Lauren Nagel Richardson

Lauren Richardson moved to Gainesville in 1993 to complete an LLM in Taxation at UF Law. Since then, she has focused her practice on protecting families and property through estate planning, guardianship, probate, special needs, and elder law. She also serves as co-counsel on wrongful death, personal injury and probate and trust litigation cases. Lauren's probate practice is Statewide. All other areas are throughout North Florida. Free phone consult. Reasonable fees.

• Free Consultation
  Free phone consultation relating to Estate Planning, Probate, Guardianship, Trust Administration, Nursing Home Abuse & Neglect, Elder Law, Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, and Wrongful Death cases.
• Credit Cards Accepted
• Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
  Other forms of payment: Checks Cash Money Order

Florida

Since 1996

Founding Attorney

Lauren Richardson Law, PLLC

2020 - Current

Of Counsel to Bogin, Munns & Munns, P. A.

2019 - 2020

Continuing to provide affordable and compassionate legal services in estate planning, probate, guardianship and elder law in Gainesville and surrounding areas. Now with the support of a law firm with 12 offices in Central Florida and North Central Florida. Free phone consultations. Statewide Florida Probate. Flat fees for summary administration and some estate planning.

Founding Attorney

Lauren Richardson Law, PLLC

2017 - 2019

Serving North Florida in estate planning, probate, guardianship, elder law and some family law matters. Also probate administration Statewide. LLM in Taxation. 20 years experience. Welcoming and professional. I will meet you at your home, nursing home or hospital if you are unable to come to my office.

Attorney

Knellinger, Jacobson & Associates

2011 - 2017

practicing probate administration Statewide and estate planning, probate, guardianship, wills, trusts, elder law, and some family law throughout North Florida.

University of Florida

LL.M. (1997) | Taxation

1993 - 1997

Tax Thesis: Private Inurement After the United Cancer Council Case

Florida State University College of Law

J.D. (1993) | Law

1990 - 1993

Honors: Graduated Magna Cum Laude; Book Awards: Constitutional Law, Intellectual Property

Activities: President: National Association of Public Interest Lawyers

Rollins College

B.A. (1990) | Philosophy

1984 - 1990

Honors: Bruce Wavell Philosophy Prize; NEH Younger Scholars Award

Pro Bono Service Award

Three Rivers Legal Services

2021

Pro Bono Service Award

Three Rivers Legal Services

2020

Pro Bono Service Award

Three Rivers Legal Services

2019

Pro Bono Service Award

Three Rivers Legal Services

2018

Pro Bono Service Award

Three Rivers Legal Services/Southern Legal Counsel

2017

The Florida Bar  # 0083119

Member

Current

Eighth Judicial Circuit Bar Association

Board Member

Current

Q. How can I cash a check made out to my deceased brother?

June 11, 2025

A: You will need to open a probate estate to have a check payable to your late brother reissued to his heirs. If it is less than $75,000 and there are no other assets or creditors, then talk to an experienced probate attorney about filing for summary administration. When the judge signs and order of summary administration, then get a certified copy of the court order, you send it back with the check to be reissued to the heirs named in the court order.

If it is less than the amount that someone paid for funeral expenses, you can also file a disposition of personal property without administration. The judge will still sign an order in this type of case that can be used to get the check reiss ued. ... Read More

Q. How to deposit mortgage insurance refund check after mother's passing?

May 6, 2025

A: If the refund check is less than $75,000, then you can open a summary administration and get an order to reissue the check to the heir. If it is more that $75,000, then you would have to open a formal administration, get appointed as the personal representative, and then use the court order to open an estate account into which the check could be deposited. Think of the check as an estate asset that requires some form of probate.

Q. Can I live in a house my parents' divorce decree says is for me after my dad passed?

May 1, 2025

A: I recommend that you consult with an experienced attorney who handles family law and probate. Ask them to review the divorce decree to see what your parents agreed to. For example, it may be that your parents continued to own the house 50/50 as tenants in common. If you are your father's heir, you would likely still need to go through the probate process to transfer your father's share to you. The family law/probate attorney can confirm this and recommend a course of action.