Icard Merrill

F. Thomas Hopkins

Shareholder   ||   At Icard Merrill Since 1977

F. Thomas Hopkins is a shareholder and former President of the firm. He has practiced with Icard Merrill since 1977. Mr. Hopkins practices all areas of real estate law and has been designated by the Florida Bar as a Board Certified Real Estate Attorney, the highest level of recognition by the Florida Bar. His extensive experience includes real estate acquisition, formation of development entities, brokerage, development, leasing, lending, title insurance, workout of problem projects, tax-deferred exchanges, and real property disposition. Mr. Hopkins' practice has included the formation and administration of all forms of entities used in business ventures. He has formed, advised, and assisted with the administration of hundreds of business entities of all types, including corporations, "S" corporations, general partnerships, limited partnerships, family limited partnerships, unincorporated proprietorships, land trusts, and limited liability companies.

Mr. Hopkins has extensive experience counseling clients in all aspects of estate planning. Both revocable and irrevocable trusts are used as important estate planning vehicles. In some situations, family limited partnerships or limited liability companies are also utilized. Planning attempts to minimize anticipated estate taxes. Clients generally also receive counseling with respect to health and medical issues. Mr. Hopkins assists with the administration of the estates or trusts of his estate planning clients. This may involve acting as attorney advising the personal representative (executor) or trustee, or acting directly as the personal representative or trustee when appropriate. The administration implements the estate plan previously worked out by the client and his or her advisors. Administration includes collecting and identifying assets, paying debts, resolving claims, tax planning, managing investments, filing tax returns, and generally carrying out the terms of the will or trust involved.

Mr. Hopkins is Martindale-Hubbell rated "AV" (the highest rating possible) by his peers. His professional affiliations and positions have included: President, Sarasota County Bar Association; President, Bar Association Legal Aid Society, Inc.; Co-Chairman of the Real Estate Section of the Sarasota County Bar Association; Southwest Florida Estate Planning Council, Program Committee; Estate Planning Section of the Sarasota County Bar Association; The Florida Bar: Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section; Sarasota Realtor/Attorney Joint Committee; The Florida Bar Grievance Committee; and Director, Lawyer Referral Service.

Mr. Hopkins has been affiliated with the following volunteer organizations and held the positions noted: President and Board Member, Sarasota County Civic League; President, Dartmouth Club of Sarasota; President, Ivy League Club; Chairman, Diocese of Venice School Board; Sarasota Chamber of Commerce; Tiger Bay Club; Cardinal Mooney High School Planned Giving Committee; and Sarasota Choral Society.

Mr. Hopkins has an A.B. from Dartmouth College (1969), an M.S. from the University of Southern California (1973), and received his law degree from the University of Florida (1976).

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