William N Kirk, Estate Planning Attorney in Vero Beach, Florida
Over 36 years of legal practice · focused on Estate Planning, Probate, and Tax · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Co-Chair, Estate Planning and Tax GroupatGould Cooksey Fennell
Vero Beach, FL
Practicing estate planning in Vero Beach since 1990.
- 36+
- Years practicing
- 5.0 ★
- 1 client review
- 3
- Bar admissions
Practices in
Are you William N Kirk?
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Quick answer
William N Kirk is a co-chair, estate planning and tax group based in Vero Beach, FL. The practice focuses on Estate Planning, Probate, and Tax. William has over 36 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Gould Cooksey Fennell. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
- Based in
- Vero Beach, FL
- Experience
- over 36 years
- Known for
- Estate Planning · Probate · Tax
- Handles Estate Planning, Probate, and Tax matters from Vero Beach, FL.
- Over 36 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
- Recognized with AV Preeminent.
About William N Kirk: William N Kirk is a co-chair, estate planning and tax group based in Vero Beach, FL. The practice focuses on Estate Planning, Probate, and Tax. William has over 36 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Gould Cooksey Fennell. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by William N Kirk
William concentrates on estate planning, probate, tax, and trusts. Each area below outlines the kind of case William handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Estate Planning
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Probate
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Tax
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Trusts
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Estate Planning cases in Vero Beach, Florida
William takes estate planning matters in Vero Beach, Florida. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Probate cases in Vero Beach, Florida
William takes probate matters in Vero Beach, Florida. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Tax cases in Vero Beach, Florida
William takes tax matters in Vero Beach, Florida. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Trusts cases in Vero Beach, Florida
William takes trusts matters in Vero Beach, Florida. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Biography
About William N Kirk — Over 36 years of Florida estate planning experience
William N Kirk is a co-chair, estate planning and tax group based in Vero Beach, FL. The practice focuses on Estate Planning, Probate, and Tax. William has over 36 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Gould Cooksey Fennell. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.
William N. Kirk co-chairs Gould Cooksey Fennell's Estate Planning & Tax Group, concentrating his practice on sophisticated estate and tax planning, probate and trust administration, and related areas of taxation. He was raised on a diversified crop and livestock farm in northwestern Kansas, and joined Gould Cooksey Fennell in 2004. Mr. Kirk maintains a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review “AV Preeminent” rating, the highest rating given to lawyers who are ranked at the highest level of professional excellence by their peers.Mr. Kirk graduated first in his class at Washburn University School of Law in 1990, earning eleven American Jurisprudence Awards for receiving the highest grade in nearly one-third of his law school courses. He was Notes Editor of the Washburn Law Journal and earned membership in the Washburn Moot Court Council. Following his law school graduation, he focused his practice on business and securities transactions in Wichita, Kansas. In 1996, he left the private practice of law and became a principal and executive officer of a family-owned, multi-unit restaurant company located in Palm Beach County, Florida. In 2002, Mr. Kirk commenced his studies in taxation and estate planning at the University of Miami, School of Law, where he earned an LL.M. in Estate Planning in 2003, and was recognized as an Estate Planning Fellow because of his academic achievement and potential for excellence in the field of estate planning.Apart from the practice of law, Mr. Kirk is invested in the future of the community and has volunteered his time with various civic and charitable organizations. He served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for United Way Foundation of Indian River County at its inception, and for three years thereafter. In connection with that service, he was recognized as the 2015 recipient of the Pinnacle Award, which honors professional advisors for outstanding voluntary service to Indian River County non-profit organizations in promoting charitable giving through estate and gift planning.
How William handles estate planning matters
William N. Kirk co-chairs Gould Cooksey Fennell's Estate Planning & Tax Group, concentrating his practice on sophisticated estate and tax planning, probate and trust administration, and related areas of taxation. He was raised on a diversified crop and livestock farm in northwestern Kansas, and joined Gould Cooksey Fennell in 2004. Mr. Kirk maintains a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review “AV…
The kind of cases William takes
William reviews new inquiries case-by-case for estate planning, probate, and tax matters in Vero Beach and the surrounding Florida area.
Credentials
William N Kirk's legal education and bar admissions
University of Miami School of Law
LL.M. Estate · 2003
Kansas State University
B.S. · 1986
Jurisdictions
William's state bar admissions
U.S. Tax Court
2003 · ACTIVE
Florida
2002 · ACTIVE
Kansas
1990 · ACTIVE
William studied at LL.M. Estate in University of Miami School of Law and B.S. in Kansas State University.
Law school and academic background
William completed LL.M. Estate in University of Miami School of Law and B.S. in Kansas State University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice William runs in Florida is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of William N Kirk
William has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
AV Preeminent
Legal awards and honors
AV Preeminent.
Affiliations
William's professional memberships and bar associations
The Florida Bar Association, Tax Section and Real Property and Probate SectionIndian River County Bar AssociationIndian River Estate Planning Council, past President and past Director
membership
Locations
William N Kirk's office in Vero Beach
William's primary office is at 979 Beachland Boulevard, Vero Beach, FL, 32963. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of William N Kirk — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review
Every review below is from a verified client of William. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing estate planning attorneys in Vero Beach.
5.0
1 client review
Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once William N Kirk claims this profile.
Read all reviewsHiring guide
How to hire William N Kirk — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new estate planning attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with William usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
William charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; William will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a estate planning attorney in Vero Beach, Florida
A short list to run through before you commit: How many estate planning matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for William
William discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in estate planning practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every estate planning matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. William confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
William's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many estate planning practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about William N Kirk
How much does it cost to hire William for a estate planning case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. William walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does William offer a free consultation?
William charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office. Some estate planning attorneys offer free consults — check William's current terms during booking.
How long do estate planning cases in Florida typically take?
Simple estate planning matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. William gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can William take my case if I'm outside Vero Beach?
William is licensed in Florida. Matters governed by Florida law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — William will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with William?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. William will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is William accepting new estate planning clients right now?
William's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Estate Planning attorneys serving Vero Beach, Miami and Tampa in Florida
William handles estate planning matters throughout Florida. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified estate planning attorneys in that community.
- Vero Beach591 attorneys
- Miami15,918 attorneys
- Tampa9,739 attorneys
- Orlando7,352 attorneys
- Fort Lauderdale6,726 attorneys
- Jacksonville5,497 attorneys
- Tallahassee4,383 attorneys
- West Palm Beach3,699 attorneys
- Boca Raton3,668 attorneys
- Coral Gables3,397 attorneys
- Naples2,155 attorneys
- St Petersburg2,098 attorneys
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