About

Learn More About E.P.P.G. Law of St. Johns in St. Augustine, FL

Meet Attorney Heather S. Maltby

Estate Planning and Probate Law Attorney in St. Johns County, FL

Since becoming a member of the FL Bar, Heather has focused her practice solely on estate planning, probate, and trust administration. Heather provides legal counsel for individuals, families, and business owners in creating trusts, wills, financial and health care powers of attorney, and guardian advocacy. She also assists families going through the probate process.

Heather is a past President of the St. Johns County Bar Association, a Director of the Young Lawyers Section of the St. Johns County Bar Association, a committee member of United Way Emerging Leaders, and a member of the Enterprising Women’s Leadership Institute.

Heather, like her parents, grandparents, and generations before, were born and raised in St. Johns County and can trace their family roots back to the beginning of St. Augustine. She graduated from St. Augustine High School in 1998, the University of North Florida in 2005, and went to law school at Florida Coastal School of Law.

Get to Know Heather

Who inspired you to become a lawyer?

Attorney Tania Schmidt Alpers. In the late 1990s, I saw Tania in court representing victims of domestic violence and thought she was the bravest woman I had ever seen. She was the lone female in the court room, and I was in awe of her strength and confidence. It made me realize that I could be anything, and in that moment, I knew that I wanted to be an attorney.
How did you decide your practice area? And why have you chosen that?

Estate planning, probate, and trust administration are practice areas that came very naturally to me. My mom passed away before I began law school, so I became familiar with the probate process. Having been through a significant loss has enabled me to relate personally with my clients in the face of tragedy.

Additionally, I grew up with a huge extended family and was close to all my grandparents, so protecting the elderly is extremely important to me. Estate planning and probate are naturally intertwined.
What has been the biggest change in your practice area since you passed the Bar?

The biggest change I’ve observed is how attorneys advertise effectively. Websites and social media are becoming more important than Yellow Pages ads.
What do you think will be the next biggest change in your area of law?

If I could change anything in the legal system...
I would make all legal services, not just those of the public defender, available to all people regardless of income.
What community service have you pursued, and why?

I am a past president of the St. Johns County Bar Association and have been co-director of the St. Johns County Young Lawyers Section since 2014. In that time, we have established and hosted events that have raised more than $15,000 for various non-profits, such as Jacksonville Area Legal Aid – St. Johns County, Kids Bridge, and United Way of St. Johns County.
What’s your advice for new lawyers?

Find a mentor. Meet more established attorneys practicing in your field and ask them questions. Take them to lunch to pick their brains; never think you know more than they do. Established attorneys are a wealth of knowledge, and most are willing to do what they can to help you, even if they are on the other side of the case. Always remember that your clients will come and go, but the attorneys in your field will be there long after your client, so don’t burn a bridge over an “enthusiastic” client.

Meet Legal Assistant Michelle Tart

Michelle came to E.P.P.G Law in June of 2021. Michelle graduated from St. Augustine High School and St. Johns River State College. She’s local to St. Augustine, being born and raised here. When she’s not in the office, you can find Michelle spending time with her family on the water. When she’s not on the water enjoying the sun, she’s traveling with her husband, kids, and pup making precious memories.

Call (904) 875-3774 to schedule a consultation.