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26 Oct, 2017 by Lynn
Stuart helped my children and I with the estate planning for my ex-husband who was in the hospital. The three of us met with him and hired him on the spot. His knowledge and experience were undeniable but he was also empathetic, friendly and caring. Our first meeting was probably 1.5 hours yet we never felt rushed, actually the opposite. He made sure all our questions were answered and the conversation grew past just estate planning. When it came time to sign the documents, Stuart insisted on having my ex-husband sign the documents himself even though our daughter had power of attorney. Stuart said he just wouldn't feel right representing someone he hadn't met. We all met at the VA hospital and there was no additional charge for the visit. He notarized the documents on the spot and everything was completed in two visits.
My children and I were determined to interview three attorneys before hiring, but during our meeting we knew Stuart was the perfect fit and we hired him on the spot.
I subsequently went through a divorce and hired Stuart for my estate planning. I never considered anyone else. I had ideas of what I wanted to do but Stuart showed me better options and explained not only the benefits of his recommendations but the potentially negative financial consequences of my original plans.
Stuart has been a blessing to our family because of his expertise and his caring nature. I feel completely taken care of and secure in my estate planning and my children would say the same.
Clearly I'm a huge fan of Stuart's and I recommend him wholeheartedly!
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19 Apr, 2015 by Kate
Stuart did my mothers' end-of-life documents, and mine, several years ago and his work was invaluable. Knowing that this paperwork is in his vault is a comfort to me. But even more important to me was that he answered all of the questions I had all through my mother's probate gratis. I kept waiting for him to tell me that he was going to have to charge me for the time I was taking up but he never did. He really does stay with you as long as you need him. (I do expect to be charged if I rewrite anything, of course.)
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06 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous
Regarding my wife's early dementia situation, he advised both of us to turn over $400,000 to our children whom he knew
nothing about. The children's obligation to use those funds in our behalf would be based upon a "mutual verbal agreement". He urged us to act quickly. As an attorney, I was hoping he would have researched our children's financial situation (this could be an explosive mistake). Usually attorneys are legal like, but a "mutual verbal agreement" involving $400,000 sounds a little bit risky to us. Other options that we proposed in writing were never considered. And finally, all this for a flat fee of over $7000, only. The more my wife thought and talked about this, the more unnerving we felt about working with him. Unthoughtful, expensive, ineffective are words that come to mind.
He offered expensive complex solutions, but never considered simple effective and economical solutions that didn't involve the possibility of creating destructive relationships.
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09 Jul, 2024 by Calissa younkin
William is a horrible attorney WAY to old to be practicing law doesn’t even know the proper way to do things and has no type of negotiation skills he also represents pure scum
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07 Mar, 2024 by Laura de thier-lupori
No call backs or returned emails either. Very disappointing.
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16 May, 2023 by Craig schindler
22 Mar, 2024 by Lula paloozah
Always taking "vacations" with your money. Stalls, does a lot of "busy work" and slick talking to make sure it looks like he's doing something. Commits perjury overall good lawyer if you are a deadbeat trying to make it look like you are not.
So really 3 stars.
but 1 star for honest parents.
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06 Nov, 2023 by Joshua jacob
Hello I'm a single father and the twin cities. My son's mother has made it very difficult for me to be in my son's life. I speak from experience. Travis is a true gladiator! When representing his clients he spares no expense when fighting for you to be in your child's life. It is an honor to recommend him at the highest levels of expectation. Fortunately for me I have Travis on my side who has years of practice in the justice system, and has the experience and not just family law, business law, and criminal defense law with a appellate court practice. Literally at One stop shop. He takes the time to explain best possible outcomes, as well as the realities of least possible outcomes. In addition to this his retainer and hourly rate are very reasonable. I strongly recommend his services and legal support to anyone in my network in need of the best representation in the legal market. Thank you for reading!
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04 Nov, 2023 by Jackie holton
Doesn't send itemized bills..... takes your retainer doesn't follow through or answer calls.Also previous history and got in trouble for this very behavior.......uses his divorce and sons story to make u feel he relates.
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22 Feb, 2021 by Ben sorenson
30 Oct, 2016 by Thomas hussman
How much money did Brian Rice remove from the Technimar Scandal? Will you now admit, Mr. Rice, that you had a fiduciary responsibility as the Minneapolis Police Pension Fund lost Millions of dollars. I think you are a violent and corrupt man, Brian. And I will look you in the eye anytime...anywhere. @FBI
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10 Jun, 2024 by Samantha
He seems like he might be a nice guy, but after he agreed to take on our simple case, we've only progressed inches in the 6 months that we hired him. It takes him weeks to respond to emails (after I've sent multiple follow ups) and it's been a month since we cancelled his services, requested our invoice and a refund of the retainer we paid him, and we still haven't received it. Again, probably a nice guy, but I've been nothing but tirelessly disappointed since hiring him and would recommend people look elsewhere for their legal needs.
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08 Apr, 2022 by Lena
It's taken me a lot of internal struggle to write this review (I've honestly never written one before), but ultimately I've come to the conclusion that it's important that nobody else gets into the same situation that my husband and I have been in. We are intended parents in a surrogacy journey and we came to John for both our Gestational Carrier Agreement and our Parentage Agreement/Pre-Birth Order. During our time working with John, he lacked communication and we would often go for weeks without communication. He also failed to meet deadlines on submitting important documents, which almost caused us to miss our transfer date. John apologized for this lack of communication and assured us he would "do better" if we hired him again for our Parentage Agreement/Pre-Birth Order. Once we hired John a second time, we experienced the same negligence and would ghost us for weeks at a time. He would tell us that he would have our drafts ready to go by a certain date, but that day would come and go with no word. This got to the point that our GC's lawyers became involved in trying to get ahold of him. Then, John finally reached out to us letting us know he couldn't provide services and that we should seek other council. He said a refund was on the way, but a week later we hadn't received a refund. I called Square to inquire whether a refund had been initiated and it hadn't. In the end, our new lawyer had to get involved so that John would pay us back.
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20 May, 2021 by Jennifer
The initial phone consult in August for step parent adoption had me very hopeful. We retained (paid) this lawyer on 8/26/20. Received our initial information after consult/retaining 10/13/20. We have received 5 “updates” usually 1-2 months apart and typically after much prodding with no movement in our case. For reference, 3/3/21 was his last email to us and we have asked for updates (any sign of life!) 3 times (and a fourth today). I would really love to get some help for our family but I’m running out of hope that John Buchholz will do anything with our case.
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25 Feb, 2011 by Misrepresented client
I retained David Wandling for council on an issue I had with my lease. When I first approached him he made it seem like this action was a no-brainer to pursue. Well it wasn't $4,000 and a month later I was still evicted for something I didn't do.
I would have been much better off just paying the move fee and vacating the premise (even though I had done nothing wrong), but I chose to pursue a claim on David's encouragement.
David is a very nice man and I enjoyed working with him on a personal level. I simply don't think he was a very good litigator. Maybe there are other areas where he is a good lawyer, but when it comes to contract law and lease negotiation I think you'd be better off retaining me to represent you after what I learned.
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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.
