Attorney Denise R. Tessier

When I was nine years old, my little sister was born. At the time, my mother had a difficult time coping with a new baby, and it quickly became apparent that her highs and lows were much more than just postpartum depression… She was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and related psychiatric conditions.

For many years, throughout my high school and college years, Mom cycled in and out doctors and psychiatrist offices, medications, and institutional settings. When I was eighteen, and old enough to assist my father with her care, I was able to obtain a healthcare surrogate agreement or “medical proxy” for her, to enable me to get access to her medical records, speak to doctors on her behalf, and schedule appointments.  Over the years, having such documents has been critical in getting her help during times when she was in precarious or dangerous situations. I was also better able to have conversations with doctors about her course of care, having history on the progression of the illness over time.

Although my family was told in the early years that she would not have likely survived beyond age 40, Mom is in her 80’s and is now doing very well, living independently and in good health. Medications and treatments over the years helped her successfully battle the worst of her condition, and today  she is a ray of hope and joy for her friends and family, inspiring others going through dark periods.

Nevertheless, I’ve never forgotten the early days and how critically important it has been to be well prepared for any eventuality. The importance of loved ones having an estate plan with a Trust or Will, and all financial and medical advance directives cannot be understated.  These  simple but powerful documents ensure that a person’s values and treatment preferences remain respected, even in moments when they cannot speak for themselves.

I have been a lawyer now for over 30  years, admitted to the legal bar in Florida, Massachusetts and Connecticut. For many years, I  served diligently   as in-house counsel for large multinationals, international and start-up operations, rising to General Counsel and Compliance Officer roles. While I have had expertise in highly complex areas such as global insurance and corporate law, regulatory compliance, and dispute resolution, after moving to Florida I have  enthusiastically transitioned my practice to serve families and assist them with "TAKING CHARGE OF LIFE'S TRANSITIONS"!

I am passionate about educating and serving our local community, and showing them how to protect  their children, their families, and preseve their assets, legacy and wealth. My  goal is to help my clients achieve peace of mind, whether handling elder concerns or crafting solid estate plans.