Background:

I am one of the rare few born in Daytona Beach and still living and working in the area. I graduated with a degree in accounting from Jacksonville University in 1974 and shortly thereafter obtained my Florida license as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).  In 1979, I earned my law degree from St. Mary’s School of Law in San Antonio, Texas.  My father, Walter A. Shelley, also a native Floridian, practiced law in Daytona for nearly 50 years.  I had the privilege of joining my father in the practice of law and continuing the practice after his death in 1982.

Since then, I have focused my practice on protecting clients and their families,  meeting the estate planning and administration needs of my clients and serving their families when the time comes.  Currently, I am the Managing Partner of Legacy Law Associates, P.L., Counselors at Law located in the same location where my father practiced for most of his 50 years as a lawyer.  As our name implies, planning and the implementation of that planning is what we do and do well.

 

Experience:

Since 1979, my professional practice has been devoted to estate planning and estate and trust administration. I help clients plan well so when they fall down and someone else has to pick up and carry on, they know what they need to do and have the authority to do it.  As an important part of this, I often discuss how to protect clients and their family from the creditors and predators of life.  Good planning is the preparation for that which is to come.  And when that time comes, I help families implement the planning our clients have prepared.

As a part of comprehensive estate planning, I represent individuals and their families in connection with the following related areas:

  • Design, Implementation and Administration of Wills, Trusts and Powers of Attorney
  • Income, Gift and Estate Tax Planning
  • Asset Preservation and Protection
  • Supplemental/Special Needs Trusts
  • Real Estate Transfers and Closings
  • Business and Corporate Design and Implementation

 

Professional Affiliations:

  • The Florida Bar
  • Volusia County Bar Association
  • ElderLaw, a national network of Elder Law attorneys
  • National Association of Attorney-Certified Public Accountants

 

Personal Statement:

Many people have the impression that Estate Planning is a “just in case” exercise.  Life and my clients have taught me that it is not “if something happens” but “when it happens”.  I take seriously the work of helping my clients plan well because I have seen the consequences of failing to do that. I am a Christian which influences not only how I live but also how I practice and counsel my clients.

 

Personal Interests:

I enjoy surfing using my unusual WaveSki which beats me up regularly.  I also ride a recumbent bicycle on the beach when the tide permits which makes it very comfortable on my 20 mile rides.  I claim to be a fisherman which I define as spending time on the water watching the fish as they watch me. Sometimes they even jump into my boat to go home with me. I attend Riverbend Church in Ormond Beach and have been part of a men’s bible study since 1987.