Griffin & Van Pelt, P.A. Creates Value For You
Our goals have always been to educate and help you navigate through complex estate planning issues, Florida probate, trust administration issues and Federal tax laws. If we do not provide those services, then we have not met our goals.
You have more important goals to focus than to worry about the details of planning and administrating your legacy plan. Let us take care of the details of planning and administering your trust or estate. Our firm thrives on details.
- Take care of details
- Give you more time
- Become a resource for your questions
- Be a compassionate ear when you need questions answered
- Educate you and your family about estate planning and probate and trust administration
Meet Our Attorneys:
To learn more about our legal team, follow the links below.
Suzzanne L. Griffin
Kit Van Pelt
Our Unique Process
- The Discovery Experience
In the discovery process, complete the estate planning questionnaire to learn about you, your assets and your family. - The Griffin & Van Pelt Office Advantage
Enjoy a relaxing visit to our office to meet our professional staff while enjoying drinks and snacks. Don’t forget to greet our Labradoodle, TeddiBear! - The Relationship Conference
Connect with one of our caring attorneys to discuss your goals, your worries, your opportunities and your strengths. - The Clarification Letter
Correspond with an attorney to clarify your goals and desires. - The Document Game Plan
Review your draft documents outlined and mailed to you by an attorney. - The Review and Assurance Analysis
Contact our office with changes, additions and/or questions you have and meet again with attorney, if necessary, assuring the documents reflect your desires and goals as expressed in The Relationship Conference. - The Signing Process
Come into our office to sign your documents that are intended to implement your desires and goals. - The Follow-Up Matrix
We will send you copies of your documents in a notebook and will also help you with the transfer of assets, if needed or desired.
Navigating The Administration Process
- The Greeting Advantage
Meet with caring and compassionate staff to help you through this difficult time. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, bottled water, and/or snack, and meet our mascot, Teddi Bear! - The Griffin Conference Advantage
Connect with an attorney and paralegal to learn your goals, worries, opportunities and strengths.The Discovery Analysis
A complete questionnaire with our help to clarify needed items and help you to organize your loved one’s documents, assets and liabilities. - The Griffin Staff Advantage
Maintain contact with paralegal and attorney regarding items needed. - The Document Matrix
We will prepare pleadings, notices for probate and/or trust process. If necessary, we will prepare the Estate Tax Return. - The Communication Process
Discuss questions, pleadings, notes and more with paralegal and attorney. - The Network Solution
Let us coordinate with CPA, financial advisor, personal representative and/or trustee. - The Closing Experience
Conclude with closing documents, final distribution, and tax returns
Statement Of Professionalism
Griffin & Van Pelt, P.A., is committed to professionalism and ethical conduct in the practice of law. We know you have a choice of attorneys at different prices and values. Price should not be the only factor you consider. In our experience, clients may retain an attorney solely based on cost, only to find out later that the knowledge and competence necessary to accomplish their goals was less than what they are looking for. Those clients often end up in our office to correct the same matter.
The Florida Bar has grievance committees throughout the state which govern the ethical conduct of attorneys. When Linda S. Griffin started practicing law as a sole practitioner, she knew that it was important to be a part of that process. In Pinellas County, there are six committees composed of attorneys and non-attorneys. The commitment to be on the grievance committee is three years. Linda has been on four different committees for a total of 12 years. She also chaired a committee and recently wrote an article for The Florida Bar Journal,
A View From The Grievance Committee – Hot Buttons For The Estate Planning And Probate Attorney.
Not only is the knowledge gained from these committees invaluable, but the committees are composed of attorneys and non-attorneys from all practice areas and all walks of life. Thus, if needed, our office can provide referrals to those individuals. To evidence the commitment to professionalism and excellence, Linda is Florida board-certified in wills, trusts and estates and tax law. Board-certification requires an extensive background check and rigorous testing. She is also a fellow of the American College of Estates and Trust Counsel (ACTEC) which is composed of approximately 2,500 estate and trust attorneys across the United States who are selected by their peers based on ethics, professionalism and involvement with The Florida Bar. Linda & Kit’s involvement with The Florida Bar includes both instructional and professional speaking, contributions to The Florida Bar publications and participation in the board certification process and committees.
Griffin & Van Pelt, P.A., is committed to integrity. All employees are screened and committed to providing service with integrity, compassion and professionalism.