Charities We Support - Ernie Els – Els for Autism St. Matthew’s House Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation SafeSpace Zoe Loren Make a Difference Foundation Big Dog Ranch Rescue Molly’s House St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

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Legacy Planning since 2001

Meet Our Team

Schedule with us Today!

At Florida Wills & Trusts Law, our dedicated team is here to guide you through the often emotional and complex aspects of estate and family planning. With over 35 years of combined experience, we offer sound advice and compassionate service to help you protect what matters most—your family and your legacy. Our approach is rooted in understanding that every family is unique, which is why we tailor each plan to meet the specific needs and goals of our clients.

Led by Dana M. Santino, we pride ourselves on providing clarity, confidence, and peace of mind as you plan for your family’s future through wills, trusts, wealth preservation, and estate planning. Our commitment to excellence and personalized care ensures that your legacy is in good hands.

Dana M. Santino, J.D., LL.M

CEO/Founding Life & Legacy Planning Attorney

Dana is a dedicated attorney whose faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of her work. With over 20 years in practice, she is known for her compassionate, collaborative approach to estate planning, wealth preservation, tax strategy, and trust administration. Dana views her role not only as a legal advisor but as a steward of God’s calling to serve others with integrity, wisdom, and grace.

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April Marie Palmer

Law Firm Administrator

Born and raised in sunny San Diego, April slowly moved across the country and settled in Martin County in 1999. She is a proud Cum laude graduate with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. With over nine years of experience in estate planning and probate, she is deeply committed to helping families navigate the complexities of planning for their futures with confidence and peace of mind.

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Thomas Cannella

Senior Paralegal

After making a meaningful transition from the world of education and athletics, TommyCannella brings a rich and diverse background to Florida Wills & Trusts Law. He holds aJuris Doctor from Barry University’s Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law and carriesvaluable experience as a legal assistant in Estate Planning.

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Leslie Fuentes

Paralegal

Originally from the vibrant island of Cuba, Leslie Fuentes brought with her a deep sense of family, resilience, and dedication when she made Miami her home. It was there that she pursued her education, attending Florida National College and found her calling in the legal field, becoming a paralegal with a passion for helping others through some of life's most challenging transitions.

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Jona Mucka

Legal Assistant

Having grown up in Connecticut, Jona spent several years as a seasonal resident in Naples before making the deliberate decision to relocate full-time in 2025. This move was driven by a desire to embrace new opportunities and immerse herself more deeply in the community. To Florida Wills & Trusts, Jona brings a blend of analytical acumen and compassionate support to her role...

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Marisa Santino

Life and Legacy Planning Paralegal

Marisa comes to Florida Wills & Trusts Law with a graduate degree in counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University. After this milestone, Marisa pursued a career in the legal field. She began in county court and eventually dedicated over 10 years to personal injury law. Although the backdrop of psychology and law differ, the universal thread running through her professional career is her desire to serve the public. Marisa’s goal in joining the firm is to obtain a mutual understanding with clients and to ensure that their expectations of our services are exceeded.

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Heather N. Cooper

Outreach Intake Director

Heather is a proud Florida native who brings over 15 years of hands-on experience in the customer service industry. Her professional journey is built on a strong foundation in communication, problem-solving, and client-focused service. She holds a degree in Customer Relations and Management from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where she cultivated her passion for helping others and refining operational processes.

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Dana M. Santino, J.D., LL.M

CEO/Founding Life & Legacy Planning Attorney

Licensed to practice law in Florida, New York, Colorado .

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Dana is a dedicated attorney whose faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of her work. With over 20 years in practice, she is known for her compassionate, collaborative approach to estate planning, wealth preservation, tax strategy, and trust administration. Dana views her role not only as a legal advisor but as a steward of God’s calling to serve others with integrity, wisdom, and grace.

With a legal career spanning over two decades, Dana has established herself as a trusted advocate and counselor in her field. Known for her empathetic and collaborative approach to planning, Dana customarily works with her clients’ team of advisors to ensure that each client’s comprehensive planning goals and objectives are developed and result in a legacy plan that integrates into their overall financial, tax and charitable plan. Her practice includes estate planning, wealth preservation, entity structuring, taxation, special needs planning, and probate and trust administration.

Before attending law school, Dana dedicated her life to victims of crimes as a victim advocate for Palm Beach County Victim Services and as a domestic violence victim advocate for the Palm Beach County State Attorney Office. Dana continued her work as a victim advocate while attending law school before becoming an Assistant State Attorney for a short time, prosecuting domestic violence perpetrators.

Dana graduated from The Florida State University with a Bachelor of Arts, from Nova Southeastern University with a Juris Doctor and from The University of Florida with a Master of Laws in Taxation. She also had the privilege of serving the people of Palm Beach County as a County Court Judge until 2018. Dana currently serves as a trustee on the West Palm Beach Police Pension Fund which is responsible for the general administration of the assets under management (approximately $500 Million) and the proper operation of the pension fund pursuant to the Special Acts of the State of Florida. She also proudly serves on the Board of Directors of SafeSpace, a non-profit organization providing safety and support to thousands of domestic violence victims and their children.

Through her work each day, Dana supports charities that are near and dear to her heart, such as SafeSpace, St. Matthew’s House, Molly’s House, Ernie Els – Els for Autism, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, Zoe Loren Make a Difference Foundation, and Big Dog Ranch Rescue. Her law firm contributes a percentage of every engagement to the charity of the client’s choosing. Dana is married to her husband Chris, a retired police sergeant, for over 30 years. They are parents to their two fur babies, Spartacus, the Shih Tzu, and Matilda, the English Bulldog. She and her family are self-proclaimed epicureans who love to travel. As a family, they strive to honor God in all aspects of their lives, embracing every opportunity to serve, give, and love as Christ first loved us.

April Marie Palmer

Law Firm Administrator

Born and raised in sunny San Diego, April slowly moved across the country and settled in Martin County in 1999. She is a proud Cum laude graduate with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. With over nine years of experience in estate planning and probate, she is deeply committed to helping families navigate the complexities of planning for their futures with confidence and peace of mind.

Her professional journey is anchored in her passion for supporting others, ensuring that our clients receive tailored, compassionate guidance through their most important legal matters. Having worked extensively in this field, she has built a reputation for being both knowledgeable and approachable, always striving to simplify complex processes for those we serve.

On a personal note, April is blessed with a blended family of nine amazing and successful children. She is happily married to Artie, and together, they share their home with their two youngest children and two playful and loyal German Shepherds, Kaiserin ("Kai") and Chancellor ("Chance"). Outside of her professional life, she is an avid mountain biker, enjoys playing pickleball, loves traveling with her family to create new memories and pretends she can cook.

At the heart of everything she does is a genuine love for helping others, guided by her faith in Jesus Christ. His presence in her life shapes the way she approaches both her personal and professional endeavors, and she is deeply grateful for His guidance and strength as she continues to serve others and walk this journey.

Thomas Cannella

Senior Paralegal

After making a meaningful transition from the world of education and athletics, TommyCannella brings a rich and diverse background to Florida Wills & Trusts Law. He holds aJuris Doctor from Barry University’s Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law and carriesvaluable experience as a legal assistant in Estate Planning. His journey to the legal fieldis marked not just by academic achievement, but by a deeply personal connection tolegacy planning and a lifelong calling to serve others.

Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, Tommy’s curiosity about the world beyond hishometown led him to Penn State University at University Park, where he earned his BAin Journalism in 2008. While his early professional life centered around education andsports, his passion for the law was always present. For seven years, he taught highschool students about the American Constitution—a subject he deeply respects andone that planted seeds for the career he has now embraced. He later moved intocollege administration, further deepening his commitment to guiding young lives.

In 2021, with a heart stirred by a personal experience involving legacy planning, Tommymade a pivotal decision to pursue law in Orlando, Florida. His mission was clear: to helpfamilies secure peace of mind and preserve what matters most.

Service has always been at the center of Tommy’s work—whether that meant teachingin a classroom, leading young athletes as a college baseball head coach, or providingcompassionate guidance in estate planning. His values are rooted in faith, and hebelieves that a life of purpose is one guided by the teachings and example of JesusChrist.

Outside of the office, Tommy remains an avid sports fan with a lifelong love for PennState football. A former collegiate and professional bowler, he still enjoys time on thelanes, grilling outdoors, and enjoying twelve months of activities in the Florida sun. Nowcalling Naples home, he treasures time with his two beloved nieces, Gianna and Alexa,who are never far from his heart.

Leslie Fuentes

Paralegal

Originally from the vibrant island of Cuba, Leslie Fuentes brought with her a deep sense of family, resilience, and dedication when she made Miami her home. It was there that she pursued her education, attending Florida National College and found her calling in the legal field, becoming a paralegal with a passion for helping others through some of life's most challenging transitions.

In 2016, Leslie relocated to Stuart, Florida, where she has since become a trusted guide for families navigating the complex worlds of probate and trust administration. With over 25 years of experience, her clients know her not only for her professionalism and knowledge, but also for her compassionate approach and unwavering support during difficult times.

Leslie lives in Stuart with her husband, Javier, where they’ve built a life rooted in love, community, and a shared commitment to helping others. Whether in the office or at home, Leslie’s warmth, integrity, and dedication continue to touch the lives of everyone she meets.

Jona Mucka

Legal Assistant at Florida Wills & Trusts

Having grown up in Connecticut, Jona spent several years as a seasonal resident in Naples before making the deliberate decision to relocate full-time in 2025. This move was driven by a desire to embrace new opportunities and immerse herself more deeply in the community. To Florida Wills & Trusts, Jona brings a blend of analytical acumen and compassionate support to her role. A proud graduate of Quinnipiac University, she earned her degree with a major in Finance and a minor in Law in Society, providing her with a strong foundation in both financial and legal matters.

In Florida Wills & Trusts, she is dedicated to offering compassionate and personalized legal assistance, ensuring clients navigate their estate planning needs with confidence and clarity. Her approach is deeply rooted in empathy, recognizing that clients often seek guidance during significant life transitions. Jona strives to make each client feel understood and supported throughout the legal process.

Outside of her professional life, Jona is dedicated to personal well-being and family. An avid yoga enthusiast, she finds balance and mindfulness through regular practice. Time spent with her family and the companionship of her beloved dog bring her joy. In her free time, she also enjoys traveling and cooking Mediterranean cuisine.

Jona is committed to continuous learning and growth, striving to enhance her skills and knowledge to better serve others. Her goal is to make the legal process as seamless and reassuring as possible, providing clients with the confidence they deserve.

Marisa Santino

Life and Legacy Planning Paralegal

Marisa comes to Florida Wills & Trusts Law with a graduate degree in counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University. After this milestone, Marisa pursued a career in the legal field. She began in county court and eventually dedicated over 10 years to personal injury law. Although the backdrop of psychology and law differ, the universal thread running through her professional career is her desire to serve the public. Marisa’s goal in joining the firm is to obtain a mutual understanding with clients and to ensure that their expectations of our services are exceeded.

Marisa’s passion for helping others, coupled with her immeasurable experience, has opened the door to life and legacy planning. She is enthusiastic about expanding her ability to support clients by assisting them in not only achieving their planning goals but also in gaining peace of mind knowing their families’ futures are secure.

Outside of the office, Marisa demonstrates her love for giving back by getting involved within her community. She regularly volunteers with a local children's organization which provides day care to those in need. As a follower of Christ, Marisa understands the importance of giving time and love to the next generation.

Heather N. Cooper

Outreach Intake Director

Heather is a proud Florida native who brings over 15 years of hands-on experience in the customer service industry. Her professional journey is built on a strong foundation in communication, problem-solving, and client-focused service. She holds a degree in Customer Relations and Management from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, where she cultivated her passion for helping others and refining operational processes.

In her current role as Outreach Intake Director, Heather leads with empathy and efficiency, ensuring every client interaction is handled with care, professionalism, and attention to detail. She is deeply committed to fostering long-term, trust-based relationships with clients and takes pride in developing service strategies that enhance satisfaction and loyalty.

Outside of work, Heather finds joy in exploring new places and creating lasting memories through travel. She also cherishes quality time at home with her husband, Cory, and their beloved rescue dog from Big Dog Ranch Rescue, Elsa. Her personal and professional life are both rooted in a genuine passion for connection, care, and continuous improvement.