Thomas M. VanNess III, Esq., LL.M.

Tom (also known by many of his friends and family members as "Trace") grew up in the small town of Crystal River, Florida. He is the 6th generation of his family having grown up in Crystal River, where his family still maintains their cattle ranch, pre-dating the 1900s. Having grown up in a family of entrepreneurs and multiple trusts & estates attorneys, Tom was involved in business transactions from an early age. 

Tom studied finance at Florida State University where he received a Bachelor of Science. Having obtained an academic scholarship, Tom went to Florida Coastal School of Law where he primarily focused his studies on estate planning, tax and business law. Out of law school, Tom was recruited to South Florida by the largest independently owned estate planning law firm in the State of Florida.

After solidifying his commitment to the trusts & estates practice area, Tom graduating towards the top of his class obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Estate Planning from the University of Miami. Tom went on to join a large law firm representing primarily business owners. Representing business owners, many of whom were frequently involved in lawsuits, Tom became obsessed with finding solutions to protect his clients’ assets from claims brought by third parties.

Tom brings a literal lifetime of experience to his work developing and implementing sophisticated and effective wealth transfer strategies for his clients. Tom has the experience of working with thousands of families, from small business owners to hundreds of high net worth families, to accomplish their wealth transfer and tax objectives. He is passionate about providing clients with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that the wealth they have worked so hard to acquire will be put to good use for the people they love.

Tom prides himself on staying ahead of the estate and tax planning curve, keeping abreast of the always-changing legal and financial landscape and integrating the latest techniques and strategies into his practice. (Click here to see examples of Tom's work). He enjoys getting to know clients on a personal level and takes the time to ensure that they have a firm understanding of their options and the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about the matters at hand. Tom also commonly prepares tax returns filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reporting substantial gifts during clients’ lifetimes and transfers at death (IRS forms 706 and 709). 

Being a frequent speaker on legal topics, Tom has spoken at national tax conferences, NFL retreats, the University of Miami, and the National Business Institute. Tom was nominated by his peers to join the Florida Fellows Institute of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (“ACTEC”), an elite group of subject matter experts.

Tom was also awarded the Accredited Estate Planning (AEP®) designation. The AEP® designation is a graduate-level specialization designed to recognize educated, knowledgeable, experienced, and ethical professionals within the multi-disciplinary profession of estate planning.

Most recently, Tom was engaged as an expert witness in a divorce proceeding regarding the asset protection laws applicable to irrevocable trusts.  When not serving clients, Tom enjoys traveling to experience new cultures, reading, learning, trying to stay in shape, being by the water, anything with a motor, action sports, and trying new things! 

Tom can be reached by telephone at (561) 927-9027 or by email at

Thomas@VanNess-Law.com