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09 Jul, 2024 by Martha zambrano
30 Apr, 2024 by Gene f
Just got off the phone. May be a scam. They came recommended from 3 law firms & the person who picked up was rude and said she couldn't help. Suspicious......
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21 Feb, 2024 by Ch lin
You guys need to get it together if your going to offer a service as delicate as immigration services. We come to you not begging but trusting that you have our best interest at heart and that you at least care. I will not let Anyone push me around just because you claim to offer Help. Get a better person to answer your phone calls an not place people on hold for 10 plus minutes. I don’t not recommend y’all to anyone.
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05 Dec, 2023 by Crystal wilson
11 Apr, 2023 by Sheri
I was hit by a vehicle that apparently was not insured and have been calling on a regular basis for information. Bless them for being so polite and helpful.
Moral of the story boys and girls, have insurance, because someone like me won't play nice to be made whole.
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04 May, 2021 by Momma jay
This states attorneys office is the most unprofessional place I’ve had to deal with. I simply called to ask the date/time of a case I was a victim to, and asked how I could attend and the lady told me “I have no information at this time.” And hung up on me.
I have went through tons of phone calls to see how I can get a case dropped, being the victim. I’m always directed to Lauretta who’s the “victim advocate.”
I called two days in a row leaving a voice message with a call back number after being told she was in court.
On the third day I got told she went on vacation until the day prior to when my boyfriends court was scheduled. I was told she would call me before court “most definitely.” I never received a call.
I called to speak to Lauretta the day of court due to it being continued. I explained my timeline on calls and my disappointment with the care I’ve received. In the middle of our conversation I politely asked her to hold on a second as my sons doctor was calling. She responded to me with “my time is more important than to wait on a phone call” and hung up.
When I called back the receptionist put me on hold instead of sending me back to lauretta.
I called back several times to speak to Lauretta to be put purposely on hold or to be hung up on.
I then went to the courthouse to speak to her and she told the guards “she’ll speak to me another day”
I am very saddened by the care/assistance I have received with a case I am a victim of. I feel helpless to a person I want to help so much, because they are putting me off and treating me like garbage.
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23 Oct, 2024 by Chris puranen
28 Apr, 2022 by Nicholas kokoris
Jim Branit of Litchfield might be one of the best, toughest and most knowledgeable litigators in Chicago. I've been placing lawyers since 1987 and Branit and Litchfield come very highly recommended by Juristech.
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11 May, 2020 by Eric suarez
31 Dec, 2023 by Tore
Failed me. We agreed for $5000 upfront. It was flat fee for the process. Yet after dome time he had a nerve to tell me that he needs more or he will not proceed. It would be honest to just tell me I do not have a chance like the next lawyer told me. Do Kevin wanted to play the case and milk money from me despite his “flat fee” deal,
Another thing - he didn’t remember my name and he never bothered to look it up before our meetings.
Shame!
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04 Apr, 2022 by Kelly
I hired Mr. O'Rourke after my father died. I am a nurse went to Puerto Rico's island to volunteer during the pandemic. He took my money,lied, said he would refund me as I reported him to the attorney state bar and disciplinary commission of illinois. He has been ordered to return my money. Nota Penny and that was last year . He claims he is a "bulldog" he made situations worse. He is awful and a terrible attorney.
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30 Jun, 2021 by Michael
The case I brought to him was on a short time line and required a bulldog's approach and he did not disappoint. His knowledge of how the Cook County Court System works was impressive as was his list of contacts in the legal community. I intend to use him again if I require legal help.
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13 Dec, 2021 by Anonymous
When I was on deployment i hired this man to take care or my out of state DUI paperwork. The communication was terrible. Took weeks to get back to me. No picked up his phone calls. Filled out my paperwork incorrectly. Gave me no guidance for future problems with the Secretary of State. Honestly thought I was his first client ever.
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21 May, 2021 by Darren
Helped is close our first house. Mike's guidance was consistently effective.
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06 May, 2021 by Anonymous
I have worked with Michael Bonaguro for nearly 30 years. He has represented us in real estate closings and other matters. His advice is solid, and he is a man of very high integrity.
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03 Jan, 2022 by Norman lewis
Represent yourself & save thousands of $$$$'s. Absolutely worst attorney I've ever used.
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16 Jul, 2020 by Barbara kilhoffer
John helped my husband and I remarkedly when we needed advice and a great attorney. He is one of the BEST in Springfield area and this pathetic state.
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06 Jan, 2020 by Samantha haggerty
28 Sep, 2024 by Cindy todd
This review is only for Embrich. My sister and I had a “simple” estate case after we lost our father. Embrich had a great first appointment with us and then disappeared. The estate contained only a house and a car. We do not live in the state of Illinois and were both 3 hours away In opposite directions. This was a non contested estate with a lawyer prepared will. Embrich “lost our email” more than once, failed to file the will in the time stated within the first meeting after we drove 3 hours to place it under her door. Yes, we were told to slide our father’s last will and testament under her door. She rescheduled a court date and told us the judge rescheduled it. We found out from the clerk at the courthouse this was supported by the paperwork the clerk sent us. After the first time she ignored us for months, we thought everything was on track. Nope, she forgot us again when she left her firm to start this new one and failed to contact us. In fact, any contact we did have with her was only because we initiated it and we have pages of documentation. This “simple” estate case lasted well over a year. During a period of grief, she caused months of additional stress and lack of closure due to her client neglect.
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13 Aug, 2024 by Sharon miller
02 Jul, 2024 by Kimber kim
Have worked with for many many years and has always been extremely professional. I have had many clients state she was excellent on their cases.
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08 Aug, 2024 by Bigmule64
It’s like the police investing the police.There are no ethics left in America Land of the Free!Just look at the US Supreme Court!
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02 Jun, 2024 by Matt r
Have to be diligent with this organization. You may get positive results. I wouldn't file complaints over minor disputes with an attorney. If the attorney is not working out request the attorney to take their fee and send the remainder back. Not worth paying an attorney that is not interested in defending your rights and adequately representing your side.
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11 May, 2024 by Toni mc
Did not help me at ALL it’s like they work with the lawyers they sent my case to Texas then back to Chicago not recommended at ALL my lawyer got away with a lot
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08 Feb, 2024 by Matt kentner
John Logan is a warrior for his clients. He is knowledgeable, responsive, and gets things done!
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05 Jan, 2024 by Ruth amenda
17 May, 2021 by Randy banfi
14 Apr, 2022 by Matt
I had the pleasure of working with Alison and retaining her services for two separate child custody cases involving my two minor children. While it's already difficult trying to navigate the family courts as a father, Alison made the entire process smooth. Alison is the most intelligent, respected, well-prepared, and fearless attorneys in IL family law. I would recommend her to anyone.
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06 Aug, 2021 by Craig johnston
Greenwich is a top notch firm to do business with-end of. Jessica, Alison and their team were extremely professional, knowledgeable and courteous when recently guiding us through the minefield that is estate planning. They made it very simple and easy to understand things. Moreover, they have adapted their process to accommodate for Covid so we did the signing remotely meaning less time out of our day. I cannot recommend them highly enough-if it's estate planning you're looking for, Greenwich should be your first choice.
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31 Jul, 2021 by A k (ak)
Utilized them to set up a family trust and will. Initially worked with Alison Turoff and midway through the process Brittney Van Ness took over. Took them almost 15 months to complete the process. Minimal communication during this time (maybe 2-3 phone calls and a handful of emails). Not professional. Very poor communication. Would not recommend using their services.
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07 Jun, 2019 by Anonymous
I had a fantastic experience working with Michelle Hanlon. She was very professional, intelligent, and responsive. She did a great job explaining things when I had questions and always made me feel like a priority. If you’re in the Chicagoland area and are need someone to help you with trusts, wills, or estate planning, you won’t find anyone better than Michelle Hanlon.
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22 Jan, 2019 by Ted capone
Don't waste your time and money here with any ICC or labor board issues. Donald and Brian are patsies for our delightfully corrupt Illinois government agencies.
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21 Sep, 2024 by Dontia seals
I recently had a frustrating experience with my case, primarily due to how it was handled by Muldoon. From the start, I felt I wasn’t adequately represented; my concerns seemed to take a backseat to other priorities. The situation became even more complicated when it was revealed that the third party involved didn’t carry proper insurance. Rather than advocating for my interests, Muldoon appeared more focused on closing the case quickly, which left me feeling sidelined. Overall, I expected a more proactive approach, but instead, I felt dismissed and unsupported throughout the process.
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18 Sep, 2023 by Jim schultz
Great attorneys specializing in p.i.
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30 Sep, 2020 by M m
02 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous
Aaron did not respond to my emails, or calls. I went a month at a time without hearing from him. I've spent a lot of money to get things cleared up for court and its almost been 2 years and nothing is done!! Every time I called I got "oh ya! I'm working on your stuff right now!" and then I wouldn't hear from him for a month! He is ridiculous! Waste of time and money!
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30 Apr, 2014 by Anonymous
Aaron Bellm was excellent for us. He was very responsive and we were able to speak with him whenever we needed. He kept us up to date and briefed us regularly on our case. Was very candid and helpful. Would recommend him to anyone!
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29 Apr, 2014 by Nathan
Aaron has helped me tremendously. He has been very honest with me throughout our relationship. He is very upfront in telling me whether we have a chance at winning, or if he knows we are fighting a losing battle. Aaron is very knowledgable of laws, and has given me many options involving directions we should take. He is personable, and feels like I'm talking to a person rather than someone who is just doing their job.
I highly recommend Aaron Bellm
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10 Jun, 2024 by Juanes
24 Nov, 2019 by Greg siwek
13 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
Karen was extremely knowledgable regarding the law and was aggressive in the courtroom. I can't thank her enough for everything she did to help me. She is awesome!
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18 Dec, 2009 by Anonymous
I hired this attorney to act as local counsel on a case in Decatur. She provided solid information on local procedure. However, she failed to provide an accounting of her time at the conclusion of the case despite repeated requests.
I provided her with a $1500.00 retainer which she was to bill against hourly. She kept the entire amount without providing any itemization of time. In my opinion, she over-charged for the amount of work she did on the case and was not entitled to the full retainer.
She didn't even give me the courtesy of returning my phone calls or emails in an attempt to justify keeping the entire retainer.
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26 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
Contacted and met in August from a car accident I had in dec ! Called again today ( nov) found out she moved and the secretary knows nothing of my paperwork I left for her to copy!
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17 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous
She is GREAT since she is away from Harvey's office !!!! Recommend her highly. She now practices law like it should be, I had to stand back and watch her be a puppet with my cousins case at Harvey's which is still not settled and has cost over
$ 100,000. Penelope kept wanting to settle Ashley"s case two years ago and she couldn't, you could see the aggervation in her face. To bad Ash is still suffering because of Harvey !!!
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30 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
I am the financial planner for one of Suzanne's legal clients, and I am also a former attorney). Suzanne called me about those clients, who needed to coordinate finances given some significant changes in their lives. Suzanne knew many details about her clients' situation, the applicable, complex laws, and how best to help the clients. She clearly took the time to fully understand the situation before we spoke. I was impressed with her knowledge and thoroughness, and I look forward to working with her further to help her clients.
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13 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
I have a couple of important issues that I need good legal advice on. I hired Cahalan to write a simple will for me first, to see if she was trustworthy, responsive, knowledgeable, and kept me informed. She did that with little problem, although her lack of a professional office made things difficult because all the interactions where by phone. I had to find some location to have the will signed and witnessed that was convenient to her because she offered no place. However, when I asked her to do second job, which should have just required a letter challenging the unsubstantiated claims of a company known for illegal practices, she readily agreed to take the case, saying that lawyers are licensed as generalists. I didn't hire anyone else because I thought she was on it, and then SHE DID NOTHING FOR AN ENTIRE YEAR except to send the company a letter stating that she was my attorney and they should send all communications to her. I called her many times to ask her what was going on, and she claimed that she'd have some results, "just wait until Tuesday." Tuesday came and went, and after several months, I finally got her to respond to the messages I left on her machine (no one answers her phone, so if you make the poor decision to hire her, expect to not be able to get hold of her until she darn well decides to call you regardless of any prior timeline promises.) I finally left a message saying that i needed to find someone else to do this work, since she hadn't done anything for over a year (I don't think that's being impatient since all I expected was for her to write a letter.) She did respond to that, but showed up at my home on a Sunday without any advance notice (I was taught that this is impolite and very unprofessional), dropped off a letter full of lies into the hands of the person who answered the door, and took off before I even got there, the letter stating that she had never agreed to take my case because that's not her area of expertise (not withstanding the letter she sent to the company saying she was my lawyer!), and complaining that it was my fault that she didn't do anything. She has gone downhill since she did my will, and I recommend you do not trust her with any important business. She claimed to have health problems for many months, as an excuse, but I've had health problems for decades, and whenever I've been hospitalized, I found some way to notify people with whom I had appointments that I wouldn't be able to make it. The nurses, a family member, use your own cell phone, the hospitals have phone! Nothing from her, so I find it difficult to believe. I had a divorce attorney once who left me hanging like this. Luckily for her clients, she worked with a law firm, and they finally informed me that she was on a mental health leave. Ms. Cahalan might wish to consider a mental health leave.
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22 Oct, 2015 by David
Atty. King has helped me on several occasions and has always been up front and direct with regards to the expected outcome. He is an excellent litigator and is well respected by prosecutors, judges and fellow defense attorneys in the multiple counties in which he practices. I highly recommend him!
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06 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
I have no feedback for his work as a lawyer, but his personal skills are beyond horrible. After my initial inquiry and multiple attempts to confirm receipt of my fax, he called me and yelled at me non-stop and lied about his calling me back multiple times (I got 1 call 4 days later). He would not let me say a single word for well over a minute. He then hung up on me and when I called him back, he told me to NEVER call his cell phone ever again. He did not return the emails I had sent, and he waited 4 days to tell me he did not receive my faxes and then complained that this all would be blamed on him because I didn't send the document! (Why would I NOT send the documents and then ask multiple times if you received them?!?!)
What a horrible representation and initial impression he gave us. Even if I were in the wrong completely, this is no way for reasonable humans to act. Engage this man with caution. He may be a wonderful lawyer, but I would never trust him.
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07 Dec, 2023 by Zach fenton
They are just out for money. They will not try to do anything to resolve your case. They go through the motions and do not have your back. Which in the end just cost you more money. Find a lawyer that will actually send the things to a person console and fight for you. 25k down the drain. Thanks, Cordell and Cordell
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06 Apr, 2023 by Bill wilmering
22 Mar, 2022 by Stu dabbs
I received little or no value from my attorney. Just pushed paper through the system. Spent a ridiculous amount of money over 9 months and never even met her. Got billed for every single second of communication. Very disappointed over all.
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12 Mar, 2024 by Tracy bernard
I think you should not say you help with something specific but does not
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26 Oct, 2023 by D j pythons exotics
They help me get my kids! Best Ever!!
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22 Jan, 2020 by Natasha brentise
They have helped me in a time of need and even went beyond to help me
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13 Oct, 2020 by Bob
Mark represented our family in a home sale. It was very complicated, involving a trust and a contentious buyer. We are VERY happy with the service from Mark, his staff and office. I would use him again recommend him again without reservation.
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27 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
Mark was rude and trying to get a hold of him was difficult. He did not try and enforce any of the agreed upon terms between buyer and seller whether in writing or verbal. When I tried to contact him regarding these matters he ignored my requests. I agree with the other review that unless you have an ordinary closing that takes no time and effort, do not hire this attorney.
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12 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous
Big mistake!! I hired Mr. Metzger to handle my closings for selling and buying. This was not my first closing, but it was definitely the worst! His miscommunication with the other attorney caused me to lose my earnest money. I surely can say that Mark Metzger MAYBE able to handle a simple closing but if there is a bump on the road his clients are the ones getting screwed! The funny thing is that we all hire attorneys to take care of us when there is a bump on the road, not when everything is smooth and going as planned. Right?
Do not get caught in the same mess as I did. Closings are NOT his forte, neither is communication or professionalism as a matter of fact!
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24 Sep, 2024 by Mike d
15 Nov, 2023 by R f
Absolutely worthless if you are expecting help understanding anything to do with justice system. Lots of depends or idk or you have to wait and find out or just flat out I can't tell you. Just sad
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04 Sep, 2023 by Amanda bradbury
It's Chicago ..what do you expect?
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24 Sep, 2024 by Mike d
15 Nov, 2023 by R f
Absolutely worthless if you are expecting help understanding anything to do with justice system. Lots of depends or idk or you have to wait and find out or just flat out I can't tell you. Just sad
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04 Sep, 2023 by Amanda bradbury
It's Chicago ..what do you expect?
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23 Sep, 2017 by Arlene
Where Barbara is diligent and professional during the home buying process with great follow up and follow through, AFTER closing is not the case. I signed an attorney contract for representation which has a section stating if I ever needed "post representation" her office would do so for a fee. Well, unbeknownst to me, I needed that representation/counseling against the seller who was not honoring the warranties on and in the home and contacted her and her office via email and phone several times with no response. I felt her behavior to be very unprofessional, showing lack of character and integrity as an Attorney and human being and would not use or refer her office again.
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03 Dec, 2021 by Claron
"AmyGang"(monahanLawGroup,midwestCareManagement&5/3Bank) Is a "Mob" a"Kabal" -Dishonest-&-AVOID"
***See AVVO-APPROVED-POST***
-"AmyGang" has been "SANCTIONED!" As-Bad-As-It-Gets!
I am Suing for 5M$5,000,000-6yearsAbuse&Mistreatment.
-6yearsOf-
-Annual-Financial-Accounting-Reports-*BankCertified,Notorized&Recorded*
-ChicagoCircuitCourt-
ProbationCourtDivision.
"Proof"-CSE-
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22 Nov, 2021 by Drclaron
TheAmyGang: (monahanLawGroup, benTopp-MidwestCareMgmt., & majewski-5/3bank)
DestroyedMyLife & Bankrupt Me.
Now, I have a Chicago-Super-Lawer & Suing for 5-M, $5,000,000.
6 years of Abuse&MisManagement-
(6)AnualFinancialAccountingReports.
Certified & Documented by Bank. ******ChicagoCircuitCourt******
Dr.ClaronS.Edwards B.S.,DDS,M.S.
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15 Jun, 2009 by Anonymous
I found Amy to be caring, compassionate and dedicated. I also found her extremely knowledgable. She was available to me and my family to answer our questions and provide advice even on evenings and weekends. I would highly recommend her and her firm.
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15 Nov, 2023 by Andrea defalco
In my opinion, Gail is a threat to the safety of children. Based on the overwhelming number of reviews saying the same, I am sharing how to report her conduct. It is easy to file a report with both regulatory boards/commissions.
Use the link below if you have used her in the capacity as a Psychologist:
https://idfpr.illinois.gov/admin/dpr/complaint.html
Select “Professional Regulation” and fill out the information in the form.
Use the link below if you have used her in the capacity as an Attorney:
https://www.iardc.org/Files/Request_For__Investigation.pdf
In my opinion Gail is a danger to children and families. In my opinion, she puts children at risk of serious harm. In my opinion she must be stopped.
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14 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
We used Gail for divorce mediation. She was late for every appointment. She clearly hadn't ever review anything prior to our meetings and then never sent us our final documents. She was supposed to connect us with a lawyer at the end who 'she works with' to finalize and file our case, she did not do that, she completely disappeared once our last payment was sent. I called and emailed many times and no one responded. She was slow during meetings and wasn't much help with any questions we had. If it hadn't been during a pandemic we would have changed mediator. Ours was a simple divorce, I would hate someone in the middle of a stressful divorce to have to deal with this unprofessionalism on top of that.
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16 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous
This women will continue to try to convince you that abuse of your children is okay. She as a mandated reporter will hide abuse in order to assure she will receive a paycheck from you as long as possible. She will make excuses for the abuser and lie to Judges/Child representatives/DCFS, because if the children get removed from the abusive home she loses you as a client. Please make sure to report this woman to the state of Illinois if anything like this has happened to you. A hospital Doctor that had to care for our children said that Dr. Gail Petrich’s actions are “disgusting and she should be ashamed of herself”. We cannot let people like Dr. Gail Petrich continue to practice.
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18 Nov, 2023 by Hunken ta
14 Jun, 2022 by Rick aller
The firm seems to great but they have some very rude employees such as Greg wood or web he had no customer service skills at all he talks over people and is frankly rude ..this guy's behavior is a reflection on this entire firm ..very unprofessional and wasn't pleasent either
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02 Jul, 2021 by Lacey
Hey I'm in a situation where the cops violated my rights in a traffic stop! They harrassed me
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18 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
I hired Ms. Bielinska for a number of cases, ranging from contractor theft to evictions to real estate closings. She seemed capable at first. But then she was ignoring emails, texts, and phone calls and only reaching out whenever SHE needed something from ME. I hired her for an eviction, for which she promptly billed me…and months later, when I was having trouble getting a real estate deal closed because of her, I figured out that she never even filed an eviction case. When I confronted her about it, she said she would be in depositions all day and would address my issues later. I had to pester her many times before receiving any additional response. She lied and told me that the eviction was filed under seal, but of course did not provide any documents to back it up. Then I lost the buyer for that delayed real estate closing because he was tired of waiting, which forced me to wait 8 to sell the property at a much lower price (and during which I had to pay monthly assessments). Ms. Bielinska is incompetent, unreliable, and unscrupulous. She could not care less that dealing with her cost me a LOT of money.
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1.0
1 Reviews
30 Oct, 2012 by Anonymous
Unprofessional. I went to her for a somewhat complicated problem, but even before I had a sentence out, she saw another lawyer in the hall, & screamed at her, and than at another lawyer in her office. She then told me to continue, but couldn't focus on what I was telling her, because she kept peering into the hall. One of the lawyers came into the office, tried to ask her something, and she just told him, to leave, now.
I told her I had to go; made up excuse of a doctor's appointment. She was awful.
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What an Elder Law Lawyer Can Do for You
An elder law lawyer specializes in legal issues that affect older adults, their families, and caregivers. These lawyers handle a broad range of topics, including estate planning, Medicaid and Medicare, long-term care planning, guardianship, elder abuse, and retirement planning. The goal of an elder law lawyer is to protect the rights, finances, and well-being of elderly individuals and to help them plan for future healthcare and financial security.
If you or a loved one is aging and facing challenges related to healthcare, finances, or legal matters, an elder law lawyer can provide essential guidance to protect your rights and interests as you age.
When Should I Hire an Elder Law Lawyer?
Hiring an elder law lawyer can be beneficial in many situations where older adults need help with legal, financial, or healthcare-related decisions. Common reasons to hire an elder law lawyer include:
- Estate planning: If you want to create or update a will, set up trusts, or ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, an elder law lawyer can help with comprehensive estate planning.
- Medicaid and Medicare planning: If you need help qualifying for Medicaid to cover long-term care or need advice on navigating Medicare benefits, a lawyer can guide you through the application process and protect your assets.
- Long-term care planning: If you’re concerned about paying for nursing home care or assisted living, a lawyer can help you create a financial plan and explore options for government assistance.
- Guardianship or conservatorship: If a family member is unable to make decisions due to age-related cognitive issues, an elder law lawyer can assist in setting up legal guardianship or conservatorship to ensure their care.
- Elder abuse and exploitation: If you or a loved one is experiencing physical, emotional, or financial abuse, an elder law lawyer can help you take legal action to stop the abuse and recover damages.
- Retirement planning: Elder law lawyers can assist with planning for retirement, including managing pensions, Social Security, and other retirement income.
- Special needs planning: If you have a disabled family member who requires special care, an elder law lawyer can help create trusts or other legal arrangements to ensure their long-term financial and healthcare needs are met.
What Does an Elder Law Lawyer Do?
An elder law lawyer provides a wide range of legal services to help older adults and their families navigate the complexities of aging, healthcare, and estate planning. Their responsibilities often include:
- Drafting wills and trusts: Creating legal documents that outline how an individual’s assets will be distributed after death, ensuring that their wishes are honored.
- Medicaid and Medicare planning: Helping clients protect their assets while qualifying for government benefits to cover healthcare and long-term care costs.
- Establishing guardianships: Assisting families in setting up guardianship or conservatorship for loved ones who are unable to make decisions due to mental or physical incapacity.
- Protecting against elder abuse: Investigating claims of elder abuse or financial exploitation and representing the victim in legal actions to stop the abuse and seek compensation.
- Planning for long-term care: Developing strategies to cover the costs of nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care options without exhausting the elder’s financial resources.
- Managing probate and estate administration: Guiding families through the probate process to ensure that the decedent’s assets are distributed according to the law and their wishes.
- Setting up advance directives: Helping clients establish healthcare directives and powers of attorney to ensure their medical and financial decisions are carried out if they become incapacitated.
How Are Elder Law Lawyers Paid?
Elder law lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case and the type of legal work involved. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rate: Many elder law lawyers charge by the hour, especially for tasks such as drafting documents, handling legal disputes, or providing ongoing legal advice. Hourly rates typically range from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Flat fee: For specific tasks, such as drafting a will or setting up a trust, some lawyers charge a flat fee. This can range from $500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the estate plan.
- Retainer: For long-term legal representation, such as managing a trust or handling guardianship matters, a lawyer may charge a retainer, which is an upfront payment that covers future legal work.
- Contingency fee: In some elder abuse or financial exploitation cases, a lawyer may work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they recover compensation for the client. This fee is typically a percentage of the settlement or damages awarded.
Be sure to discuss fees with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand how you will be billed and what the total cost of services might be.
How Much Does an Elder Law Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an elder law lawyer varies depending on the complexity of the case, the lawyer’s experience, and the fee structure. General cost estimates include:
- Simple estate planning: Drafting basic documents, such as a will or power of attorney, may cost between $500 and $2,000, depending on the complexity of the client’s assets and wishes.
- Complex estate planning: Setting up more advanced estate plans, such as revocable or irrevocable trusts, Medicaid planning, or special needs trusts, can range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more.
- Guardianship or conservatorship: Legal fees for setting up guardianship or conservatorship often range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case and whether disputes arise.
- Medicaid planning: Legal fees for Medicaid planning can range from $1,500 to $10,000, depending on the level of asset protection needed and the complexity of the individual’s financial situation.
Always ask for an estimate of fees during your initial consultation to ensure you understand how much the legal services will cost.
Top Questions to Ask an Elder Law Lawyer
Before hiring an elder law lawyer, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure they have the experience and expertise needed to handle your case. Key questions to ask include:
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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.
