Practice areas: Estate Planning & Probate, Estate & Trust Litigation, Family Law; view more
Licensed in Florida since: 2010
Education: St. Thomas University School of Law
Languages spoken: ASL, English, Spanish
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2016 - 2024 Details
Irama Valdes, the managing partner of Irama Valdes, P.A., located in Miami, Florida, is a respected attorney. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she provides legal services primarily in the areas of estate planning, probate, and guardianship administration and litigation. Her practice also encompasses some family law cases and mental health proceedings. She serves a diverse clientele throughout Miami-Dade County. She has been licensed to practice in Florida and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida since 2010 and 2017, respectively.
Born and raised in Miami, Ms. Valdes is a native Spanish speaker. She embarked on her educational journey at Miami Dade College, where she earned an associate in arts degree with honors in 2004. She continued her studies at Florida International University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in journalism, cum laude, in 2007. She attained her Juris Doctor from St. Thomas University’s Benjamin L. Crump College of Law in 2010.
Ms. Valdes’s approach to law is deeply personal. She considers her clients as family, striving to develop legal plans that align closely with their needs and wishes. Her services include drafting wills and trusts, establishing powers of attorney, creating living wills and appointing guardianships. Her early career experience, including an internship and subsequent position with the Miami-Dade County Probate Court’s Administrative Judge, provided her with a solid foundation in probate and guardianship law, which she leverages to efficiently resolve her clients’ legal issues.
An active member of the legal community, Ms. Valdes holds the position of vice-chair for the Probate and Guardianship Committee of the Miami Dade Bar. Her previous roles involved treasurer for the Miami Lakes Bar Association. Her professional affiliations comprise the Cuban American Bar Association, the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and several other notable organizations.
Practice areas
Estate Planning & Probate, Estate & Trust Litigation, Family LawFocus areas
Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Estate Planning, Father's Rights, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Living Wills, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Name Change, Paternity, Power of Attorney, Prenuptial Agreements, Probate & Estate Administration, Same Sex Family Law, Trusts, Will Contests, Wills
- 60% Estate Planning & Probate
- 30% Estate & Trust Litigation
- 10% Family Law
First Admitted: 2010, Florida
Professional Webpage: https://www.probatelawmiami.com/about-us/irama-valdes-esq/
Bar / Professional Activity
- Florida, 2010
- Ladies Ledger - Board Member 2025-present
- Business Networking International- Leadership Team - 2022-2024
- Business Networking International - Secretary/ Treasurer - 2025-2026
- Florida State Guardianship Association -Board Member 2019-2020
- Southern District Court, 2017
- Florida Bar, Member (2010 – Present)
- Real Property, Probate, & Trust Law Section, Member (2010 – Present)
- Dade County Bar Association Probate and Guardianship Committee, Vice Chair (2016 – Present)
- Dade County Bar Association, Member (2010 – Present)
- Cuban American Bar Associate, Member (2010 – Present)
- Florida Association of Women Lawyers, Member (2010 – Present)
- Business Networking International, Member (2016 – Present)
- ProVisors – Miami 3 (2023 – Present)
- Base (2023 – Present)
- Business Networking International, President (2020 – 2021)
- National Association of Divorce Professionals (2020 – 2021)
- Business Networking International, Secretary (2019 – 2020)
- Business Networking International, Vice-President (2018 – 2019) (2016 – 2017) (2022 – 2023)
- Florida State Guardianship Association, Board Member (2019 – 2020)
- South Miami Kendall Bar Association (2017 – 2019)
- National Association of Professional Women (2016 – 2018)
- Miami Lakes Bar Association, Board Member (2013 – 2016)
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Will Contest Settlement – After a challenge to the validity of a will based on undue influence claims by a disinherited child, the parties reached a settlement where the disinherited child received 25% of the estate, avoiding a lengthy trial, 2021.
- A surviving spouse who was left out of the will claimed her elective share under state law. The case was settled, with the spouse receiving 30% of the estate (including non-probate assets) as allowed by statute, rather than going to trial, 2024.
- A contested guardianship case resulted in the court declaring an elderly man legally incapacitated after a thorough evaluation. His daughter was appointed as guardian of his person and property, overruling opposition from his other child. We represented the daughter, 2022.
- A court refused to appoint either of the Wards' children as guardian due to serious litigation between the children and an inability to determine which of the children would be better to serve as Guardian. A professional guardian was appointed in the place of the family member, and we represented the professional guardian. The children finally came to terms and are now working together as Co-Guardians, 2024.
- Siblings who were in a dispute over the division of an intestate estate settled by agreeing to sell the family home and split the proceeds equally, while dividing personal property based on a mutually agreed list, which included a grandfather clock (the main contention in the case), 2022.
Videos
- Collection of short videos that are substantive and lighthearted surrounding probate, guardianship, estate planning, real estate, family, and current events, YouTube Shorts, Legal, General Community, 2024
- Granting an agent authority with a durable power of attorney can be a useful tool for the elderly or for anyone who suffers from incapacitation. The agent is permitted to act on behalf of the person when they are unable to do so themselves. Common grants of authority include paying bills and signing documents. But while authority granted by a power of attorney can cover many areas, there are certain delegations which require special procedures. Florida Statute Section 709.2202 mandates extra signatures and lists certain powers which must be expressly authorized in order for your agent under a POA to be able to perform same, Super Powers Explained, Legal, General Community, 2024
- A short Intro to Probate and a lightning round of some fun questions!, Irama's Interview by Nordis Forcade-Martin, Legal, General Community, 2024
- Just because you're young and have zero assets to yourself doesn't mean you don't need a plan. If you are between the ages of 17 and 25 (more or less) or a parent of a young adult, then this webinar is for you. Watch to find out how you can avoid spending thousands of dollars in attorney’s fees and by taking one simple step, Estate Planning for Young Adults, Legal, General Community, 2022
- If you have a child or a loved one that has special needs or disabilities that leave them unable to make decisions for themselves, you may need to open a guardianship case for them when they become adults (here in Florida, that's when they turn 18 years old). To determine the best course of action and what the specific facts of your situation means for you and your loved one, a consultation is necessary, Guardianship for Special Needs Adults, Legal, General Community, 2022
- What is Probate? What is Guardianship? Why should I avoid them like the plague? (sorry... too soon?). This webinar goes into what these two areas of law are and more importantly... how to stay more than 6-feet away from them using Estate Planning (oh and we also go into what Estate Planning is). If you are 18 or older, you need to watch this video, educate yourself on how it can go wrong, and see what steps you need to take to ensure your future and your assets stay out of the wrong hands (and out of the legal system!), Estate Planning Webinar 2021, Legal, General Community, 2021
- Spanish video re: what assets fall under the control of a Will, Que Activos Controla un Testamento, Legal, General Community, 2020
- Guardianships are complicated and sometimes extremely litigious cases. Watch to learn how they work... and if after watching you say to yourself "Man, I gotta avoid this," then it may be the perfect time for you to create an Estate Plan!, What is Guardianship?, Legal, General Community, 2020
- If you've ever thought about death or incapacity (or haven't until I just brought it up) and want to know what can happen if you haven't prepared the right legal documents, then this webinar is for you. We go over Probate, Guardianship and Estate Planning, and what those look like when you're prepared or not (GASP!). So sit back, grab a glass of wine, or scotch (the Balvenie Double Wood, 17-Year is my go-to), or juice, and enjoy this presentation I did for the Debbie's Dream Foundation on preparing for your future, Will & Wine: A Fun Webinar on How to Protect Your Family, Your Assets and Your Future, Legal, General Community, 2020
- Star Wars is full of complicated characters, relationships, and yes, death. Inheritance laws are not easy to decipher, so sometimes, taking what we already know and applying the law, it can make it easier to grasp. The laws referenced in this video apply only in Florida. Be sure to hire a competent Probate, Guardianship and Estate Planning attorney when assessing your specific situation. MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!!, How Star Wars Can Help You Understand Estate Planning, General Public, 2020
- Have you named someone to make medical decisions for you in the event you get sick and can't decide for yourself? Find out what happens if you haven't, What is a Designation of Healthcare Surrogate?, General Public, 2020
- If you get sick and can't make decisions for yourself, who will?? If you fail to create a legal document that says this, take a look at what can happen!, What is a Durable Power of Attorney?, General Public, 2020
- What happens to your assets when you die? Ever wondered who gets to decide?, What is Probate?, General Public, 2020
- Budgeting and Finances are extremely sensitive topics right now but Angela makes it somewhat of a cozy conversation and makes you feel like you can totally handle it., Spotlight Interview - Angela Moore, of Modern Money Advisor, General Public, 2020
Representative Clients
- A widow who is navigating the probate process to administer her late husband’s estate, including transferring property and distributing assets according to the will, 2024.
- Represented two siblings appointed as co-agents in a DPOA who are disagreeing on how to handle their father's estate and care, including where the father resides, 2023.
- Represented a daughter who was appointed as personal representative of a complex estate that includes multiple properties, investments, and a variety of creditors, including homestead issues and fraud on a deed, 2023.
- Represented a brother living in another state and a sister living in Florida who were named as Co-Personal Representatives and Co-Trustees, 2020.
- A surviving business partner trying to navigate the probate process to settle the deceased’s share of the business and determine the future ownership structure, 2021.
- Representing a parent of a minor a child who is set to inherit assets from a deceased parent's but cannot legally manage the inheritance until reaching adulthood. Also representing this parent in the probate of the deceased individual, 2024.
- Siblings whose parent passed away without a will (intestate), needing guidance through the probate process to distribute the estate in accordance with state law. Assisted them in preparing an Agreement Among Beneficiaries to change the distribution to suit their needs, 2023.
- Represented a friend appointed as the executor of a will, responsible for administering the estate, settling debts, and distributing assets, 2023.
- A son who feels unfairly left out or believes the distribution of assets under a will was inequitable and wants to contest the will in probate court, 2024.
Pro bono / Community Service
- Preparation of Estate Plans for elder community for local city. Wills on Wheels, 2023.
- Represented family of individual who died as a result of the Surfside building collapse in a probate matter, 2022.
- Pro bono representation of Personal Representative in the Estate of deceased mother, 2022.
- Pro bono representation of Guardian in the Guardianship of her granddaughter, 2021.
- Successfully defended elderly client in case against a family member that was trying to exploit the elderly client and obtain guardianship over her, despite being fully capacitated. Secured permanent injunction against relative and closure of the mental health case, 2020.
- Wills on Wheels. Together with other esteemed members of our legal community, we provided pro bono simple estate planning documents to a low-income community, 2017.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (V.I.T.A.) - We assisted low-income individuals with the preparation and submission of their income tax returns. Served as President, 2010.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (V.I.T.A.) - We assisted low-income individuals with the preparation and submission of their income tax returns. Served as President, 2009.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (V.I.T.A.) - We assisted low-income individuals with the preparation and submission of their income tax returns. Served as Vice President, 2008.
- Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (V.I.T.A.) - We assisted low-income individuals with the preparation and submission of their income tax returns. Served as Vice President, 2007.
Educational Background
- St. Thomas University School of Law, Juris Doctor, 200+ Pro Bono Hours Award Recipient, 2010
- Florida International University, Bachelor of Science in Communication, Cum Laude, 2007
- Miami Dade College, Associates in Arts in Psychology, Cum Laude, 2004
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Why your digital assets matter as well. And why you should protect it very well., writer, Getting Your Digital Ducks in a Row, Blog, 2025
- September is National Suicide Prevention Month., writer, Suicide Prevention & Workplace Safety… What do they have in common?, Blog, 2024
- What to do when your minor child gets a large settlement. , writer, When Minors Get Money: Do You Really Need a Guardianship?, Blog, 2025
- What to do after closing on your new house. , writer, What To Do Immediately After Closing On a New Home, Blog, 2025
- The difference between a Guardianship or Power of Attorney. And which one you really need the most., writer, Guardianship or Power of Attorney: Which One Do You Really Need?, Blog, 2025
- How Business owners think they are set & all planned out. But They are most likely missing these steps., writer, Business Owners… Are you making these mistakes?, Blog, 2025
- Steps on what do to after you finish signing your trust. , writer, I Signed My Trust… Now What?, Blog, 2025
- How to write your Letter of Intent for your Estate Plan (Without the Legal Jargon)., writer, What is a Letter of Intent? (And Why You Might Want One in Your Estate Plan), Blog, 2025
- Step by Step on how your Estate Plan should go., writer, The Estate Planning Journey, Blog, 2025
- As a probate attorney, one of the most frequent questions I receive is: “How much of my personal business will be made public in probate?” It’s a valid concern, and many people are surprised to learn that probate cases are, by default, part of the public record. This means that the details of your estate can be accessed by anyone, from creditors to nosy neighbors. While certain confidential information—like Social Security numbers, bank account details, and sensitive medical information—remains protected, most other information becomes accessible to the public once your estate goes through probate. Let’s delve into what is and isn’t public in probate cases, and how you can take steps to avoid probate altogether to keep your estate out of the public eye., Writer, The Public Nature of Probate: Why Most of Your Estate’s Information is Public Record, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2024
- Why I practice Elder Law, Writer, Why Elder Law?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2016
- A guide to dealing with probate in a sale of real property, Writer, The Probate Road, Blog, Realtors, 2021
- 7 Stages of a Probate Administration Case, Writer, 7 Stages of a Probate Administration Case, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2024
- Granting an agent authority with a durable power of attorney can be a useful tool for the elderly or for anyone who suffers from incapacitation. The agent is permitted to act on behalf of the person when they are unable to do so themselves. Common grants of authority include paying bills and signing documents. But while authority granted by a power of attorney can cover many areas, there are certain delegations which require special procedures., Writer, Florida Powers of Attorney – Superpowers, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2024
- How being named PR in a Will does not necessarily avoid probate, Writer, Does being named as Personal Representative in a Will avoid Probate?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2024
- Step-by-Step Process for Adjudication of Incapacity & Appointment of Guardian, Writer, Step-by-Step Process for Adjudication of Incapacity & Appointment of Guardian, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2024
- Why avoiding probate for real property is essential, Writer, Do I really care if the property ends up in Probate?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2023
- Why you should not add a minor to the title of real property, Writer, Should You Add Your Minor to The Title of Your Property?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2023
- How to obtain a DC from Florida Vital Statistics, Writer, How to Obtain a Death Certificate, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2022
- Selling real property in a probate case, Writer, Can we sell the property in Probate??, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2023
- In Florida, homestead property is subject to special rules regarding distribution at death. If a person who owns homestead property dies, their surviving spouse may be entitled to a life estate in the property, depending on the circumstances., Writer, Homestead and Life Estates… Now What?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2023
- Discussion of elective share and the assets that count, Writer, Elective Share… What do I get??, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2023
- Timesharing in Florida: rules and best practices, Writer, Who gets the kid? Timesharing in Florida, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2023
- Probate case length and factors affecting same, Writer, How Long Does Probate Take?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2023
- Information on whether or not you are responsible for a decedent's debts, Writer, Am I Responsible for My Deceased Relative’s Debts?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2022
- What assets require probate in order to pass them to beneficiaries and which type of probate case is needed in general, Writer, To Probate or Not To Probate (and if so, which?), Blog, Legal, General Community, 2022
- Role of a personal representative, Writer, What Is a Personal Representative and What Does He/She Do?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2022
- What happens if you don't have a POA and you become incapacitated, Writer, Do You Need a Power of Attorney?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2021
- What attorney's fees look like for probate matters, Writer, How Much Does It *Really* Cost to Die?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2021
- Why an estate plan is essential, Writer, Estate Planning Guide & Checklist, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2020
- Discussed not naming minor kids or a "representative adult" for the minor kid as a beneficiary of life insurance, Writer, Who NOT to name as a beneficiary of your life insurance, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2020
- Disposition of property without administration, Writer, What to know about Small Estates, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2020
- Why you shouldn't DIY your estate plan, Writer, Cheap Wills and Trusts – You’ll Get What You Pay For, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2020
- Discussion of electronic wills in light of the recent change in law, Writer, Are Electronic Wills Legal in Florida?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2020
- What a Designation of Healthcare Surrogate and a Living Will are, Writer, Medical Advanced Directives – What are they; Why does EVERYONE need them; and Things to consider., Blog, Legal, General Community, 2019
- The difference between Formal Administration vs. Summary Administration in Florida, Writer, Formal Administration vs. Summary Administration in Florida, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2019
- Why an Estate Plan Should Be A Part Of Your Hurricane Preparedness Plan, Writer, Why an Estate Plan Should Be A Part Of Your Hurricane Preparedness Plan, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2019
- How a DPOA works and what you need to know before executing one. , Writer, Durable Financial Power of Attorney: How it Works, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2019
- The stages of estate planning, Writer, How do i create an estate plan?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2019
- Communicating about death with little ones and my personal experience, Writer, How to tell toddlers about death...and how I failed miserably., Blog, Legal, General Community, 2019
- Estate planning when there is a new baby added to your family, Writer, Is there a new addition to your family?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2018
- Alzheimer's and how it can happen at any age, Writer, Alzheimer's Can happen to you., Blog, Legal, General Community, 2018
- Discussed different events which should trigger individuals to update their Wills, Writer, Do you need to update your Will?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2018
- Discussed non-probate assets, Writer, The Non-Probate Pail, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2017
- Discussed the different types of probate cases, Writer, What kind of Probate case do I need to open?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2017
- Estate planning and hurricane preparedness, Writer, PSA: Get your documents ready for the storm!, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2016
- Discussed recent event surrounding Alzheimer's research, Writer, Possible Cure for Alzheimer's?, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2016
- Estate planning for teachers, Writer, We love teachers!, Blog, Legal, General Community, Teachers, 2016
- What is a living will, Writer, Living Wills are not Last Will & Testaments; Know the difference, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2016
- Preneed guardians for minors, Writer, The least you should do for your children, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2016
- Estate planning and the effects of dementia, Writer, You're going to be healthy and live forever!, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2016
- Planning for minor beneficiaries, Writer, Make Sure He Sees the Glaciers, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2016
- Discussed prepaid education, Writer, If You Love Them, You'll Educate them, Blog, Legal, General Community, 2016
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Through Florida Association of Women Lawyers, my firm awarded a female law student a scholarship, 2023.
- Crown sponsor of Women for Success which helps female entrepreneurs successfully start a new business. With my contribution, Women for Success was able to assist over 10 women, 2023.
- Through my firm, we awarded a small scholarship to our law clerk to attend law school this year, 2024.
Honors
- Appreciation for Outstanding Service Award for contributions to Probate & Guardianship Committee as Vice-Chair, Outstanding Service, Miami Dade Bar, 2024
- Outstanding Public Service Award for contributions to Probate & Guardianship Committee, Outstanding Public Service Award, Dade County Bar, 2017
- Pro Bono Award, St. Thomas University School of Law, 2010
Industry Groups
- Guardianship
Selections
2 Years Super Lawyers
9 Years Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2025 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2016 - 2024
