Florida Supreme Court Suspends Miami Attorney for Naming Himself Beneficiary of Elderly Clients’ Account

Published Nov. 6, 2026. Case status is current as of that date.

An estate-planning lawyer for cognitively impaired seniors is not supposed to rewrite the paperwork so the lawyer inherits the money. According to The Florida Bar News’s November 1, 2024 report, the Supreme Court of Florida suspended Joseph P. George Jr. of Miami for three years effective 30 days following an October 10, 2024 order in Case No. SC23-1726 [1].

Status: Three-year suspension (order Oct. 10, 2024; effective 30 days later). A court later discharged him and revoked the beneficiary designation [1].

What the Bar News reports

According to The Florida Bar News [1]:

1. George (admitted 1994) was appointed as representative for an elderly couple with cognitive disabilities.
2. While acting as their estate-planning attorney, he prepared paperwork naming himself sole beneficiary of the couple’s investment joint bank account. He was discharged by the court and the beneficiary designation was revoked.

The person suspended

Joseph P. George Jr., Miami, Florida. Admitted 1994. Suspended three years (SC23-1726) [1].

Case status (as of Nov. 6, 2026)

Respondent	Court	Status	Source
Joseph P. George Jr., Miami	Supreme Court of Florida, SC23-1726	Suspended 3 years; order Oct. 10, 2024	[1]

Disciplinary status changes only through further court action.

Sources

1. The Florida Bar News, “November 1, 2024 Disciplinary Actions” (reporting Supreme Court order in SC23-1726). https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-news/november-1-2024-disciplinary-actions/