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15 Aug, 2024 by Hector favian perez
05 Oct, 2023 by Constance williams
22 Aug, 2023 by Myra williams
26 Oct, 2023 by Thomas malmberg
The absolute worst unaccountable talk talk people who lost one million of the estate by being absolutely clueless, slow, ignorant self-satisfied little things.
An estate cannot take nearly 4 years to clear. Your relatives need a life and not this company.
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14 Sep, 2022 by Ron lee
Impeccable firm.
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24 Jun, 2022 by John leeheart
Been here for years now, the building and location are great!
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09 May, 2018 by Zipporah
Heather handled my elderly mother's estate planning with professionalism and knowledge, but more importantly, with compassion and kindness. She helped us through a difficult period.
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17 Sep, 2014 by Steven
We hired this law firm to help get my father on medicaid benefits and some help from the veterans and do a trust and other legal estate planning for my mother. We were with a different lawyer before this lawyer in the same firm. That lawyer blew us off and I would not rate her positively, but then we got this young lady, who my mother and father liked and felt comfortable meeting. She was real personable and patient. I feel that this lawyer went out of her way to explain things in a way my mother and father could understand and took pains not to make them feel rushed. I feel that the lawyer was expensive, but you get what you pay for, and I feel that we got real concierge level lawyer service. She always was good about answering our questions, even when she had to get back to us with the answers. She did all new legal documents for my mother and father and talked us through the bank and their issues.
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06 Jun, 2014 by Michael
This lawyer was assigned my fathers Medicaid case by the senior partner. She helped us get him on Medicaid and recommended people to help me find him a nursing home. I live in New York so I call and email a lot. She answered my question and treated my father with respect. She always answered my emails too. I had a situation where my father needed Medicaid right away--she and her assistant did it in a month. The DCF took a long time to handle my fathers case, and she spoke to the home to make sure he didn't get evicted and found me a lady to check on him and report to me. I can tell it's a busy office there but as a professional myself I am satisfied.
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14 Feb, 2017 by Anonymous
Shari handled my uncle's estate planning, and many years later, his probate. She took care of everything in a timely, professional and very reasonable manner. This law firm is great.
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01 Nov, 2016 by Anonymous
I would have given no stars but not able to. My father passed away in FL and I hired Shari to handle everything, since I live in California. I paid her, the check was cashed the next day then I never heard from her again. After calling and emailing, I even had friends go by her office for several weeks and could not find her. I finally had to hire another lawyer to find her. It was just an awful situation.
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17 Apr, 2015 by Penny
Shari handled the legal affairs for my aunt. Shari is very kind and caring as well as knowledgeable and patient. I would and do reccommend her to anyone for legal work in her area. My Aunt Ruth was 93 and just loved her. Can't say enough good things about Shari!
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19 Jul, 2024 by Poysoniv
Don’t bother with this law office.
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03 May, 2022 by Rina schmerber (rinadee)
Okay
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10 Jun, 2021 by Samara orkin
Barbara has this authentic way of doing estate planning. I really felt she understood my needs and translating confusing legal talk into something I could understand while she built out my documents. I have already referred to 3 friends!
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16 Dec, 2020 by Margaret
Exhusband decided to stop paying alimony without contacting me. Catherine Swain took immediate action and matter was resolved through mediation in a timely matter. She also take of of my parents’ estate and guided me building a case for my father to be declared incompetent. She is a wonderful lady and very very smart lawyer. Also she helped revise my Will.
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11 May, 2018 by Ann
I have the highest regard for Catherine G. Swain, PA
I used her to set-up our Trust. She has always exceeded expectations. She responds promptly and professionally. She also explains in detail answers to my questions. Not once have I ever been disappointed. She has been the perfect professional attorney for our family! A+++
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10 Aug, 2017 by Marsha
Mrs Swain has been my attorney for many years. She has been incredibly helpful to me & I recommend her highly
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31 Oct, 2011 by Anonymous
I hired her for estate administration. She was compassionate and helped me to get my dad's estate in order. She stayed on top of deadlines and explained the process so it was understandable to me.
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06 Jun, 2011 by Robin
She would not return phone calls, she kept cancelling appointments at the last minute and then began telling me of her marital woes! She did NOT earn her fee and did not complete the job. I had to fire her!
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25 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
Very good mediator. Settled a very nasty will/trust contest which I did not think would settle.
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05 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
Had a family dispute and hired Holly to mediate. After her intervention, the family dispute was much much worse--there was increased animosity among family members and I was in a worse position regarding the family estate.
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11 Feb, 2022 by Patricia
Visited her office for a consultation. She kept us in her office longer than necessary, urging to provide more and more details regarding our matter. She then charged us over 975.00 stating that we have to learn how to use an attorney's time. We never returned.
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03 Jul, 2013 by Janet
I was very impressed with this attorney and how she handled my case. She is very knowledgeable and I was comfortable in discussing every aspect of my case with her. I highly recommend her in resolving cases and getting good outcomes.
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20 Aug, 2024 by Terri
I simply went to Evan to have a few changes made to my will. He was very cordial and was ready to help me.
3 months later and at least 4 cancelled appointments, he did nothing. I told him I'm finding another attorney and would like my paperwork back . He said he would fed ex to me..... still waiting , days later. He is not answering texts, calls.,
Luckily I did not pay him up front!
DO NOT USE THIS ATTORNEY!!!
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01 Apr, 2022 by Lydia
Evan went above and beyond to help my husband and I set up a trust for our grandson. He took the time to go over all of our options until we could be comfortable with our decision. I have recommended him to several friends.
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31 Jul, 2023 by Crystal sellers
You can't get the man to call you back you can never leave a message cuz the mailbox is full apparently he doesn't have a secretary he's very unprofessional at this point
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03 Dec, 2020 by Stephanie graska-casdorph
26 Mar, 2023 by Danieldarlon
Lead to believe was in favor of outcome and contact despite system and then flaked out. Do not recommend.
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14 Feb, 2023 by Dariel
Robert was easy to talk to about my loved ones case, and he is very professional. He listens to what you have to say, and cares about his clients in the Public Defenders Office. I highly recommend him, and if he assigned a case you are in good hands!
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25 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
STAY FAR FAR AWAY!!! My case was simple. 3rd degree felony telling a bad cop (Miami PD Union President) he is going to lose for a non justified arrest on a misdemeanor for public disturbing the peace after I and my daughter got beat by no less than 6 men. I went to the Attorney as she read good on police abuse cases (I should have read all her reviews first) She came across as sincere and very religious. She led me to believe this will be tough, even though I thought otherwise and wanted $9500 for all the work through any trial. I trusted her and paid. In the mean time it was one way communication between myself to her. I investigated the Officer and sent documentation of his years of disservice as well as making up charges. His numerous civil complaints and even the MPD Standard Operating Procedure versus where in my case he never followed this violating my rights. No response. On a Zoom or in person meeting, it was not made clear to me, the DA decided not to pursue so it was dismissed. At best her office did $500 worth of work filing the original documents.
Now having paid $9500 for at best $500 worth of work you would think she would do another $500 of work at best to get it expunged??? NO!! Her workload was too large and recommended her friend at another $700 to do it???
One would think she has some morals or ethics and would refund some of the $9500 for doing $500 of work??? No!!! I requested both through her email portal and no response.
In addition before excepting the criminal case she was more curious on civil action where she could make bigger money. But when her other Attorney stated not a good case only then she did the criminal my guess knowing it was an easy case and easy money.
Moral of the story is do not use this Law Firm. Do not be fooled by the sincere, godly attitude. Do not pay an Attorney initially all in, pay in pieces. Most Attorneys work that way.
Why was I treated this way from this Firm? Probably greed, mixed with lack if morals, ethics??? Hard to tell because for $9500 I had little time to learn about this Attorney outside of a fraudulent tone and approach to how she works. STAY AWAY.
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18 Jun, 2020 by Timothy
Ms. Williams took on our case when we were in dire need of someone to help us, with limited time on our side. Not only did she agree to help us at a reduced rate, but she also enlisted her broad network of contacts, including the regional head of the NAACP, in order to provide us with a fair outcome that we would never have achieved without her help! She saved us, and she did it with professionalism, courtesy, and a fierce protection for her clients.
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22 Sep, 2016 by Jill
Seth prepared a power of attorney for a cousin who was very ill, presenting a challenge. He went out of his way to visit the rehab where she was recovering to get the document signed on a day she was awake and lucid, expediting the situation to allow me to handle her affairs through this difficult time for her.
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09 May, 2016 by Anonymous
Retained Mr Marmor for a Florida Trust matter. Minimal email contact after a single office visit. Pledged to followup and still waiting after 5 months repeated phone calls to his office have gone unanswered. Have requested that he return my $1500 retainer since no Attorney is worth 1500 an hour for information available on MYPALMBEACH.COM No Stars from this unhappy client.
Hopefully this will get his attention as my next option is the Florida Bar.
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22 Mar, 2017 by Lee
alan is a fabulous lawyer he has a great tempermant and demeanor he was highly recommended by my fathers accountant and he did not disappoint he has handled many different things for my parents and I am highly pleased to have him as our lawyer
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04 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous
Alan was hired on recommendation to handle the liquidation of my parent's trust following my mother's death. He was well aware of certain family dynamics although he couldn't have cared less. He was unprofessional, uncommunicative and beyond slow. He did not return phone calls and there were interminable waits before we could reach him to discuss serious issues. I could go on and on. But suffice it to say, I would never, never recommend him. I have dealt with many attorneys in my life, some good--some average, but this one is just indifferent to the point of bad. More often than not, he sluffed us off to paralegals. His bill was exceedingly high but there was zero value for money.
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15 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
This law firm is terrible. They were hired for a case and never return phone calls. You can not get an update on the case but they keep billing even when nothing new has been filed. They can not keep track and itemize things they have done and do not genuinely care about the work they do. terrible experience
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26 Jan, 2016 by Becker
I have hired Scott Toney on many occasions and for various reasons. I have also recommended him to my friends and family.
His work has ALWAYS exceeded our expectations.
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16 Aug, 2022 by Dianne
Attorney Wolasky recently assisted me with a legal matter. Besides her legal competence, she handled the situation with sensitivity and empathy
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03 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
Ms. Wolasky was extremely unprofessional as my attorney.. It was almost impossible to reach her. She did not return calls or e mails. until I sent her a Certified letter. I was very unhappy with the service she provided and her billing procedure. I would not recommend her at all.
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17 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
Very unprofessional. She is all about charging you for things you don't need. She is not sure of some laws but takes the money upfront.
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20 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
She started out much better than my previous lawyers but I have one hearing left and nothing has been done to set it since March, except for charging me a lot of money. I have paid almost 3 times the retainer and it's not over. She hasn't even responded to my requests regarding my bill since June and I haven't received copies of the documents that I am being charged for.
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19 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
Absolutely the best lawyer I have ever dealt with. She spent many hours explaining my crucial case details and was extremely patient yet unbending with the opposing counsel. I would recommend her to anyone who requires an attorney who has a difficult matter to resolve.
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18 Jun, 2013 by Hannah
Excellent attorney- handled my very complex case in a compassionate and truly professional manner.
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02 Jul, 2023 by Fahmi
This has, in my opinion, has to be the worst lawyer for family cases in florida.
I beat her by myself with a twelfth grade education...lol
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07 Oct, 2020 by Patrick
This lady (I refuse to call her a lawyer) should be immediately disbarred. Where do I start. 1) dishonest to a point of criminal behavior. I can’t prove that I was over billed on her legal documents but I can prove I was overbilled on phone calls. She’s so dumb that I counted the number of calls on my cell phone bill and there was less than 10 calls that she billed me for. IMPOSSIBLE!!! 2) Her legal documents were embarrassingly bad and appeared to be templates. I really think she goes on the Internet and takes legal documents off them and sells them as their own. She used the name “John Doe” Instead of my name in one of the documents in two places. 3) She was totally over matched in court. First off she was so underprepared it was embarrassing. She literally knew nothing about my case going into court and had to constantly look down at her notes. We lost every aspect of the case. I had to pay my legal fees, 100% of my ex-wife’s legal fees and had to pay even more than what they were asking for in child support. —- I am not one to complain but this was so ridiculous I had to make a formal complaint to the bar association. WHAT A JOKE!! Karen had answers for everything but never mentioned the phone call situation. The Bar Association didn’t even address the phone call situation. In their eyes it’s like it never happened. Unbelievable!!! Where do we turn to for help? It is like getting shot and robbed and having no police force to call. I literally caught her stealing!!! This lady cannot go on as a lawyer. She does irreparable harm. Do yourself a favor and make sure you get another lawyer. It is funny she has three 5 star reviews and the rest 1 star. Hmmmm.... I’ll make a bet those 5 star reviews are fake and are close friends.
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11 Aug, 2020 by Anonymous
Run while you can! Karen insisted on weekly $300 phone calls in which she ignored everything I told her and put words into my mouth. Later she negotiated with the opposing counsel on my behalf things that were benefiting my ex instead of me. She was not acting in my best interest at all! the only productive thing she did in my case was subpoena my ex’s 401k and even then she filed the paperwork with wrong name on it.
She filed a motion without my consent after I repeatedly asked not to file anything on my behalf without prior discussing with me. Karen will charge you outrageous fees for everything including things you never asked her to do. She literally burned $3,000 on pointless phone calls and emails which she insisted on. I fired her after realizing that she will cause more harm than good to my case.
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24 Sep, 2013 by Thomas
5 years ago Kenneth Lancaster did estate planning for me and a probate when it was time,
he came highly recommended by several church members and close friends
of my fathers who have used him. He did the things that needed to be done to minimise the cost of death, burial, taxes and distribution, Kenneth eliminated any surprises that would have popped up before they became a surprise. I am now using him for another probate and distribution of estate property. In my opinion he is very very good at what he does. I think his down to earth demeanor
puts one at ease during the process which is not a joyful one for most. I would recommend and have recommended him to my friends as he did take care of me on the first estate case, and is working on another for me at this time.
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15 Apr, 2013 by Lady
This man is the rudest most Arrogant attorney I have met. He lied to me as a client and did not do the work he said he was going to do. He was also disrespectful. I do not recommend him to anyone.
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15 Apr, 2013 by Lady
This man is the rudest most Arrogant attorney I have met. He lied to me as a client and did not do the work he said he was going to do. He was also disrespectful. I do not recommend him to anyone.
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26 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
Vicki Bowers is all about money. She has no genuine interest in her clients and doesn't follow up on anything she says she will do. I would never recommend her to anyone! Stay away!
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14 Jan, 2019 by Ann
Vicki Bowers has been my elder law attorney since 2012 I am satisfied with her and her staff.
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31 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Hired 7 years ago, did nothing for that time, however was always wanted payment for any call made or time "she took time talk to us about the case". She does not seem to really know Elder Law as well as she should, knew nothing about things that is helpful to the family. NO COMPASSION at all. STAY AWAY or lose your mind with her stupidity.
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25 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
This lawyer seemed to lack the understanding for the needs of elderly. As I sat in on 3 different sessions with my father and parents she spoke with legal jargon and spoke at a pace that would confuse anyone, let alone an 86 year old hard of hearing individual. It was very frustrating for me to find out that this was the person my father had trusted his estate and trust planning to. We are now with a very patient lawyer who speaks clearly and slowly with language that my father can better understand. He is very respectful of my parents, speaking directly to them and not to me "as an interpreter". We are all going to be 80 something someday and even lawyers need to see that. Respect needs to be taught in Law School as well.
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07 Sep, 2024 by Mike strup
Penrod just sucks at Gambling
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13 Aug, 2024 by Debbie reid
Jason Penrod and Family Elder Law closed and walked away from the Elderly including my father. I am trying to work through this situation. Penrod has ignored all communication.
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31 Jul, 2024 by Chelle h
Closed with no notice. My guess is alot of bad things he did. Probably stole all monies from elderly leaving them and families in distress
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08 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
Richard Milstein is only about enriching himself at his client's expense. I received a bill the first month that was double the outrageous retainer that I paid him. During that month, nothing happened except he billed me for our several conversation asking him why nothing was being done.
Richard Milstein knew he was not going to work on my behalf when he took my money. He gave me a dozen excuses. Each day of delay left me further in a legal hole that he exploited. After several months, I was going backwards and faced with exorbitant bills for services that were not provided. He filed a lien on my case after I fired him and charged me interest. It was unbelievable the manner in which he could destroy his own client.
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26 Dec, 2015 by Anonymous
This attorney placed a lien on me before even billing me! He exaggeratedly overcharged for everything, met with me only once and didn't even finalize my divorce. I had to go find a new attorney to represent me, thus leaving me burdened financially. I deffinitely DO NOT reccomend this man, nor the law firm he works for.
He should be ashamed!
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23 Jan, 2016 by Betsy
I will just reiterate the last review. The firm was very nice to my mother as she set up their estate but when she died and left my Alzheimer's ridden father and me to find our way through the next few years I can only describe it as a nightmare. Mr Mazzeo was largely unavailable and midway through Shelley his paralegal quit so it extended things further. When my father died I tried to keep a better handle on things but it took a year to close an estate worth less than 20k!!
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30 Sep, 2013 by Susan
My review is simply in regards to the settlement of my parent's estate. While my parent was happy with the advice they received in regards to their elder care needs, my family was very dissatisfied by the time and effort made in finalizing the estate. There was poor communication and mistakes due to lack of attention to detail. It seems like we had to continuing follow up on the status. There were extensions filed and excuses offered (the old "computer glitch"). My parent's estate was very simple and all the information in regards to his investements were in the law firms' file so there was no need for it to take over 2 years to complete.
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14 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
Unfortunately, I hired James Banks for a divorce and child custody battle. Or shall I say there wasn't a battle because he couldn't misrepresent me fast enough. He mislead me with every question he was entrusted to answer. Awful results because of his advice and counsel. Never again and I'd never recommend.
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12 Mar, 2012 by Anonymous
I was a client of Mr. Banks on a family law matter. To be fair, I must say that a colleague of mine, who had gone through a divorce two years before, had recommended Mr. Banks. In my case, I found Mr. Banks not prepared, unwilling to listen and communicate what is important, and the office was not well run.
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20 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Unprofessional ... requested a consult and though we never met , he got short on the phone and became belligerent when I stated I had very little money to pay upfront
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30 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
Ole Dennis took a lot of money (6 figures) and did nothing for it. Promises you the world but can't make any guarantees. A very disloyal person that leaves his client high and dry after he put the client in the vulnerable and back stabbing positions. A very lazy person that hopefully has retired. But if this greedy character hasn't retired I very strongly suggest that he not be hired for any legal work, if you do, you'll definitely be sorry.
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01 Jul, 2024 by Anonymous
I do not live in Florida and needed advice on an Irrevocable Trust that was prepared in Florida, by my mother and her second husband. I met with Attorney Brown for advice and guidance on what needed to be done. The Irrevocable Trust, made by my mother and her husband, involved his two children and my mother’s three children.
After meeting with Attorney Brown, I retained her services. She felt it was necessary, because the trust involved two separate families, and she informed me that Florida law is very different than MI law.
Once I retained her, there was absolutely no communication unless I initiated it. She had taken all the paperwork I had given her, copied them and sent them to all five of us, even though all of us already had copies (the trust papers, prenup, etc.). I was charged for the copies, for sending everything by registered mail, and for the time spent on all of this. This is an example of so many things that I was charged for. There truly was nothing that was done that was helpful.
I requested a telephone call, once I finally received an itemized bill, to express my concern on all the charges totaling over $3,000. She took off $300 and said she was protecting me from being sued by “his children” or my siblings. After that conversation, I told her I did not want her to do any more until she heard from me. We did not speak again. After being charged almost $3,000, I was done! I would not recommend Attorney Brown at all!!
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10 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
Court appointed lawyer to my DCF case. He had me sign a consent to dependency, which was basically admitting to be a child abuser, neglect, and/or abandonment, or the potential for being one. I had not idea I was signing that, he presented that to me a few minutes before pre-trial and told me he negotiated with DCF to get my kids back, and that it would make the case close out and I would be with my kids again, and long as I signed I would be the best father I could possibly be, and when I tried to read the rest, he pulled the paper from me after I signed it, and would not let me catch the most important part. He did mention answer yes to all the judges questions, which was the final nail in the coffin of me admitting to being something I never was.
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18 Oct, 2023 by Antony
Just waiting to collect, and he doesn't know to defend, he doesn't know anything about new regulations, in the courts, he will only defend himself by saying, the client is to blame, not recommendable.
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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:
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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.
