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15 Jul, 2024 by Vic r
I had a very professional experience with Matt. He helped my mother set up a Trust. He took his time and explained every detail and answered every question professionally. I would highly recommend and I will continue to use their services in the future. The staff here is very professional and friendly. The experience here is 5+ stars.
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19 Jun, 2024 by Kevin o’shea
James Meyer’s guidance in our matters was excellent. His professionalism, knowledge and sincerity were both commendable and welcome. Highly recommend.
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19 Jun, 2024 by Jennifer maher
I have been working with Jim Meyer for many years in many capacities. He is the up most professional at all times. He is compassionate, knowledgeable and gets the job done. I highly recommend him and his entire team.
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20 Jul, 2024 by Francis stapleton
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16 May, 2024 by Irene unger
Michael Shilinski is a very helpful and knowledgeable person to help people make the tough decisions about what to do about making those hard choices that are involved with writing your will. As a young couple, we felt he was helpful and not pushy at all. We later sent older family members to him and they had equally wonderful experiences. Recently, when my father in law passed, he was so responsive via email getting us the forms we needed electronically within 15 minutes. I highly recommend him to young and older adults, as well as individuals looking to make sure that their wishes are fulfilled. And an added perk…he loves the Dave Matthews Band!!
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19 Jan, 2024 by Ellen
We had a wonderful experience updating our estate plans, working with Michael Shilinski. He helped us complete this process in a timely manner, with professionalism and warmth. We made some changes and he provided the perfect balance of "big picture thinking" and being detail oriented. Always, the focus was on serving our needs and providing us the peace of mind that these important documents would cover what we needed to cover. He goes the extra mile, asked us to consider things that we wouldn't have thought of without his expertise, and was a pleasure to work with. Highest recommendation!
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15 Jul, 2024 by Vic r
I had a very professional experience with Matt. He helped my mother set up a Trust. He took his time and explained every detail and answered every question professionally. I would highly recommend and I will continue to use their services in the future. The staff here is very professional and friendly. The experience here is 5+ stars.
Read more Google Maps
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19 Jun, 2024 by Kevin o’shea
James Meyer’s guidance in our matters was excellent. His professionalism, knowledge and sincerity were both commendable and welcome. Highly recommend.
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19 Jun, 2024 by Jennifer maher
I have been working with Jim Meyer for many years in many capacities. He is the up most professional at all times. He is compassionate, knowledgeable and gets the job done. I highly recommend him and his entire team.
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20 Jul, 2024 by Francis stapleton
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16 May, 2024 by Irene unger
Michael Shilinski is a very helpful and knowledgeable person to help people make the tough decisions about what to do about making those hard choices that are involved with writing your will. As a young couple, we felt he was helpful and not pushy at all. We later sent older family members to him and they had equally wonderful experiences. Recently, when my father in law passed, he was so responsive via email getting us the forms we needed electronically within 15 minutes. I highly recommend him to young and older adults, as well as individuals looking to make sure that their wishes are fulfilled. And an added perk…he loves the Dave Matthews Band!!
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05 Aug, 2023 by Roseanne mcginn
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20 Jul, 2024 by Francis stapleton
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16 May, 2024 by Irene unger
Michael Shilinski is a very helpful and knowledgeable person to help people make the tough decisions about what to do about making those hard choices that are involved with writing your will. As a young couple, we felt he was helpful and not pushy at all. We later sent older family members to him and they had equally wonderful experiences. Recently, when my father in law passed, he was so responsive via email getting us the forms we needed electronically within 15 minutes. I highly recommend him to young and older adults, as well as individuals looking to make sure that their wishes are fulfilled. And an added perk…he loves the Dave Matthews Band!!
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05 Aug, 2023 by Roseanne mcginn
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20 Jul, 2024 by Francis stapleton
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16 May, 2024 by Irene unger
Michael Shilinski is a very helpful and knowledgeable person to help people make the tough decisions about what to do about making those hard choices that are involved with writing your will. As a young couple, we felt he was helpful and not pushy at all. We later sent older family members to him and they had equally wonderful experiences. Recently, when my father in law passed, he was so responsive via email getting us the forms we needed electronically within 15 minutes. I highly recommend him to young and older adults, as well as individuals looking to make sure that their wishes are fulfilled. And an added perk…he loves the Dave Matthews Band!!
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05 Aug, 2023 by Roseanne mcginn
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20 Jul, 2024 by Francis stapleton
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16 May, 2024 by Irene unger
Michael Shilinski is a very helpful and knowledgeable person to help people make the tough decisions about what to do about making those hard choices that are involved with writing your will. As a young couple, we felt he was helpful and not pushy at all. We later sent older family members to him and they had equally wonderful experiences. Recently, when my father in law passed, he was so responsive via email getting us the forms we needed electronically within 15 minutes. I highly recommend him to young and older adults, as well as individuals looking to make sure that their wishes are fulfilled. And an added perk…he loves the Dave Matthews Band!!
Read more Google Maps
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05 Aug, 2023 by Roseanne mcginn
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20 Jul, 2024 by Francis stapleton
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16 May, 2024 by Irene unger
Michael Shilinski is a very helpful and knowledgeable person to help people make the tough decisions about what to do about making those hard choices that are involved with writing your will. As a young couple, we felt he was helpful and not pushy at all. We later sent older family members to him and they had equally wonderful experiences. Recently, when my father in law passed, he was so responsive via email getting us the forms we needed electronically within 15 minutes. I highly recommend him to young and older adults, as well as individuals looking to make sure that their wishes are fulfilled. And an added perk…he loves the Dave Matthews Band!!
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05 Aug, 2023 by Roseanne mcginn
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21 Apr, 2024 by Dana l
My husband and I were first time homebuyers and we had a wonderful experience working with Toni Maida while purchasing our home. She walked us through the process, was very responsive and ensured everything went smoothly. She was an absolute pleasure to work with too. Toni is the best of the best!
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30 Sep, 2023 by Robert bates
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11 Sep, 2023 by Greg paley
Toni is as good as it gets. You would be doing yourself a serious disservice if you didn’t take advantage of her expertise when selling a home. She is a great attorney, but an even better person.
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21 Apr, 2024 by Dana l
My husband and I were first time homebuyers and we had a wonderful experience working with Toni Maida while purchasing our home. She walked us through the process, was very responsive and ensured everything went smoothly. She was an absolute pleasure to work with too. Toni is the best of the best!
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30 Sep, 2023 by Robert bates
Google Maps
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11 Sep, 2023 by Greg paley
Toni is as good as it gets. You would be doing yourself a serious disservice if you didn’t take advantage of her expertise when selling a home. She is a great attorney, but an even better person.
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07 May, 2024 by Cristhian david ramos lucanas
Muy agradecido con el abogado tan dedicado y excelente Estoy muy agradecido con todo el equipo de: Law Office of W. Paul Alvarez , en especial al abogado Paul por por haber luchado y ganar mi caso estoy muy agradecido y lo recomiendo al 100%
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03 May, 2024 by Lourdes japón
En primer lugar quisiera dar gracias a Dios por haber encontrado un abogado tan dedicado y excelente Estoy muy agradecida con todo el equipo de: Law Office of W. Paul Alvarez PLLC · 320 Manville Rd Suite 1, Pleasantville, NY 10570 Usted fue capaz de ganar mi caso e hizo un excelente trabajo luchando por mí. Recomiendo sus servicios a cualquiera porque estoy 100% segura de su ética y su calidad de trabajo. Muchas gracias desde el fondo de mi corazón.
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02 May, 2024 by Marvin sagastume
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20 Mar, 2024 by Alina dimella
An attorney like Jackie is truly hard to find. Very professional and knowledgeable while also extremely personable. Will definitely be going back if anything comes up in the future!
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24 Sep, 2017 by E roberts
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers

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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. What is your approach to handling cases like mine?
    Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
  5. 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.
  6. How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
    Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times.
  7. What is the likely timeline for resolving my case?
    Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish.
  8. Do you have references from past clients?
    Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness.
  9. What are the strengths and weaknesses of my case?
    Understanding potential challenges helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations.
  10. 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:

  1. Verify Their License:
    Check with your state's bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing.
  2. Experience and Specialization:
    Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case.
  3. Disciplinary Record:
    Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association.
  4. Client Reviews and Testimonials:
    Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to gauge client satisfaction.
  5. Professional Memberships:
    Membership in professional organizations or specialty bar associations can indicate a commitment to their field.
  6. Awards and Recognitions:
    Honors from reputable organizations reflect expertise and a positive reputation.
  7. Consultation Assessment:
    Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns.
  8. 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:

  1. Relevant Documents:
    Bring all documents related to your case, such as contracts, correspondence, legal notices, court papers, or evidence.
  2. Written Summary:
    Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and involved parties.
  3. List of Questions:
    Write down any questions you have about your case, the legal process, or the lawyer's experience.
  4. Financial Information:
    If applicable, bring financial documents like pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements.
  5. Contact Information:
    Provide details of any witnesses or other parties relevant to your case.
  6. Personal Identification:
    Bring a valid ID for verification purposes.
  7. Pen and Notebook:
    Take notes during the consultation to remember important points.
  8. Budget Constraints:
    Be ready to discuss your budget and any financial limitations.

How Much Does a Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a lawyer varies widely based on several factors:

  • Fee Structures:
    • 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.
  • Factors Affecting Cost:
    • Complexity of the Case:
      More complex cases require more time and resources, increasing costs.
    • Lawyer's Experience:
      Highly experienced lawyers may charge higher fees.
    • Geographic Location:
      Legal fees can vary significantly by region or city.
    • Additional Expenses:
      Court filing fees, expert witness fees, travel expenses, and administrative costs may be extra.
  • Estimating Total Costs:
    Request a detailed fee agreement outlining all potential costs.
    Discuss any additional expenses that may arise during the case.
  • Negotiating Fees:
    Some lawyers may be willing to negotiate fees or offer payment plans, especially for clients with financial constraints.
  • Pro Bono Services:
    For those who cannot afford legal services, some lawyers or legal aid organizations offer services at reduced rates or for free.
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