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05 Mar, 2024 by Tom roberts
I showed him my mother's will of 486 pages long and he reviewed it and gave some comments. I took the wil back home and left at my house but he felt compelled to rewrite the will for my sister and only in one page he gave everything to my sister. So she inherited $6 million dollars in assets. I tried to call him and he told me not to contact him.
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19 Sep, 2018 by Bt
Denis Hebert is different. I have had the opportunity to work with many attorneys over my 45 years of being self employed. At first they seem to have compassion for my case and pledge their support. In the long run I have found that it is all about the money. Denis is compassionate but will always tell you "like it is" even though you may not like it. He never sold me pipe dreams so I could make more realistic decisions. He took the time to do proper research and has exceptional knowledge about real estate. Denis is fair and just.
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02 Jun, 2012 by Anonymous
Attorney Hebert was hired to handle a child custody issue in our divorce case. He was hired under the premise of a limited scope representation for the purpose of a specific child custody hearing that was to take place about a month from the time he took the case. We signed the attorney retainer and paid him for his services that were to be performed. We initially hired him because he had offered us a free initial consultation that actually ended up costing us $500 for him to actually review the documents. He seems very knowledgeable about family law, so we felt secure in the idea that he would represent my matter appropriately. That didn't turn out to be the case.
I provided him a copy of the case file and all appropriate documents regarding the issue. He started working on my case and was informing me of updates via e-mail. At first he seemed positive about his ability to resolve the problem and that things would go amicably between the parties. Then at one point I had not received any response to him for about three days. I sent him e-mails asking him for an update and received nothing. Then about three days before the hearing was to take place, he sent me an e-mail indicating that he was substituting off of the case and that he was filing the substitution of attorney with the court that day. I could not believe that any reputable attorney would do such a thing. I tried calling him at his office and there was no answer. I left message after message and did not receive a response. The only thing that I have received from this attorney was the e-mail saying he was substituting off of the case. I have never received anything since then. He just disappeared. He didn't even bother to send me back my case file. He never even bothered to give me an explanation. I have not heard from him since. He actually had the nerve to send me a bill in the mail a couple of weeks after he substituted off of the case. Funny enough, even the commissioner on our case at Orange County Superior Court said that every now and then you run into a "bad seed", as he put it.
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31 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
I wish there was a zero star to use. After multiple text, call and confirmation of the firm location w/him by text, he made an appt for 2:00 pm for me yesterday. I arrived 1:50 pm and let him know that I was in his office( no secretary). at 2;00 pm he texted me back "I am on my way, and be there in 20 min. I thought that your appt was in Anaheim office" I took a pic of his personal cell phone text message to me confirming Laguna hills office and sent him along a w/ a text saying that I would leave sharp at 20 min later( I knew it would be min of 55 min from there to the location and didn't like him to play the game of 10 more min constantly w/me till he arrives probably at 3:00 pm. My time is more valuable than he thinks). He replied "then leave ) so I was right he was going to keep me waiting. An hr later he send me a text and apologizing for not being at the appt made by him, himself and offered me a discount which was another trick. He raised the agreed fee up 35% and gave me a 12% discount from the increased fee( very generous of him)! He also asked me how I got his contact b/c I wasn't in his system( third issue, he made the appt for me himself confirmed it and didn't even enter me to his scheduling system). Of course, I did not accept his offer. How could I trust him that the next time he doesn't forget about the appt again? My time was already wasted about an hr and 15 min. How could I believe him that there would be a 20 min wait the next time and not an hr? He didn't even remember while we talked on the phone and communicated by text messages a week ago( selective memory loss of course). In general as a business owner, I never trust anyone( especially an attorney) who didn't keep his word for just once. This issue happened about him multiple times. How a forgetful Estate attorney who can not remember his own words to a client from the last week, could remember her long after her death to execute the will? I kept the entire exchanged text messages in case someone need a proof of my statement.
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28 Aug, 2019 by Anonymous
We went to a consult which was suppose to be a “free consult” & ended up costing us $350. We had signed a contract that he was going to help us with a case. A few days later we decided that we were not moving forward with the case. We had gave a deposit of 1,000 & Guillermo said he was gng to talk to the attorney well long story short he asked for additional $350 & was gng to give us back the check of 1G, but he did not want another check he wanted cash. So cash was given.
They should not be promoting that it’s a “free consult” & charge us $350 it’s Ridiculous just because we decided to close the case that hadn’t even been started. a waste of our $350 for 1hour of “supposedly free consult”!
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Top Questions to Ask a Lawyer
When meeting with a lawyer for the first time, it's important to ask the right questions to understand their expertise and determine if they're the right fit for your legal needs. Here are some top questions to consider:
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What experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in the specific area of law pertaining to your case. -
How do you charge for your services, and what are the estimated costs?
Understand the fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees, retainer fees, and any additional expenses. -
What potential outcomes can I expect from my case?
While no lawyer can guarantee results, they can provide an assessment of possible scenarios based on their experience. -
What is your approach to handling cases like mine?
Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation. -
Who will be working on my case?
Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally or delegate tasks to other attorneys or paralegals. -
How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times. -
What is the likely timeline for resolving my case?
Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish. -
Do you have references from past clients?
Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness. -
What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
Understanding potential challenges helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations. -
Are there alternative ways to solve my legal problem?
Discuss options like mediation, arbitration, or settlement to resolve the issue efficiently.
How to Check the Credibility of a Lawyer
Before hiring a lawyer, it's crucial to verify their credibility and ensure they're qualified to handle your case:
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Verify Their License:
Check with your state's bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing. -
Experience and Specialization:
Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case. -
Disciplinary Record:
Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association. -
Client Reviews and Testimonials:
Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to gauge client satisfaction. -
Professional Memberships:
Membership in professional organizations or specialty bar associations can indicate a commitment to their field. -
Awards and Recognitions:
Honors from reputable organizations reflect expertise and a positive reputation. -
Consultation Assessment:
Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns. -
Ask for References:
A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your initial meeting with a lawyer, come prepared with:
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Relevant Documents:
Bring all documents related to your case, such as contracts, correspondence, legal notices, court papers, or evidence. -
Written Summary:
Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and involved parties. -
List of Questions:
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Financial Information:
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Take notes during the consultation to remember important points. -
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How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a lawyer varies widely based on several factors:
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Fee Structures:
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Hourly Rate:
Lawyers may charge anywhere from $150 to $500 or more per hour, depending on experience and location. -
Flat Fee:
For routine legal services like drafting a will or handling an uncontested divorce, lawyers might offer a flat fee. -
Retainer Fee:
An upfront payment against which the lawyer bills hourly fees. -
Contingency Fee:
Common in personal injury cases; the lawyer receives a percentage (typically 25% to 40%) of any settlement or award. -
Monthly Retainer:
For ongoing services, businesses might pay a monthly fee for a set number of hours or services.
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Hourly Rate:
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Factors Affecting Cost:
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Complexity of the Case:
More complex cases require more time and resources, increasing costs. -
Lawyer's Experience:
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Geographic Location:
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Complexity of the Case:
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Estimating Total Costs:
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Negotiating Fees:
Some lawyers may be willing to negotiate fees or offer payment plans, especially for clients with financial constraints. -
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For those who cannot afford legal services, some lawyers or legal aid organizations offer services at reduced rates or for free.
