What Do Dogs & Estate Planning Have in Common?

When it comes to estate planning and probate in Winter Haven, experience, local roots, and a welcoming environment make all the difference. For years, we’ve helped families throughout Polk County prepare for life’s what-ifs and what-nows — guiding them with compassion through wills, trusts, probate administration, and more. We’ve had many people join us for our journey, helped many clients on their own, and through it all… we’ve made Winter Haven our true home.

But beyond legal knowledge, we believe where and how you plan for your future is just as important. Our office isn’t just a place for paperwork and signatures — it’s a calm, friendly space designed to help clients feel at ease. And part of that warmth comes from the wagging tails that call our office home.

Meet Poppy — Office Pup Extraordinaire

This is Poppy. She’s a proud Polk County native herself, born to one of the wonderful mama dogs at Lakewood Labradoodles here in Winter Haven. I never imagined I’d be able to work from home (or the office) with an energetic adult puppy in the room, but Poppy has proven herself to be an incredible co-worker.

As long as she can pop by my desk for a crunchy treat a few times a day, she’ll curl up next to her fancy bed — or more likely, right on the carpet — and nap her way through client calls and Zoom meetings. She reminds us every day that it’s possible to do serious work in a space that still feels like home.

We love the energy that Poppy brings and we’ve had quite a few clients in awe of those pretty eyes!

Honoring Violet — The Original Legal Beagle

Before Poppy, there was Violet — the original law firm dog. She earned her title, The Legal Beagle, thanks to my first legal assistant, who knew a hard-working (and cookie-loving) pup when she saw one. Violet spent many days keeping us company and greeting visitors, but her favorite job was curling up with her human grandfather, keeping him company during TV marathons. She’s missed deeply by her whole family — especially during the holidays when there are cookies to wish for.

Rooted in Winter Haven

We believe in legacy. When Violet passed, we were unsure if we’d keep the legacy of an office pup going but… we knew we believed dogs in the office help ensure that we have peace of mind during harder topics. Both Poppy and Violet serve a greater good, just like our office, and we thank them every day for being a comfort when we need it most – for both us and our clients.

Just like Poppy and Violet, our team is deeply connected to Winter Haven and the Polk County community. We know the local courts, the local families, and the local values — because we’re part of them. Our clients trust us because we’ve built real relationships, and we believe those relationships are stronger when we work in an environment that feels warm, familiar, and maybe even a little furry.

Whether you’re planning your estate, navigating probate, or just want to meet Poppy, our door is open. We’re proud to be Winter Haven’s trusted source for estate planning and probate — and we know Poppy would love to say hello too.