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    J. Jerome Miller

    Senior Partner

    Pensacola/Destin
    850-469-3316
    jerry.miller@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    Trusts and Estates/Estate PlanningBusiness

    Jerry Miller assists individuals with estate planning, probate, trust administration and guardianship matters. He assesses their specific needs and then helps them meet their goals in a thorough and efficient manner.

    Jerry drafts wills, creates trusts and complex trusts to manage assets and designates beneficiaries. In probate matters, he advises fiduciaries on administering estates and distributing assets to beneficiaries. With respect to trust administration, Jerry ensures the proper management and distribution of trust assets, counsels trustees on legal obligations and addresses beneficiary concerns. Jerry has experience setting up guardianships for minors and protecting their best interests.

    He has taught probate and estate planning at the University of West Florida.

    Jerry is an active Freemason and led the organization in a variety of positions for several years.

    Experience

    • Draft wills, trusts and supporting documents for individuals.
    • Conduct formal probate and summary probate administration for the estates of deceased persons.
    • Assists clients in the creation and management of business organizations such as partnerships, corporations and limited liability companies.

    Insights

    • May 1, 2025

      It’s Official! Phelps and Beggs & Lane Have Combined…

    Recognition

    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Paul Buchman Award as Florida’s Outstanding Municipal Attorney (2004-2005)
    • Northwest Florida League of Cities – Associate Member of the Year (2017-2019)
    • Destin Rotary Club – Service Above Self Award (2014-2015), Rotarian of the Year (2012-2013)
    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Paul Buchman Award as Florida’s Outstanding Municipal Attorney (2004-2005)
    • Northwest Florida League of Cities – Associate Member of the Year (2017-2019)
    • Destin Rotary Club – Service Above Self Award (2014-2015), Rotarian of the Year (2012-2013)

    Education

    • Florida State University College of Law, J.D., 1970
    • Florida State University, B.S., 1967
    • Florida State University College of Law, J.D., 1970
    • Florida State University, B.S., 1967

    Credentials

    • Florida
    • Florida Supreme Court
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • Florida
    • Florida Supreme Court
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
    • U.S. Supreme Court

    Memberships and Affiliations

    Professional

    • The Florida Bar; Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section – Member; Elder Law Section – Member
    • Estate Planning Council of Northwest Florida – Past President (1982)
    • University of West Florida, Probate & Estate Planning – Former adjunct instructor
    • Florida Municipal Attorneys Association – President (2000-2001)
    • Former City/Town Attorney for municipalities including Caryville, Carabelle, Chattahoochee, Crestview, Destin, Ebro, Fort Walton Beach, Mary Esther and Quincy
    • Former General Counsel for Community Redevelopment Agencies in Crestview, Destin and Fort Walton Beach
    • Former Fort Walton Beach City Council Member (1981-1985) and Mayor Pro Tem (1984-1985)

     

    Professional

    • The Florida Bar; Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section – Member; Elder Law Section – Member
    • Estate Planning Council of Northwest Florida – Past President (1982)
    • University of West Florida, Probate & Estate Planning – Former adjunct instructor
    • Florida Municipal Attorneys Association – President (2000-2001)
    • Former City/Town Attorney for municipalities including Caryville, Carabelle, Chattahoochee, Crestview, Destin, Ebro, Fort Walton Beach, Mary Esther and Quincy
    • Former General Counsel for Community Redevelopment Agencies in Crestview, Destin and Fort Walton Beach
    • Former Fort Walton Beach City Council Member (1981-1985) and Mayor Pro Tem (1984-1985)

     

    • Overview
    • Experience
    • Insights
    • Recognition
    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

    Related Services

    • Trusts and Estates/Estate Planning
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