LEGAL TEAM

What Sets Us Apart at e-Estates and Trusts?
2020 forced the world to pivot from the status quo and reinvent ways of doing business. Cloud-based virtual law offices offer tremendous flexibility and convenience, ultimately allowing you to work with your attorney or check on your legal matter from wherever you are.

We truly believe that like most things in your life, there’s no reason access to legal services provided by licensed attorneys should be any more complicated than going online.

What are the Benefits of Using a Virtual Law Firm and Virtual Attorneys?
– Value: Here at e-Estates and Trusts, we pride ourselves on using available technology, such as video conferences, cloud-based client portals and e-signatures, to keep our overhead expenses low. Because we don’t carry the burden of expensive office space and support staff salaries, we can pass on the savings to you by providing high-quality and convenient legal services for an excellent value.
– Convenience: Because we work with our clients virtually, it is easier to schedule meetings at mutually convenient times. We can conference parties in different locations into the same consultation and there is no drive time or commute associated with coming to your appointment. We can discuss your needs from the comfort of your own home, office or vehicle.
– Accessibility: Because we utilize cutting-edge technology, accessing your cloud-based client portal, client records and case history is a breeze.
– Lifelong Relationships: The attorneys at e-Estates and Trusts are here for the long haul. Our goal in forming this firm was to deliver high-quality, meaningful virtual legal services to clients in a modern and convenient way. Offering remote services provides our clients with convenient access to legal services, and also allows us to spend more time with our small children before they grow up. We created this virtual law firm to ensure longevity and overall satisfaction, both for our clients and our legal team alike.

Who are the Attorneys at e-Estates and Trusts?

Rebecca L. Nichols, Esq.
Rebecca L. Nichols was raised in Sebring, Florida. She attended Stetson University in DeLand, Florida and graduated with honors. Ms. Nichols went on to attend Stetson University College of Law where she obtained her Juris Doctorate, again graduating with honors. Further, Ms. Nichols attended Stetson University School of Business where she obtained her Master of Business Administration.

Upon graduation, Ms. Nichols practiced as an associate attorney for six (6) years before taking a year off to stay home with her family following the birth of her son. During her years as an associate, Ms. Nichols practiced primarily in the areas of General Civil Litigation, Real Estate Litigation and Bankruptcy Law. Ms. Nichols began practicing Elder Law in 2016.

Ms. Nichols has been a member of the Florida Bar since 2009. She is admitted to practice in the State of Florida. She has been involved with the Highlands County Bar Association and has served as a member of the Board of Directors of same. She served as Vice President of the Leadership Highlands Class of 2011.

She has also been involved in United Way of Central Florida as a Community Investment Team Volunteer for many years. Moreover, she volunteered with Heartland Horses Equine Activities & Learning, a non-profit organization providing equine therapy to those with special needs, serving as a member of the Board of Directors for several years. She was also a member and Director of the Kiwanis Club of Sebring.

Ms. Nichols spends her free time with her family, including her rescue dog, Hunter. She enjoys travelling, reading, boating, fishing, lobstering, painting and photography.

Katina H. Pantazis, Esq.
Katina H. Pantazis, Esq. was born in Augusta, Georgia. She has had the opportunity to live in multiple states: Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, and Florida. Katina earned a Business degree from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, in December of 2004. She completed this degree early; knowing that law school was in her future she chose to take a year between college and law school working as a paralegal to gain some hands on experience. This skill set solidified her decision to become an attorney.

Katina earned her Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College School of Law in May of 2009. Law school allowed for many priceless experiences including a study abroad program in Spetses, Greece, where she studied comparative international law. As well as a third year internship with the Middle District of Florida Federal Public Defenders Office located in Tampa.

However, the catalyst that landed Katina in the field of law she practices today was receiving the Elder Law Scholarship in her second year of law school. This was the beginning of her journey into estate planning. She immediately fell in love with the work and most importantly the clientele.

Katina focuses her practice in estate planning and wealth preservation. Katina considers this her dream job — helping people secure their future, both for themselves and their loved ones.

Katina is also deeply involved in the community. She is a respected member of the Florida Bar, Marion County Bar Association, Lake County Bar Association, Sumter County Bar Association, and Rotary Club of The Villages. She also has served on the board of the Arnette House in Ocala, Florida, and on the board of the United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties. She spends her free time participating in co-ed intramurals including flag football, basketball, soccer and volleyball. She also enjoys pickle ball, running, kickboxing, yoga, and crossfit.

Yvette Wilson, Paralegal
I am a native Floridian and married to a native Floridian. I have lived in Central or North Central Florida for most of my life, but lived in SE Florida for almost 12 years. I have two Associate Degrees, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, and a Masters in Legal Studies. I have worked in the legal field for over 35 years in progressively more responsible rolls – front office secretary, legal secretary, and legal assistant/paralegal. I greatly enjoy the opportunity to assist clients with estate planning as well as during their most difficult times with probating the estates of their loved ones. Providing some peace of mind is awesome!

How Did e-Estates and Trusts Come About?
Attorneys Nichols and Pantazis have known each other for more than twenty (20) years, meeting while in undergraduate school at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. Not only were they friends, they were also sorority sisters in Pi Beta Phi. They have been practicing law in Florida since 2009 and both live in Central Florida with their families.

Attorneys Nichols and Pantazis both left the comfort of larger firms to create something different, something unique that would work for their young families and busy lifestyles, allowing them to live the lives they wanted while serving clients and performing legal work they are passionate about.

They noted that many of their clients were from out of state and needed an attorney in Florida because their parents moved here for retirement. These clients had busy lives, jobs, children, extracurricular activities, and parents who’d passed away in an entirely different state they were suddenly solely responsible for handling. They appreciated our willingness to confer with them via telephone or video conference – they didn’t have to travel to Florida to meet with an attorney. They appreciated our ability to email pleadings to them for electronic signature – they didn’t have to find a printer, print every document, find an envelope and the appropriate number of stamps, and return the document via snail mail. The game was changing.

They also noted that several of their friends, although they were professionals with families, careers and assets, had not yet met with an attorney to discuss estate planning. They had issues synching up their schedules, requesting time off of work, and accommodating their kids’ school and extracurricular activities. Attorneys Nichols and Pantazis wanted to provide necessary legal services to these young families in a way that fit their busy lifestyles, so they established a virtual firm that allowed them to provide estate planning services to clients from the comfort of their own homes.

Here at e-Estates and Trusts, representing individuals or couples who want to plan for the protection of their children and their legacies is our passion. Guiding individuals through the emotional, challenging and often overwhelming estate or trust administration process, while also remembering and honoring their loved one, is another gift of ours. We are ready to assist you with your legal needs.

How We Operate:

To best serve our clients, we set aside blocks of time to speak with clients via telephone or video conference. If you would like to confer with one of our experienced attorneys, please select one of the options below:
Existing Client Conference – During this call, you will receive an update on your legal matter and can ask any questions you may have. Check-In Calls are scheduled for 15 minutes and are only available for existing clients who have signed an Employment and Fee Agreement with our firm.
CHECK IN  

Estate Planning Consultation – During this conference, we will discuss your personal and family dynamics, assets, liabilities and overall goals to develop your individualized estate plan. To make the best use of our time during this conference, potential clients submit a completed Estate Planning Questionnaire prior to the scheduled consultation.
Estate Planning Questionnaire  

 
Estate Administration Consultation – During this conference, we will assess your case to determine whether we will be able to assist and to begin developing a legal strategy for your matter. In order to make the best use of our time during this call, potential clients submit a completed “Estate Administration Questionnaire” and any Last Will & Testament, Trust Agreement, Separate Writing Regarding Tangible Personal Property, or any other estate planning documentation the decedent had in place through our secure client portal .
Estate Administration Questionnaire