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26 Feb, 2018 by Kahlil
Ms. Schliem was a hard working attorney that really fought my battle for me in court. She went above an beyond her call of duty in order to get me a favorable decision. It made me confident that I would get benefits by the interviews she gave me before meeting at the hearing. Other attorneys wanted to first see me on the date of the hearing not giving me the attention that I think I deserved.
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28 Oct, 2014 by Robert
I was completely pleased with the representation I received from my attorney, Joan Schliem. She was well-informed, answered all of my questions clearly,stayed in touch,and demonstrated attention to detail. Joan treated me kindly,and was easy to talk to. Due to her proficiency,my case was decided in my favor without rejection.I could not have done this without her help.I would highly recommend her to others.
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28 Oct, 2014 by Pat
Joan is professional, yet shows compassion to her client and the problem at hand. My husband and I accompanied my brother to Joan for legal assistance and we were pleased with her patience and understanding while working with Dan. Joan helped my brother with his estate planning and when that was completed he asked that she continue on helping him with other legal matters including a family lawsuit and property dispute. He trusted her and felt she gave him the guidance and legal advice that was necessary for him to feel assured and confident that all would have a positive turnout. My brother is on the road to recovery both mentally and physically thanks in part to the way Joan handled his cases. Many thanks.
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16 Nov, 2009 by Linda
Ms Brigman excels as advisor, mediator and litigator. She is a dedicated professional who goes the extra mile for her client and handles both delicate and extreme situations with finesse. A forceful advocate of the elderly.
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09 Jul, 2009 by Anonymous
Used Ms Brigman as a fiduciary for a Trust I manage. As an financial advisor I look for integrity, professionalism and superior knowledge to guide me through some very stringent requirements in accountability, so I can focus on the issue at hand of managing trust assets.
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03 Jul, 2009 by Anonymous
Ms. Brigman was wonderful to work with. I found her very pleasant, and very knowledgable, and quite easy to work with. She guided me through a difficult process and was willing to answer even my crazy questions.
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10 Apr, 2017 by Anonymous
Erin was great in helping our family establish guardianship for my mother-in-law. I had used her previously to help with estate planning. I would highly recommend her.
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07 Apr, 2017 by Richard
Erin was always there to help make decisions in a very difficult time of our lives. She helped us with elder legal advice and guided with the correct steps to take. One thing that will always stay with me was the way she returned phone calls courteously and promptly. She made the experience pleasant and made the family feel like more than just an account.
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07 Apr, 2017 by Marie
We came to Erin on the referral of a friend and it was the best decision our family ever made. Erin was thorough, explained all of our options during a time when my moms was very ill and needed 24 hour care. Her guidance and knowledge helped our family tremendously during a very difficult time by helping us make the right decisions for both of my parents.
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29 Dec, 2018 by Terri
We were referred to Kreis, Enderle, Hudgins & Borsos by a colleague when we moved to Kalamazoo. Lucky for us we were paired with Bobbi Hines. She was a wealth of knowledge, so organized and a great listener. We left with full confidence our future plans are set and she followed up and made sure we had everything set up. We'd tell anyone to work with her and will definitely use her in the future.
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12 May, 2014 by Scott
Bobbi helped my wife and I with our estate planning needs. She also helped with a few legal documents for our children as both will be leaving for college in the fall.
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29 Mar, 2014 by Kendra
I would highly recommend Bobbi (and have recommended her many times!). She is very responsive and very knowledgeable. She is an excellent resource!
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01 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
Attorney Rusin helped me with guardianship and estate matters. She was very professional, prompt and kind. She explained everything clearly and guided me through the process. She answered all of my questions and concerns clearly. I was very satisfied with her and would highly recommend her!
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24 Jul, 2019 by Peter
I had to file bankruptcy due to an enormous amount of medical bills. Ms. Rusin was incredible. She talks to you and explains the whole process in words that you can understand. She is knowledgeable and competent and I would highly recommend her for any legal help you might need. If I require legal help in the future I would not hesitate to call on her for her advice and help.
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29 Sep, 2012 by Bernard
I highly recommend Ms. Rusin as she is professional and very knowledgeable about law.
She handled my legal situation effectively which made the situation easy on me.
One word for her work - EXCELLENCE.
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07 Feb, 2014 by Greg
I wanted to commend attorney Brian Plachta for his help with my complicated legal matter. I consulted a different lawyer on recommendation before coming to Brian and that lawyer made me feel very uneasy about my situation. Brian made things very clear for me and I appreciated the time he took in explaining and sometimes re-explaining until I was contentedly "in the know" of what was going on. His legal advice and counseling towards my legal matter made me more comfortable that my situation would be effectively handled.
From my experience with lawyers, Plachta Murphy is different. The staff and attorneys were at my level and made me feel comfortable. That may seem like a small thing, but as a client who would rather not be dealing with a lawyer in the first place it really is a huge deal. Any attorney’s office can offer legal advice; the difference is how you folks do it.
I look forward to working with you in the future, and will always mention my positive experience given the opportunity.
Greg
President
DDS Integration
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27 Jan, 2014 by Shari
Plachta, Murphy & Associates has been my legal counsel in personal and business matters. Brian Plachta walked me through the process to incorporate my small business and assisted our condo association in acquiring land for green-space.
While I have always been impressed with Brian Plachta's legal services from a business perspective, it was my meeting with him about Elder Care Law and Estate Planning that made me fully aware of why I call Attorney Plachta. While dealing with my mother’s dementia was overwhelming, Brian’s patience in explaining the financial implications of my mother's dementia and his compassion while we discussed the sensitive matter of taking over my family’s decision making was wonderful. In addition to helping me care for my parents, Brian helped me create a Will that protected my assets and my children’s best interests.
I trust Brian to help me make sure my children and parents receive the very best care, my LLC is legally sound, and my neighborhood business is in order and you can too!
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08 Sep, 2009 by Anonymous
My family was having a hard time with decisions coming up with my aging father. There were so many questions and I had no clue where to start. My friend recommended an attorney that she had used before and I gave him a call. They were extremely courteous, friendly, knowledgeable, and professional. They discovered that my father was eligible for monthly payments through his military service to help with his cost of living expenses. It was money desperately needed. I would recommend Brian, or anyone at Plachta, Murphy law firm, to represent them.
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06 Dec, 2013 by Marilyn
It has been our good fortune to have worked with Mr. Neville for a year concerning handling of a relative's estate. Leo gave us professional, helpful, consistently good guidance as we dealt with Probate Court and all the legal matters involved with estate business. Leo was always prompt in responding to our inquiries in person, on the phone, and via email. His advice was priceless as we had never dealt with any of these legal issues before. The estate involved a group of people and Leo's expert way of managing our business made everything move along smoothly. All of us involved are very grateful to Leo Neville for everything he did for us. If you are looking for a competent, professional, trustworthy lawyer, we would highly recommend Leo Neville.
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10 Feb, 2013 by Anonymous
Leo took my injury case when other lawyers told me that I had no case and WON! He made a huge difference in my life. I will recommend Leo for anyone who has been injured. Thank you Leo!!!
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06 Aug, 2013 by Debbie
I have to apologize in a way, that I feel so bad...that I actually started to cry so hard, from all that I thought happened at his office, that I wish I could do something for the whole office to make it up to them.
I am not afraid to admit when I am wrong no matter how much I have to pay for what I caused for being wrong!
The office was still continuing to keep my case in good standing while I was accusing them of losing most of my evidence. They worked very hard to try and find the evidence I claimed that I had left with them at the front desk a week and a half ago. Well? I did not leave the folders for them... I left a folder for my accountant.
I ended up finding the files in a bin that was unknowingly put there by my husband!
I will be personally giving the office a personal apology for all of the accusations I accused them of that they were not guilty of...Please accept my apologies...
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18 Oct, 2009 by Shaun
Greg always made himself available in a timely and appropriate fashion... He puts forth an effort with a passion that let's you know, he's your lawyer, but he genuinely has your best interests at heart... Admist many around him who may not show the same enthusiasm, it's not even a question as to whether or not I'd reccimend him... One couldn't ask for a better lawyer...
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03 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
Stacy was and continues to be a trusted woman that I can share private thoughts with. If she doesn't know something she tells me she will check on it and it's done. She does her job well.
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25 Jun, 2015 by Joel
Stacey could not be more professional or supportive during the whole process of taking care or my dad's estate. She is a trusted counselor and I have recommended her to several family members who are going through the same family issues. She is prompt, professional and complete making sure all i's are dotted and t's are crossed.
Compassionate attorney... Felt like she was family taking care of the details. Very thankful my dad selected her.
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08 Apr, 2013 by Joan
Helped us with my husbands mothers estate documents, quit claim deed, etc. Very informative and answered all our questions. Very professional and would recommend to anyone.
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12 Jul, 2009 by Anonymous
Matt Joswick is a very thoughtful and caring attorney. Matt put together a "Special Needs" trust for my developmentaly disabled sister. Matt's knowledge of the field and the courts was very thorough. Matt has excellent court room demeaner and worked well with the judge. Matt was very proficient at drawing up the legal documents that I needed to establish the trust. I was very pleased with Matt's legal services.
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31 Mar, 2013 by Virginia
Al defended me in a Criminal matter and went to work right away leaving no stone uncovered. He was well prepared in Court speaking out on my behalf correcting any oversights or questionable phrasing of the charge. He kept me well informed through Telephone contact, Email and meetings in his office. He was prompt in returning my calls. I was very impressed by his thoroughness, attention to detail, unrelenting approach and ability to stay focused on the work at hand. The Charges were dismissed after 6 months. Thank you Al for a satisfying outcome and I have no hesitation in recommending him .
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14 Nov, 2011 by Jim
I retained Mr. Rightler for an on-going legal case. By the time Mr. Rightler was involved in the case, prior attorneys had made a mess of it. Mr. Rightler took the time to learn my case. He read every document in the case file, spent time interviewing me, and got to know the players involved. He was highly organized and did not miss anything. He has excellent communication skills and is not afraid to state the facts, in court and out. He is an honest and very principled man. He is knowledgeable in the law but is not shy about asking for help where he needs it. Mr. Rightler has strong research skills which help greatly as, in my case, it was necessary for him to do very extensive research in a number of areas other than the law. Mr. Rightler , as an attorney, is consistently reliable. He always returned my calls and emails. He told me what he planned to do, and he did exactly that. I have complete trust in Mr. Rightler and I would not hesitate to recommend him as an attorney.
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02 Jun, 2020 by Anonymous
My family and I went thru two attorneys before we hired Ms. Claire Forster for our estate planning (first one was a local attorney who only gave us trust documents printed right off the internet - our entire assets would have gone thru. probate, second one was a high profile attorney from a big city, large firm who did not care to listen to our needs and only tried to control us with unfairness). Then through someone in law, we were finally directed to Claire. Right from the beginning, we could see the very high level of knowledge she has in taxes and many other areas. She carefully listens to our needs/wishes and goes over what facts help us and what facts hurt us from the aspect of laws and tax benefits. The most significant strength she has is an extremely high level of thoroughness. She is not only very thorough, but also has shown empathy and compassion as we have some complications in our family that needed to be taken care by Trust. She has high quality client interactions! Her speed and professionalism are also exceptional. Our family and I are VERY grateful for her service and we hereby recommend Ms. Claire Forster without reservation.
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26 May, 2020 by Lori
Excellent service! Claire went above and beyond to prepare Enhanced Life Estate Deeds for my properties. She took extra time to explain various options and carefully detailed the implications of each. She is the most knowledgeable attorney I have met with regard to Estate Planning. She was extremely thorough and I highly recommend her!
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10 Jul, 2016 by Tony
My wife and I have used Deb Rysso on multiple occasions in the past ten years. She first worked with us when my father entered in a nursing home and we needed to protect my mother's assets. Next we used her with my mother-law's estate and then used her to develop a ladybird deed for my mother's home. All of the estates were small and in all cases she helped us simplify the process and avoid probate for a very reasonable fee.
My wife and I were so impressed with her attention to detail and sound advice that we used Deb to set up our own trust.
What impressed me most was in two cases she told us "I think you're worried about the wrong thing" and then explained a scenario we didn't foresee. In both instances the scenario she described was what actually happened, but due to the pre-planning we were prepared and protected.
I would highly recommend Deb to anyone for elder planning and estate issues.
Tony McLain
Sault Sainte Marie
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20 Oct, 2013 by Catherine
Deborah has been my family's lawyer for a few years, helping us with tasks including estate planning, updating my parents' trust and developing a contract for home health care workers. She is always courteous and prompt, she charges very fair rates and does high quality work. Deborah has a strong knowledge of elder law and is skilled at communicating information simply and clearly. I also appreciate her willingness to find experts in other legal fields if we have a question that is outside of her area of expertise.
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25 Apr, 2018 by Dwight z
Our firm was referred to Mr. Fedor for business legal matters. He has helped with start-up formation that includes IP and shareholders that has evolved into other business needs. His knowledge is vast and is very responsive and accessible.
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25 May, 2016 by Anonymous
Matt was a great resource for me to understand the trust process and help me through the entire process of estate planning. He took care of everything for me. In my last review of the trust and estate he explained all the new laws and how they affected me. What a great experience! I would recommend Matt to anyone.
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15 Mar, 2017 by Bryan
Jim is our corporate attorney and we are very pleased with his work. Jim is very efficient and cares deeply about his clients. I would not hesitate to recommend him to others.
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08 Mar, 2017 by Robert
One of the best and most talented attorneys I have ever worked with. He tells you what you need to hear not what you want to hear.
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06 Jul, 2024 by Mastercarver27
This attorney was very thorough and helpful and kind in helping
us set up a living trust. My dad had worked
With her in the past and we are thankful we
Chose her office for our own estate planning.
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06 Jan, 2012 by Beth
This office was so very helpful in setting up a Living Revocable Trust for us. They were very knowledgeable in this field. All of our questions were answered and things that we didn't think of were offered. We are so very pleased with Susan Wideman and her office staff. We will definitely recommend her to everyone.
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13 Sep, 2017 by Susan
Attorney Moshe Newman was recommended to me for probate estate, and was very professional, detail oriented, very honest, and knowledgeble. I would hire him again and highly recommend him.
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04 Sep, 2017 by Leonard
Attorney Moshe Newman is very professional and will work with you to plan for your future. He is very knowledgeable of the laws and gets the job done promptly and efficiently. I would recommend him to my friends.
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08 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
He’s knows what he’s doing!!! He preps you and keeps you updated!!! A great attorney to have on your side!!! Highly recommend him!
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20 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
I am a current client of Mr. Ihrie and not only do I have great things to say about him, but his entire Staff at the Ihrie O'Brien Law Firm are highly recommended for any type of case. They are always quick to keep me informed of any updates regarding my case, but also are very willing to help you with any matter or question when you call the Law Firm. The Secretary's there are super nice and do not belittle you, I can honestly go on and on about Mr. Ihrie and associates for everything they have already done for me and I truly do look forward to working with you guys in the near future! I will be a life long referrer for the Ihrie O' Brien Law Firm. Thank you guys for your honesty, professionalism, and overall courtesy not only to me but also to My Family.
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04 Nov, 2024 by Marc thomas
I am also a Michigan attorney and have had the pleasure to work with Brittany on many, many cases when she was a law clerk at Bendure & Thomas. Brittany's very smart, hard working, and creative. Always looking at every case for the right approach and strategy based on her thorough research and her clear thought process. In addition, she's funny, plain spoken, can really write well, and is always seeking justice for her clients. She is one of Michigan's top attorneys and anyone would be very fortunate to have her as your legal counsel.
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25 Sep, 2024 by Yasemin cetin
Ms Thompson is an amazing human being and great attorney. She went above and beyond and answered all my questions in regard to an HOA issue I had. I highly recommend her!
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23 May, 2024 by Chris g
Brittany was awesome. I had questions in the area of estate planning. She listened and gave me great options. She didn't push or try a hard sell. She actually told me an option that was less complicated, even thought it didn't involve making them money. It's hard to find someone that will give you honest advice. Give them a try.
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06 Jun, 2016 by Sharon
When you really need to get something done, Karen is the best! She has handled two matters for me, one sensitive and the other urgent - and she successfully completed both missions with tact, accuracy, and speed. Of critical importance to me, she LISTENED to me. I talked to other attorneys before I talked with and hired Karen, and it was clear that their missions and mine did not match. After talking with Karen, my despair dissipated - I knew I had found someone who could take on my burden and fix it. And she did. She also kept in constant contact and responded quickly to both phone and email conversations. I always knew where my cases stood and I always felt like my questions were welcomed.
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15 Jul, 2015 by Laura
Terrence Bertram prepared my Mother & Father's trust many years ago. The advice he gave and work he provided made all the difference in the end. Because of this, just recently, I chose to have Mr. Bertram do his same good work for me and my beneficiaries'. I'm very pleased to have someone who cares so much for his client's welfare and peace of mind.
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08 Dec, 2023 by Laura
Greg is not only a skilled and capable attorney, he took time to meet with our family to explain and clarify the meaning of legal documents and to offer helpful ideas and suggestions.
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16 Jan, 2014 by Sharon
Attorney Keith assisted with closure of my deceased mother's estate vis-a-vis the latter's being one of the owners of a pair of rental properties co-owned by me and my spouse. Ms. Keith was personally and professionally forthcoming and incisively knowledgeable. Subsequent to my mother's demise, Ms. Keith unequivocally contributed to my much needed peace of mind. Although Ms. Keith has moved on to private practice, I continue to be in touch with her for advice, information, and services, such is my faith in her. i recommend Lesley Keith without hesitation or reservation as an astute law practitioner eminently capable of executing the letter of the law and as a very caring individual capable of recognizing the spirit of the law. Her deft handling of what some lawyers might dismiss as minutiae, Ms. Keith respects, as well. Her character is unimpeachable. Her work ethic is assiduous. Her responses are rapid, accurate, and appropriately expressed. She is and will be an asset to any client and/or organization with whom/which she associates herself. Her profile alludes to her being valedictorian or her class in her school of law but she clearly merits high marks in the school of life. This is, indeed, a special young professional. Might I venture that she might be one of those rarer practitioners, who resuscitate lawyers' reputations? I am a professor and Lesley Keith is A+!
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05 Jun, 2013 by Steve
Mr. Weipert helped us interpret and unravel a real estate contract that was poorly handled by our sellers real estate agent. We did not feel rushed although we knew his schedule was full. Mr. Weipert took the time to examine the entire purchase agreement, looking for irregularities, and explain the various parts of the contract in plain English. He places himself in your shoes to help you figure the best legal solution to the problem. Reliable and trustworthy.
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29 Mar, 2023 by Karen
David is a rock and unperturbable legal advisor. I highly recommend him if you appreciate a calm voice of reason who remains focused on the goal at hand.
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15 Jun, 2015 by Sandy
My husband and I have done our estate planning with Sharon. She seemed very knowledgeable and worked diligently to keep us "on task".
I would highly recommend her or anyone looking to make a will and/or trust.
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24 Feb, 2011 by Bruce
BRETT IS HELPING MAKE MY WIFES STAY IN A NURSING HOME AFFORDABLE. HE HAS SAVED ME AT A VERY DIFFICULT AND STRESSFUL TIME IN MY LIFE. HIS LEGAL AIDE KELLY IS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND HELPED BY TALKING TO MERRILL LYNCH AND VANGUARD FOR ME TO GET FUNDS TRANSFERED CORRECTLY.(THEY WERE MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME)
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27 Aug, 2013 by Matt
David has helped me and my family through multiple challenges in life, my small business, my grandmother's death and even divorce. He's been extremely easy to work with and has made those difficult times seem easier because I know that things will be handled the right way, and always in my favor. I've grown to consider Dave a friend and wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to my closest inner circle.
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06 Dec, 2018 by David
Jess, was more then you could ever ask for with an attorney. She was always quick to accommodate my complex schedule no matter the time of the day. Then quickly achieved the results I desired on multiple issues. I would highly recommend Jess for a business attorney and wills/ trusts.
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27 May, 2020 by Melad
Very professional, hard worker, highly motivated, experienced attorney, passionate about his craft, very polite, honest.... with these credentials only comes excellent results!! And that is what i got, thankfully.
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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.
