Estate Planning Attorney
We build estate plans for individuals and families whose lives span more than one state, working by phone and video with flat-fee pricing wherever the matter allows, so a plan that has been on your list for years finally gets finished.
A Plan Built Around What You Own and Where
Practical guidance, quoted before it starts
Estate planning is less about documents than about who decides, and when. Jonathan Parker has been in practice for 38 years, admitted in Florida and New Jersey in 1988 and licensed in Hawaiʻi since 2011, and holding all three licenses is why clients with assets in more than one of those states can work with one attorney instead of coordinating between firms.
Whether you are drafting a first will or organizing property across several states, you get practical guidance and a quote before the work begins. Flat-fee estate planning covers most standard wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health-care directives, with the number confirmed in the first conversation.
Estate Planning Documents and What Each One Does
Guidance for every stage of life
Our firm provides estate planning for individuals, families, and business owners across Florida, Hawaiʻi, and New Jersey. Jonathan Parker takes the time to understand your situation and designs a plan around it rather than fitting you into a standard package.
Wills
We draft clear, legally valid wills that express your wishes and make asset distribution easier for your loved ones.
Trusts
We create customized trusts that protect your property, reduce court involvement, and ensure a smooth transfer of assets.
Powers of Attorney & Advance Directives
We prepare detailed powers of attorney and healthcare directives so decisions stay in trusted hands when you cannot act yourself.
Estate Planning You Can Complete Remotely
Start from wherever you are
We run a cyber office. The initial consultation, drafting, and review all happen by phone or video, so the first conversation does not require a drive, a parking garage, or a day off work. As a virtual estate planning lawyer licensed in three states, this is how most of our clients work with us, including Hawaiʻi clients who live on a different island from our Honolulu office.
What happens remotely, and what does not:
- Initial consultation, by phone or video, at a time that fits your schedule
- Drafting and every round of revision
- Document review, walked through together rather than emailed and left with you
- Signing, which does require witnesses and in most cases a notary physically present with you, and we give you exact instructions for arranging that locally
Multi-state estate planning is the other reason clients come to us. Owning property in more than one state is the most direct route to a separate court proceeding in each one after death. Jonathan Parker is licensed in Florida, Hawaiʻi, and New Jersey, so a plan touching those states gets coordinated by one attorney. Where a fourth state is involved, we work with local counsel and keep the documents consistent instead of letting them contradict each other.
For Hawaiʻi clients, our Honolulu estate planning page covers the state-specific side. If you are reading this because a probate you went through convinced you to plan ahead, our probate administration page explains the process a well-built plan is designed to shorten or avoid.
Estate planning questions we hear most often
Practical answers for clients across Florida, Hawaii, and New Jersey
What happens if I die without a will?
Your state's intestacy statutes decide who inherits, in a fixed order based on family relationships that may not match your preferences. The court also chooses who administers the estate. Because the formula differs from state to state, this is one of the places where owning property in more than one state produces results families do not expect.
Should I choose a will or a trust?
Wills and trusts serve different but equally important purposes. A will directs how remaining assets are distributed and names essential roles such as guardians or Personal Representatives. A trust allows certain assets to transfer outside of probate, providing privacy and potentially faster administration. Although tax considerations may play a role in some decisions, Parker & Maloney does not provide tax advice; however, we are always happy to partner with your accountant to ensure your plan aligns with your financial strategy.
How often should I update my estate plan?
Most clients should review their estate plan every few years or after major life events such as marriage, divorce, births, deaths, or significant financial changes. Laws also evolve, and updates help ensure your documents remain valid and protective. Our firm reviews existing plans with clients to identify gaps or outdated provisions that could cause problems later. If your goals, relationships, or assets have changed, updating your plan offers peace of mind and clarity.
Do I need an estate plan if I already have a will?
Often yes. A will handles distribution at death, but it does nothing if you become unable to manage your own affairs. A durable power of attorney and an advance health-care directive cover that gap, and a trust may be worth adding if you own real property or want to keep the transfer out of court.
How much does an estate plan cost?
It depends on whether a trust is involved and how many states your assets touch. We quote the full fee before starting and offer flat-fee options on most standard plans, so you are comparing a number rather than an hourly estimate. One conversation is usually enough for us to give you that number.
While Jonathan Parker brings deep experience in estate planning and understands how certain decisions may interact with tax considerations, Parker & Maloney does not provide tax advice. We frequently collaborate with clients’ accountants to ensure the legal and financial pieces work together smoothly, and we are happy to help connect you with a trusted accountant when needed.