Neill, Marquis, Osking & Hale, PLLC

10/01/2025

👻🎃 Spooky Season Reminder 🎃👻

Now that October is here, it is a great opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of estate planning. October isn’t just about pumpkins and costumes — it’s also National Estate Planning Awareness Month, officially recognized by Congress back in 2008.

In our work handling probate and trust litigation, we’ve seen how failing to plan (or trying to DIY it) can create real nightmares for families. Florida’s unique rules — like homestead restrictions, elective share rights, exempt property, and the strict signing requirements for wills and trusts — can trip up even experienced attorneys who don’t regularly practice in this area.

The scariest thing of all for your heirs? No plan at all. At Neill, Marquis, Osking & Hale, PLLC, our experienced and knowledgeable estate planning attorneys regularly prepare:

- Revocable Trusts
- Wills
- Durable Powers of Attorney
- Designations of Health Care Surrogate
- Living Wills
- HIPAA Releases
- Declarations Naming Preneed Guardians
- Instructions for Disposition of Remains
- Irrevocable Trusts

We also provide optional original document safekeeping here in our office as a courtesy to all of our estate planning clients — and the comfort of knowing that if life changes, we are here and ready to help.

This October, take the time to review or create your estate plan so your loved ones aren’t left haunted by uncertainty.

09/28/2025

🙌 We’ve got some awesome news to share…

Our associate Matthew London has been elected President-Elect of the St. Lucie Bar Association for the 2025–2026 Bar year. We’re so proud of him and can’t wait to see all the great things he’ll do in this role.

Matt focuses his practice on real estate litigation — including partition actions, evictions, unlawful detainers, and general property disputes — and we know his dedication to clients and the community will shine through in this new position.

Way to go, Matt! 🎉⚖️

🌟 Introducing the 2025–2026 Board of Directors! 🌟

The Saint Lucie Bar Association is proud to present our newly elected Board of Directors who will lead us into another year of service, growth, and excellence in the legal community.

President – Lainey Francisco
President-Elect – Matthew London
Treasurer – Jamy Barreau
Secretary – Adena Hatcher

Fort Pierce Representatives – Ian Osking, Agnes Lambert
Port St. Lucie Representatives – Evett Simmons, Carmen Lineberger
At-Large Representatives – Taylor Hoskins

We are excited for the year ahead as we continue to support our members, serve our community, and uphold the values of justice and professionalism. Join us in congratulating and welcoming the 2025–2026 Board of Directors! 💙

05/26/2025

We were proud to see the St. Lucie County Bar Association recognize Judge Martha C. Warner of the Fourth District Court of Appeal. Judge Warner began her legal career at our firm—then known as Neill, Griffin, Jeffries & Lloyd—where she practiced from 1974 to 1978. Today, as Neill, Marquis, Osking & Hale, PLLC, we are honored to celebrate her remarkable career and the legacy of excellence she helped shape.

As Judge Warner prepares for her well-deserved retirement this September, we join the Bar and the legal community in expressing our deep appreciation for her decades of dedicated service. We wish her all the best in the next chapter of her life.

Historic announcement from the Fourth District Court of Appeals:

"About fifty years ago, Tom and Martha Warner moved to Stuart and commenced their legal careers. Tom would ultimately start the Warner Fox firm and serve in the Florida legislature and as Florida’s first Solicitor General. Martha became a Nineteenth Circuit Judge in 1986 and joined the Fourth District Court of Appeal in 1989. Judge Warner is the longest serving appellate judge in Florida history. She is a prolific opinion author and the quality of those opinions arguably makes her the Judge Learned Hand of Florida."

Judge Warner is retiring at the end of September. Judge Warner also practiced at our own local Neill, Marquis, Osking & Hale, PLLC for many years. The SLBA is proud that Judge Warner began her remarkable legal journey right here in our community. Her rise to the appellate bench and her distinguished service are a source of great pride for all of us.

All attorneys and legal professionals are invited to join for a special and historic oral argument session of the Fourth District Court of Appeals: Judge Warner will be the presiding judge for an oral argument session at the MARTIN COUNTY COURTHOUSE (100 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart) on TUESDAY MAY 27, 2025, starting at 9:30 a.m. There are five cases on the calendar, each set for 15 minutes of argument per side. Attendance is free; attendees need not stay for all five cases. The calendar can be accessed here:https://4dca.flcourts.gov/content/download/2449539/file/5-27-25OA-%20MARTIN.pdf

04/18/2025

Looks like the Easter Bunny made a stop at Neill, Marquis, Osking & Hale, PLLC this morning!

A few of our team members brought their kids in for a fun half day, and they were treated to a surprise egg hunt around the office. We’re not saying we saw the Easter Bunny, but there were some suspiciously colorful eggs hidden in some very lawyerly places…

Our office will be closed for the holiday, but we’ll reopen on Monday, ready to hop back into action. Wishing everyone a joyful Easter weekend filled with family, fun, and maybe a few chocolate eggs!

03/10/2025

Neill, Marquis, Osking & Hale, PLLC Hits It Out of the Park! ⚾️

Last week, our firm had the incredible opportunity to be a sponsor for St. Lucie Bar Association’s and Martin County Bar Association’s First Annual Bi-Bar Bash during the New York Mets spring training game, and what a game it was! We had a fantastic time connecting with our community, cheering on the players, and celebrating America’s pastime.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, said hello, and shared in the excitement with us. At Neill, Marquis, Osking & Hale, PLLC, we take pride in supporting our local community—on and off the field.

Check out some of our favorite moments from the game! ⬇️

01/15/2025

Neill, Marquis, Osking & Hale, PLLC is pleased to share that Renée Marquis-Abrams, Esq., who is board certified in Wills, Trusts, and Estates, will be presenting for CLE credit at the upcoming St. Lucie Bar Association Luncheon.

📖 Topic: Common Pitfalls in Estate Planning and Probate Administration
📅 Date: February 7, 2025
📍 Location: Tutto Fresco, Port St. Lucie, Florida

Ms. Marquis-Abrams has been with our firm since 1997 and brings decades of experience in estate planning and probate law. As a board-certified attorney, she offers deep insight into these areas and is excited to share her expertise with fellow practitioners.

For more information about the luncheon, please contact the St. Lucie Bar Association or visit the SLBA page.

📢 SLBA February Meeting Announcement – Earn CLE Credit! 📢

Join us for an engaging and educational luncheon as the St. Lucie Bar Association welcomes Renee Marquis-Abramsas our guest speaker!

🗓️ Date: Friday, February 7, 2025
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM
🎤 Topic: "Common Pitfalls in Estate Planning and Probate Administration"

Gain valuable insights and tips to navigate the complexities of estate planning and probate administration in your practice.

🎓 CLE Credit Provided

📩 RSVP Details:
RSVP by emailing Ms. Mary Funka at [email protected].
Not a member? Join us today! Membership gives you access to luncheons, CLE opportunities, networking events, and more. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/4TznZhgA2WkxeMURA

Thank you to our Sponsors!

Platinum Sponsor
🔸 Hoskins, Turco, Lloyd & Lloyd
Gold Sponsors
🔸 Rossway Swan
🔸 Simmons, Finney & Winfield, LLC
🔸 Barreau Legal, PLLC
Platinum Business Sponsor
💎 Global Neuro & Spine Institute - Jensen Beach
Premier Business Sponsors
🏆 Seacoast Bank
🏆 Verasoni

We can’t wait to see you there for another fantastic luncheon filled with learning, networking, and professional growth!

01/07/2025

Big News for Our Firm!

We are honored to announce that Brandon M. Hale, Esq., has become a member (commonly referred to as a partner) of our firm effective January 1, 2025. With this milestone, our name is officially changing to Neill, Marquis, Osking & Hale, PLLC.

This marks an exciting new chapter in our firm’s history. Brandon’s unwavering dedication to our clients and exceptional legal expertise made him a natural fit to join our firm as a member. As a firm member, Brandon will continue to serve our clients in the fields of guardianship, probate, and estate planning.

Although our name is changing, we look forward to serving our clients with the same commitment and excellence you’ve come to expect. Thank you for being so supportive as we celebrate this momentous occasion!

12/23/2024

🎄 Holiday Cheer at Neill Griffin Marquis Osking, PLLC! 🎄

We had a wonderful time celebrating the season at our annual holiday party today!

Our office will be closed from noon on December 23rd through December 25th so our team can enjoy the holiday with their loved ones. We’ll reopen on December 26th.

Wishing you all a joyful and peaceful holiday season!

10/09/2024

⚠️ HURRICANE CLOSURE ALERT ⚠️

Due to the anticipated landfall of Hurricane Milton, Neill Griffin Marquis Osking, PLLC will be closed from 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 9, 2024 through Thursday, October 10, 2024. Circumstances permitting, it is expected that we will resume normal business hours on Friday, October 11, 2024.

Weather related court closures can be monitored by visiting the Supreme Court of Florida Website: https://supremecourt.flcourts.gov/Weather-Related-Emergency-Orders

As we brace for the upcoming hurricane, our thoughts are with everyone in its path. Your safety and well-being are our top priority. Please take all necessary precautions, follow official updates, and stay safe during this time. We’ll be ready to assist you once the storm passes.

— Neill Griffin Marquis Osking, PLLC

01/01/2024

From the attorneys and staff at Neill Griffin Marquis Osking, PLLC,

Happy New Year!!!!