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29 Feb, 2024 by Tricia baty
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04 Nov, 2022 by George fournier
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10 Dec, 2017 by Kurt adler
Christina really cares about her clients. I’m happy with the estate planning she’s done for our family throughout the years. She’s a real expert in her field and has prepared us for life. What a great feeling that is.
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29 Feb, 2024 by Tricia baty
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04 Nov, 2022 by George fournier
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10 Dec, 2017 by Kurt adler
Christina really cares about her clients. I’m happy with the estate planning she’s done for our family throughout the years. She’s a real expert in her field and has prepared us for life. What a great feeling that is.
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09 Oct, 2024 by Davi bateman
Justin is an amazing lawyer! When the opposing counsel got nasty, Justin stayed professional and prevailed. Very happy with the results
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05 Sep, 2024 by Yolani martinez
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03 Sep, 2024 by Rangi coffey
We worked with Lara and her team at Nations Law and my husband and I felt that they genuinely cared about our family. We felt that they went above and beyond to help us get our green cards!! They are professional, kind, caring, knowledgeable, efficient and have a good eye for detail. They gave us such excellent service and we are so grateful!! They even let us pay off our lawyer fees every month on a payment plan. They helped me to be able to leave the country for an emergency and return which meant a lot to me. It was all worth it and we were very fortunate to have found them!!
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02 Apr, 2024 by Carolyn peery buchanan
Extremely professional! Jennifer is very buttoned-up and a real pleasure to work with. We are honored to have her as our counsel! finding her to help us brought us peace of mind in a challenging time.
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01 Oct, 2022 by Rick d
in 2009 Jennifer and her staff helped me at my lowest point, divorced, broke & living in my friends spare room. She treated me with kindness and respect through the whole process. If you need a bankruptcy attorney look no further. She is professional and polite, direct to the point. Something that is needed in that time. Thank you Jennifer for all your help way back in 2009
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16 Sep, 2022 by Nancy
Going to an attorney for any reason is stressful, especially if you need to file for a bankruptcy. I was very fortunate to find Attorney Jennifer Holland and what a blessing she has been. If you want someone who will take care of you EVERY step of the process and make you feel comfortable, then she should be your next attorney! From the first phone call with her incredible staff to then speaking with Jennifer herself you will feel less stressful and know it is going to be okay. Even though she is in Anchorage, it is awesome that she can help us that live in other cities in Alaska. Not only will you be given the proper counsel and paperwork to file you'll have her open communication and her availability. Attorney Jennifer Holland becomes more like a friend than your attorney. I am so happy my case is filed and almost completed. It was all done by a caring, kind and very professional person.
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21 Jun, 2023 by Elly john
Worthless they do not return calls! Especially with new evidence!
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08 Dec, 2021 by Troy ifill
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08 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
Deserve zero, stay away, will burn you. she will waste your money doing stupid letters, motions, phone calls and all are worthless, just rip you offffff. stay away, she does her own thing and will sell you for free to the opposition. I asked many people after the fact; they mentioned her name even without saying one word. everyone knew she is crocket dishonest, disrespectful, and doesn't deserve to be an attorney. I fired her after destroyed me. hopefully the new one will fix what she broke
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15 Dec, 2016 by Jason
Was going through a messy divorce and consulted With Rita. I sat there, essentially the entire time just nodding my head as she kept talking about various tangential topics about divorce. We spoke very little about my case in particular, and the conversation seemed to have no direction towards my needs. Waste of time
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02 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
We went in to get advice and Rita did not sit and listen to us, but instead simply spent all but perhaps 5 minutes very slowly rambling on about facts about our case that we already knew and other generic information = wasted time and money. When we interjected to get the issues we were concerned about on the table, she would cut us off and insist we hear her out. When we asked specific questions about hypothetical outcomes and how we should proceed, she said, "I didn't go to the school of magic wands". Providing practical what-if's and solutions to those would have been GREATLY appreciated. Instead, we paid $240 for an hour (wait, only 48 minutes, 5 of which actually pertained to our concerns) of her rambling on instead of listening to and advising her paying clients on what they were truly concerned about. There should be a high level of integrity of use of one's time when your services warrant $4/minute. We got better information from websites for free by far. We paid her to give us valuable advice that we couldn't find elsewhere. This was not the case. The front desk office manager was not the friendliest and was very defensive as well. We would not recommend Rita. Please let our costly mistake keep you from making a similar one.
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30 Dec, 2022 by Anonymous
Hired Redmond, did not give her money until she agreed to specific actions in my case. She made promises, never followed up. Next contact with her, asked if we're all set, "oh yeah!" We're gonna get this guy! She didn't need more funds. Over 6 weeks later, she would not return calls. Finally got her on the phone - she reemed me out, saying the case was too late (6 months after she took it) and FURTHERMORE accused her client of being promiscuous? She doesn't believe women are capable - women like her do massive damage to other women. She presents a facade of support, does not return calls, uses deceptive practices to bilk disabled people losing their homes, out of the last of their savings. She doesn't remember the discussions at meetings, she changes facts- so record all conversations uf you deal with her. She's a sneaky one! Takes your money, doesn't do anything in your case aside use your retainer to run background checks on clients. Does nothing . Then she blames the victim. Dangerous misogynist- avoid at all costs.
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What an Elder Law Lawyer Can Do for You

An elder law lawyer specializes in legal issues that affect older adults, their families, and caregivers. These lawyers handle a broad range of topics, including estate planning, Medicaid and Medicare, long-term care planning, guardianship, elder abuse, and retirement planning. The goal of an elder law lawyer is to protect the rights, finances, and well-being of elderly individuals and to help them plan for future healthcare and financial security.

If you or a loved one is aging and facing challenges related to healthcare, finances, or legal matters, an elder law lawyer can provide essential guidance to protect your rights and interests as you age.

When Should I Hire an Elder Law Lawyer?

Hiring an elder law lawyer can be beneficial in many situations where older adults need help with legal, financial, or healthcare-related decisions. Common reasons to hire an elder law lawyer include:

  • Estate planning: If you want to create or update a will, set up trusts, or ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, an elder law lawyer can help with comprehensive estate planning.
  • Medicaid and Medicare planning: If you need help qualifying for Medicaid to cover long-term care or need advice on navigating Medicare benefits, a lawyer can guide you through the application process and protect your assets.
  • Long-term care planning: If you’re concerned about paying for nursing home care or assisted living, a lawyer can help you create a financial plan and explore options for government assistance.
  • Guardianship or conservatorship: If a family member is unable to make decisions due to age-related cognitive issues, an elder law lawyer can assist in setting up legal guardianship or conservatorship to ensure their care.
  • Elder abuse and exploitation: If you or a loved one is experiencing physical, emotional, or financial abuse, an elder law lawyer can help you take legal action to stop the abuse and recover damages.
  • Retirement planning: Elder law lawyers can assist with planning for retirement, including managing pensions, Social Security, and other retirement income.
  • Special needs planning: If you have a disabled family member who requires special care, an elder law lawyer can help create trusts or other legal arrangements to ensure their long-term financial and healthcare needs are met.

What Does an Elder Law Lawyer Do?

An elder law lawyer provides a wide range of legal services to help older adults and their families navigate the complexities of aging, healthcare, and estate planning. Their responsibilities often include:

  • Drafting wills and trusts: Creating legal documents that outline how an individual’s assets will be distributed after death, ensuring that their wishes are honored.
  • Medicaid and Medicare planning: Helping clients protect their assets while qualifying for government benefits to cover healthcare and long-term care costs.
  • Establishing guardianships: Assisting families in setting up guardianship or conservatorship for loved ones who are unable to make decisions due to mental or physical incapacity.
  • Protecting against elder abuse: Investigating claims of elder abuse or financial exploitation and representing the victim in legal actions to stop the abuse and seek compensation.
  • Planning for long-term care: Developing strategies to cover the costs of nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care options without exhausting the elder’s financial resources.
  • Managing probate and estate administration: Guiding families through the probate process to ensure that the decedent’s assets are distributed according to the law and their wishes.
  • Setting up advance directives: Helping clients establish healthcare directives and powers of attorney to ensure their medical and financial decisions are carried out if they become incapacitated.

How Are Elder Law Lawyers Paid?

Elder law lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case and the type of legal work involved. Common payment structures include:

  • Hourly rate: Many elder law lawyers charge by the hour, especially for tasks such as drafting documents, handling legal disputes, or providing ongoing legal advice. Hourly rates typically range from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
  • Flat fee: For specific tasks, such as drafting a will or setting up a trust, some lawyers charge a flat fee. This can range from $500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the estate plan.
  • Retainer: For long-term legal representation, such as managing a trust or handling guardianship matters, a lawyer may charge a retainer, which is an upfront payment that covers future legal work.
  • Contingency fee: In some elder abuse or financial exploitation cases, a lawyer may work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they recover compensation for the client. This fee is typically a percentage of the settlement or damages awarded.

Be sure to discuss fees with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand how you will be billed and what the total cost of services might be.

How Much Does an Elder Law Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring an elder law lawyer varies depending on the complexity of the case, the lawyer’s experience, and the fee structure. General cost estimates include:

  • Simple estate planning: Drafting basic documents, such as a will or power of attorney, may cost between $500 and $2,000, depending on the complexity of the client’s assets and wishes.
  • Complex estate planning: Setting up more advanced estate plans, such as revocable or irrevocable trusts, Medicaid planning, or special needs trusts, can range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more.
  • Guardianship or conservatorship: Legal fees for setting up guardianship or conservatorship often range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case and whether disputes arise.
  • Medicaid planning: Legal fees for Medicaid planning can range from $1,500 to $10,000, depending on the level of asset protection needed and the complexity of the individual’s financial situation.

Always ask for an estimate of fees during your initial consultation to ensure you understand how much the legal services will cost.

Top Questions to Ask an Elder Law Lawyer

Before hiring an elder law lawyer, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure they have the experience and expertise needed to handle your case. Key questions to ask include:

  1. What experience do you have with elder law cases?
    Make sure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, whether it's estate planning, Medicaid applications, or elder abuse claims.
  2. How do you charge for your services?
    Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, a flat fee, or a retainer, and ask for a detailed estimate of the total cost.
  3. What is the best approach for my case?
    Ask for an honest assessment of your situation and what legal strategies the lawyer recommends.
  4. How long will the process take?
    Whether it’s drafting an estate plan or setting up a guardianship, ask the lawyer how long they expect the process to take.
  5. Will you handle my case personally?
    In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may handle parts of the case. Make sure you know who will be working on your case directly.
  6. What documents should I bring to the consultation?
    Ask the lawyer what documentation or information you should prepare for your consultation, such as medical records, financial statements, or prior legal documents.

How to Check the Credibility of an Elder Law Lawyer

To ensure you are hiring a reputable elder law lawyer, follow these steps to verify their credentials and experience:

  • Check their bar status: Verify with your state bar association that the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no history of disciplinary actions.
  • Look for elder law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in elder law and have experience with cases similar to yours.
  • Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about the lawyer’s professionalism and success rate.
  • Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on elder law issues.
  • Check for certifications: Look for certifications or affiliations with organizations such as the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), which can indicate the lawyer’s dedication to elder law.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To get the most out of your first consultation with an elder law lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:

  • Existing estate planning documents: If you have a will, trust, or power of attorney in place, bring copies for the lawyer to review.
  • Financial records: Provide details of your assets, including bank accounts, investments, real estate, and retirement accounts, as well as any debts.
  • Medical information: If the case involves guardianship or Medicaid planning, bring relevant medical records that detail the individual's health condition and care needs.
  • Insurance policies: Bring information about health insurance, long-term care insurance, and any other relevant policies.
  • Questions for the lawyer: Write down any questions you have about your legal needs, the process, and the lawyer’s fees.
  • List of family members or beneficiaries: Prepare a list of the individuals you want to include in your estate plan or who will be affected by the legal process.

By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation more effectively and receive the best legal advice tailored to your needs.

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