Lifestyles After 50 Tampa Bay Edition, July 2022

by William R. Mumbauer - Attorney - www.flwillstrustsprobate.com

Although the overwhelming majority of attorneys are ethical and conscientious professionals, it is still wise to check the credentials of any attorney you are considering hiring. And doing so may be especially important if you reside in a senior community because troubled attorneys often cluster near areas populated by the elderly who are perceived by these unscrupulous attorneys to be easy prey. The unethical behavior of these few “bad apples” usually manifests itself in the charging of excessive fees or the recommendation for the preparation of unnecessary or inappropriate legal documents. The easiest way to check an attorney’s background is to log on to www.thefloridabar.org (or simply call The Florida Bar toll free at 800-342-8060). The Florida Bar

42 Years

website contains quite a bit of information about Florida attorneys, such as when the attorney was admitted to practice law and where he or she attended law school. But most importantly, the website will tell you if the attorney is currently eligible to practice law in Florida and what, if any, Bar disciplinary action has been brought against the attorney in the past 10 years. And finally, don’t forget the tried and true method of just asking your relatives and neighbors if they know anything about the attorney you are considering hiring. If the attorney has been in the same geographic for any period of time, his or her reputation - either good or bad - is probably known.

Mr. Mumbauer, a 5th generation Floridian, has maintained a law practice in Brandon, Florida since 1980 with emphasis on estate planning. Mr. Mumbauer takes special pride in representing the senior community by maintaining a sensitive and practical approach to problem solving. Mr. Mumbauer is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar. Mr. Mumbauer is also a Mentor in probate law and has been qualified by the Second District Court of Appeal in Florida as an expert witness in matters involving the drafting of Wills. Mr. Mumbauer’s Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating among judges and lawyers for Legal Ability is High to Very High and his General Recommendation Rating is Very High. His articles are based on general principles of law and are not intended to apply to individual circumstances.

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation presents

Christmas in July D O N AT I O N

D R I V E

July 1–29 Your donation can give hope to the extraordinary kids at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital by providing ways for them to cope during their hospital stay.

Find out how you can help: StJosephsChristmas.org