Cynthia Rignanese
Practicing Law Locally, Thinking Globally!
The passion to practice law is #1 in my life! I enjoy the everyday opportunity to work with individuals, families and businesses; I help them to save time and trouble!
Outside of work, I enjoy a number of activities and hobbies. For me, travel is paramount; I have been to all 50 US States, seven of seven continents and 117 countries!
I enjoy photography (travel and landscape particularly), public speaking, non-fiction reading, creative writing and publishing articles, visiting art museums, jazz, gardening, hiking, kayaking, backgammon, attending performing arts and theatre productions, and dining on exotic cuisine.
I have offices in Winter Haven and Tampa, Florida. The main office telephone number is (863) 294.1114. Mailing: PO Box 2012, Winter Haven, FL 33883.
For nearly 30 years, I have focused my law practice in estate administration and planning. I help individuals and families plan for the eventuality of passing and assure them that the family will save time, trouble, hassle and money!
- Estate Planning
- Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Probate
- Probate Administration
- Real Estate Law
- Commercial Real Estate, Residential Real Estate
- Business Law
- Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Formation
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Free Consultation
Our firm offers an initial, free, 20-minute intake telephone conference with the Chief Paralegal. This is not a consultation with the attorney.
- Florida
- The Florida Bar
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- English: Spoken, Written
- Spanish: Spoken, Written
- Founder and Senior Managing Partner
- Rignanese & Associates, PLLC
- Current
- Blog Talk Radio
- Show Host on "LadyLawyerLive"
- Current
- Adjunct Professor
- Webber International University
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- University of Florida Levin College of Law
- J.D. (1990) | Juris Doctor of Law
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- University of Florida
- B.S. (1987) | Business Administration with emphasis in Tax, Management and Economics
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- Honors: Graduated with High Honors
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- University of Siena, Florence, Italy
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- Richmond College, London, England
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- Lawyer of the Year for Wills & Trusts
- Winter Haven Women's Bar Association
- Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award (The Group's Highest Honor)
- Who's Who
- The Group's Highest Honor. To qualify, one must have been a Who's Who for 20 years and a professional for 30 years plus received multiple awards in law.
- Top Commenter - For Engagement and Insight
- Boss Lady Esquire
- Woman of The Year
- Females Advancing Business (FAB) Network
- In the First 3 Lawyers of 80,000 as: "Speaker of The Month"
- Florida Bar Association
- The Florida Bar # 0881880
- Member
- Current
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- Winter Haven Womens Bar Association
- Founding Member and President
- Current
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- FAB - Females Advancing Business
- Founding Member, Director, 2013-14 President, Legal Advisor
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- Celebrate Lake Wales Committee
- Organizing Committee in Inaugural Year
- Current
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- YMCA Turner Center Committee
- Organizing Committee in Inaugural Year
- Current
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- Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce Leadership Class IV
- Leadership Class IV
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- University of Florida Mentoring Program
- Mentor for University Students
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- Winter Haven Executive Club
- Current
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- Kiwanis Club of Winter Haven
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- Kiwanis Club of Lake Wales
- Scholarship Chair, Delegate to Seven International Conventions
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- Kiwanis Club of Lake Wales
- Past President, Kiwanian of the Year, Director
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- American Bar Association
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- Middle District of Florida Courts
- Admitted Attorney
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- Estate Planning Council of Polk County
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- Trusts: Here Are a Few Good Tips About Living Trusts for People of all Ages
- Multiple Locations
- Power of Attorney: Lawyers Warn the Powerful Document be Issued with Care
- Multiple Locations
- You Can't Take It With You (Estate Planning for Seniors), Sweetwater, Florida
- Florida Bar License To Practice Law
- The Florida Bar
- Q. What can I do to gain a durable power of attorney for my elderly mother?
- A: It is great that you are taking care of her!
To help you to help her, you have two options, depending on her mental state.
If she is still mentally competent, see an estate planning/elder law lawyer and get
*a Power of Attorney
*a Health Care Surrogate
*and Estate planning done.
If not, a court can appoint you to be her 'guardian,' it is like being a parent for a child, except in reverse. You need a guardianship lawyer to start this process.
- Q. How can my Mother-In-Law access her deceased sons bank account?
- A: Consider this from the standpoint of the bank -- if they pay the wrong person, and the right person shows up, the Bank has to pay out DOUBLE the money. For this reason, the Bank requires a Court Order. Depending on the amount of money in the bank account, a Summary Administration (short) Probate or a Full Probate may be required in Florida. Using a lawyer experienced in Probate will assist the family during this difficult time.
