Law Office of Mark A. Schaum, P.A

My parents started Estate planning with Mark Schaum many years ago. They created Will’s, Living Will’s, Rev Trusts and multiple Family Irrevocable Trusts to facilitate gifting for the benefit of the grandchildren.

Being a generous self-made entrepreneur and business man, my dad was determined to touch many with his legacy including his family and an entourage of very dear friends and confidants. With more than a dozen beneficiary’s, an already complex estate consisting of closely held businesses with multiple partnerships, trusts, QSST, ventures, real property and a unique distribution trust.

I cannot speak highly enough about Mark Schaum. He and his wife graciously attended at my father’s service which was for me, completely unexpected and a cut above. I found Mark to be ethical, personable, intelligent and very professional. His team has always been most courteous and responsive.

He navigated the complexities with seaming ease, establishing a rapport with the various players, banks, appraisers, closely held corps and their council, which surely made a difference. Mark was often the voice of reason, consistently offering level headed insight and solutions in difficult situations.

I continue to use and highly recommend the services of Mark Schaum.

Several years ago, Mark Schaum assisted our elderly father in updating his very out-of-date estate documents. As a result of his efforts, when our father did pass, the estate process was streamlined, straightforward and uncomplicated. My family is appreciative and beholden for Mark’s efforts and achievement with the updating and managing of the estate preceding his passing.

Mark had the ability to understand the dynamics of our family that we were trying to make plans for in our estate planning. His suggestions and input made it much easier for us to accomplish what we wanted. We will always be grateful for his advice and the help he gave us.

Bunny & Bob Gordon

Mark and his staff created all estate plan documents with accuracy and on time. It was a pleasure to articulate our desires and find them so precisely presented in each document. Mark carefully reviewed all documents with us to ensure we were comfortable. I highly recommend this firm for estate planning documentation.

I am a client of Mark Schaum, as well as a long-standing member of the bar. I am also a relative of Mark and have known him his entire life. To be clear, however, what I write below reflects my genuine feelings about Mark, not as a relative, but strictly as an attorney practicing in the areas of estate planning and taxation.

I believe that the prudent selection of an attorney for critical tax and estate planning should be no different than the selection of a physician for critical medical issues. Such prudence typically requires that we first research the physician’s professional qualifications, then seek out the opinions of prior patients, and, finally, consult in-person to decide whether this is the type of medical professional within whom we should place our trust. Applying these same criteria to the selection of a legal professional makes it apparent why individuals for many years not only have entrusted Mark with their own tax and estate planning matters, but have later recommended him to others.

Mark began his career as a practicing CPA. He proceeded to acquire a law degree and quickly became recognized for his expertise in the areas of taxation and estate planning. The Florida Bar certified him as a specialist – board certification – in Wills, Trusts and Estates, and the United States Tax Court admitted him to practice before them. Just as importantly, he has established himself as a community leader in the areas of his expertise, having sat on several professional boards, chaired prestigious committees, and been honored for his volunteer service. It is not surprising, therefore, that clients widely attest to their satisfaction with Mark’s professional judgment and advice.

The selection of an attorney for estate planning and estate administration, unlike some other areas of practice, warrants additional considerations. Estate planning demands of a client some of the most difficult decisions an individual will ever make, and estate administration often occurs during times of great anguish and stress for family members and close friends. It is at these most challenging times that Mark’s greatest attributes – his humility, his warmth, his empathy – shine through. I speak from personal experience.

B. Seltzer