About Us

Michelle N. Shupe-Abbas, Esq.

Founding Partner – Fort Lauderdale Attorney

Contact: [email protected]

Michelle has spent more than 25 years helping individuals and families make confident decisions about their future. As the founding partner of the firm, she combines deep legal knowledge with a practical, compassionate approach to estate planning, probate administration, and trust administration.

Michelle believes that effective legal counsel begins with listening. Every family has unique goals and circumstances, and she takes the time to understand what matters most before developing practical, thoughtful solutions. Whether creating a comprehensive estate plan or guiding a family through the administration of a loved one's estate, Michelle is committed to providing clear advice, responsive communication, and exceptional legal representation.

Experience That Makes a Difference

Michelle began her legal career as a litigator and has conducted hundreds of non-jury trials in courts throughout Florida. That extensive courtroom experience gives her valuable perspective when advising clients, allowing her to anticipate issues before they become disputes and develop strategies that help families avoid unnecessary conflict.

Her practice includes:

• Estate Planning
• Probate Administration
• Trust Administration
• Fiduciary Representation

Michelle has helped hundreds of individuals and families create thoughtful estate plans while guiding personal representatives and trustees through the legal and fiduciary responsibilities of estate and trust administration. Her goal is to make complex legal matters understandable and help clients move forward with confidence.

Advanced Knowledge. Practical Guidance.

Michelle earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina before receiving her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from St. Thomas University School of Law. She later earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation from New York University School of Law, providing advanced knowledge of the tax and wealth transfer issues that often influence sophisticated estate planning strategies.

She combines that technical knowledge with practical advice clients can understand, helping them make informed decisions without unnecessary complexity.

A Different Perspective

Before entering the legal profession, Michelle spent more than a decade managing restaurants and leading large teams. That experience taught her how to solve problems under pressure, communicate effectively, and build lasting relationships—skills that continue to shape the way she serves her clients today.

Throughout her career, Michelle has managed high-volume legal practices, supervised large legal teams, and helped thousands of clients navigate important legal decisions with professionalism and care.

Beyond the Practice

Originally from South Carolina, Michelle made Florida her home after law school and has never looked back. She has been married for more than 30 years and is the proud mother of a son she cherishes.

Outside the office, Michelle enjoys traveling, discovering hiking trails wherever she visits, attending live music performances, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

Speaking Engagements

You will often find Michelle speaking to groups on probate and estate planning. Her mission is to keep people out of guardianships and to help families create a tailored estate plan designed to avoid probate and protect their assets. Michelle also seeks to educate her clients and the community so they understand their legal documents and what is required to ensure the plan is according to her clients' wishes and needs.

Click to learn more about her speaking engagements.

Professional Licenses

• Florida Bar
• Florida Real Estate Sales Associate
• Notary Public, State of Florida
• Title Agent for Old Republic National Title Insurance Company (former)
• United States District Court, Northern District of Florida
• United States District Court, Middle District of Florida
• United States District Court, Southern District of Florida
• United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

Professional Involvement

In addition to her legal work, Michelle is actively involved in several professional organizations.

• Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys (2017 – 2018)
• American Bar Association
• BNI Leaders (Business Network International) Leadership Team
• Broward County Bar Association, Member
• Estate Planning Council of Broward County (2018 – present)
• Florida State Guardianship Association (2025 - present)
• Keiser University, Legal Studies Program, Advisory Board Member (2010 – 2015)
• Miami-Dade Bar Association, Member
• National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Member (2017 – 2018)
• National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, Member (2025 - current)
• National Association of Professional Women (2013 – 2014)
• Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, International, Member 1998-current, past Justice (President) (2000-2001) and Vice Justice (Vice President) (1999-2000) of Mentschikoff Chapter
• Probate & Guardianship Committee of the Miami-Dade Bar Association, Member
• Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, Member (2001 – present)
• Real Property Section of the Broward County Bar Association, Member (2016 – present)
• South Broward Bar Association (2023 – present)
• Wills, Trusts & Estates Section of the Broward County Bar Association, Member (2016 – present)

Community Involvement

Michelle enjoys working with community initiatives and charities in service to others. Some of the organizations she currently or has worked with in the past include:

• Children’s Diagnostic and Treatment Center
• Cypress Bay High School Band Parents Association
• Evolving Mind Project, Member Board of Executives (2025 - current)
• Fort Lauderdale Women's Club (Member 2024 - current)
• Habitat for Humanity
• Keiser University Legal Studies Program, Advisory Board (2011 – 2015)
• Make a Wish, Southern Florida
• Project Change
• Relay for Life, Team Leader
• Walk Now for Autism Speaks, Team Leader
• Yes Indeed, Member Board of Directors (2012 – 2015)

Recognition and Awards

Michelle’s dedication and hard work have earned her numerous accolades as the recipient of several prestigious local and national awards.

• 10 Best Attorneys, American Institute of Legal Counsel, 2018
• America’s Most Honored Lawyers Top 1%, The American Registry, 2020
• America’s Most Honored Professionals, The American Registry, 2018
• AV Preeminent Highest Rated Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, every year since 2018
• Avvo.com, Client’s Choice Award
• Expertise.com, Best Probate Lawyers of Fort Lauderdale, 2022
• Giver’s Gain Award, BNI Leaders Chapter, 2019
• Judicial Edition – AV Preeminent Highest Rated Lawyers, every year since 2020
• Named one of South Florida Legal Guide’s Top Lawyers in South Florida, 2020
• Outstanding Service Award, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, Mentischikoff Chapter, 2001
• Recognized as a "Super Lawyer" by Thomson Reuters, an honor reserved for the top 5% of attorneys in Florida