Angela M. Adams

Law Office of Wm. Fletcher Belcher

ANGELA M. ADAMS practices estate and trust litigation with the Law Office of Wm. Fletcher Belcher in St. Petersburg. A native Floridian, she graduated from Vanderbilt University and returned to Florida where she received her law degree from Stetson University College of Law and was admitted to The Florida Bar. She was an associate in the St. Petersburg office of Fowler, White, Gillen, Boggs, Villareal and Banker, P.A., from 1986 to 1988, before joining Wm. Fletcher Belcher in 1988. She is a Fellow of The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and a member of the Executive Council of the Real Property, Probate & Trust Law (RPPTL) Section of The Florida Bar. Angela is currently the Treasurer of that Section; is a past co-chair of the RPPTL Section=s CLE Coordination Committee; and has chaired that Section=s Ad Hoc E-Wills Committee (2019-2022) and Trust Law Committee (2014-2019). She is a member of the RPPTL Section=s Executive Committee, Probate and Trust Litigation Committee, Trust Law Committee, and Probate Law and Procedure Committee. She also served on the Section=s Power of Attorney Committee that authored the 2011 Florida Power of Attorney Act. Angela is listed as an AV Preeminent Rated Lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell and is recognized in Best Lawyers in America and Florida Super Lawyers. She is a frequent lecturer and writer on estate and trust topics.

Rachel N. Barlow

The Diamond Law Firm, P.A.

Rachel N. Barlow is a Shareholder with The Diamond Law Firm, P.A., in St. Petersburg, Florida. She focuses her practice on estate planning, probate and trust administration, and probate and trust controversies and litigation. Rachel is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Wills, Trusts and Estates. She earned her law degree (J.D.) from Stetson University College of Law, cum laude and earned her Master of Laws in Taxation (LL.M.) degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Rachel is an Executive Council member of the Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida, currently serving as the Co-Vice Chair of the IRA, Insurance & Employee Benefits Committee. She is also an active member of the St. Petersburg Bar Association, where she currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Probate Section, the Clearwater Bar Association, and the Suncoast Estate Planning Council.

Rebecca Bell 

Delzer, Coulter & Bell, PA

Rebecca C. Bell is shareholder with Delzer, Coulter & Bell, PA in Port Richey where she practices in the areas of estate planning, estate and trust administration and elder law. She graduated from Vanderbilt University (B.A., 1997) and Stetson University College of Law (J.D., cum laude, 1999 and LL.M. in Elder Law with distinction, 2011). She is Florida Bar Board certified in Wills, Trusts and Estates and Elder Law and is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. Rebecca received the 2012 Member of the Year Award by the Florida Bar Elder Law Section. She was selected by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in Elder Law 2013-2015 and as a Super Lawyer for 2020-2025. She is currently a member of the Executive Council of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar as a vice chair of the IRA, Insurance and Employee Benefits committee.

John P. Cole, Esq.

Gunster P.A.

John P. Cole is a Shareholder in Gunster’s Jacksonville office. John’s practice focuses on fiduciary risk management and counseling professional fiduciaries; probate, trust and fiduciary litigation; and mediation of probate, trust and fiduciary litigation.

Jeffrey A. Eisel

Baskin Eisel Rightmyer, Attorneys at Law

Jeffrey A. Eisel grew up in Palm Harbor, Florida and has established roots in Tampa Bay. He is a two-time graduate of the University of Florida. In 2004, Mr. Eisel earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and worked as an Analyst on the Pricing Team at Tech Data. Three years later, he returned to his alma mater, this time graduating with honors from University of Florida’s Levin College of Law in 2011. During law school, Mr. Eisel spent a summer as a Law Clerk in the General Counsel’s office at Jabil Circuit.

Mr. Eisel serves on the Executive Committee for the Real Property Probate & Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar as an At-Large Member. He serves as the Lead ALM for the 6th Circuit. He is also a Vice-Chair of the Guardianship, Power of Attorney & Advance Directives Committee. He is the past Chair of the Probate & Guardianship Section of the St. Petersburg Bar Association. Mr. Eisel is a past Co-President of The Barney Masterson American Inn of Court. Mr. Eisel also serves on The Florida Bar’s Grievance Committee and is a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, The Trial Lawyer Honor Society.

Mr. Eisel’s practice areas include guardianship administration and litigation, probate administration and litigation, trust administration and litigation, fiduciary litigation, and estate planning.

During his free time, Mr. Eisel is an avid traveler. He has hiked the Incan Trail in Peru, Everest Base Camp in Nepal, Torres del Paine in Patagonia, and Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Mr. Eisel also enjoys playing and watching sports, in particular the Florida Gators. He enjoys fishing and spending time with family and friends.

Alexandria Goff

Alexandria Goff Legal P.C.

Alexandria, also known as “Ali” is the owner and founder of Goff Legal, PC, a law firm focused on estate planning, trust & estate administration matters. Ali is known for her in-depth knowledge and expertise with wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, and her ability to explain complex matters in an understandable way. She was drawn to estate planning to help protect people and their families and provide peace of mind so they avoid complications for generations to come.

She is a frequent presenter for organizations located in California, the Professional Fiduciary Association of California, the Probate Section of the Placer County Bar and the National Business Institute. Ali is also is a certified performance coach, helping women leaders and business owners with their personal and professional endeavors and goals.

Elizabeth Hughes, Esq.

Akerman

Elizabeth Hughes is a highly skilled attorney who focuses on fiduciary litigation, with a particular concentration on disputes that arise from Florida estates, trusts, and guardianships. Elizabeth’s experience includes successfully litigating and resolving complex cases involving will and trust contests, fiduciary fee disputes, determination of heir disputes, disputes over appointment of fiduciaries, removal of fiduciaries, surcharge actions, elective share disputes, and breaches of fiduciary obligations. She regularly assists individuals and clients serving as fiduciaries in reforming and construing wills and trusts, determining rights in wills and trusts, modifying trusts, and terminating trusts.

With more than a decade of experience in guardianship and mental health litigation proceedings, Elizabeth also advises clients on disputes over capacity and appointments as guardian. She has handled contested emergency temporary guardianship proceedings for clients and has experience with adversary elderly exploitation injunction matters in Florida. Elizabeth’s degree in Health Science and Rehabilitative Services provides her with a deep understanding of guardianship administration and restoration proceedings. She is skilled in representing professional and non-professional guardians and has experience representing both petitioners and respondents in Florida Marchman Act proceedings. Elizabeth has also served as private counsel for alleged incapacitated persons, as well as wards.

In addition to representing clients in related matters, Elizabeth has served as court-appointed counsel, ad litem, estate curator, and guardian in numerous probate, trust, and guardianship cases in Florida. For more than ten years, Elizabeth has served on the Executive Council of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar and in this capacity has been involved in crafting Florida Law relating to estates, trusts, and guardianship proceedings and has been involved in the legislative process for the Section.

Darby Jones, JD

Professional Fiduciary Consulting

Darby Jones is an attorney and member of the Florida Bar and Maryland Bar. Darby served as a trust officer for financial institutions in Maryland for over 15 years before establishing Professional Fiduciary Services, LLC in 2011 and served as a professional fiduciary in a variety of capacities including as Trustee, Agent under Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate, Personal Representative, and Professional Guardian. Now, Darby focuses on fiduciary consulting services for those individuals, professional fiduciaries, or families needing guidance and practical solutions for the smooth implementation of their estate plan or goals but are unsure where to start, or what to do next!

Darby is also host of Aging Academy; Navigating Decisions, a monthly webcast in collaboration with AARP Florida, delivering monthly presentations about the challenges, decisions, and problem solving that we all face as we age including preparation for medical events, caregiving challenges, family dynamics, financial/legal challenges, and life’s aging concerns.

Darby is a Founding Member and President of the Executive Board of the Professional Fiduciary Council of Florida. Darby is a member of the Executive Council of the Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar serving as Liaison for the Professional Fiduciary Council of Florida and the Office of Public and Professional Guardians. Darby graduated from American University, Washington College of Law in Washington D.C. after completing her first year at Stetson College of Law, in St. Petersburg.

Darby has been an active member and presenter for Bar Associations, Estate Planning Councils, charitable boards, the AARP Aging Academy, and various organizations throughout her career speaking on a variety of fiduciary and aging related topics.

Betsy Leslie

Tampa Bay Fiduciary, LLC

Betsy Leslie is a graduate of the Florida State College of Law and is a current member of the Florida Bar where she maintains membership in the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law and Elder Law sections.

Betsy began working in the Professional Fiduciary field in 2015, ultimately opening Tampa Bay Fiduciary, LLC in 2018. She provides an array of fiduciary services including Independent Trustee, Personal Representative, Agent under Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate, Curator, and other roles of agency.

As a trustee, Betsy has experience serving Special Needs Trust beneficiaries, domestic and foreign corporate trust clients, major league sports disability trust beneficiaries, and drug addict recovery beneficiaries. Betsy’s Health Care Surrogate appointments include traumatic brain injury patients, dementia and Alzheimer’s patients, and other chronic or emergent care clients.

Betsy is a founding member of the Professional Fiduciary Council of Florida (PFCF). She currently serves as Chair of the Membership Committee and sits on the Executive Board and Curriculum Committee. Betsy has spoken at the PFCF annual conferences, co-hosted PFCF Fiduciary Fridays, and speaks by invitation to Bar Association and Elder Law events. She served on the faculty of the inaugural POA Certification classes offered by Stetson Law School Spring of 2025.

Andrew B. Sasso, Esq.

Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen

Andrew B. Sasso practices in the Clearwater, Florida office of Macfarlane Ferguson & McMullen with a practice focused in the areas of probate, guardianship, and trust litigation and administration. Mr. Sasso received degrees from University of Central Florida, B.A., 1980 and Stetson University College of Law, J.D., 1983.

Mr. Sasso has been a member of The Florida Bar since 1984 having served on the Board of Governors (2004-2016) (Disciplinary Procedures Committee, Chair (2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2009-2010, 2010-2011), Executive Committee (2010-2011), Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section, Board of Governors Liaison (2012-2016), Rules of Judicial Administration Committee, Board of Governors Liaison (2012-2016), Clients' Security Fund Committee, Board of Governors Liaison (2014-2016), Designated Review for Grievance Committees 6A, 6B, 6C, (2004-2016), Designated Review for Statewide Advertising Grievance Committee (2011-2016), Designated Review for Unlicensed Practice of Law Committees 6A and 6B (2004-2016)), and Parliamentarian of the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar (2016-2023). Currently, Mr. Sasso is a member of the Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section’s Executive Council.

Mr. Sasso has served the Clearwater Bar Association, Inc. (President (2000-2001), President-Elect (1999-2000), Secretary (1998-1999), Director (1997-1998), Bench/Bar Liaison Committee, Co Chair (1997-1999), Probate, Guardianship and Trust Law Committee, Chair (1995-1996)).

Mr. Sasso is currently serving as Chair of the Local Professionalism Panel of the Sixth Judicial Circuit and is a member of the Professionalism Committee of the Sixth Judicial Circuit. Chief Justice Jorge Labarga appointed Mr. Sasso to serve on the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Management Council Guardianship Workgroup (2016-2018).

Mr. Sasso is AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, selected to Super Lawyers®, and has been recognized with The Florida Bar President's Award of Merit, 2010, The Florida Bar Tony Boggs Excellence in Discipline Award, 2016, the Barney Masterson Inn of Court Professionalism Award, 2005, the Clearwater Bar Association’s Ralph Richards Award, 2018, the Barney Masterson Inn of Court Barney Award, 2021, and The Florida Bar Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section’s John Arthur Jones Annual Service Award, 2022-2023.

Vermost Insurance Agency

Darren J. Vermost is the CEO of Vermost Insurance Agency, an independent insurance agency specializing in risk management solutions for professionals, including Florida Professional Guardians. With over three decades of experience in the insurance industry, Darren leads a high-performing team focused on delivering innovative, client-centered strategies that protect individuals and organizations from financial risk.

Darren’s expertise includes Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions) Insurance, risk mitigation, and fiduciary responsibility, with a deep understanding of the complex exposures faced by guardians managing the personal and financial affairs of vulnerable individuals. Recognizing a need for improved support in the legal community, Darren successfully launched Probate Bond Pros, a specialized division of Vermost Insurance Agency focused on streamlining the probate and guardianship bonding process through cutting-edge technology and superior service.

In recognition of his agency's commitment to excellence and innovation, Vermost Insurance Agency was honored as the Rough Notes February 2025 Agency of the Month, a prestigious industry award highlighting top-performing independent agencies nationwide.

A former Army Officer in the Corps of Engineers, Darren brings exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills to every initiative he undertakes. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Industrial Relations and Human Resources from the University of Iowa and an MBA with concentrations in Finance and Management Information Systems from the University of South Florida.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Darren is a committed community leader, serving in advisory roles for local government, education, and nonprofit organizations. His dedication to helping others succeed is evident in both his business ventures and volunteer work.

Darren frequently educates professionals on liability risks, insurance solutions, and best practices for safeguarding their work. His presentations are designed to provide actionable insights, ensuring that guardians and other fiduciaries are prepared to navigate the complex responsibilities of their roles while protecting their reputations, assets, and clients.

Jason Waddell

Board Certified Elder Law Attorney

Jason Waddell is a Board Certified Elder Law Attorney and a longtime leader in Elder Law across Florida. He previously served as Chair of The Florida Bar’s Elder Law Section and continues to stay actively involved on its Executive Council and committees, advocating for the rights and benefits of seniors and their families.

When Jason began his practice 25 years ago in Pensacola, very few attorneys in the area focused exclusively on Elder Law. Seeing the impact that dedicated practices were making elsewhere in the state and around the country, he made the decision early on to commit his career entirely to this field. More than 20 years later, he has built a team that provides a full range of Elder Law services to the community.

Jason’s work has earned him some of the highest recognitions in the field, including the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Florida Bar’s Elder Law Section—an honor given only a handful of times in its history. He has also received the Section’s Member of the Year Award and the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award. He holds top peer ratings from both Martindale-Hubbell (AV) and AVVO (10.0).

Jason is married to Amy Kicklighter Waddell. Together they have one son who is in college at Stetson University where he participates on their rowing team (he is a very proud dad…just ask to see pictures).