ABOUT

About Us

As a Board-Certified Wills, Trusts, and Estates Attorney, Monique advises families and individuals on the financial, legal and tax aspects of their estate plans.

OUR TEAM

Meet Our Team

Monique Lavender Greenberg, LL.M., AEP, B.C.S.

Founding Attorney of Lavender Greenberg PLLC
Florida Bar Board Certified Wills, Trusts, and Estates Attorney
Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Court Mediator

Monique Lavender Greenberg is a Florida Bar Board Certified in Wills, Trusts, and Estates Attorney and the founding attorney at Lavender Greenberg PLLC in Coral Gables, Florida. In this role, she focuses her practice on estate planning, probate administration, and probate litigation probate law, as well as related asset protection and tax issues.

Education

University of Miami School of Law, LL.M. in Estate Planning
University of Miami, Cum Laude, School of Law, J.D.
University of Connecticut, B.A., Magna Cum Laude in Economics & Political Science

Bar Admissions

Florida Bar (2010)
Southern District of Florida
Eleventh Federal Circuit Court of Appeal

Associations

Board of Directors, National Association of Estate Planners & Councils
Member, Florida Bar Probate Rules Committee
Board of Directors, Coral Gables Bar Association
Past President, Coral Gables Estate Planning Council
Member, Real Property and Probate Section of the Florida Bar
Board of Directors, Friends of Miami-Dade Public Library
Former Member of the Board of Directors, Junior League of Miami, Inc.
Former Adjunct Faculty Member, Florida International University
Former Member of the Board of Directors, Beaux Arts

Recognitions

Board Certified in Wills, Trusts, and Estates by the Florida Bar
AEP® Designation from the National Association of Estate Planning Councils
Circle of Excellence Award, Probate and Guardianship category, Miami Dade Bar (2024)
On the Rise Award, Daily Business Review, 2024 Florida Legal Awards (2024)
South Florida Business & Wealth’s Up & Comer Award (2023)
Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Overall Rising Star Award (2023)
Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce “Merrick in the Making” Community Builder Award (2022)
Coral Gables Businesswoman of the Year Awards Finalist, Philanthropist (2022)
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating
Super Lawyers, Rising Star
Up and Coming Estate Planner, People Maven, 2019

Recent Honors

Circle of Excellence Award, Probate and Guardianship category, Miami Dade Bar (2024)
On the Rise Award, Daily Business Review, 2024 Florida Legal Awards (2024)
South Florida Business & Wealth’s Up & Comer Award (2023)
Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce Overall Rising Star Award (2023)
Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce “Merrick in the Making” Community Builder Award (2022)
Coral Gables Businesswoman of the Year Awards Finalist, Philanthropist (2022)
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating
Super Lawyers, Rising Star
Up and Coming Estate Planner, People Maven, 2019

Melissa G. Marrero

Associate Attorney at Lavender Greenberg PLLC

Melissa G. Marrero devotes her practice exclusively to estate planning, probate and guardianship administration, and related litigation. Melissa works with clients on customized estate plans, contested wills and trusts, and daily administration of probate, guardianships, and trusts matters.

She helps clients understand their rights and responsibilities, and provides compassionate advice during difficult times. Trustees, Guardians, Personal Representatives, and Beneficiaries rely on Melissa to help ensure that the administration of trusts, probates, and guardianships are proper and efficient.

Education

Florida International University, College of Law, Juris Doctor Degree, cum laude (2020)
Florida International University, Valedictorian Scholarship, Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Minor in Criminal Justice, and Certification in Banking (2017)

Bar Admissions

Florida (2020)

APPROACH

Our Approach

THERE IS NO

“One-Size Fits All”

Lavender Greenberg PLLC’s approach focuses on the individual client and is sensitive to the fact that even where two clients may have the same assets and goals, specific factors important to each client may necessitate completely different treatment.

our

Practice

We focus on what will work best for each client. We also pride ourselves on being a caring, efficient and knowledgeable resource for clients who need assistance navigating the complexities of probate and guardianship.

about

Monique

Monique Lavender Greenberg is an active member of the Miami community, and is especially passionate about her involvement in organizations like the Friends of the Miami-Dade Public Library and the Junior League of Miami.

Monique Lavender Greenberg focuses her practice on estate planning, probate, and guardianship law.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of cases does your firm handle?

Our firm focuses on estate planning, probate administration, trust administration, and tax issues related to estates, trusts, and gift taxes. From simple summary probate matters to sophisticated planning for high-value estates, we are here to provide you guidance every step of the way.

Why is estate planning important?

Estate planning is essential to ensure that your wishes are carried out regarding asset distribution, incapacity and overall wealth protection. Having an estate plan in place can help you minimize taxes, avoid probate and ensure your loved ones are cared for in the way you intend. Our team will work with you to create a custom plan tailored to your goals and family’s needs.

What is probate and why avoid it?

Probate is the court-monitored process of changing ownership of assets from the deceased to their beneficiaries. It can be a complex process that varies in length depending on the estate’s size and any potential disputes. We assist clients through all stages of probate administration, providing clear and compassionate guidance throughout.

Will I avoid probate by having a will in place?

No, a will does not avoid probate. While it specifies who inherits your assets and appoints a personal representative, it still requires the estate to go through probate, which can be a lengthy and costly process. To avoid probate, we recommend using a pay-on-death account, Lady Bird deed, or a revocable trust to transfer assets directly to beneficiaries.

What is your process for working with new clients?

We start with a case evaluation call to understand your goals and current estate plan, in case there is any. Once you engage with us, we provide a comprehensive intake process, customized document creation, and ongoing support through each step, including design meetings with our attorney, review of all documents, and follow-up to ensure your plan meets your expectations.

What happens if I pass away without an estate plan?

Without an estate plan, Florida law dictates how your assets are distributed, which may not align with your wishes. For those without close relatives, this can lead to distant family inheriting, often people you may not know or intend to benefit. To avoid this, creating an estate plan through a will or trust allows you to control where your assets go, so they support the people or causes you truly care about.

How much are probate fees?

Probate fees vary based on the complexity of the matter and the firm handling the case. However, they can often start at around 3% of the probate assets and may increase depending on the estate’s size and complexity. These costs are an important consideration when planning your estate, as they can add up quickly over time.

What documents are typically included in an estate plan?

An estate plan usually includes several key documents designed to protect your assets, provide instructions and specify how you want your estate handled. Some documents an estate plan may include are a will, revocable trust, durable power of attorney, healthcare surrogate, HIPAA release and living will.

What Our Customers Are Saying

★★★★★

“It was an absolute pleasure to work with Monique and staff. Her attention to detail and professionalism exceeded our expectations! She made the state planning process very easy to understand and was extremely accommodating to our wishes!”

★★★★★

“What a pleasure it was to have Ms. Greenberg execute my estate planning documents. She guided me step by step and answered all my questions without hesitation. I had a great experience over all, from signing our documents in a covid friendly way to how professional Ms. Greenberg is. 100% recommend.”

★★★★★

“Lavender Greenberg is an exceptional law firm for estate planning. I highly recommend taking this very serious and very responsible step of having all your paperwork in order with a knowledgeable, responsible and ethical law firm.”