Elaine Bucher is a shareholder in the Private Wealth Services group who serves on Gunster’s board of directors. Elaine’s practice is dedicated exclusively to sophisticated estate planning, estate and trust administration and fiduciary litigation. Elaine has extensive experience in implementing advanced wealth preservation techniques, transfer tax planning and business succession planning, as well as representing fiduciaries and beneficiaries in complex and disputed estate and trust administration matters. Elaine has developed a niche in representing clients who have complicated and sensitive family situations, and has written and lectured extensively on estate planning for second marriages and blended families.

Elaine is an active member of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), having served on the Executive Committee, Board of Regents, and as Florida state chair. She has consistently been ranked by Chambers USA, where she has been called “an authority in the field of estate planning” and “an excellent client advocate.” Elaine has been named multiple times by Best Lawyers Magazine as the “West Palm Beach Trusts & Estates Lawyer of the Year” and was chosen as one of the “Top 10 Lawyers” in the state of Florida by Florida Super Lawyers. In addition to her active law practice, Elaine is a member of the foundation board for The Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, and a member of the Business Professional Advisory Committee of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

  • Florida Trend, “Notable – Women Leaders in Law,” 2023
  • Chambers High Net Worth Guide, Private Wealth Law: Florida, 2016-23
  • Chambers & Partners, “Leaders in Their Field,” Tax: Estate Planning, 2010-16
  • The Best Lawyers in America®
    • Trusts & Estates Law “Lawyer of the Year” in West Palm Beach, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2023, 2024
    • Trusts & Estates, 2011-24
  • AV Rated as independently determined by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-23
    • Top 10 Florida, 2017-19
    • Top 50 Women Florida, 2014-23
    • Top 100 Florida, 2015-23
    • Top 100 South Florida, 2015-18
    • Top 100 Miami, 2019-23
  • Palm Beach Illustrated, “Top Lawyers,” Trusts and Estates, 2021-23
  • Boca Raton Observer, “Top Lawyers,” 2022
  • Jupiter Magazine, “Top Lawyers,” Trusts and Estates, 2021
  • South Florida Business Journal, “Influential Businesswomen,” 2014
  • Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, “Pro Bono Award,” Recipient
  • Who’s Who Legal
    • Private Client, 2014-2023
    • Thought Leaders – USA, Private Client, 2023
  • Florida Trend, “Legal Elite,” 2010-11, 2016-20, 2022
  • Business Leader Magazine, “Woman Extraordinaire,” 2010
  • “Estate Planning for Blended Families,” Jewish Federation Broward County Professional Advisory Council, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, February 28, 2024
  • “Estate Planning for Blended Families,” Palm Beach County Estate Planning Council, North Palm Beach, FL, October 17, 2023
  • “Take a Dive into the Sunshine State (Law): The Essential Update on Florida Law,” 57th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, Orlando, Florida, January 12, 2023
  • “I Do, Act II: Estate Planning for Second Marriages,” Heart of America Fellows Institute, Tulsa, Oklahoma, October 21, 2021
  • “Estate Planning for Blended Families,” The East Coast Estate Planning Council, West Palm Beach, Florida, April 23, 2019
  • “I Do, Act II: Estate Planning for Second Marriages,” Heart of America Fellows Institute, St. Louis, Missouri, February 29, 2019
  • “What’s Hot in Florida: Recent Developments in Florida Law,” 53rd Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, Orlando, Florida, January 17, 2019
  • “Estate Planning for Blended Families,” Greater Miami Tax Institute, Miami, Florida, September 12, 2018
  • “Trust Protectors: Who Watches the Watchmen?,” Estate Planning Council of Greater Miami, Miami, Florida, February 15, 2018
  • “Estate Planning for Blended Families,” Missouri Bar Annual Estate, Trust and Elder Law Institute, St. Louis, Missouri, September 29, 2017
  • “Who Watches the Watchmen: Exploring the Role of Trust Protectors in Domestic Trusts,” South Palm Beach County Estate and Tax Roundtable Series, Boca Raton, Florida, November 17, 2016
  • “What’s Hot in Florida – Florida Law Update,” 32nd Annual Estate and Probate Seminar – Part II, Palm Beach County Bar Association, West Palm Beach, Florida, May 15, 2015
  • “Fiduciary Litigation Issues,” Florida Bar, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, February 20, 2015
  • “What’s Hot in Florida: Recent Developments in Florida Law,” 49th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, Orlando, Florida, January 15, 2015
  • “What Estate Planners Need to Know About Premarital Agreements, Divorce and Planning for Second Marriages,” American Bar Association, Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law, Webinar, October 21, 2014
  • “Trust Protectors,” Palm Beach County Probate and Guardianship Presentation, West Palm Beach, Florida, May 7, 2014
  • “I Do, Act II: Estate Planning for Second Marriages,” ALI-CLE Webinar, March 27, 2014
  • “Family Trust Company Legislation,” Professional Advisors Network of the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Boca Raton, Florida, January 9, 2014
  • “Family Trust Company Legislation,” Professional Advisors Network of the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, West Palm Beach, Florida, October 17, 2013
  • “I Do, Act II: Planning it Right the Second Time Around,” ALI-CLE Program, Estate Planning in Depth, University of Wisconsin Law School, Madison, Wisconsin, June 25, 2013
  • “I Do, Act II: Planning it Right the Second Time Around,” The Florida Bar Attorney/Trust Officer Liaison Conference, Palm Beach, Florida, June 14, 2013
  • “Trust Funding,” American Bar Association Real Property, Trust & Estate Section, Paralegal e-Training, February 13, 2013
  • “Estate Planning Under the New Estate Tax Regime: What Clients Should Do Before 2013,” Greater Miami Jewish Foundation, Miami, Florida, December 5, 2012
  • “Estate Planning Under the New Estate Tax Regime: What Clients Should Do Before 2013,” Greater Fort Lauderdale Tax Council, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, September 21, 2012
  • “Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements,” Joint Committee of the Probate and Family Law Sections of the South Palm Beach County Bar Association, Delray Beach, Florida, September 6, 2012
  • “Estate Planning Under the New Estate Tax Regime: What Clients Should Do Before 2013,” CBIZ Annual Tax Conference, Miami, Florida, July 12, 2012
  • “Traps and Pitfalls of Estate Administration,” CBIZ Annual Tax Conference, Miami, Florida, July 11, 2012
  • “I Do, Act II: Planning It Right the Second Time Around,” JP Morgan Wealth Advisors, National Telephone Conference, Boca Raton, Florida, July 10, 2012
  • “Domicile Planning: Should I Stay or Should I Go (To Florida)?” Estate Planning Council of New York City, New York, New York, May 9, 2012
  • “I Do, Act II: Planning It Right the Second Time Around,” American (Transfer Tax) Idols, Florida Bar Tax Section, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, May 4, 2012
  • “I Do, Act II: Planning It Right the Second Time Around,” Central Florida Estate Planning Council, Orlando, Florida, March 22, 2012
  • “I Do, Act II: Planning It Right the Second Time Around,” Miami-Dade Certified Financial Planners Association, Miami, Florida, January 24, 2012
  • “That’s A Wrap: Summary of the Heckerling 2012 Presentations,” 46th Annual Heckerling Institute on Estate Planning, Orlando, Florida, January 13, 2012
  • “I Do, Act II: Planning it Right the Second Time Around,” South Florida Financial Planners Association Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, April 29, 2011
  • “I Do, Act II: Planning it Right the Second Time Around,” Miami-Dade Estate Planning Council, Miami, Florida, April 21, 2011
  • “ILITs: It’s Crummey Being a Trustee,” ALI-ABA Webinar, March 3, 2011
  • “Estate Planning for Women: Protecting Your Wealth, Health and Family,” Jewish Community Foundation of Broward County, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, March 2, 2011
  • “Should I Stay or Should I Go (to Florida)?: Considerations in Changing Domicile from New York to Florida,” New York City Estate Planning Council, New York, New York, February 17, 2011
  • “Portability: Benefit or Trap for the Unwary?” Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar Webinar, January 20, 2011
  • “I Do, Act II: Planning it Right the Second Time Around,” ACTEC Annual Meeting – Symposium, Bonita Springs, Florida, March 11, 2010
  • “Estate Planning: Protecting Your Wealth, Health and Family,” Proskauer Rose’s Women’s Law Forum, New York, New York, November 17, 2009
  • “Annual Tax Review & Update for 2010: Wealth Transfer Tax Review + Wealth Transfer Tax Update,” Florida Bar Tax Section, Tampa, Florida, November 4, 2009
  • “Estate Planning Prior to Divorce,” ACTEC Southeastern Regional Meeting, Charlotte, North Carolina, September 11, 2009
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning,” South Florida Financial Planners Association Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, May 1, 2009
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning,” Joint Meeting of the Sarasota County Bar Estate Planning and Family Law Sections, Sarasota, Florida, March 25, 2009
  • “Lawsuits Against Lawyers: ACTEC Annual Meeting,” Palm Springs, California, March 5-6, 2009
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning,” Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, the Florida Bar, Tampa, Florida, November 12, 2008
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning,” the Notre Dame Tax Institute, Notre Dame, Indiana, September 25, 2008
  • “Estate Tax Update – Hot Topics,” Tax Section, the Florida Bar, Miami, Florida, February 22, 2008
  • “Protecting Your Wealth, Health and Family,” Proskauer Rose LLP’s Women’s Law Forum, New York, New York, October 26, 2007
  • “The Ins and Outs of Estate Planning,” Boca Raton Chapter of the Paralegal Association, Boca Raton, Florida, October 11, 2007
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning,” Estate Planning in the Real World, Florida Legal Education Association, Orlando, Florida, October 5, 2007
  • “The Treatment of Post-Death Events Under Section 2053 of the Code,” American College of Trust and Estate Council Florida Fellows Meeting, Palm Beach, Florida, August 1, 2007
  • “Untying the Knot for the Not So Happy Couple – How to Plan for the Unstable Marriage,” American College of Trust and Estate Council 2007 Summer Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, June 29, 2007
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning,” 27th Annual South Florida Financial Planning Conference, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, April 21, 2007
  • “Estate Planning: Protecting Your Wealth, Health and Family,” Financial Seminar – Putting It All Together, Florida Atlantic University, January 26, 2007
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning,” American Bar Association – Section of Taxation, Estate and Gift Tax Committee, Hallendale, Florida, January 19, 2007
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning,” Boca Raton Tax Institute, Boca Raton, Florida, November 29, 2006
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning,” Greater Delray Roundtable, Delray Beach, Florida, November 14, 2006
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning,” B’nai B’rith Foundation of the United States, Boca Raton, Florida, November 9, 2006
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning,” Broward Tax Institute, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, October 20, 2006
  • “Estate Planning for Assets Owned in Various States and the Impact of Decoupling,” Tax Section, the Florida Bar, Tampa, Florida, October 13, 2006
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning,” South County Florida Association of Women Lawyers, Boca Raton, Florida, September 14, 2006
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning,” Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, the Florida Bar, Tampa, Florida, April 28, 2006
  • “The Best Defense is a Good Offense: Action Items for Estate Planners When a Will or Trust Contest is Anticipated,” Trusts & Estates Journal, March, 2013
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning,” Asset Protection in Florida, Second Edition, the Florida Bar, 2011
  • “I Do, Act II,” Trusts & Estates Journal, June, 2010
  • “Recession-Proof Charitable Giving,” Private Asset Management Magazine, June 2010
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning,” Asset Protection in Florida, First Edition, the Florida Bar, 2008
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning Part II,” 80 Florida Bar Journal, No. 11, 46 (2006)
  • “Relationship Dissolution Planning Part I,” 80 Florida Bar Journal, No. 10, 43 (2006)
  • “Updated Practical Planning with Crummey Powers,” 29 Estate Planning, No. 2 (2002)
  • “The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001: Estate, Gift and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Law,” 76 Florida Bar Journal, No. 1, 41 (2002)
  • “Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax: Its Bite is Worse Than its Bark,” 74 Florida Bar Journal, No. 9, 67 (2000)
  • “Estate of Simplot: The Tax Court Applies a Significant Premium to Voting Privileges,” 74 Florida Bar Journal, No. 4, 86 (2000)
  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel
    • Secretary
    • Board of Regents, former Member
    • Former Florida State Chair
    • Long Range Planning Committee, former Chair
    • Membership Selection Committee, former Member
    • Estate and Gift Tax Committee
    • Asset Protection Committee
    • Florida Fellows Institute, Founding Chancellor
  • American Bar Association, Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section
  • Florida Bar Association, Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section
    • Estate and Trust Tax Planning Committee, former Chair
    • Asset Protection Committee
    • Executive Council
    • Wills, Trusts and Estates Certification Committee, former Member
  • Boca Raton Estate Planning Council
  • The Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, 2013-15
    • Foundation Board Member
    • Corporate Board of Directors
  • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Business Professional Advisory Committee, 2013-present
  • Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach, Board of Directors, 2010-12
  • Simon Wiesenthal Center, Southeast Florida Division, Professional Advisory Committee, former Chair
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