Diana S.C. Zeydel

Diana S.C. Zeydel: Expert Estate Planning and Litigation Attorney in Miami

Diana S.C. Zeydel is a highly accomplished and recognized legal professional specializing in sophisticated estate, trust, and tax planning for high-net-worth individuals and families. With a deep understanding of complex legal issues and a commitment to protecting and growing wealth across generations, Ms. Zeydel provides comprehensive legal counsel to both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens and residents. Her practice is built on a foundation of meticulous planning, proactive litigation support, and a dedication to achieving the most favorable outcomes for her clients.

Ms. Zeydel’s expertise extends to crafting intricate intra-generational wealth transfer strategies, developing robust business succession plans, and navigating the complexities of probate, trust, and guardianship matters. She’s frequently engaged to represent clients before the Internal Revenue Service, skillfully addressing challenging fiduciary income tax and estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax issues. Her particular proficiency includes leveraging life insurance and retirement assets within comprehensive estate plans, offering strategic solutions designed for long-term security and growth. Furthermore, she provides critical support to corporate and individual fiduciaries, overseeing the administration of estates and personal and charitable trusts with precision and diligence.

Recognized as a leading authority in her field, Ms. Zeydel has been awarded “Lawyer of the Year” for Trusts and Estates multiple times by the Miami Bar Association, consistently earning accolades and industry recognition. She is a frequent lecturer and author, presenting on a wide range of topics before esteemed organizations such as the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, the Real Property, Trust and Estate Section of the American Bar Association, the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Florida Bar, and various other professional groups. This ongoing engagement demonstrates her dedication to sharing her knowledge and staying at the forefront of legal developments.

Beyond her legal expertise, Ms. Zeydel’s unique background as a former professional ballet dancer – a full scholarship recipient at the Joffrey Ballet School and an apprentice with the Company, followed by a principal role with the Chicago Ballet – adds a level of discipline, dedication, and strategic thinking to her legal practice. This experience instilled in her a profound appreciation for meticulous planning, performance under pressure, and achieving exceptional results. She now leverages these qualities to advocate fiercely for her clients' best interests.

Ms. Zeydel’s services extend to critical areas such as prenuptial and postnuptial agreement preparation, and she has been involved in numerous governmental submissions related to estate, gift, and GST tax matters. Notably, she is currently engaged in expert witness roles, applying her specialized knowledge to resolve disputes within her areas of practice. This proactive approach underscores her commitment to providing clients with comprehensive legal support, from initial strategy development through complex litigation.

Key Practice Areas

• Trusts and Estates Law: Comprehensive estate planning, trust administration, probate litigation, and wealth transfer strategies.
• Litigation – Trusts and Estates: Aggressive representation in probate disputes, trust contests, guardianship proceedings, and other litigation matters involving trust and estate assets.
• Tax Law: Strategic tax planning to minimize tax liabilities and maximize wealth preservation, including fiduciary income tax, estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax matters.

Awards and Recognition

• Lawyer of the Year: Trusts and Estates, Miami (2026), Miami (2017)
• Recognized: Litigation – Trusts and Estates, Recognized: Tax Law
• Recognized: Trusts and Estates, Special Focus: Wealth Management
• AV Preeminent® 5.0 out of 5 – Demonstrating exceptional legal ability and high client ratings
• South Florida Business Journal “Key Partner Award”, Legal-Tax category (2008)
• PLC Which Lawyer?, 2009
• Florida Trend magazine “Legal Elite”, Tax Law (2011)
• Chambers USA Women in Law Award in Wealth Management (2012)
• Euromoney Institutional Investor’s Expert Guides, “Guide to the World’s Leading Women in Business Law” (2012)
• Super Lawyers magazine, Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2013
• Chambers USA Guide, ranked nationally and in Florida, 2007-Present

Education & Credentials

• Bar Admissions: Florida Bar
• Prior Professional Experience: Professional Ballet Dancer (Joffrey Ballet School Scholarship, Chicago Ballet Apprentice & Performer)

Affiliations

Recognized Since: Recognized in Best Attorney USA since 2008

City: Miami, State: Florida, Country: United States