State Years

Florida - FL 11 years

Texas - TX 4 years

Missouri - MO 11 years

Virginia - VA 14 years
Licensed for 11 years

State FL

Acquired 2011

Status
Member in Good Standing No misconduct found
Licensed for 4 years

State TX

Acquired 2019

Status
Not Eligible to Practice - Administrative No misconduct found
Licensed for 11 years

State MO

Acquired 2012

Status
Inactive No misconduct found
Licensed for 14 years

State VA

Acquired 2009

Status
Inactive No misconduct found

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

Debra Ann Faulkner

Estate planning Attorney at Oldsmar, FL

About
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Resume

Knows her stuff!

CFO

About Debra

Learn Debra’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

Estate planning

35%

With a special focus on tax consequences and asset protection, we create revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, life insurance trusts, health care surrogate, living wills, & buy-sell agreements. We help entrepreneurs with business succes
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Business

25%

Business transactional work including incorporation of partnerships, Limited Liability Companies and corporations; operating agreements, partnership, shareholder and stock restriction agreements; phantom stock & options plans.
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Mergers and acquisitions

15%

Buy-sell agreements, cross-purchase agreements, employment contracts, non-disclosure and non-compete agreements, and owner-financed sale documents. Promissory notes with security agreements or stock pledged as collateral transactions.
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Probate

15%

We help you through the post-death transfer of assets, whether through probate court, or through trust administration.
Debt and lending agreements

10%

Promissory notes, security agreements, subordination or inter-creditor agreements, assignment and assumption agreements, mortgage agreements, accounts receivable letters.

At 19, Debbie graduated from Stetson cum laude and earned the distinction of being Stetson's youngest graduate since its founding in 1883.

After graduating, Debbie worked full-time as assistant to the CEO of a local 400+ employee company. She was responsible for locating international investment properties for company expansion, organizing and participating in team-building and morale development meetings for key employees, and providing customer service to corporate clients. She worked closely with management to streamline activities, increase productivity, and effectuate change in the office atmosphere to promote employee development and growth. Through her experience Debbie became intimately familiar with the challenges and demands of running a small business including accounts receivable, accounts payable, mail solutions, invoicing, responding to customer demands, morale boosting, budgeting, and file & client management.

Debbie attended Cornell Law School - one of the five Ivy League law schools - and became the first person in her family to obtain a graduate-level education. Upon graduating, Debbie accepted an appellate clerkship with the Court of Appeals of Virginia. In 2012, Debbie returned to school and obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation from Washington University in St. Louis. In the Taxation program, Debbie focused her coursework on sophisticated personal estate and tax planning.

Debbie currently serves on the Executive Council of the Florida Bar's Real Property, Probate and Trust Committee and serves on the following sub-committees: Real Estate Structures & Tax, Asset Protection, Probate Law. Debbie was selected to teach a Certified Legal Education class by the Florida Bar Asset Protection Committee and her article on taxation implications of structuring real estate transactions has been published in the statewide publication, Actionline

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Burke Faulkner Law, P.A.

3937 Tampa Road #2

Oldsmar, FL, 34677

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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0

17 customer reviews

5 Star

100%

4 Star

3 Star

2 Star

1 Star

Posted by Joe | October 16, 2019

Knows her stuff!

In my first time working with Debbie, she was responsive, efficient, and highly knowledgeable. I am very pleased and happy to recommend her!

Posted by anonymous | September 30, 2019

CFO

We consult with her for most of our corporate legal issues like drafting and reviewing agreements such as license agreements with customer/vendor, sale/purchase of membership units in a company etc, She is simple, knowledgeable, approachable, very friendly. More importantly, approachable even after office hours in case of any urgency

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Posted by Alan | December 26, 2018

Very pleased with Debbie and her firm

Debbie was caring, bright, professional and all one would ask for in an Estate Planning attorney. We highly recommend her services.

Posted by Tony | November 29, 2018

A Caring Bright Intelligent Lawyer

Miss Faulkner guided me through a tough time when I needed a lawyer and a friend. She worked diligently to develop a family trust that would right for our situation. Though she is young she is an experienced, knowledgeable and qualified lawyer.

Posted by Karen | November 18, 2018

LAST TESTAMENT AND WILL

My experience with Attorney Debra Faulkner was very pleasant and professional. She and her staff made me feel at ease in a comfortable and friendly environment. Attorney Debra was extremely attentive in listening to me and through in explaining how my estate planning works for me and for my best interest. Her character and professional ethics are a such a rare trait in today's business world. Her staff immediately answered any questions when I had called. I feel extremely blessed to have Attorney Debra Faulkner in the successful process of my Last Will and Testament. I will definitely recommend her to anyone who needs help with family law issues.

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Posted by Margaret | November 16, 2018

Fantastic professional service

Debbie fully understood my corporate and estate needs and she will be handling legal needs going forward. I highly recommend her and her firm. Margaret

Posted by Lance | November 16, 2018

Professional and Highly Skilled

Debbie helped me more in a few hours than three previous attorneys combined. She is professional, positive, extraordinaly kind, extremely intelligent and most importantly gets the job done with minimal stress to the client. I highly recommend this attorney.

Posted by Dr. Bob | May 26, 2017

Outstanding Attorney.

I hired Attorney Faulkner in 2016 after having had an unfortunate experience with another lawyer. Attorney Faulkner met with me to understand what my legal goals and needs were. She proposed a game plan and we went forward. Without question, Attorney Faulkner is the best attorney I've ever worked with. She is knowledgeable and competent. She is an excellent communicator and always responds in a timely manner to my inquiries (even at 12 midnight!!) She always follows through with what she says she's going to do. She has a great understanding of the law and the legal process and she is thoughtful, candid and most effective in how to negotiate the legal system and its procedures. Additionally, I regard Attorney Faulkner as a quality person who is very interested in her client's personal background and issues. Her approach is both personal and professional. I feel she hashigh standards and expectations for herself and her clients; she is a person of high integrity; a professional with great empathy and listening skills; and, a juris with a strong desire to do everything she can to help her client be successful to the extent possible. It has been an honor to be Attorney Faulkner's client and to have my faith restored in the legal profession by such a competent professional as she. I greatly appreciate all she has done to help me with my very complicated case. Thank you! Dr. Bob

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Posted by Kevin | February 16, 2017

Trust Establishment

Debbie was very knowledgeable and versed in the laws governing Trusts. Our Trust was drawn timely and proficiently, and complied with all legal reviews required to establish this legal entity for the benefit of a dependent.

Posted by anonymous | February 9, 2017

Consummate Professional

Ms. Faulkner possesses a fervent work ethic. From the time Ms. Faulkner took me on as a client, she has always made herself available to speak with me - even during the weekends. Ms. Faulkner is very knowledgeable, and she is a consummate professional. I would recommend Ms. Faulkner to anyone in need of both tax advise and/or estate planning counseling.

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Posted by anonymous | April 3, 2015

Quality Service Standards

I was referred to Ms. Faulkner for legal guidance on an estate issue. She is a great strategist who provided ethical, viable options to resolve challenges my family faced. I'm impressed with her devotion to her clients and quick follow up on questions that may arise. Her extensive and diverse law experience is remarkable. I have strongly recommended Ms. Faulkner to friends and family and received great feedback on her quality service.

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Posted by Peter | March 30, 2015

Petition for Deed transfer

Debbie's professional and personal attention to my case was great. The attention to details were and efficient and handled in a quick and timely manor. The compassion and understanding for my case was wonderful. I would refer the Faulkner Firm to anyone who asked me about Legal maters knowing that they could help or point them in the right direction. Thank you for your time Peter

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Posted by Casey Cane / CCI Developments, Inc. | March 27, 2015

Best in the Bay

The Faulkner Firm is a well oiled machine. Attorney Debra Faulkner has represented my personal and business matters for a number of years with the adequacy and proficiency I expect and demand as a business owner. She continues to serve my individual needs in excess of my expectations as matters arise with a due diligence of achieving the goal each and every time. Her profound understanding of Law combined with her professionalism proves to be refreshing in an every growing and competitive industry. I personally and professionally recommend this Firm for Taxes, Will's, Business Litigation Matters, Contract review, Construction Lien Litigation Matters and Real-Estate Law.

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Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2015

A Tax Attorney you can count on

We were very lucky to connect with Attorney Faulkner when we had a significant tax issue to deal with. She was informative, knowledgeable and very comfortable in dealing with our issues. Best of all, she got us what seemed an impossibly favorable outcome.

Posted by David | March 27, 2015

Invaluable asset on my team

Having worked with Debbie Faulkner on family and business Estate planning, Tax, Trust, WIll, Power of Attorney, LLC creation and maintenance in 3 states, and several other matters I have come to depend on Ms. Faulkner's depth of knowledge, thoroughness, and get it done now approach. Highly Recommended.

Posted by Janice | June 29, 2013

New Business Contracts

Ms. Faulkner constructed business agreements for my new business. She took the time to explain the pros and cons of many clauses I could include in my agreements. She then advised me how to correctly complete the agreements with my clients. She helped me get off to a great start. I look forward to a lasting relationship with Debbie as my business grows.

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Posted by anonymous | June 14, 2013

Great lawyer

Debbie is an excellent lawyer who is very thorough and a pleasure to work with. She is extremely knowledgeable in all aspects of estate planning and is an expert in explaining concepts to her clients in a manner that is comprehensive but easy to understand. Highly recommended.

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Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

Managing Partner
Burke Faulkner Law, P.A.
2013 - Present

Assistant State Attorney
State Attorney, Sixth Judicial Circuit
2011 - 2012

Law Clerk
Virginia Court Of Appeals
2009 - 2011

Legal Intern
U.S. Attorney's Office
2009 - 2009

Legal Intern
U.S. Air Force Jag Corps
2008 - 2008

Law Clerk
U.S. District Court Middle District Florida
2008 - 2008

View all work experience

Education

American College of Trust & Estate Counsel
Florida Fellows Program Graduate
2017

Washington University School of Law
LL.M - Master of Laws
2013

Cornell Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
2009

Stetson University
B.A.
2005

American University
Semester in Washington
2004

View all education

Legal Cases

Insurance company incorporation
Great

Medical billing company Incorporation
Great

Irrevocable trust
Great

View all legal cases

Associations

Gulf Coast Estate Planning Council
Co-Founder and President
2017 - Present

Florida Bar, Asset Protection Committee
Member
2016 - Present

Florida Bar Membership and Inclusion Committee
Member
2015 - Present

Florida Bar Real Property Structures and Taxation Committee
Board Member
2015 - Present

Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
Member
2013 - Present

Missouri Bar
Member
2012 - Present

Florida Bar
Member
2011 - Present

United States Parachute Association
B-licensed Skydiver
2011 - Present

Virginia State Bar
Associate Member
2009 - Present

American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Palm Harbor/Tarpon Springs
Chairman
2015 - 2017

Clearwater Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
Chair, Oyster Roast Committee
2014 - 2014

East Lake Library Foundation Board
Chairman
2014 - 2016

Ruth Eckard Hall Planned Giving Council
Board Member
2014 - 2015

Morton Plant Mease Planned Giving Advisory Council
Attorney Member
2013 - 2016

Gulf Coast Legal Foundation
Volunteer Attorney
2013 - 2014

Charles Schwab Select Investor Advisory Group
Investor Advisor
2013 - 2015

Clearwater Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
Member
2013 - 2014

Clearwater Bar Association
Member
2013 - 2017

Cornell Law School Moot Court Board
Member
2007 - 2009

Lawyers in MENSA
Member
2006 - 2009

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Languages Spoken

English

Spanish

Honors and Awards

Rising Star
Super Lawyers
2019

Top 40 Lawyers Under 40 - Trust & Estates
American Society of Legal Advocates
2019

Rising Star
Super Lawyers
2018

Top 40 Lawyers Under 40
American Society of Legal Advocates
2018

Rising Star
Super Lawyers
2017

Top 40 Lawyers Under 40
American Society of Legal Advocates
2017

Rising Star
Super Lawyers
2016

Up and Comer Award
Tampa Bay Business Journal
2013

Merit Scholar
Washington University in St. Louis
2012

Scholarship Recipient
Cornell Law School
2006

Youngest Known Graduate
Stetson University
2005

Presidential Service Award for Community Service
White House
2003

Presidential Scholarship
Stetson University
2003

Everyday Hero Award
Bay News 9
2001

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Publications

National Business Institute Seminar
Business Succession Planning
2019

National Business Institute Seminar
Basic Tax Planning & Updates
2019

Action Line, a publication of The Florida Bar's Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section
Practice Pointer - Estate Planning Best Practices
2018

Action Line, a publication of The Florida Bar's Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section
A Primer on Taxation Considerations in Structuring Real Estate Holdings
2017

Res Ipsa Loquitur (CBA)
Avoiding Digital Deficits in Estate Planning
2014

trustbryancave.com
$5 million Federal Estate Tax Exemption Doesn't Mean You're Safe from Tax at Death
2013

liiBulletin
Klein & Co. Futures Inc. v. Board of Trade City of New York U.S. Supreme Court Preview
2008

liiBulletin
Richlin Security Service Co. v. Chertoff U.S. Supreme Court Preview
2008

liiBulletin
Washington State Grange v. Washington State Republican Party Supreme Court Preview
2007

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Speaking Engagements

Seminar
When a Will Isn't Enough
2019

Seminar
Estate Planning 101
2019

Women's Symposium
Women in the Law
2017

Synovus Team Training
Hot Topics in Estate and Tax Planning: Titling Accounts
2013

Criminal Law Society's Job Panel
Seeking and Obtaining Summer Employment
2013

Questions in the Courtyard
Appellate Clerkships
2012

Tampa Bay Computer Society
Skip Tracing
2008

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Attorney endorsements

Received (12)

Given (8)

Endorse Debra

Paul Knudsen

Contracts and agreements Attorney | Nov 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Debbie and I used to work together as prosecutors. Now I send all of my clients with business related issues to her knowing full well she will provide an exceptional service."

Mark Perenich

Business Attorney | Nov 07
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"It's my honor to endorse Debbie. Debbie is a brilliant lawyer, she knows what she's talking about. When I have an issue with business law, estate law, trust law, I go to Debbie for answers. She's hard working and very personable."

Afram Malki

Business Attorney | Feb 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Cristin Gerczak

Tax fraud and tax evasion Attorney | Sep 01
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Debbie is very knowledgeable, experienced and professional."

Andrew Mongelluzzi

Trusts Attorney | Jul 22
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Debbie brings some much needed energy and ambition to the Trusts and Estates practice. Very intelligent and knowledgeable in the area of Wealth Preservation and Estate Planning. Highly recommended."

Robert Eckard

Trusts Attorney | Apr 06
Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"I have known Debbie for a little over 2 years. Almost immediately upon meeting her I could tell how sharp she was. Debbie is personable yet formidable. Debbie is able to explain complex matters in a way that make them easy to understand. She is one of the brightest people I know. If you hire Debbie Faulkner-- you will have hired an excellent lawyer."

Andrew Cowan

Estate planning Attorney | Mar 30
Relationship: Friend

"Attorney Faulkner is the best. I have known Attorney Faulkner since she started law school ten years ago, and can say without reservation that she is one of the smartest attorneys I know. She understands her areas of practice top to bottom, inside and out. She knows where the law is stable, and where it is in flux. Where it is in flux, she know show to plan to make sure that the client is taken care of no matter what happens in the future. When I have an estate planning question, Debbie Faulkner is the first person I call. Her estate planning and probate clients are in the best of hands."

David Sandy

Estate planning Attorney | Mar 29
Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I hired Mrs. Faulkner to help with my grammy's estate planning since I'm licensed in another state and only have a passing understanding of her area of law. First, she's incredibly responsive and willing to work late when the situation or poor planning on the client's part creates a time sensitive situation. Two, she really knows the law and crafts the forms when called for. I went over the forms very closely and when I saw a couple areas I had questions about the handling of she knew what I was talking about and had a great rationale for handling it the way she draft, a sign of a great lawyer. Three, she's young but experienced in the area. If you look up her bio she's sort of a female Doogie Howser in law who got a law degree really young. So she's been practicing for awhile. This means she's still fresh and up on the area. In addition, being young she has a great chance of being around for handling the matters she set up ten or twenty years in the future."

Michael Perenich

Estate planning Attorney | Apr 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Debbie, is a brilliant attorney, she is a guru when I comes to estate planning. If you have an issue I'd definitely call her."

Joelle Bordeaux

Estate planning Attorney | Jan 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Debbie is a great attorney. She is very knowledgeable, detailed, hard working, personable, and able to overcome and provide strategic plans and alternatives to reach the goals her clients hope to achieve. Her work ethic is extraordinary and the work she performs is nothing less. I will use Debbie for all my Estate Planning and Tax needs and highly recommend her services to anybody else as well."

Nicole Denmon

Estate planning Attorney | Aug 26
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Ms. Faulkner is an excellent attorney who exudes professionalism."

David Haenel

Estate planning Attorney | Jul 02
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"First let me say that I give attorney reviews very sparingly as I find the attorney must have a good understanding of the law and be client focused. As a former state attorney, Debbie has what it takes to get the job done. She is tenacious and never loses track of the task at hand. Take it from me..you will not be disappointed if you hire Debbie to handle your legal matter."

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Car accident

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Litigation

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Criminal defense

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58 Legal Answers 0 Legal Guides

Q&A
Is there a general fee for trust administration in Florida?
08 Nov 2019
Q&A
What happens when debt goes to probate without a will?
07 Nov 2019
Q&A
Wanted to know if this is illegal at all on the email my employer sent me regarding me and taking photos of me afterwork?
07 Nov 2019

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State	Years
Florida - FL	11 years
Texas - TX	4 years
Missouri - MO	11 years
Virginia - VA	14 years

Debra Ann Faulkner

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