John M. Hemenway

Partner

John M. Hemenway is a founding partner of Bivins & Hemenway, P.A.  John’s educational background included substantial coursework in computer programming and systems design at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.  He serves as a trusted legal advisor to business owners, real estate investors, and families seeking to preserve and pass down their wealth and values.  John’s practice focuses on estate planning and probate, small and closely held businesses, and real estate.

Practice Areas:

Estate Planning; Trusts and Estates; Probate; Wills; Premarital Agreements; Postnuptial Agreements; Business Law; Commercial Law; Corporate Law; Contracts; Real Estate; Commercial Real Estate; Real Estate Title Insurance

Professional Recognition:

• Florida Super Lawyers 2022-2024
• Florida Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” 2013-2021

Professional Memberships:

• The Florida Bar
  • Member, Business Law Section
  • Member, Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section
    • Member, Asset Protection Committee
    • Member, IRA, Insurance & Employee Benefits Committee

• Hillsborough County Bar Association

• International Society of Primerus Law Firms
  • Developing Partners Section, Executive Committee (2023-present)
  • Young Lawyers Section, Executive Committee (2014-18), Chair (2016-17)

• Tampa Bay Estate Planning Council
  • President (2023-24)
  • Board of Directors (2017-24)

• Florida Fellows Institute of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), Graduate of Class V (2022)

Civic Membership and Activities:

• Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce
  • Co-Chairman, Winthrop/Bloomingdale Area Council, 2012
  • Member, Accreditation Task Force Communication Committee, 2011
  • Leadership Brandon, 2008

• Greater Brandon Community Foundation (volunteer legal counsel)

• Hillsborough Education Foundation (volunteer)

• Tampa Connection, 2011

Biography:

• Speaker:
  • “Trusts in Estate Planning: Types of Trusts and Determining When to Use Them, Key Provisions, Asset Protection,” Strafford, 2024
  • “Joint vs. Individual Trusts in Separate and Community Property States,” Strafford, 2023
  • “Opening the Estate” and “Preparing the Personal Representatives for the Job,” Florida Probate Process: In 7 Simple Steps, National Business Institute, 2022
  • “Joint vs. Individual Trusts in Separate and Community Property States,” Strafford, 2022
  • “What You Need to Know About Trusts” and “Accounting/Distributions in Trust Administration,” Florida Probate and Trust Administration, National Business Institute, 2021
  • “Utilizing Lifetime QTIP Trusts in Estate Planning: Tax Issues, State Limitations, Key Provisions, and Options,” Strafford, 2020
  • “IRAs and RMDs After the SECURE Act: What You Need to Know and Do Right Now,” National Business Institute, 2020
  • “Taking the First Step: Filing an Estate in Probate Court” and “Understanding the Role of the Personal Representative in Probate,” The Probate Process from Start to Finish, National Business Institute, 2020
  • “Advanced Wills: Writing Provisions to Prevent Disputes” and “IRA Trusts: Preserving the Maximum Available Stretchout of RMDs,” Advanced Estate Planning, National Business Institute, 2018
  • “Transfers During Life and Inter-Vivos Trusts,” Estate Planning and Administration: The Complete Guide, National Business Institute, 2018
  • “Taking the First Step: Filing an Estate in Probate Court” and “Understanding the Role of the Personal Representative in Probate,” The Probate Process from Start to Finish, National Business Institute, 2017
  • “First Steps” and “Educating the Personal Representative,” Probate Boot Camp, National Business Institute, 2016
  • “What Grey’s Anatomy Didn’t Teach You: Fundamental Asset Protection Principles,” Brandon Regional Hospital Medical Resident Seminar, 2016
  • “Transfers During Life and Inter-Vivos Trusts,” Estate Planning and Administration: The Complete Guide, National Business Institute, 2015
  • “Basic Tax Considerations – What You Need to Know in Order to Choose the Appropriate Plan,” Drafting Effective Wills and Trusts, National Business Institute, 2014
  • “Uncovering the Laws of Intestacy and How They May Apply,” The Probate Process From Start to Finish, National Business Institute, 2014
  • “Tips to Prevent Your Non-Profit from Becoming Non-Compliant,” Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce and Greater Brandon Community Foundation Non-Profit Seminar Series, 2009

• Author:
  • “Distinguishing Use Cases for Joint and Individual Trusts,” Trusts & Estates, November 2023
  • “Design Trusts for Maximum Retirement Plan Tax Deferral,” Checkpoint WG&L Estate Planning, April 2019
  • “Adapting to the Changing Concerns of Trusts and Estates Clients in the Current Planning Environment,” Inside the Minds: Best Practices for Structuring Trusts and Estates (Leading Lawyers on Drafting a Flexible Plan, Protecting the Client’s Assets, and Leveraging Tax Strategies), Aspatore Books, 2014
  • “Effective Estate Planning for the Modern Family in Uncertain Times,” Inside the Minds: Strategies for Trusts and Estates in Florida (Leading Lawyers on Analyzing Recent Developments and Navigating the Estate Planning Process in Florida), Aspatore Books, 2013

Education:

• University of Florida, J.D., cum laude, 2005
  • Vice President, Association for Law and Business, 2005
  • Book Award, Legal Drafting

• University of Florida, B.S.B.A., Economics, with honors, 2002

Bar and Court Admissions:

• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida, 2009

• Florida, 2006