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25 Sep, 2024 by Shawnte wims
🛑I do not recommending using this Company. They have a very rude unprofessional new attorney in there and her name is SOLLANO I will double check the spelling. She is very unprofessional and rude. It is hard to get an attorney on the phone once you pay your money. I was given services that was done, and the wording was incorrect on a trust, and I was not able to utilize my trust properly for approximately a year.
Once I noticed the error and contacted the company it was hard to get any real questions answered. I always had to go through the different people on the staff not a real attorney!!! Who played the phone in the email game for months!! You will speak with the secretary. You will speak with an accountant, but never really an attorney until they felt like it. Just be AWARE you pay this company the money you might as well do it yourself. They don't follow back up they don't care staff doesn't care. No one cares and I don't know if it's due to the fact that I'm African-American, but it felt like it. If I was you, I would go somewhere else. Do not give them your money.
Now I had to find another attorney and pay another attorney to fix this error. A big waste of time money and energy. Now my phones is locked in the trust that I cannot dissolve. Can you imagine I don't need the trust at this time? It wasn't set up correctly so I'm forced to keep the trust. Runnnnnnn from this company! 👋🏾👍🏾🛑‼️🏃🏿♀️🏃♂️🏃🏾⌛️
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11 Sep, 2024 by Mrjones1914
09 Jul, 2024 by Daniel schiff
We had need of a updated estate plan after my mother in law passed away- both she and my father in law (90 years old) resided in our home, but their documents had no other heirs than each other. Transaction and process was organized,- the initial consultation in person went well, the review process afterwards used an online portal for ease of access and updates/review as well as phone calls as needed for Q&A. The final signing in person was concise and detailed enough to ensure all documents were understandable for my Father in law as well as answering all his questions. He sleeps soundly at night knowing his wishes are fully documented and in place for all necessary elder care contingencies - living will, HIPPA, medical care, will/funeral are in place.
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5.0
16 Reviews
5.0
2 Reviews
16 Feb, 2023 by Marie
Mr Allen navagated all the documents and paperwork to get my sister on Medicaid when I was lost how to do any of it. He continues to take care of my disabled sisters needs. I will continue to have him represent my family. A really good guy who goes the extra mile
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15 Feb, 2023 by Brett
Mathew Allen is the perfect lawyer for Estate planning/wills & Medicare.
He has a natural ability to discuss complex legal issues in a straight forward & simple way to make complex legal issues understandable.
Mathew has helped me on a number of occasions with Wills , Medicare & even neighborhood issues & has affordable fees.
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14 Feb, 2023 by Rosie
Matt, is a blessing! My cousin passed away Sept. 8 and I was introduced to him by a mutual friend. He helped me with the probate process and has been there every step of the way.
I could go on about Matt, but you could not ask for a better attorney. thank you Matt!
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20 Jun, 2020 by Anonymous
Our family has the deepest respect for this law office. Stasia’s excellent attitude, preparedness, and patience streamlined our estate planning. She made us feel very confident in our decisions and unafraid to ask questions at any time. This was the most comfortable I’ve ever felt signing so many documents and talking about my own death. Thank you for your kindness and expertise.
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11 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
A neighbor highly recommended Stasia to us after she made a house call to conduct estate planning for their elderly mother.
It was our pleasure to work with this attorney. She made the estate planning process easy to understand and economical to accomplish.
It turned out that our childcare fell through on the day of our initial meeting. Instead of asking us to reschedule, Stasia welcomed our children with snacks and prepared a play area for them so that we could concentrate on the task at hand.
In today's fast-paced world, it is a pleasure to meet someone so willing to go beyond.
Highly recommended.
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27 Feb, 2013 by Anonymous
We retained Ms. Demos in the context of a foster adoption proceeding. She came alongside our family during a legally (and emotionally) precipitous time. Her responsiveness, knowledge, attention to detail, and compassion were indispensable to us (and the flowers she brought for our daughter on the day of her final adoption hearing were a final affirmation that we had chosen just the right advocate). We recommend her regularly to other foster parents in the community and anticipate a continued relationship as we now move forward with estate planning.
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20 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
She did great with our parents Estate and Medicaid
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06 Nov, 2015 by Bettye
I was having quite a few problems understanding and working with FSSA on my son's Medicaid request. Anna was referred to me and she assisted me and very efficiently explained to me the correct procedures. I engaged her as my attorney and still use her services.
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29 Oct, 2015 by Diana
Anna May Howard is a most personable Elder Law attorney who looked after her clients well. She does not speak in legalese and takes the needed time to explain various actions that can be taken (with the pros and cons to consider) in making decisions we felt were right for our mother's situation.
We found Anna well qualified with her training and experience to guide us, to follow up, and address any problems or answer any questions in a very timely manner. Anna had the needed information about the institutions and agencies (and their laws) with which we would be dealing. Anna's patience was one of her many attributes. I recommend her very highly.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Alex gram
08 Jul, 2024 by Cj resler
Food is good, we like the atmosphere!
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23 Dec, 2012 by Lisa
I was a client of Amber ying she was my divorce attorney and she was great she was there when i needed her and she kept me informed about everything i really like her and would recomend her to anyone i know that needs a attorney
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17 Sep, 2012 by Nicolaus
I would like to thank and recommend Amber Ying for the excellent service she provided while she help me sort through my legal difficulties. Ms. Ying assisted with the conclusion of a longstanding issue I thought I had little to no recourse.
I was especially impressed with Ms. Ying’s professionalism and ability to get to the bottom of the situation quickly. In addition my expectations were exceeded with the great customer service, timing of information and results, and explanation convenient for a layman to understand.
Without question, I am highly pleased with Ms. Ying’s service; I recommend her to all who desire legal service (in any capacity); and my family and I will continue to work with her in the future.
Sincerely,
Nicolaus I. McDonald
Principal, MAAT, LLC
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08 Oct, 2019 by Gary
JASON GILBERT has done a good job for me and my relatives ,if you need a living trust llc ,including estate planning and wills ... CONTACT JASON GILBERT GARY A ISTERLING
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02 Nov, 2023 by Karen
Elizabeth Homes and her staff are very friendly courteous and compassionate. I would highly recommend them for all your estate planning needs. There is no "making things more complicated than they need to be" with Elizabeth Homes. She gives honest, thoughtful advice. I encourage everyone to review your estate plan and Elizabeth Homes can make sure your plans are in order. It's the best last gift you can give your loved ones.
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19 Sep, 2020 by Susan
Dennis is an amazing attorney who really cares about people who feel no one is listening to legitimate issues. As a 70-year-old woman during these Covid times, he helped me get my unemployment restored. I am so thankful for his services and would highly recommend him to anyone!
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16 Jul, 2015 by R.lambert
Mr.Maschmeyer Is An Outstanding attorney, he pays close attention to every client need as well as concern. I am currently utilizing Mr.Maschmeyer in regards to a potential litigation claim from one of my prior customers. With Mr.Maschmeyer's strong input and detailed advise by phone, I am at comfort and stress free. His extended background by far puts him above the top without a doubt. If you need an attorney to represent you or your business, Mr.Maschmeyer is who you need to contact immediately !
-R.Lambert
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26 Jul, 2024 by Katie culp
I am not sure what I would have done without Jordyn's assistance as I moved through the difficult process of divorce. Her compassion and understanding always put me at ease but did not keep her from being tough as needed. I would highly recommend her to my friends and family.
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07 Jun, 2024 by Heather hale
Jordyn is simply the best. She is very thorough and detail-oriented which is a must when getting legal representation. If I ever need help again, I will definitely be reaching out to her right away.
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08 Oct, 2024 by Cesar leiva
El abogado benitez es un muy buen abago me ayudo a salir de mis casos se los rrecomiendo
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07 Oct, 2024 by Hermano hjlcgk
Es un muy buen abagado lo rrecomiendo me ayuda a salir de mis casos de una manera limpia y efectiva gracias.
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04 Oct, 2024 by Leo
Bentize beat my case and excellent service from Him and his team
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08 Oct, 2024 by Cesar leiva
El abogado benitez es un muy buen abago me ayudo a salir de mis casos se los rrecomiendo
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07 Oct, 2024 by Hermano hjlcgk
Es un muy buen abagado lo rrecomiendo me ayuda a salir de mis casos de una manera limpia y efectiva gracias.
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04 Oct, 2024 by Leo
Bentize beat my case and excellent service from Him and his team
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09 Oct, 2024 by Davidhau tuangsen
Submited I-130 form on November 2022, USCIS approved in 10 months, NVC approved in two weeks and transfer case to Rangoon Embassy notified from Embassy by Email in two weeks and waiting for scheduling for medical examination in 7 months 2023.VISA resulted in August2024.Mission Completed in two years🥰🥰. *** Medical exam plus Visa interviews waiting time 1 year😕. Recommend *** avoid Rangoon Medical Center and Embassy.
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09 Oct, 2024 by Tim dudley
Professional and thorough in his approach to our needs.
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30 Apr, 2024 by Kim
Excellent people, they were always clear and transparent every step of the way and took the time to answer all of my questions.
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18 Oct, 2024 by Person
Bella was very professional and helpful, thanks for everything!!
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09 Oct, 2024 by Bethany4rr humphress
I personally would never use them again. Very unprofessional. They sent the wrong client name to the opposing party. They sent the first "rough" draft of a document to the opposing party. In which they should have never seen. It was just sloppy work and not great at communication.
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07 Oct, 2024 by Crystal heck
The moment i walked into Bryan Ciyou’s office, I was greeted by Bre’s professionalism. She never left Bryan’s side, they worked as a team and very well together. I could tell they hold themselves to a much higher standard. Watching Bryan and Bre handle my messy case, Im confident to say I trust them in knowing the legal system and the ins and outs of family law. During times of emotion, they both showed compassion and made me feel like they truly cared about my situation. They communicated very clearly and answered all my questions. Their dedication gave me a chance to continue to live my life while they diligently worked in the background.
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27 Aug, 2024 by Kshaunish kapoor
Was referred to Ritu and her team at a time when I desperately needed legal counsel. Had a great experience interacting with the team who understood the details of my case and provided the best possible solutions, all things considered. They were always available and extremely professional and I would definitely go back to them.
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12 Aug, 2024 by Puneet kaur
I wish i can give them more than 5 stars Ritu and her team is amazing. They do the job very well. Always answer your calls and texts, always push you towards right direction. Definitely coming back and 100% recommending.
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01 May, 2024 by Ashley hammac
My review is for Dawn Marie White. Is there a zero stars option? You should hire her if you like to be misunderstood, talked down to, and ignored, all while paying her handsomely. Dawn Marie is not competent for the position she is in. She is currently a court appointed parenting coordinator, to help with making timely decisions about parenting that would otherwise go to court. My ex and I pay her the price of a normal lawyer so that we don't clog up the court over something the judge sees as frivolous (A FATHER'S PARENTING TIME IS NOT FRIVOLOUS). That would also take forever and then there'd be no decision due to it being a moot point, water under the bridge. So far I've paid Dawn Marie White $5000 and literally all she's done is tell me what she's not going to do. My $5000 retainer is gone and there are zero court orders or official decisions that came of it. Now she wants me to pay her more and she's ignoring me until I do, I assume.
When we first met, she wanted to meet via video call and then she made us turn our camera on but she left hers off. I should have known she'd be horrible from the first meeting. Since then I've just asked for equity in parenting time for things like dividing school holidays evenly. Currently, we go by the IPTG which does not divide the non-school days fairly between the two parents in my school district. There are administrative leave days and snow make up days that serve as holidays to the children, but those all go to the mother because the IPTG doesn't mention those days. When I asked Dawn Marie to do something about it and give me half the days that the children are out of school, she said she'd make decisions on a case by case basis (code for "I'm piecemealing your billable time so I can charge you more and deplete your retainer faster"). Then when I asked her at the time when the children were going to be out, she said it was too late and that I should have asked earlier. So yeah...buyer beware.
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26 Sep, 2024 by Grant
We used Cohen & Malad for the adoption of my daughter and couldn't be more pleased. The case itself was pretty straightforward but there were a few speedbumps along the way that they worked out for us flawlessly. We couldn't be happier with their representation.
Tara Cragen, our lawyer, was phenomenal with great communication. She walked us through the whole process very smoothly. Would highly recommend for family law. Her assistant Tonya Brock also went way above and beyond for us. Tonya was also fast to respond and give updates on everything.
Had a small issue after the case was closed that came up that they helped put to bed. Again great communication and effort on their part.
Seems like their entire firm has good communication and is extremely well run. Would highly recommend and will use in the future.
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16 Sep, 2024 by James collins
Jeff Hammond was excellent to work with. We called him right after my injury and he guided us through the whole process with remarkable patience and professionalism. I had never been involved in a lawsuit before, so I had no idea how any of this works, but that didn't bother him at all. He answered all our questions, checked in on us, and made sure that we knew everything we needed to know. He made this entire process extremely easy and convenient. Best of all, he was able to get me a lot more than I was expecting! Overall, I am extremely happy with how things turned out. I would highly recommend this firm and specifically Jeff Hammond.
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23 Aug, 2024 by Hillary davis
Cohen & Malad represented us in a medical malpractice case. They were very thorough, and answered every question we had. From the very first consolation with Justin he was very open and honest about the timeline and that it wouldn't be a fast process. We have nothing but fantastic things to say and we would hands down reccomend them to anyone!
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06 Oct, 2024 by Corey mcdarment
Very professional. Brooke did an awesome job. Will gladly use her again
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04 Oct, 2024 by Alisha spires
I had the pleasure of working with Brooke and her team during my divorce, and they made an incredibly stressful situation so much easier. Brooke was always attentive, responsive, and provided a sense of comfort and reassurance throughout the process. Her expertise and professionalism were evident, and she always made me feel at ease, even during the most difficult moments. I highly recommend Brooke and her firm to anyone in need of legal support.
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29 Sep, 2024 by Lance proctor
I wish I could give Brooke Bernhardt 10 stars for everything she has done for my family. She genuinely cares about my son, my wife and I. My case has been long and exhausting with my ex making things near impossible for my wife and I. However, Brooke has believed in us from the very day we hired her and has pushed us to keep going even when things felt impossible and everything was stacked against us. She never has backed down. I could not recommend Brooke enough, her paralegal Asia is amazing as well. Asia has went out of her way for us so many times to make sure we have been taken care of.
I have been very pleased with everything and will always recommend Bernhardt Phillips.
Going into this case I was extremely nervous, because I feel like Fathers rarely win in court. They fight for fathers and won’t let you down! Thank you Brooke and Bernhardt Phillips!
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29 Apr, 2024 by Brittany sease palmer
28 Nov, 2023 by Erik little
Glaser & Ebbs offer paid parking for the Colts games for a cost of nearly $40 if you pay for it advance on Parkwhiz. When buying a parking pass to a Colts game in advance online, they falsely promote that they have restrooms for paid parkers in their lot...this is only partially true.
The bathrooms (and the building itself) are unlocked before the start of the game. When the game ends, they immediately lock their doors, and even people who paid to park in their lot can't get in to use a bathroom. Don't they realize people might need to use the bathroom before they leave?
Also, they have multiple people help park cars before the game. After the game, there is literally a free for all leaving with no staff in sight to guide people out. Expect to wait an hour just to even get out of their lot and to make it to Interstate 70 when the game is over.
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30 Mar, 2023 by Lateef griffin
15 May, 2024 by Cynthia bryant
Called to see about getting help and unless your an immigration case they aren't accepting new cases. To me that's discrimination against our country. This is getting ridiculous. My child has been made so uncomfortable by his dad that he hasn't talked to or seen him in almost a yr, and has told me that if he does see him he wants someone else there because his dad makes him uncomfortable in a sexual personal way. And because we aren't immigration these people won't even hear our case or help. Seriously.
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29 Apr, 2024 by Dolita cameron
02 Apr, 2024 by Isidro lopez
Great place the staff is very friendly!!
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29 Aug, 2024 by Robert raschke
Barnes and Thornburg is a pleasure to work with and addresses all concerns with the upmost professionalism.
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14 Jul, 2024 by Vanessa borgman
29 Jun, 2024 by Jessie petaway
Grate and friendly place. They are about there business, but they will always stop to say hi
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25 Oct, 2020 by Bryan stumpf
04 Mar, 2020 by Steve eastburn
Good law firm.
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27 Dec, 2019 by Chris carter
21 Mar, 2024 by Terry long
Maria matters represented my X-wife in divorce proceedings. I almost felt sorry for my x with her choice of attorney. Notice I said ALMOST. She’s incompetent at practicing law and loves to tell you what you want to hear.
I wouldn’t recommend her to represent anyone in traffic court much less anything of substance. Do your research on her, you’ll thank me later!
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20 Dec, 2023 by Robin lynn
Just had so questions.
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06 Aug, 2022 by Mohammed rajabi
Great Attorney .... Thanks
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13 May, 2024 by Don frayser
Very poor Service,not willing to help the people it who need the Help! I will never ask them for Help again ! 😡
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12 May, 2024 by Soni cordova
Según veo cada caso es diferente desde texas estoy muy agradecido con esta oficina en menos de un año le arreglaron ami hijo llego su permiso de trabajo y social
Lo recomiendo no todos los casos son iguales debemos entender q aveces las cosas no son como queremos 🤷 si yo no pude arreglar al menos mi hijo si pudo hay q agradecer por todo bendiciones
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01 May, 2024 by Mrs,mr none yo business
They denied me I got a law suit on my own destiny didn't do paper work right ..they lie to you
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13 May, 2024 by Don frayser
Very poor Service,not willing to help the people it who need the Help! I will never ask them for Help again ! 😡
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12 May, 2024 by Soni cordova
Según veo cada caso es diferente desde texas estoy muy agradecido con esta oficina en menos de un año le arreglaron ami hijo llego su permiso de trabajo y social
Lo recomiendo no todos los casos son iguales debemos entender q aveces las cosas no son como queremos 🤷 si yo no pude arreglar al menos mi hijo si pudo hay q agradecer por todo bendiciones
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01 May, 2024 by Mrs,mr none yo business
They denied me I got a law suit on my own destiny didn't do paper work right ..they lie to you
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03 Oct, 2024 by David apple
Unresponsive, unhelpful, not answering phone calls, emails and voicemails.
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16 Jul, 2024 by Elijah
Submits data to the Human Rights Campaign.
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19 Jul, 2022 by Duane daringer
03 Oct, 2024 by David apple
Unresponsive, unhelpful, not answering phone calls, emails and voicemails.
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16 Jul, 2024 by Elijah
Submits data to the Human Rights Campaign.
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19 Jul, 2022 by Duane daringer
05 Mar, 2023 by D m
18 Mar, 2022 by Daniel
11 Mar, 2022 by T d
Tax attorney not skillful. Misrepresentation of experience.
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01 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
You’re better off representing yourself than making the costly mistake of hiring Jennifer Hammond.
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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.
