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Mary Vlasak Snell

Partner

Mary Vlasak Snell is a partner in the Fort Myers Office of Pavese Law Firm practicing in the areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration; and business law.

Mary is a long time member of the Board of Directors for United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, Counties, a member of the Executive Committee and Secretary, and an Allocations Team Leader. She is also a former chairperson of Bishop Verot and St. Francis Xavier School Boards; a Finance Committee Member with St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church; a Sustainer Member with Junior League of Fort Myers; and Vice President of the Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida, Inc.

Representative Experience

  • 39 years of experience assisting clients with their estate planning needs.
  • Administration of domiciliary and ancillary estate in Lee County and numerous Florida counties.
  • Represents local banks in review of trusts, wills and power of attorneys; and estate and guardianship pleadings.

Estate Planning

Provides a full spectrum of services to individuals, families and businesses for estate planning and wealth transfer, including, but not limited to the following:

  • Drafting wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney, health care surrogate designations, living wills, designations of pre-need guardian
  • Assist with transfer of assets to trusts
  • Counsel clients regarding probate avoidance techniques
  • Appointment of guardians for minors

Probate and Trust Administration

Providing individuals and corporate fiduciaries with probate and trust administration services including:

  • Initiating and administration of a probate proceeding, including the preparation of court documents
  • Guidance and assistance with minimizing taxes and protecting assets
  • Distributing assets to named beneficiaries

Business and Corporate

Counseling clients through all stages of business formation, development and growth, including, but not limited to the following: 

  • Advising clients on entity formation including corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships
  • Preparation of Bylaws and Operating Agreements
  • Drafting Buy-Sell and Redemption Agreements

Practice Areas

  • Business & Corporate
  • Estate Planning, Probate & Trusts

Admitted to Practice

  • U.S. District Court Middle District
  • U.S. Tax Court
  • U.S. District Court Southern District
  • The Florida Bar
    • Business Law Section
    • Elder Law Section
    • Real Property, Probate and Trust Section
    • Tax Section

Education

  • University of Miami, Tax LL.M.
  • Nova University Center for the Study of Law (now known as Nova Southeastern University – Shepard Broad College of Law), J.D.
  • University of North Florida, B.A.

Bar and Professional Association Memberships

  • The Florida Bar
  • Lee County Bar Association

Community Service

  • Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Secretary and Allocations Team Leader – United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties
  • Sustainer Member, Junior League of Fort Myers
  • Vice President, Board of Directors, Catholic Community Foundation of Southwest Florida, Inc.
  • Finance Committee Member, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
  • Former chairperson of Bishop Verot and St. Francis Xavier School Boards

Awards & Recognition

  • Lee County Bar Association Pro Bono Superstar Award, 2024
  • Lee County Bar Association Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award, 2015
  • President Award, Junior League of Fort Myers
  • Naples Illustrated Top Lawyer, Trusts and Estates, 2024