MARC J. SOSS, ESQUIRE
ESTATE PLANNING | BUSINESS | PROBATE | ELDER LAW
The Lakewood Ranch Florida law firm of Marc J. Soss is veteran owned and assists clients in the areas of Estate Planning (Wills, Trusts, Power of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate, and Living Wills), Probate Administration (Formal and Summary Administration), Asset Protection Planning and Business & Corporate (establishment of Limited Liability Companies, Corporations, Partnerships). Marc is a nationally published author who has been providing legal service to clients in the Manatee County Florida area (Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Ellenton, Parrish, University Park and River Club) since 1998. Marc is also licensed in the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Please do not hesitate to contact me for assistance with your matter.
U.S. Navy Supply Corps Officer: 1998-2019 (retired)
Marc has published articles in several bar magazines (Florida, Rhode Island, Texas, etc ..), and other publications, and in 2020 was the recipient of the Rhode Island Bar Journal Outstanding Contributor Award for his consistent and significant article submissions on important developments in the law. Marc has received other National writing awards.
Attorney.Com Top Attorney Award in Estate Planning
(2019 -2022)
Lakewood Ranch Attorney Marc Soss
Florida probate attorney available to assist with the legal administration of both Florida resident and non-resident Formal and Summary probate estates. The litigation of Florida inheritance, estate, and Will disputes.
Determination of the proper business and corporate legal structure and entity (Corporation, LLC, Partnership, etc.) for the operation of your business and asset protection.
Last Will & Testament, Revocable Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Surrogate, Living Wills & Pre-Need Guardian Designations.
FEDERAL ESTATE TAX EXEMPTION:
For 2025, the Federal Estate Tax Exemption amount will increase to $13.99 million per individual. A couple may now leave a total of $27.98 million without having to pay any federal estate or gift tax.
ANNUAL GIFT TAX EXCLUSION
For 2025, the annual gift tax exclusion increased to $19,000 per individual. Married couples can make joint gifts of $38,000 per recipient.
Assisting clients plan for incapacity and guiding families through the planning process and with disputes.
FLORIDA & FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE UPDATES
NEW TAX RULES FOR NOT-FOR-PROFITS AND DONORS
Charitable Deduction for Non-Itemizers: Taxpayers who do not itemize can now deduct up to $1,000 (individuals) or $2,000 (married couples filing jointly) per year for cash donations to qualified charities. This deduction does not apply to contributions to donor-advised funds.
Permanent 60% AGI Limit for Itemizers: The temporary 60% limit for cash gifts to public charities, introduced in 2017, is now permanent.
New Limits and Reductions for Itemized Charitable Deductions: Itemizers can only deduct charitable contributions that exceed 0.5% of their adjusted gross income. Those in the highest tax bracket will see a reduction in their total itemized deductions.
Corporate Giving Faces a New Floor: Corporations may now only deduct charitable contributions that exceed 1% of taxable income. The 10% annual cap on corporate charitable deductions remains unchanged.
New Tax Credit for Scholarship Donations: Individuals can now claim a tax credit of the greater of $5,000 or 10% of AGI for gifts to qualified scholarship-granting organizations supporting K–12 students.
NEW FLORIDA SERIES LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY
Effective July 1, 2026, Florida Legislature has approved Protected Series LLC provisions to the Florida Revised Limited Liability Company Act. This makes Florida one of the few states with a comprehensive and uniform legal framework for series limited liability companies (LLCs).
NEW CONDOMINIUM LAWS
HB 913, pushes the newly mandated structural integrity inspection deadline off a year for some condo associations, allows associations in some situations to use special assessments, lines of credit or loans to fund their reserves and to pool reserve accounts, and changes which buildings need structural integrity inspections, among other things.
HB 393, changes to the My Safe Florida Condo program to lower approval requirements, limit grants to buildings that are three or more stories in height and contain at least two single-family dwellings and improvements that will lead to a mitigation credit, allows for replacement of roof coverings, and restricts grants from condo associations that have not complied with the inspection requirements.
Client Comment: "It has been a pleasure getting to know you and working with you on estate planning cases. I am grateful for introducing you to our firm and our clients. I have grown to admire your professionalism and expertise, and I am certain that they are in competent hands (and this is absolutely critical to me). So, I wanted to let you know that I nominated you as a Five Star Best in Client Satisfaction Wealth Manager. Gulfshore Life Magazine sought my nomination of exceptional attorneys who work with individuals of substantial wealth. And I immediately thought of you! Thank you again for going above and beyond the call of duty. I salute you!
