Wesley Chapel Estate Planning Attorney Celebrates 100 5-Star Reviews & 2nd Location

Special to the Neighborhood News 

Now with two locations — one off S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel and the other on Gunn Hwy. in the Carrollwood area, attorney Paul J. Monsanto of the Law Office of Paul James Monsanto specializes in wills, trusts & all aspects of estate planning. (Photo provided by Paul J. Monsanto) 

Life changes — sometimes in wonderful ways, sometimes without warning. A new child, an unexpected illness and other major transitions can shift everything. While we adapt to life’s changes every day, many people avoid planning for one certainty we all share: What happens when we’re no longer here? 

Who will protect our families? 

What happens to our assets? 

Will our wishes actually be carried out? 

Estate planning isn’t an easy topic — but failing to plan can leave families overwhelmed, stressed and navigating legal complications during the most difficult moments of their lives. 

That’s exactly what attorney Paul J. Monsanto seeks to help families avoid. 

At The Law Office of Paul James Monsanto, P.A., Paul and his team emphasize clarity, protection and peace of mind. The firm focuses on wills, trusts, probate and comprehensive family planning and also assists with long-term care planning, special needs planning, asset protection and trust administration. 

Avoiding an overcomplicated, one-size-fits-all approach, Paul believes that estate planning should be straightforward and built for real life. He believes this practical, common-sense approach to solving complex issues has fueled his firm’s reputation and growth. 

Since opening its doors in 2021, Paul’s law office has reached 100 five-star reviews on Google, a milestone that, he says, reflects consistent client satisfaction, trust and results. 

“Thanks to everyone who took the time to give us their feedback,” Paul says. “Positive word of mouth has been a crucial part of our success. I’m so happy and honored that my past clients have had such positive experiences.” 

Accompanying the reviews, clients comment that Paul thoroughly explains complex legal concepts in a clear and understandable way. Reviewers highlight the friendly, empathetic and responsive demeanor of Paul and his staff, noting that clients felt valued and understood. They also mention that documentation and processes are organized and high-quality. Paul’s clients appreciate his law office for its transparency about pricing and reasonable costs for excellent service. They add that Paul tailors estate plans to their specific needs rather than recommending unnecessary services. 

“Many people assume they need a complicated plan because of something they read online or heard from a friend or a neighbor,” Paul explains. “For most families, that simply isn’t the case. Simplicity, when done correctly, is powerful. I believe providing simplicity and value is what is driving the growth of our law practice.” 

Now With Two Locations 

Part of that growth now includes a second location. With proud roots in North Tampa Bay — the law office will mark the five-year anniversary of its Wesley Chapel location this summer — the Law Office of Paul J. Monsanto has added a second location in Carrollwood to better serve that community. 

“It’s a natural next step,” he says. “Like Wesley Chapel, Carrollwood is home to families, retirees and professionals seeking convenient access to quality estate planning services. We are going to fill that need.” 

Paul’s expertise has grown as well. He now brings more than 16 years of legal experience to every client relationship. He is licensed to practice law in both Florida and New York, holds a Finance degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville, and earned his Juris Doctor (J.D., or law) degree from the Duke University School of Law in Durham, NC. He practiced as a litigation attorney for major banks and insurance companies in New York City before returning home to Tampa to serve individuals and families. 

Paul’s diverse experience has shaped his understanding that no two families are alike. 

“I’ve helped single individuals, large families, blended families, same-sex couples, unmarried domestic partners, people without children, people who are on their first marriage, second marriage, third marriage — you name it!,” Paul says. “Every situation is different and every plan should reflect that.” 

The personal aspect of estate planning is what drew Paul to the practice area and why he plans to continue to practice estate law for years to come. “After practicing commercial litigation for big banks and corporations, it’s been so refreshing to help everyday people,” he says. “Speaking to my clients and hearing about their lives and their families is my favorite part of the job.” 

He adds, “The legal services industry has become so impersonal and disconnected, but dealing with a death, major illness or catastrophe is very personal. My staff is like family, and we bring that same personal touch to our clients. I hope that comes across.” 

To schedule a consultation with attorney Paul J. Monsanto, call (813) 997-5290 or visit PJMAttorneys.com. The Law Office of Paul James Monsanto, P.A., is located at 26852 Tanic Dr., Suite 102, Wesley Chapel. The new Carrollwood office is located at 3808 Gunn Hwy., Tampa. 

The Law Office Of Paul J. Monsanto Can Help You With Estate Planning 

Attorney Paul Monsanto specializes in Wills, Trusts, Probate & Family Planning. His office is located in the Cypress Glen Professional Park in Wesley Chapel. (Photo provided by Paul Monsanto) 

The one thing we can all count on in life, other than death and taxes, is change. Whether it’s a new baby in the family or someone getting sick, change is constant. We have to make decisions in the best interest of our families and adjust to all the curveballs thrown our way, but what about when we’re not here anymore? Who will be looking out for our families after we’ve passed on? 

Just the idea leaves us with big, heavy questions to ask ourselves. What will happen to my assets? Will my wishes be properly carried out? Who will take care of my children if I pass away before they’re adults? Death and disability are never topics anyone wants to discuss, but avoiding planning for them can cost you and your family big time. 

In attorney Paul J. Monsanto’s line of work, he’s seen the turmoil created after someone dies without a properly prepared estate plan. “There’s nothing more disheartening than when I see a family who should be grieving, instead having to deal with the legal headache that comes when someone dies without a Will or a Trust because it’s completely avoidable,” Paul says. 

The Law Office of Paul James Monsanto, P.A., located in the Cypress Glen Professional Park (north of S.R. 56) in Wesley Chapel handles exactly those types of issues. The office specializes in Wills, Trusts, Probate and Family Planning. 

“A comprehensive estate plan is the single most important thing you can do to ensure your family and your hard-earned money are protected in case you die or become incapacitated,” Paul says. “And it’s not as complex as some people think.” 

He adds that, “I believe simplicity is crucial to estate planning. I get a lot of calls from clients who think they need a complicated estate plan to avoid probate because of something a friend told them or an article they read online, but for a lot of people, especially older folks, that’s not the case.” 

In fact, the number-one reason that motivates Paul’s clients to call him is because they want to avoid probate. “Probate is a court-supervised process of transferring assets from the deceased to their beneficiaries,” he says. “It also is an opportunity for creditors to make claims against the estate.” 

For those whose family member passed away without an estate plan, probate can be a long, arduous process. “I’ll never forget one particular client,” Paul says. “It was a young man in his 40s who came to me because he was very sick with cancer. He didn’t have children but wanted to leave his assets to his mother and brother. My heart broke when I found out he had passed away two months later. He was weak and sick, but still made the effort to create an estate plan. That saved his family months of added stress.” 

Paul’s law firm is quickly rising to the top of the pack with 47 five-star Google reviews since he opened his office three years ago. But, while his firm is young, Paul has plenty of experience. He has been practicing law for more than 13 years and is licensed to practice in both Florida and New York. Paul graduated with a Finance degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville. He attended law school at Duke University in Durham, NC. From there, he moved to New York City and became a litigating attorney for major banks and insurance companies. After his time in the big city, Paul came home to Tampa, where he was raised, so he could put down roots. There, he met his wife Laura Diaz, a morning radio personality at WMTX-FM Mix 100.7, and now has two wonderful stepchildren, Norah and Nash. They live in the New Tampa neighborhood of Tampa Palms. 

His career and personal life have taught Paul that no two family situations are the same. “I’ve seen families with no children and I’ve seen one family with ten children,” he says. “I’ve helped unmarried domestic partners, same-sex couples, people who are on their first marriage, second marriage, third marriage, blended families…you name it!” 

He says that the personal aspect of estate planning is what drew him to the practice area and why he plans to continue to practice estate law for years to come. 

“After practicing commercial litigation for big banks and corporations, it’s so refreshing to help everyday people,” Paul says. “Speaking to my clients and hearing about their lives and their families is my favorite part of the job.” 

His client-focused approach is just one of the ways Paul’s law office stands out from the dozens of others popping up around New Tampa and Wesley Chapel. He strives to keep his fees fair and reasonable. In most cases, he charges a flat fee, so the client knows ahead of time what their legal costs will be. He makes himself accessible to his clients, personally answering his phone, replying to emails and handling consultations and document signings. He encourages potential clients to read his on-line reviews to see what his past clients have said about their experience with his office. Positive word of mouth has indeed helped grow his practice. “It’s such an honor when a client refers me to a friend, neighbor or family member,” Paul says. 

Wills and Trusts are what most people think of first when it comes to estate planning, but Paul says there are many more aspects to it that he can help with, such as long-term-care planning, special needs planning and asset protection. He also handles probate cases. 

“I like to think of myself as an old-school type of lawyer from a time before everything became impersonal. I’m here to help my clients in any way I can, and if it’s something I don’t do, I can probably help them find someone who does.” 

To schedule a consultation with attorney Paul J. Monsanto, call (813) 997- 5290, visit pjmattorneys.com. The Law Office of Paul J. Monsanto, P.A., is located at 2404 Creel Lane, Suite 101, Wesley Chapel.