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04 Sep, 2024 by Karen hannah
I was in the middle of a divorce and things were going very badly. I changed over to this law firm and was represented by Bobbi Jo. She was very good and also compassionate. I was devastated with what I was going through. I’m thankful for her and their law firm.
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31 Aug, 2024 by Jacob malott
Chris is awesome and his services speak for themselves! Worth every penny! He made himself available immediately after our speeding ticket and was with us throughout the entire process. Great follow through, great communication… Just an all-around great experience and he took away all of the stress. Case dismissed …. and If you get a speeding ticket and you’re within range of the Cowan law firm, it is an absolute no-brainer to enlist their services.
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27 Aug, 2024 by Francesca
Chris is extremely knowledgeable and demonstrated a deep understanding of the law while providing clear guidance every step of the way. He was always available to answer my questions. Thanks to Chris's expertise, my case was resolved efficiently and with a favorable outcome. I couldn't be more satisfied with my results, highly recommend!
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04 Sep, 2024 by Karen hannah
I was in the middle of a divorce and things were going very badly. I changed over to this law firm and was represented by Bobbi Jo. She was very good and also compassionate. I was devastated with what I was going through. I’m thankful for her and their law firm.
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31 Aug, 2024 by Jacob malott
Chris is awesome and his services speak for themselves! Worth every penny! He made himself available immediately after our speeding ticket and was with us throughout the entire process. Great follow through, great communication… Just an all-around great experience and he took away all of the stress. Case dismissed …. and If you get a speeding ticket and you’re within range of the Cowan law firm, it is an absolute no-brainer to enlist their services.
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27 Aug, 2024 by Francesca
Chris is extremely knowledgeable and demonstrated a deep understanding of the law while providing clear guidance every step of the way. He was always available to answer my questions. Thanks to Chris's expertise, my case was resolved efficiently and with a favorable outcome. I couldn't be more satisfied with my results, highly recommend!
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11 Apr, 2024 by Chinedum donald i.
Absolutely one of the best lawyers in America. Spoke with him twice from Africa and he was super cool as if we've known each other for decades. I still owe him a bottle of wine...lol
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02 Feb, 2024 by Anas kalbouneh
10 Jan, 2024 by Benjamin rosh
30 Jan, 2024 by Teena
He made the process of obtaining all of the legal documents we needed quick and easy. He assisted us with Wills, Durable General Powers of Attorney, Health Care Powers of Attorney and Living Wills. We were dreading getting all of these documents prepared, but Geoff made it very painless.
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05 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
Appreciate his willingness to meet person to person vs virtually. He offered (2) locations to meet for my convenience. Geoff is knowledgeable and completed the work in a timely manner.
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30 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
I needed an attorney to assist in setting up my estate. Geoff was thorough, professional, and knowledgeable. I highly recommend him.
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02 Apr, 2014 by Anonymous
After attending a seminar on Elder Law, my husband & I decided that we needed to acquire further information for our family. We made an appointment with Keith Stevens to assist us with this task. He is an extremely professional attorney, that is personable, and has great attention to details. He provided excellent explanations and questions were always welcomed. He is an attorney that you can depend on to give you that added extra security that is important to you and your family, especially when dealing with the sensitive topic of Elder Law.
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19 Aug, 2013 by Debby
Keith was a professional but very understanding. It did not matter how many questions we asked he would take the time to explain them and even put it up on the dry erase board to help us understand. Responded very well. He was polite, very knowledgeable and made sure we were following what he was explaining. I would definitely and have already recommend Keith to our family and friends.
Thanks Keith
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02 Aug, 2013 by Rayandsylvia
We had a question on an insurance policy and best way to take care of pre arrangement for funeral. He was very helpful and knowledgeable and answered my questions very satsfacterly. We have our funeral arrangements already taken care of and well on our way to getting the ins. taken care of. He also reviewed the trust and verified that thing were the same and made corredtions where necessary
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02 Mar, 2020 by Michael
Wade Harrison was recommended by a co-worker of my wife. I contacted Mr. Harrison regarding a power of attorney issue I was having with a stock holding company. Not only did he handle the situation in very short order, but gave advice regarding other matters relating to power of attorney. Was very pleased to find that Mr. Harrison was not only professional but actually cares about his clients and their issues.
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30 Apr, 2018 by Susan
Extremely satisfied with service from Mr Harrison. We had a confusing series of deed changes for land that had not been probated for several transfers. Mr Harrison's experience in Real Estate law allowed him to guide our local Probate officials through a lesser used section of the Ohio Real Estate law to make this property end up with the proper owner with no problems. Would definitely use Mr Harrison again, no reservations, and I gladly recommend this attorney to anyone who needs Real Estate guidance in Ohio.
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03 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
Wade helped me file a Medicaid application for my husband who is in a nursing home and file for Guardianship. He guided me every step of the way. He was patient, answered my questions and diligently made sure everything was done well. Would ask him to help me again, if needed.
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15 Apr, 2015 by Sara
He is patient and down-to-earth. He takes the time to explain legal jargon and all of your options in the given legal situation so you can navigate the system successfully to meet your goals.. Aggressive when needed. Has helped me keep my money in multiple situations!
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18 Aug, 2011 by Nic
I used Shamus for some business and tax planning. He helped me structure my businesses in a way that protected my assets and saved taxes. He also helped me sell one of my businesses and bring on a partner for another. He is easy to work with, responsive, prompt, and intelligent.
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25 Feb, 2010 by Jennifer
Shamus is not only highly effective and knowledgeable, but is so well associated with other esteemed and skilled professionals that he has been able to assist our family in serving our needs in so many more ways than just legal. Shamus was able to refer us to professionals who have assisted us in building our businesses, accounting professionals financial advisors, and so much more! Not only has Shamus provided us with responsive, respectful, and valuable services in estate planning, branding and business startup, but his concern and compassion coupled with never losing site of OUR best interests, while guiding us through a most difficult probate situation will never be forgotten. We will always rely on Shamus to provide us with legal guidance in all matters in the future.
We have even referred several friends to Shamus. One of whom was able to overcome corporate bullying by her employer who sought to force her into choosing between her severance and other compensations due to her during a downsizing effort. Thanks to Shamus she was able to receive her severance, bonuses, unemployment insurance, and retain her health care!
In summary I will never need to seek out another attorney again. Between Shamus' abilities and his trusted referrals, we will always be protected by competent, ethical, and trustworthy professionals.
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02 Feb, 2018 by Doug & patty
We have worked with Steve for two years on Elder Law issues for our mother. From creating Trusts, to establishing VA Benefits, we found him to be knowledgeable, thorough, affordable, accessible, compassionate and attentive.
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03 Jul, 2017 by Hernan
Available, honest, knowledgeable, listens, pleasant, caring, direct, helpful, creative, thorough.
Great counsel on my side!
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16 Jun, 2016 by Soul k
After over three years of harassment of my landlord, one morning I satdown and googled desperately looking for help. I fell on Michael Lawson and his associate Ryan Welker. That was my lucky day because it was the beginning of the end of years of nightmares. In couple weeks, these young lawyers put time, energy and skills to solve the issue and save me from eviction. And all that at reasonable cost.
I will definitely go back to them and refer friends.
Thanks gentlemen for your help.
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23 Jan, 2011 by Anonymous
I went to Mr. Taps for help straightening out poor estate planning by another lawyer. The estate was somewhat complex due to a late-life marriage and a husband who had recently had strokes and been diagnosed with dementia. For 3 1/2 years now, Mr. Taps has been consistently the best lawyer I have ever worked with. Some of the things I value: He is easily accessible and responsive. He has excellent ability to grasp complexity quickly and a phenomenal memory for newly introduced detail. He has allowed me to participate as much or as little as I want. He is willing to educate me (and my son) in addition to advising. I attribute the successful Medicaid appeals he has made on my husband's and my behalf to the depth and excellence of his understanding of the law. In addition, his recommendations are realistic but he still lets me know the range of my options so that I can participate in the decision-making process. He is at all times professional, calm, respectful, firm but not overbearing, and reliable. What is also very impressive is that he is persistent; I feel he not only cares about the outcome but is personally invested in it as if it were his own. In my experience, that is unusual and a real treasure. It is has also been very reassuring. My respect and admiration extend beyond him himself to his staff and associates whom I have met. He maintains outstanding office help and has been capable and willing to refer me to equally competent advisers in other areas as needed. While I look forward to working with Mr. Taps for the foreseeable future, I have no qualms about his giving my heirs excellent assistance when they need it. I have recommended him unreservedly to a number of people. Richard T. Taps is across the board the best!
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24 Feb, 2020 by Valentine leke
Variety of foods and drinks. Neatness
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09 Mar, 2018 by Matt
Larry helped our Cultivate 501c3 get approved quickly thanks to his attention to detail and knowledge of the process. We couldn’t be happier to refer him to both other nonprofits and entrepreneurs that are forming their legal entities.
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24 Feb, 2020 by Valentine leke
Variety of foods and drinks. Neatness
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21 Feb, 2021 by Susan
Kevin crane is a top-notch attorney Kevin took care of our case and less than 30 days leading our case he is the best.Kevin knows his job he is honest and ethical hiring Kevin was the best thing I did for my case and yet he won our case.If you’re looking for a great attorney Kevin is your man five stars
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10 Jan, 2024 by Benjamin rosh
16 Nov, 2023 by William robbins
My professional experience with Terrence Wheeler over the last four years has been exceptionally positive. Throughout this period, Mr. Wheeler consistently demonstrated a commendable level of responsiveness, organization, and a high degree of professionalism. His expertise in navigating complex dispute with former business partners, has been invaluable.
In the face of numerous delays caused by external parties, resulting in extended intervals between preparation phases, I was consistently impressed by Mr. Wheeler's ability to retain and recall information from past conversations, even spanning back several years. He exhibited a keen understanding of the intricate details of our business and took the time to familiarize himself with the specific nuances of my situation. When it came to presenting my defense, Mr. Wheeler conveyed these complexities accurately and effectively.
I wholeheartedly recommend Terrence Wheeler based on his exceptional skills, dedication, and the positive outcomes he has facilitated in managing my legal matters.
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06 Jul, 2023 by Michael jude
Service was terrible. I used the attorney because my employer had a "significant savings" built in. My assigned attorney missed all the deadlines and put it all back on m.... minutes before the court hearing. Nothing got filed, I had to start paying child support because nothing was contested by my lawyer, and of everything you would hire a lawyer for, nothing was done. Even took a couple emails to to confirm to have him resign off my case as my representative so I could start trying to redo everything that should have been done already
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28 Aug, 2024 by Jessica lynne
Beth is seriously a gift from the universe [and the rest of the firm, of course]. They handled my moms estate in 2016 and did an amazing job. I missed something in 2016 so the case is being reopened. I reached out to Beth and she has been phenomenal again.
I've needed Beth's help during some of the worst times of my life. But she has always been so kind and understanding.
I highly, highly recommend this firm.
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14 Apr, 2024 by Alfred hubbard
Chris is a great attorney, he took care of everything like he said he would. And explained how the process works.
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21 Feb, 2024 by Jeptum can
Responsible, empathetic, professional and dedicated, he is a very good lawyer. I am really lucky to meet such a lawyer. Thank you 🙏 Highly recommended. If you encounter legal problems, you must consult a lawyer here.
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23 Sep, 2024 by Andrew pp
19 Sep, 2024 by Bonnie woods
A pleasure to work with, great job!
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27 Aug, 2024 by Greg daniels
If you’re in the need of estate planning, Charles Bendig is the attorney for you. He is very honest and informative. He will save you money down the road!
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17 Jun, 2022 by Olukayode aluko
22 Dec, 2020 by Jeremy davis
Strictly giving them a 1 star because they employ a lying politician in Larry Obhof. I wouldn't touch them with a 10 foot pole.
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17 Nov, 2019 by Belinda russell
I love the view from their atrium!!
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23 Feb, 2022 by Linda
Needed to get an attorney asap due to health issues of a family member. Elizabeth worked us in right away. She was professional and answered all of our questions. I even followed up with some email questions and she promptly responded. She is conveniently located. Very satisfied with her service.
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28 Jul, 2020 by Anonymous
Elizabeth was an absolute pleasure to work with. My family is very glad to have found her. She was extremely patient, thorough and easy to understand. She's a pleasure, and her experience & mastery of estate planning left my family comforted through a difficult time. Highly recommend!
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15 Jul, 2020 by Anonymous
I contacted attorney Elizabeth Schmitz concerning a guardianship. Ms. Schmitz’s office told me that a doctor would need to examine my family member for the purpose of diagnosis. Ms. Schmitz's office never told me how long the process of obtaining the guardianship would take, but assured me that they would be filing paperwork soon.
Over the next week, I corresponded with Ms. Scmitz's office through email. Over the next two and a half months after that, I waited and waited for updates on my case from Ms. Schmitz's office, occasionally sending an email or calling and leaving a voicemail on her phone. Only once did I get to speak to someone in her office, who told me that a doctor would call me in about four weeks to set up an appointment to conduct the examination. That phone call never came. I then left repeated voicemails and emails at Ms. Schmitz’s office. I never received a reply. Finally, out of exasperation at Ms. Schmitz’s office refusal to communicate with me in any way, I wrote an email to Ms. Schmitz, informing her that I was firing her as my attorney due to her refusal to communicate with me for over a month. In my email, I stated that she never provided me with any proof that any paperwork had ever been filed on my behalf by her office. This time, Ms. Schmitz replied the very next day that she “will close my file on this matter,” along with a pro forma apology. She did not challenge my accusation regarding the absence of any filed paperwork.
I had no idea there are lawyers who treat their clients this way. If an attorney does not wish to represent someone, all they have to do is say so. There is no cause to string someone along and waste their time for three months. I can only take her treatment of me as some sort of running joke at the office that she and her secretaries engaged in. Haha, real funny. You would be better off hiring a used car salesman as your attorney rather than Elizabeth Schmitz.
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16 Aug, 2024 by Kns financial corporation
Despite providing substantial documentation to support our claims, our concerns have been consistently disregarded by State Farm Fire and Casualty, leading us to contemplate submitting complaints against the attorney representing State Farm Fire and Casualty to The Ohio Board of Professional Conduct and The Office of Disciplinary Counsel. State Farm's actions have demonstrated a pattern of bad faith practices, including a failure to conduct a thorough investigation into our corporation and the unauthorized disclosure of confidential policy information to a third party without proper authorization. These actions have not only hindered the progress of our insurance claim but also infringed upon our rights as a small African American-owned business.
Specifically, we would like to highlight the following grievances:
1. **Failure to Conduct a Proper Investigation**: We contend that State Farm neglected to conduct a comprehensive investigation into our insurance claim, focusing erroneously on individual personnel rather than engaging with all relevant stakeholders as required by Ohio regulations.
2. **Lack of Personal Contact**: Despite my pivotal role within the corporation and clear documentation listing my responsibilities, State Farm failed to make any direct contact with me during their investigation, breaching standard investigative protocols.
3. **Allegations of Discrimination**: Our status as an African American-owned business raises concerns of potential discrimination in State Farm's handling of our claim, with actions suggesting bias in their decision-making processes. Additionally State Farm Fire and Casualty company disclosed policy information to an unauthorized party without any consent from any officer, partner or shareholder of our corporation. (Attached evidence) Please view the attached sworn under oath statements attached specifically answer number 7
"7. Please admit or deny that you, Deborah McSurley, were given notice that on or about
August 16, 2022, Claim Number 35-29N7-27R had been denied.
ANSWER: Admit. I contacted State Farm’s corporate office and they advised me I was
not a named insured and that the claim had been denied."
4. **Engagement with Black Lives Matter**: In response to perceived injustices, we have reached out to the Black Lives Matter organization to seek support and potentially raise awareness of our case within the community and beyond.
5. **Attempts to Resolve the Issue**: Multiple efforts to engage with State Farm's attorney, Lori Thomson, have been met with silence, prompting us to explore alternative avenues of addressing these issues.
6. **Potential Legal Actions**: Considering the gravity of the situation, we are prepared to pursue further legal actions against State Farm for their alleged misconduct, including filing formal complaints with relevant regulatory bodies.
Sincerely,
Mr. Marquis L. Kimble
Director of Operations/Co-Founder
The HCV Distribution Corporation Inc.
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16 Aug, 2024 by Marquis kimble
To the distinguished members of The Ohio Disciplinary Counsel,
I wish to express my gratitude for the valuable services provided by your esteemed organization, which enables consumers to address professional misconduct. I am writing to share my experience regarding State Farm Fire and Casualty's attorney, Ms. Lori Thomson.
I have personally experienced violations of my rights, including racial discrimination and defamation of character, at the hands of State Farm Fire and Casualty. Additionally, the rights of our protected class organization, The HCV Distribution Corporation, have been consistently disregarded by Ms. Thomson. The attached document provides evidence of State Farm Fire and casualty's breach of our company's private policy information by sharing it with an unauthorized third party. Despite clear violations of my rights and those of our company, Ms. Thomson has failed to respond adequately to our requests for resolution. She has also instructed us not to contact State Farm Fire and Casualty regarding these violations, yet she continues to disregard our attempts to seek a resolution.
In February 2024, we sent a certified letter to State Farm Fire and Casualty seeking a settlement for these violations. Although it was received and signed for, it was ultimately disregarded. The response from Ms. Thomson included personal threats of criminal charges for our attempts to address these violations. I am reporting Ms. Thomson to the professional board of conduct due to suspected racial discriminatory actions, which parallel the treatment we have received from State Farm Fire and Casualty.
Despite providing sworn evidence of the violations and rights infringements, Ms. Thomson has ignored our requests and resorted to threatening me personally with criminal charges, despite her client's violation of my personal rights and those of our corporation, The HCV Distribution Corporation Inc. We are urgently seeking your involvement to address these violations.
I would like to emphasize that I am a registered minister in the state of Ohio and a sworn public servant notary in Lucas County with a clear background and record. It is both unprofessional and a violation of my rights for Ms. Thomson to threaten filing a police report against me for seeking answers and a resolution.
We have filed complaints with various authorities, including The Ohio Department of Insurance, The Ohio Civil Rights Commission, The Ohio Attorney General's Office, The Ohio Supreme Court, The Ohio Office of Disciplinary Counsel, the Better Business Bureau, The Office of the Honorable Governor Mike DeWine, The Consumer Protection Bureau, The Federal Trade Commission, and the Office of Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown.
I kindly ask for your immediate involvement and appropriate actions to address these actions committed against me personally and against our corporation, The HCV Distribution Corporation. I have attached relevant documents for your review and appreciate your assistance in addressing this serious and ongoing matter.
Sincerely,
Minister Marquis L. Kimble
Public Servant, Co-Founder, Director of Operations
The HCV Distribution Corporation INC.
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14 Jun, 2024 by Sydney mcelfresh
Stupid & never answer the phone.
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15 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
I was forced to be married to my abusive ex wife for a month longer than necessary because Ms. Ball didn’t show up to a divorce hearing… despite (allegedly according to her client) being “paid in full”.
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19 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
Very pushy and seems to have a bias against men. Do a records search and you'll see she has lots of of financial legal problems.
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13 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
Karen is an amazing family law attorney who cares very much about the clients that she serves. She is highly knowledgeable about family law and specializes in working with clients who have dealt with domestic violence, and she works very hard to make sure that the best possible outcome happens in her cases. She is also very honest and upfront with her clients even if it is not what they want to hear, but is also very caring and compassionate at the same time. She is still currently representing me in my contested divorce case, and she has been absolutely amazing. She is not only a lawyer, but a counselor at law. She is not an attorney that will nickel and dime you , she is in it because she cares. She is very willing to work out payment arrangements. I honestly cannot say enough great things about Karen! If you are a person who was/ is a victim of domestic violence and you need someone to help you navigate through the court system, Karen is the one for you!
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25 May, 2009 by Anonymous
not mush experience in litigation.Talked nicely before taking up the case - buf after taking the money she did not respong.At the end she charge all the money and demanded more money without any action taked,
Had to move to an other attorney. We have to push her all the time to get small things done.
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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.
