtedly went a long way to establishing that I was not the person responsible for this debt. I wholeheartedly recommend Kevin based on my experience of his abilities.

About Kevin

Learn Kevin’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

Immigration

32%

We do not handle all areas of US immigration. We limit our practice to EB-5 visa and E-2 visa applications, and US spousal (not fiancee) visas where one or both spouses are resident in the UK.
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Probate

20%

Florida Probate can involve complicated issues. We seek to keep it simple. Let us help you in deciding the type of Florida probate, and in closing the probate estate with the least possible complications.
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29 years
Estate planning

12%

My estate planning mainly concerns preparing US estate planning documents for UK and european clients in light of property owned in the US. I prepare US revocable living trusts and QDOT wills with a view to taking account of the UK Finance Act 2006.
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29 years
Trusts

10%

Looking to avoid probate in the USA? We specialize in revocable trusts for both US citizens and foreign nationals. For the estates of UK citizens we can advice in relation to the implications of the use of a US trust under UK tax law.
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27 years
Family

5%

While being based in the UK, we can advise and or represent spouses in Florida divorce matters where there is a UK element such as where one spouse and/or children of the parties is/are resident in the UK.
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Residential real estate

5%

We have experience in helping both US citizens and foreign nationals in Florida property purchases. It is helpful to have someone on your side who can provide legal advice and help ensure your purchase has the best chance to go smoothly. You need to have someone to check the closing documents on your behalf including the exceptions on the title commitment. In a sale, sellers may simply want someone to compare the contract to the relevant closing documents to check the division of costs.
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29 years
Tax

5%

We handle the preparation of Form 706 and Form 706NA US Estate & Gift Tax Returns. We are experienced in preparing treaty-based Estate returns of non US residents, through which we may be able to reduce or eliminate estate tax liability.
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Wills and living wills

5%

If you are reside outside of Florida, do you need a Florida will. What are the options available for foreign nationals. We can address these issues with you and look to ensure you are given all the relevant facts needed to make a very important decision
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29 years
Limited liability company (LLC)

3%

Assistance and advice given in relation to setting up or managing a limited liability company and consideration of other entities where proposed owners may be foreign nationals of nations which do not recognize the transparency of a US LLC structure.
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Partnership

3%

Assistance and advice given in relation to setting up or managing a partnership, and/or addressing dissolution of an existing partnership.

I enjoy being a lawyer and making a difference in other people’s lives. Whether it’s helping to dismiss a lawsuit brought by a company against a person who has been wrongfully sued, helping someone in simplifying the purchase of their first Florida dream villa, or in filing estate or inheritance tax paperwork in complicated estates to, wherever possible, reduce to zero a large tax bill.

I am a qualified lawyer in Florida, Ohio, and in England and Wales. How did this happen? Well, after law school I qualified as an attorney in the state of Ohio in 1992, and in Florida in 1994. While practicing in Cape Coral, Florida, I was admitted to the federal bar with the Middle District Court in 1994. In visiting Spain in 1997 I met my English wife.

Being both a US and Irish citizen, I decided to take the qualified lawyer transfer test (QLTT) in England & Wales, and I was appointed as a solicitor in England and Wales in 1999. I was employed as a solicitor and US attorney by Bennetts Solicitors, Attorneys, & Notaries that same year. In 2004, after taking the necessary exam in Miami, I was appointed by the Secretary of State for the state of Florida as a Florida Civil Law Notary.

After the completion of a two year course at the University of Cambridge in England, I was appointed by the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury as a Public Notary in England and Wales in February 2008. I decided to come off the roll of solicitors in 2010 to set up my own firm and concentrate more on my US legal and notarial practice for my US and European clients with US legal needs. I remain an actively practising English lawyer in my capacity as an English Notary Public, further to which I prepare wills, and handle English probate.

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State FL

Status Administrative - Not Authorized to Practice

Acquired 1994

Updated 11/23/2022

State OH

Status Inactive

Acquired 1992

Updated 11/09/2022

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

Contact Kevin

American Attorney Services

Our Offices 1, Yeowood Farm, Iwood Lane

Wrington

Bristol, BS40 5NU, England, United Kingdom, FL, 33993

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Reviews

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4.9 / 5.0

7 customer reviews

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

Posted by William Brown | September 6, 2018

Florida Trust, Pour-over Will, & Power of Attorney

Having heard about Kevin from friends who had used him in the past for their wills, we used him to prepare a Florida living trust, will and power of attorney. He addressed all our questions, clearly explaining in simple terms how a trust functions and how to best protect our assets.

Posted by Steve | October 29, 2015

Defense of claims for Florida based mortgage arrears in 'same name'

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Posted by Tom | January 29, 2015

Very clear and helpful advice in English and Florida law

We met with Mr. Burke to discuss US and UK estate planning. He explained over a number of phone calls and a meeting at his offices in Bristol how estate taxes may apply to the estates of UK residents and the interesting benefits of relying on the treaty between the US and UK. After going through our options in relation to Florida wills, English wills, etc., we decided to go with an English will with STEP provisions (as probate here was unavoidable) and a Florida revocable living trust as this could cover our villa in Florida and assets elsewhere in the USA and could avoid probate. We were happy we could have all this done without trying to use separate lawyers for both countries.

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Posted by Nigel | March 4, 2013

Review of services offered

Just a short line to say thank you so much for all your assistance in us achieving our final closure on our house in Sarasota (Florida). We really appreciate you seeing us at short notice in your busy schedule to both notarise our documents and for the sound professional advice given to enable us to secure our purchase. We will most certainly recommend your services to other friends and family and I hope that we can do business again with you in the near future.

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Posted by Roxy | June 12, 2012

Recent property purchase in Florida

Recently purchased two investment propertys in Florida. Mr Burke came recomended from another client and proved to be Very professional, efficient and totally reliable. He represented me for both transactions and ensured my interests were protected by being very thourogh. Great communication and kept us updated throughout the whole process. Florida property law is obviously very different to UK property law. I would highly recomend Mr Burke to anyone looking to purchase property in Florida.

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Posted by anonymous | June 12, 2012

Professional, thorough service

The sellers of our property in the US put a great deal of pressure on us to close the purchase quickly and Kevin Burke rose to the challenge of completing all research, correspondence and paperwork in a very short amount of time. We were impressed with the speed of his services. He prioritised our case and although everything was completed in a short amount of time his work was consistently thorough. Kevin has excellent knowledge of US property law and as British/French citizens we would have been lost without his advice. There were many points which he raised that were beneficial to us which we hadn't even thought of. I would certainly recommend Kevin Burke to anyone interested in purchasing a property in the US. Kevin also has a close understanding of the tax laws in the US.

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Posted by Keith | November 27, 2015

Helped me carve through a difficult situation

As a UK citizen who jointly owned a property in FL with my UK partner, on her death the difficulties started. Not American, no US will, tenancy not defined on title and UK probate not accepted by the FL court. Kevin Burke was knowledgable in how to approach this difficult situation and resolved the matter of title passing to me and validation of the UK will, so that under a Judge order it was admitted into Florida record. He also knew how to deal with estate tax assessment taking into account agreements in place between UK and US, which in my case meant a zero obligation to the IRS. Communication in all formats was good throughout the process. If I may add just one criticism which affected my award of five stars is that he does speak very rapidly and at times made it difficult to follow, Despite that, if I ever needed such services again I would use him without hesitation.

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Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 8.4 (Excellent)

Work Experience

Principal
Kevin Michael Burke, Attorney & Notary t/a American Attorney Services
2010 - Present

Partner
Bennetts Solicitors, Attorneys & Notaries (in Wrington, Bristol UK)
1999 - 2010

Principal
Law Office of Kevin Michael Burke, Kevin M. Burke, P.A. (Cleveland, OH / Cape Coral, FL)
1992 - 1999

Legal Intern
Miller, Stillman & Bartel, (Cleveland Ohio)
1991 - 1992

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Education

University of Cambridge, England
Postgraduate Diploma in Notarial Studies (PGDip)
2008

NACLN
Civil Law Notary
2004

Cleveland State University
JD - Juris Doctor
1992

Kent State University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1989

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Legal Cases

UK resident without any connection to USA sued by Florida Lender in case of mistaken identity
Dismissal of Lender's Claim - Order granring Defendant's Verified Motion to Dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction, to Quash Service, and Vacate Default

Defense against REMO claim brought in England for interest only on the Florida child support already paid
The English court accepted my argument that as interest was not expressly provided for under REMO that it was solely in their discretion and suggested it was requested far too late and was relief which was not available to English plaintiffs.

Claim under Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act (ILSFDA), breach of contract, securities violations, etc.
favourable Consent Judgment signed and settlement reached

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Associations

American Attorneys in the UK
Founding Member
2012 - Present

Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Full Member
2011 - Present

The Notaries Society of England & Wales
Attorney Member & Course Instructor
2008 - Present

Florida Civil Law Notary
Attorney Member
2004 - Present

National Association of Civil Law Notaries
Attorney Member
2004 - Present

American Immigration Lawyers Association
Member
1999 - Present

American Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Committee
Member
2008 - 2013

Federation of Overseas Property Developers Agents and Consultants
member
2004 - 2007

Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
committee member
2004 - 2013

Section of International Law, Florida Bar
committee member
2000 - 2013

Law Society of England and Wales
Solicitor (now former solicitor)
1999 - 2010

American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section
committee member
1997 - 2015

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Languages Spoken

Spanish

Awards

Wills & Probate Law Firm of the Year in South West England
www.corp-intl.com
2016

Most Innovative Law Firm of 2016, Bristol
Acquisition International Magazine
2016

Wills & Probate Law Firm of the Year in SW England 2016
Global Law Experts
2016

US Immigration Law Firm of the Year in England - 2015
Global Law Experts (GLE) / 2015 Corporate Intl Magazine Legal Award
2015

Honoree, America's Most Honored Professionals 2015
America's Most Honored Professionals
2015

Nominee
Acquisition International Legal Awards 2015
2015

Nominee
2015 European Corporate Excellence Awards
2015

US Immigration Law Firm of the Year in England – 2014
Global Law Experts (GLE) / 2014 Corporate Intl Magazine Legal Award
2014

Advanced Certificate in Will Preparation
Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners
2013

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Publications

Insider - June 2010 (UK)
"American Dream"
2010

A Place in the Sun Magazine (UK)
"Living and working in the USA"
2007

Florida Magazine (UK)
"Ensuring there are no construction skeletons in your Florida dream home"
2004

Homes Overseas Magazine
"Avoiding the ‘Con’ in Consultancy in U.S. Immigration Scams"
2003

Homes Overseas Magazine
"Buying a Property in Florida? – Make sure you know who’s on your side"
2002

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Speaking Engagements

22 January 2015 - SKY News
Television appearance on UK's SKY International News re legal options of Prince Andrew
2015

2015 AILA Global Immigration Forum - June 17 2015 - Maryland
2015 AILA Global Immigration Forum: Speaker Invitation Jan 11, 2015
2015

Course Instructor for CPE (CLE) Course (Southampton, Chester, Essex, Kidderminster
"American Legal Documents"
2013

Course Instructor at "Continuing Education Day" CPE (CLE) course, 16 May 2013, Grange Holborn Hotel, London
"US Documents, A Practical Approach"
2013

Panel Speaker at OPP (Overseas Property Professional) Live - London Excel, Thursday 11 October 2012
"The Top 5 Legal Pitfalls for Agents and Developers Selling Property
2012

Homes Overseas Exhibition
Panel Speaker at "Buying Florida Property" - Panel of Florida Property Experts, London, UK
2005

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Attorney endorsements

Received (48)

Given (153)

Endorse Kevin

Derek Jacques

Family Attorney | Nov 01
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Torrie is an amazing advocate for those in need. I would not hesitate to send my own clients his way."

Ali Ebrahimzadeh

Unknown Attorney | Jan 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington

Criminal defense Attorney | Oct 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Mark Clay

Estate planning Attorney | Aug 23
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I highly endorse Mr. Burke. Truly exceptional and caring attorney who produces great results in representing clients! I want all people to contact him for help."

Travis Newton

Personal injury Attorney | Aug 03
Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

James Newell

Immigration Attorney | Jul 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Kevin. He is well respected among fellow lawyers."

Vonnie Dones

Estate planning Attorney | Apr 02
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."

Judd Nemiro

Unknown Attorney | Mar 31
Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. Definitely on the path to greatness."

Robert Cohen

Immigration Attorney | Mar 30
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He really knows his craft."

Mark Murad

Unknown Attorney | Mar 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He is one of the best lawyers!"

Simon Kabzan

Unknown Attorney | Nov 18
Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer as one who is a specialist in their field and highly recommend."

Dmitry Gorin

Personal injury Attorney | Oct 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Kevin Burke. Exceptional attorney who is a highly respected member in the legal community."

Joseph Torri

Unknown Attorney | Sep 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

John Ralls

Personal injury Attorney | Jul 22
Relationship: Other

"I endorse this talented and knowledgeable attorney, who is well-respected in the legal community."

Richard Rosenstein

Unknown Attorney | Jun 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael Waddington

Personal injury Attorney | Jun 06
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Kevin. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Randal Moore

Unknown Attorney | Apr 29
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the community."

Sean Cleary

Estate planning Attorney | Apr 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. A brilliant attorney and a highly respected one in the legal community."

Gary Brod

Real estate Attorney | Apr 14
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Ligia Parmenter

Unknown Attorney | Mar 23
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Kevin Michael Burke is an experienced attorney whose participation and comments in Avvo show his commitment to serving clients very well. He is an excellent attorney that I recommend wholeheartedly."

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