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18 Jun, 2014 by William
Excellent in all phases of our estate planning, trust and probate resolution. Go to him first and avoid problems later!!!
When in a complicated situation he referred us to a colleague who was able to resolve the situation.
In a word, Michael has integrity !
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25 Oct, 2011 by Larry
Michael provided fast efficient service for a flat fee, not billable hours. There was no guessing or estimated costing. He took effective notes about our needs and desires at our initial meeting, there was no need to repeat or review our situation or requirements during the preparation of the trust. Well-written instructions and/or description of the documents and information needed for preparation of the trust minimized the need for follow-up meetings or phone calls.
Michael provides good explanations of trust options and the reasons behind them. Ours was a simple basic trust employing mostly routine options and planning. Work also included powers-of-attorney, and health care directives. While reviewing the final trust documents with us, he found two minor errors, not of a legal nature, and had them corrected on the spot. In addition to the paper documents, he provided a back of the signed written documentation on a CD.
When we met with Michael to map out the trust, we came prepared with all the requested financial information that was to be included in the trust, in writing, and organized with a written summery. This made the preparation of the trust easier, so he volunteered some addition assistance of a minor nature at no additional cost.
I can recommend Michael to those needing estate planning services.
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15 Jul, 2022 by Bruce & debra
We would like to highly recommend the law firm of Copenbarger & Copenbarger to anyone considering an estate plan.
Attorney, Larry Copenbarger, was attentive, knowledgeable, and explained all of the components of our estate plan thoroughly. Most of our questions were answered before we even asked them.
Paralegal, Rachael Sharp, was a pleasure to work with as well; promptly responding with clear and concise answers to our correspondence.
We now feel completely confident that our assets will pass to our heirs as intended.
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15 Dec, 2021 by Anonymous
Extremely professional, helpful, thoughtful and kind. He takes the time to explain everything in an easy to understand way.
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14 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
A friend of mine recommended Kevin for some help that I needed with trust administration and estate planning. I found him to be super helpful - very on top of details, and good at explaining things in layman's terms. I highly recommend him.
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13 May, 2022 by Monica
Mr. O’Connor was an excellent lawyer and help to me and my family. He helped my husband to write a will, soon after he unfortunately passed away. Then Mr. O’Connor helped me with estate planning and a trust. He remained professional at all times and explained to me throughly the process and importance of everything I inquired about. He was an amazing lawyer and he even helped me in my main language, Spanish. I would strongly recommend him to anyone.
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07 Mar, 2013 by Keith
Melinda is a total professional she knows her stuff and anyone that gets her services is lucky i cant say enough good about her and she gets an A+ from me
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08 Feb, 2013 by Nicole bustamante
Melinda Bell helped me fight for and be awarded 50/50 custody of my daughter. Melinda fought with a level of professionalism that was immeasurable. Any mother seeking custody of their child/children has the VERY Best chance of success if they have Melinda Bell on their side.
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11 Aug, 2010 by Anonymous
Ms. Wenzel prepared a complete trust package for me, including a will and advance health care directive. I chose her because she was recommended both by colleagues and clients, because she specializes in this type of law and because she was not in a large firm. I found her very easy and comfortable to work with and was very satisfied with the work that she did. I recommend her with no reservations.
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16 Jul, 2007 by Anonymous
Ms. Wenzel is extremely knowledgeable and helpful. She even makes housecalls for her elderly clients who find travel to her office difficult. Ms. Wenzel works very well with clients, who due to their age or condition, are sometimes difficult (and crochety). She is very patient, answers all questions completely and returns calls very quickly. I have been very pleased with her help for my parents and my uncles. I recomend her very highly.
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09 Aug, 2015 by James and nancy
Ms. Barrett is the consummate professional. We received excellent advice and speedy service.
She always checked with us to make sure she understood out wishes. We couldn't have had a better experience!
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08 May, 2015 by Anonymous
Years ago, a trusted Financial Planner recommended Cheryl Barrett as an expert in estate planning. Cheryl won us over with her preparation, knowledge and cheerful demeanor. She prepared a revocable trust for us. Recently, we contacted Cheryl to revise and update the documents.
It’s easy to talk with Cheryl. She listens to our concerns and responds in easily understood language -- no legalese here. She provides sound advice and her recommendations are spot on, especially as we work through numerous changes that affect beneficiaries and trustees. Cheryl is accessible and responds to calls/inquiries in a timely manner. We trust her and she makes us feel as if we are valued clients.
We are pleased with the revised trust and will gladly recommend her services to others. If she were to be rated from 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest, Cheryl would receive 5+. She is definitely an expert in her field and we highly recommend her services.
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12 Aug, 2024 by Susan
She is so kind & the best attorney! I can’t thank them enough for helping me & going above & beyond in all tasks! Thank you very much & god bless!
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06 Apr, 2018 by Richie unterberger
Deb did a great job with setting up an estate plan for me. She's extremely thorough, and not just on the routine matters of distributing assets. She also made me aware of plenty of important things about how my my finances and creative content (I'm a writer) should be handled that many other lawyers would have overlooked. She works in a personable and compassionate fashion that everyone will appreciate, with fair and reasonable rates, and is accessible for any question or problem that might arise. I've recommended her to friends that are also planning their estates, and they are just as satisfied with her work.
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25 Sep, 2011 by Michael
Michele helped my family and I through a very difficult and emotional situation. My mother-in-law is in the later stages of Alzheimers. Unknow to me, my wife's sisters took their mom to four different attorneys until they found one that would change her estate planning doucments. I knew my mother-in-law was not competent to change her estate plans but I didn't know what my options were. After interviewing several law firms we choose Michele and her law firm.
Michele prepared a very comprehensive trial plan. She guided us through the depositions, trial preparation, and explained what would happen each step of the way. The judge ruled that my mother-in-law was not competent and placed her under conservatorship of the estate and the person. My mother-in-law is now protected and we are continuing to undue the wrong my wife's sisters tried to do.
I feel that because of Michele's all-inclusive trial preparation we prevailed and the proper outcome was acheived. She is like a bulldog, leaving no stone unturned while showing compassion during the entire process
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23 Sep, 2011 by Ralph
One of the few attorneys I have met in my lifetime that is ethical, excellent communicator, hard working, and very knowledgeable. If you were to email your attorney at 11:00 pm, would expect to receive a reply within 15 minutes. I did on several ocassions! All attorneys should be as honest and dedicated to their clients best interest as Michele is,
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25 Jan, 2011 by Michael
We are a third party administrator of long term cases and process a number of these cases every year in California that involve tremendous risk and exposure. Ms. Badawiya is on the top of our list of defense counsel. She's an exceptionally gifted and talented attorney and possesses the ability to disarm even the most lethal opposing counsel.
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17 Sep, 2009 by Anonymous
Our claim was extremely complicated and unique - Mrs. Badawiya wasted no time in diving right in, learned the files to a point of comprehension better than our own and represented our interests like an absolute pro!
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13 Sep, 2014 by Fran
Harriet helped me get properties and and legal 'loose ends' neatly bundled into Trusts after my husband of 29 years passed away in 2009 here in California. He was a lawyer and I was involved in his Ohio practice so I knew what competence and an honest lawyer looked like. Ms Brown came recommended and I can reiterate that recommendation. She was open and listened to what I wanted, no bafflegab, no pressure for complicated legal vehicles. She was fair with her charges and fees. There were areas in which she was not as versed and she told me upfront that I would need a specialist in these legal territories. I am happy and secure with her work and have given her name to several friends.
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08 Feb, 2010 by Neil
I've given Ms. Brown the highest ratings, both overall and in the individual categories. Quite simply, I've had excellent experiences with her over the course of several years, spanning a variety of Estate and Business law issues.
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14 Mar, 2016 by Christopher
Hello, my name is Christopher A. Ackerman. In 2013 I was having horrendous back pain than pretty much immobilized me, until one day, I was completely, and permanently immobilized. Paralyzed from the belly button down, or T-9. I was laying in bed in the hospital at Scripps-Mercy Hospital, in San Diego, CA, and knew I needed a lawyer. I consulted a referral service, who highly recommended Norman M. Finkelstein, who came right to my hospital room. We had discussed a few possible outcomes for my case, if everything went well, and I hired him. Boy am I glad I did!
Well here we are, at the part where we had discussed outcomes. Our bottom line that we set, in our discussion, Norman was able to beat by 30%. In addition, my medical has all been accounted for, as well as all of my medical equipment.
I can now look forward to living my life being cared for by the best of hands. I can buy a nice little house, and live my life in comfort. Norman Finkelstein gave me my life back, and also has become a good friend to me. We are on a first name basis, Facebook friends, and laugh and joke, all the time.
I was faced with an unfortunate set of circumstances in my life, that changed everything. I was very blessed, at this time, to have made the acquaintance of, Norman Martin Finkelstein. I was extremely troubled, and my prayer's, truly were answered.
If you are facing any sort of problem , that requires the services of an Attorney, I highly recommend Norman Finkelstein.
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11 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
He worked with the whole family, which was a bit difficult at times, and brought us to a decent settlement. Did a good job of keeping us informed via email.
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16 Jul, 2018 by Andrew
We had my father at an inpatient memory care facility who decided to kick him out for his behavior. They tried to evict him same day and we had no idea what his rights were. Fortunately Paul was there to make sure we were able to transfer my father to a new facility with dignity on our time table.
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21 Jul, 2009 by Anonymous
Paul was very straightforward with me, and was good about keeping me informed of the realistic possibilities I faced.
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16 Mar, 2017 by Charlotte
she is great lawyer , knows exactly how you are feeling , speaks on your behalf , Helps in all your needs .
I Highly Recommend Her For An Attorney.
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07 Mar, 2017 by Mary n.
Kelly represented me in a disability claim and I am very happy with her. She is personable and knows her stuff.
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02 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous
I am extremely satisfied with my Trust Creation with Ms. Zamora. She was able to explain the whole process simply and was even knowledgeable on real estate law to assist me in the creation of my plans. I felt very comfortable knowing I was in trusted hands. I will be recommending her to anyone looking to create a trust or estate planning!
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17 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
I am very grateful to the licensed Patricia Zamora. Not only is she wise in her craft, but she cares about her clients as well... and that is often hard to find. Both her and her assistants provided excellent customer service and helped me to great extents.
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20 Jul, 2009 by Anonymous
Linda assisted us with a landlord/tenant lawsuit. Linda was very trustworthy, knowledgeable and responsive. Assertive, professional. We feel we definitely got our moneys worth and would definitely recommend her.
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03 Apr, 2009 by Anonymous
Linda Frieder was extremely supportive of my interests from the first day until the case was settled. She is very knowledgable of the law. There never were situations or developments that she wasn't prepared for. She handled every matter with the utmost professionalism. Her response time was very impressive, always returning my phone calls in a timely manner. I would recommend her to anyone looking for legal representation. Her fees are reasonable and her results are impressive. Overall I would say that I am 100% happy with her as my attorney!!
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02 Jan, 2019 by Sarah
I have utilized the services of the Konoske Akiyama firm several times over the last decade. The firm and especially Nick Konoske helped me overcome/navigate the untimely death of a parent and has more recently guided me through the creation of several businesses and series of VC funding. Highly recommend.
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26 Jan, 2017 by Anonymous
Mr. Konoske helped my children and I in a contentious family law/custody battle. While it is not his specialty he took us under his wing, protected us and guided me through the process. My children and I are now safe because of Nick's efforts. Highly recommended.
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17 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
James Allen Ward represented our family in securing a Critical Care Nursing center for my Uncle. They had taken him in as a medicare patient, but sign him up with a bunch of illegal paperwork and planned to evict him in preference for higher paying customers. Having Jim on our team averted that and the Power of Attorney documents really locked in our control over my uncle's circumstances.
If he comes off as less than charming, that actually what you want: someone representing you who is not to be trifled with. His team has an inside track on California Law and the people who administer it. The result is total respect for me as a guardian and dignity for my Uncle.
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30 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
I had a phone consultation with James and he helped guide me on how to handle my situation.
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18 Jan, 2016 by Jerry cole
We were the owners of a Home Care company and were sued for a wrongful death by the family of our client.
They were represented by 2 lawyers plus they hired a video company to video all of our depositions.
Some of the videos were damaging.
Jades preparation and presentation was so excellent that we won the case by a wide margin. She also found expert witnesses that were so excellent that they completely negated the experts for the other side.
Can't say enough about here dedication and preparation
and memory of all of the details.
I would highly recommend her to any one needing an excellent attorney to represent them.
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14 Jan, 2016 by Catherine
Jade was extremely professional and very detailed.
At all times that she met with me she only asked very pertinent questions and also knew all the details by heart. She was also creative in her ways to approach different situations.
Jade, was also excellent at explaining the different issues that arose during the whole process of gathering the evidence and making me fell more at ease with all the bad information that the other team was throwing at us. She was very thorough in gathering all pertinent evidence that showed that the other team was not playing clean.
I would definitely recommend Jade. she did an excellent job.
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25 Nov, 2021 by Jasmine
Carol Ann Hunter Peters well informed me on what possible rights I may have with my grandmother
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27 Jan, 2017 by Anonymous
Ms. Vasquez is an incredible attorney who combines her passion for the law with an indelible compassion for her clients. Ms. Vasquez handled consultation with extreme professionalism and tailored her advice to my exact needs. Could not have been happier!
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03 Mar, 2016 by Edward wesley duncan
I retained Mr. Thiessen in 2007 to represent me in my Divorce Case. From the very start Mr. Thiessen was so on top of everything that I felt very confident that I had the best Representation possible. There was a large amount of money involved in a complicated case. We also had to file an Action in the Civil Courts, Brian Thiessen proceeded in the same integegrable fashion and represented me to the fullest. As if things weren't complicated already, my Father passed away during this time leaving his Trust. We ran into some major issues with other family members and had to file yet another lawsuit. During the course of eight years Brian D. Thiessen represented me in 3 Law Cases in which two of the cases went to trial. . Brian took care of everything with such Integrity that I never had to worry about anything. The end result was that we settled the divorce and won the two lawsuits. I can truly say that Brian D. Thiessen is among the most amazing people I have ever known. Brian got me through the most difficult time of my life. If your in need of the best representation you can get Brian D. Thiessen is the one. Thankyou Brian for staying with me and getting my life back to normal. My deepest gratitude. ***Three Thumbs Up *** Edward
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03 Sep, 2019 by Avi
Super reliable and gets the job done. I wouldnt suggest anyone else. Communication was clear and overall it was a very pleasant experience. If you want to be in the right hands it's a no brainers to choose Kenneth.
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03 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
Nancy is a excellent attorney. I would recommend her to anyone and is very knowledgeable in elder law. She was so kind and understanding and very fair looking out for the best interest of the client.
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02 Jan, 2013 by Nicolette jackson-brown
About ten years ago my sister and I set out to find an Elder Law Attorney for our Mother and Step Father. We interviewed numerous lawyers and finally decided on Fay Blix. We both feel it was one of the best decisions we made as we cared for our parents in their last years. Fay is highly knowlegable in her field and helped us navigate through some complex decisions. She has a real gift for simplifying legal information for her clients. She was very calm and reassuring during a difficult time for our family. I have since recommended Fay Blix with the utmost of confidence to friends who are caring for their parents. They all feel the same way.
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16 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
Martha has been successful with my case and helping my family get right representation. I highly recommend Martha Patterson to friends because she is specialized in elder law. Her articles are useful and in a teaching nature. Since helping me -- she has become a friend, advocate and pretty much a life saver. Martha is a successful litigator and has won a number of cases. She gives excellent and experienced legal advice and takes the time to make sure you understand estate planning and probate terms in layman's terms.
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14 Aug, 2009 by Anonymous
This man is honest, conscientious and knowledgeable.
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25 Jan, 2015 by Birgitta
I'm comfortable with Jennifer. She explains things in a way I can understand . If I don't she will continue until I do.
Always easy to reach.
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11 Oct, 2019 by Paula
Carly Surber (now Maganuco) helped me at the law firm of Philip Lindsley and San Diego Elder Law. She was both completely professional and down-to-earth, highly accurate and warmly responsive, prompt in replying to emails and calls, and generally a comfort following my husband's death. She has excellent interpersonal skills and is one of those rare pros who makes you feel like you are her only client, even though you know better. Can't say enough!
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27 Aug, 2009 by Anonymous
He is very personable and speaks in terms you can understand. He listens to your concerns and develops a plan that fits your needs instead of just entering your info onto a computer program. He also keeps his fees very reasonable for average people like us.
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07 Aug, 2017 by Mark
Casey represented me in a work matter regarding liability for errors on a job that I worked on. The issue was quickly resolved after she responded on my behalf. I really appreciated it.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
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:
-
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. -
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. -
What is the best approach for my case?
Ask for an honest assessment of your situation and what legal strategies the lawyer recommends. -
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. -
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. -
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.
