Wills & Probate

Today, our law firm focuses on providing comprehensive planning when you need it most. Because change is part of life, most people require ongoing assistance from their lawyer —not just one meeting. For this reason, building long-term relationships with our clients is a major aspect of our firm's culture.

Former Assistant United States Attorney for 17th Circuit Court district and served as President of the Federal Bar Association, South Florida Chapter. Retired Military Judge and Magistrate. Our law firm provides a wide variety of professional legal services in the areas of Family Law, Wills, Healthcare surrogate, Durable Power Of Attorney, Probate Litigation, Criminal Law and Bankruptcy. We provide quality services at a considerably less rate than those charged by most attorneys or law firms. For more information or general inquiries, feel free to contact us today.

Michael A. Fischler is the senior partner of Fischler & Friedman, P.A. Mr. Fischler was born in New York and has been a resident of Broward County Florida since 1966. Mr. Fischler currently serves as President of the Broward County Bar Association. He graduated from Jacksonville University in 1975, where he double majored in Business and Psychology and minored in Accounting. Thereafter, Mr. Fischler attended both law school and business school at Nova Southeastern University where he graduated with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in 1978. Mr. Fischler began his career as an Assistant State Attorney in the Broward County State Attorney's Office. After three years, Mr. Fischler was promoted to be in ASA in charge of the Economic Crime, Consumer Fraud, and Civil Division. After leaving the State Attorney's Office in 1984, he entered into private practice as an associate with a mid-sized law firm, concentrating in the areas of commercial and civil litigation. In 1992, he joined his practice with Howard S. Friedman, Esq. and formed Fischler & Friedman, P.A. Mr. Fischler's business education, combined with his more than thirty-five years of legal experience, provides him with a unique insight that allows him to comprehensively evaluate business and personal situations faced by his clients. Mr. Fischler focuses primarily on business and commercial transaction litigation and has experience representing businesses and individuals in a variety of different types of claims including breach of contract, fraud, negligence, and breach of fiduciary duty. He has effectively handled numerous matters involving shareholder disputes, business dissolution, non-compete clauses, and matters involving complex accounting. In addition to business and corporate law, Mr. Fischler also handles estate planning, wills, trusts, and probate matters. As part of his practice, Mr. Fischler prepares documents necessary for business entity formation and operation, including articles of incorporation/organization, shareholder agreements, operating agreements, and independent contractor agreements. In preparing these important legal documents, Mr. Fischler draws on his vast litigation experience to protect clients from potential issues that may arise from the business transactions and ventures in which they choose to explore, whether it be buying a new business, selling a business, forming a corporation or business entity or planning for succession. Mr. Fischler is a Certified Family Court and Circuit Civil Mediator, as well as a Qualified Arbitrator. He uses his alternative dispute skills to assist other lawyers and their clients to achieve amicable resolutions to their business disputes and estate administration matters. Mr. Fischler lives in Coral Springs, FL with his wife and has two adult children.

I began my legal career in 1986 when I was a senior in High School. I started as a receptionist in a busy New York law firm. From there, I became a secretary and eventually a paralegal. I have personally worked on hundreds if not thousands of cases and even assisted in the courtroom during trials. But that wasn't enough--my passion for helping people became so overwhelming that I became an attorney. I worked full time as a paralegal in a local Brevard County law firm while obtaining my undergraduate degrees with top honors and Summa Cum Laude, and graduated from Barry University School of Law. Helping people through hard times, mistakes, unfortunate and stressful personal matters is what I am here for and devoted to.

Graduated from Florida State University in 1997 (B.S.) and received a J.D. (Juris doctor) from Stetson University College of Law and a Masters in Business Administration in 2001. He is a member of: American Bar Association Florida Bar Association St. Petersburg Bar Association St. Lucie County Bar Association Florida Academy of Criminal Defense Lawyers (FACDL) National Academy of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)

Over the past thirty-five years I have had the opportunity to represent thousands of clients in many different areas of the law. I have extensive experience in litigation cases, elder law, guardianships, family issues and criminal law. Please review some areas of practice listed below. If you would like to speak with me, I would be glad to answer your questions over the phone or in person.

Jim T. Bennett has been a member of the State Bar of Georgia since 1998. Jim graduated in the top ten of his class from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. Jim’s primary practice areas are Domestic Relations/Family Law, Personal Injury, Workers’ Compensation, Criminal Defense, and Wills and Probate. In his spare time, Jim has taught legal studies courses at Valdosta State University. Jim has served as a volunteer youth baseball coach for the last 20 years. He is a member of Park Avenue United Methodist Church in Valdosta. Jim is married to Lori, a teacher at Lowndes High School, and they have three sons: Austin, Sam, and Cole.