Laura Bourne Burkhalter is a resident of Miami Shores and partner at Hark│Burkhalter│Yon, PL whose practice includes Trusts, Estates and Guardianship Administration and Litigation, and Estate Planning.  Ms. Burkhalter is the managing partner of the Miami Shores office.

Ms. Burkhalter's practice focuses on probate, trust and guardianship litigation and probate, guardianship and trust administration.  Additionally, Ms. Burkhalter handles all appellate matters related to probate, trust and guardianship litigation.

With an advanced degree in estate planning, Ms. Burkhalter handles all aspects of estate planning for her clients with an emphasis on obtaining optimal benefits, not only for the client, but also his/her heirs.  Additionally, her practice includes handling issues such as incapacity determinations, litigation involving the appointment of a guardian, undue influence, will contests and homestead determination and representation involving beneficiaries against trustees, personal representatives or executors and attorneys in fact.  Ms. Burkhalter takes a thorough approach to these matters, while being conscious of the sensitivity needed in dealing with these emotional family issues.   She represents trustees, personal representatives, executors and beneficiaries when conflicts arise and has successfully resolved will and trust contests related to vague language, contradictory instructions, lack of capacity and undue influence, among other factors.

Ms. Burkhalter received an undergraduate degree in Telecommunications from the University of Florida (B.S., 1995) and is a graduate of the St. Thomas University School of Law (J.D., 2000). Additionally, Ms. Burkhalter earned her Master of Laws in Estate Planning from the University of Miami School of Law (LL.M., 2003).

While at the University of Florida, Ms. Burkhalter was awarded the William Randolph Hearst Award for Excellence in Journalism and various other awards noting excellence in broadcast journalism.  While at St. Thomas University School of Law, Ms. Burkhalter served as the President of the Moot Court Board and was awarded numerous awards for excellence in oral advocacy.

Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Burkhalter served as a Certified Legal Intern for the Dade County Public Defender's Office.

Ms. Burkhalter is a member of The Florida Bar. She is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.  Ms. Burkhalter was named one of the 2010 Florida "Rising Stars" by Florida Super Lawyers magazine.