Merrell Bailey - Managing Partner | Estate Planning, Charitable Planning, Asset Protection Planning, Family Limited Partnerships, Non-Profit Organizations, Gift Planning, Estate Planning, Generation-Skip Planning

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Mary Merrell Bailey Esq. CPA* MBA MSTaxation MSAccounting
Managing Partner

Faced with helping her own aging parents with their elder legal needs, Merrell realized that there was a need for a legal counsel who truly helps clients feel relieved and non-threatened when navigating the estate planning process. To help fill that need, she attended Barry University School of Law and received a Juris Doctorate degree, graduating valedictorian of her law school class.

As a graduate of Winter Park High School and University of Central Florida (UCF), Merrell Bailey, Managing Partner at Bailey Zobel Pilcher, is committed to making estate planning as safe and comfortable as possible. Practicing as an Attorney in Florida since 2001, Merrell limits her practice to planning, with a focus on end-of-life issues, the unique needs of the elderly, unmarried couples, and individuals who hope to protect their family wealth from creditors and predators. Her overall practice areas include estate planning; charitable planning; asset protection planning; family limited partnerships; non-profit organizations; and gift, estate, and generation-skipping tax planning.

Merrell also is a Certified Public Accountant* (licensed in Alabama; inactive status) and previously worked as a CPA and Chief Financial Officer for a number of businesses, concentrating in start-up high technology corporations and turn-around situations. With her dual licenses as both an attorney and a CPA, Merrell brings a strong business background to the firm, and a passion for ensuring that the rights of the elderly are protected.

While in law school, Merrell earned numerous awards, including being invited to participate in Law Review and Moot Court. She holds five business degrees from the University of Central Florida, including a B.S.B.A. in Finance and a B.S.B.A. in Accounting (1985), an M.B.A. (1989), an M.S. in Taxation (2001), and an M.S. in Accounting (2007). She serves as Vice President for the Central Florida region of the American Association of Attorney -- Certified Public Accountants.

Merrell is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants; the Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants; The Florida Bar Association; the American Bar Association; the Orange County Bar Association; Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of The Florida Bar Association; Tax Section of The Florida Bar Association; Law Practice Management Section of the American Bar Association; Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the American Bar Association; and Taxation Section of the American Bar Association.

In addition, Merrell is an Adjunct Instructor for the University of Central Florida's College of Business Administration's Dixon School of Accounting's Masters in Taxation program, where she has taught Gift's and Estate Taxation to rising CPAs. She volunteers as a member of the University of Central Florida Foundation's Board of Directors' Planned Giving Committee.

When not counseling clients or teaching courses, Merrell loves to read, as well as volunteer with Great Dane Rescue. She is an avid sports fan and serves as an ambassador for UCF as a member of the UCF Town and Gown Council. Merrell, her husband, and their 208 pound Great Dane live in Central Florida and enjoy time with their enormous extended family, most of whom live in the Central Florida community.

Email: Merrell@YourCaringLawFirm.com

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