Personalized Legal representation

Monica Schmucker represents small businesses with their general business matters, anywhere from reviewing liability risks, to contracts, to assisting with business disputes.  

Having Monica Schmucker as your general counsel means having a lawyer there for your business – on call. This is a critical relationship. You want someone who knows your field and understands your needs – or will diligently learn both. We build these relationships one at a time, sometimes partnering with established businesses and sometimes by helping establish new business ventures from the ground up. We assist with many small businesses from, for example:

• Foundational work: incorporation and establishing registered agent, preparation of corporate records or LLC operating plans, obtaining EIN, registration with Florida regulatory agencies and licensure; 
• Day-to-day operations: contracts, early dispute or complaint resolutions, document preparation, insurance or compliance reviews;
• Special circumstances such as the sale of your business, leasing or obtaining leasing of property;
• Risk-assessment and defense of claims: we can help you identify risks to minimize exposure to claims. If a claim is made against your business, we can help get it referred to insurance, or possibly obtain indemnification (where another person/entity is responsible to defend you), and defend you in court if necessary. 

We know the bottom-line matters. Our general counsel agreements provide that your legal fees are based upon your need for input and advice. Our Focus is achieving the Solutions you desire as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible while providing you personalized service tailored to your specific needs.  

Monica Schmucker assists clients with preparing trusts, wills, advance directives, powers of attorney, life estate deeds, and related future planning documents. 

There is more to estate planning than just a will. Methods exist to avoid future costs, delay, and frustration for the beneficiaries of an estate. 

A common feature of trust and estate planning is protecting the interests of the client and sometimes preventing the need for probate where possible. At Monica Schmucker Legal, we start by taking a detailed assessment of your needs and goals and work with a Focus on Solutions to achieve what's best for you and your situation. Some examples of documents we would consider, depending on your needs, are: 

• General Durable Power of Attorney: appointing and authorizing an agent to act on behalf of the principal applicable to non-medical matters during lifetime. 
• Limited Power of Attorney: appointing an agent for specific purpose or duration.
• Advance Directive (Living Will): appointing an agent for the purpose of making medical decisions should the principal become incapacitated
• Trust: establishing ownership of property to an entity independent of the owner to avoid probate or capacity issues. 
• Deed: direct transfer of ownership or real estate
• Enhanced life estate (Ladybird)/Traditional Life Estate Deed: effects a transfer of ownership after death of the principal
• Will: planning for the disposition of the property of the client at the time of death.    

We also provide probate services where needed.