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10 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
Atty Grundy was so helpful. We were in a desperate situation to get estate documents done during COVID and he came to the house with little notice (even though he was very busy). I will never forget him during such a stressful time. He also helped me out after my parents passed away.
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21 Oct, 2016 by Valerie
Attorney John Grundy recently assisted our family in navigating through the bureaucracy associated with our father having no estate plan in place. Attorney Grundy is professional and methodical. He also possesses a wealth of knowledge when dealing with the Courts.
We now understand the reasoning of John Grundy’s fellow attorney recommending him. The recommendation is truly appreciated. We will certainly consult Attorney Grundy in the future.
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17 Oct, 2016 by Steve
John Grundy was highly recommended to us by an Ohio attorney to prepare a Certificate of Trust and various documents for my mother aged 91. We live in San Diego with my mother living in Ohio. John agreed to meet with us when my wife and I were visiting which happened to be on a holiday. He was exceptionally well prepared and we methodically reviewed each document in its entirety with John and his assistant. All our questions or concerns were addressed to our complete satisfaction.
John certainly demonstrated a mastery of professional skills and knowledge. It was obvious when we met, that his years of experience would be beneficial in accurately completing all documents to our complete satisfaction.
We highly recommend John and would not hesitate in using his services in the future should the need arise. He's the best!
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21 Oct, 2020 by Patricia
Ronald Wayne handled the probate for my sister who unexpectedly died in Ohio. He was professional, very reasonable and kept our family well informed as we worked our way during a difficult situation. I highly recommend Mr. Wayne and his wonderful staff!
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11 Sep, 2018 by Don
Ron was hired by our family in 2005 after the untimely death of our father. With assets in Florida and Ohio, and virtually no estate planning beyond a simple will, we needed a firm that we could trust to help my mother immediately and my brothers and sisters longer term to determine how to proceed with an estate plan. Ron and his team were very helpful to help us with practical advice and options. They educated each of us every step of the way on the ins and outs of estate and probate law and how to organize a trust for the estate. And with offices in both Florida and Ohio, they were able to help us meet each state's probate requirements. With Ron's expertise and experience, we were able to develop a plan we were well prepared for my mother's passing in 2008 and we as a family came together. In fact, ten years later, we are still all together due to how well Ron helped prepare us for an effective estate plan. Thanks Ron and your team!!
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06 Sep, 2012 by Anonymous
I highly recomend Ronald Wayne he was very informative and very professional and extremely honest and carring and compassionate about my sutuation concerning a will contest.
He deserves an even higher rating on this site than his current one.
If it come to the point that I will need an attorney he will be the one I choose to represent my case.
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07 Jan, 2016 by Diane
Mr. Motta set up a will for my husband and I and through him we learned how complicated a will can be. He is very thorough and attended to every detail. He explained everything to us in terms that we could understand. He met every expectation and more.
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14 Dec, 2015 by Samir and esmat
What a real excellent professional person Mr. Motta is. My wife and I hired him for doing our estate plan. He is one of the extreme top people I have ever encountered. He listens really really well. He gives his sincere professional opinion. He is so very well organized and neat in his work. I believe very well that my wife shares me same opinion. Both of us referred our son and his wife to him and they were very impressed by Mr. Motta's professionalism and A++ work. We would definitely recommend Mr. Motta to any other friend or relative.
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03 Dec, 2015 by Joanne
Joe has been most thorough and efficient in assisting us with updating and reviewing our wills. He prepared all documents in a timely manner and precisely as we requested. We would strongly recommend Joe to anyone requiring legal assistance.
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10 Jul, 2012 by Anonymous
Our church organization used Dustin. He was efficient, knowledgeable, and kept on top of things. Handles issues promptly compared to other attorneys we have used.
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27 Feb, 2012 by Dave
We recommend Dustin to all of our constituents who are considering creating an estate plan. He is always responsive and the feedback from our referrals is always positive.
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22 Nov, 2014 by Dawn
Corryn has been so kind and understanding with all that's been happening with my parents and their health issues. She is so accommodating with our crazy work schedules and very patient when explaining the legal parts of how a family trust works. She is very compassionate when dealing with both my parents and helping them understand how a trust works for them and the care that they require. It's also very comforting to know that she is a RN and can give advice or explain some of the health care involved with my parents care. She's also helped me with different ways on how to approach my parents about their care, what their wishes are and what's best for them. I would definitely recommend her to anyone going through the same issues that our family is currently facing.
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14 Nov, 2014 by David
I reached out to Corryn regarding senior planning for my aging parents. Corryn communicated very well with me and my parents during the entire process. She met with my parents and patiently explained in detail the services they should consider. She answered their questions and concerns compassionately as many of the topics were sensitive in nature. Corryn never attempted to upsell them any services that she felt was not necessary. She completed all the filings and documents in a timely manner and provided my parents an easy to use binder of all of the services. I would highly recommend Corryn.
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22 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
When we came home from vacation to find 5 of our 30 year old pine trees cut down, the police told us we needed a civil attorney. We contacted Paul Kray. He met with us quickly and was very knowledgeable, also offering several alternatives. He is quite willing to take the case but also said he is your neighbor so try to work it out with him first. I was impressed with his common sense and honesty.
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17 Apr, 2015 by Kevin
As a start-up company, we contacted Paul Kray and he demonstrated knowledge of our needs and an appreciation of our budget and helped us get incorporated, review vendor agreements and catch issues that we otherwise would not have identified. He helped us get off to the right start and his ongoing support has helped our continued success. I highly recommend for small to midsize businesses clients.
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12 May, 2016 by Chris
Matthew Donald helped our family set up a trust to care for our mother who was entering an assisted living facility. Matt was knowledgeable, a terrific listener, and really calmed our trepidation. We have been able to financially care for our mother and relieve her worries as well as our own. Matt was a Godsend for our family.
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20 Nov, 2014 by Terrie
I highly recommend Matthew for estate planning. He helped us to create a personalized plan in addition to providing the education we needed to make informed decisions. He is truly an expert in the complex filed of trusts and estate planning.
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29 Apr, 2020 by Bill
After the death of my father, we realized that our Will, Power of Attorney, and Health Care Provisions, were inadequate. Erin proved very competent in her understanding of the specialty that elder law demands She was very patient with her time and made sure we fully understood the finer points of the law. We are completely satisfied that when these documents are needed they will serve us well. Erin is a joy to work with.
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20 Apr, 2020 by Tom
Erin re-drafted our wills, trusts, and other similar documents, which were originally done over 25 years ago. She was patient with us, made obscure legal concepts accessible, and made us feel comfortable throughout the process. She is very competent, professional, and easy to work with and brings a lot of experience to the job. Very well credentialed too.
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14 Mar, 2017 by Bob
I have had, on two separate occasions, hired Mrs. Apelis to do estate planning and incorporation work. She is professional, accessible, prompt and thorough. She answered all of our questions in detail and made us feel confident that we were being well represented. I would highly recommend her to those in need of legal representation.
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12 Mar, 2015 by Kris
I have had the pleasure of working with Erika for the past year. As a new business owner, she made sure all of my documents went through the transition of ownership smoothly. She has always provided my business with the best service! Erika is very quick and knowledgeable with her answers to my questions. Since being a business owner has been a new adventure in my life, she has made sure everything was in the right place, at the right time and always correct!
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07 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
Jeannette did a great job helping me with my parent's assets and getting them help with Medicaid. She always answers calls and questions promptly. I never waited more than a day for a response on a question. They kept me informed and explained the process front to back. Great service!
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17 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
Had medicaid planning done by Jeannette, and the experience from beginning to end was great. She did a great job helping me understand what was going on and I really liked her.
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15 Mar, 2016 by Cindy
I discovered Erica Skerl while searching online for an Elder Care attorney. I wanted guidance in applying for Medicaid for my mother, whose onset of dementia forced us to move her into a nursing home.
Erica has been such a blessing to work with during this stressful time. She is very knowledgeable, personable, compassionate, respectful of my time, and most importantly, responsive.
She is excellent at responding to my emails quickly, and if she was tied up at a hearing, would send me a quick email letting me know she received my email and would respond in greater detail once back at her office.
The receptionists also are very courteous and accommodating.
I would highly recommend Erica Skerl as an Elder Care attorney!
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07 Jan, 2011 by Anonymous
Ms. Skerl is a compassionate and intelligent lawyer who came to our aid in dealing with an insurance company trying to deny benefits. Additionally, she developed our wills and healthcare power of attorney documents. Ms. Skerl was responsive to our needs. She is respectful and caring. We highly recommend her services.
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15 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
I hired a company to do some work for my business for an agreed upon price. When the were done, they added a huge chunk onto the total and threatened to "undo" everything if I didn't pay. I had kept detailed records and gave them to Ms. Goodwin so that she could successfully sue them and get my money back.
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13 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
I was very impressed with the way my case was handled. Ms. Goodwin was professional and caring throughout the entire process. I was very happy with my representation in juvenile court.
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01 Jan, 2014 by Robyn
Gwen Perry proved to be a dedicated and hard-working attorney fro me when my husband passed suddenly with no signed will left and all monies left inadvertently to son which was never his intent; however, my husband was not very timely with many paperwork items in his life and that goes for his final will which he made, but did not sign.
At the time, all I was going through seemed like a fog which would never lift, but Gwen made it all clear for me, and fought hard to get me what I not only desperately needed, but believe my husband really wanted the end result and probably more. I would recommend that if you are elderly and need any help whatsoever with wills, probate and estate issues, she is the one to call upon. She also contributes much of her work and time to several elderly associations pro Bono which speaks to her character.
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01 Jan, 2014 by Robyn
Gwen Perry proved to be a dedicated and hard-working attorney fro me when my husband passed suddenly with no signed will left and all monies left inadvertently to son which was never his intent; however, my husband was not very timely with many paperwork items in his life and that goes for his finalwill which he made, but did not sign.
At the time, all I was going through seemed like a fog which would never lift, but Gwen made it all clear for me, and fought hard to get me what I not only desperately needed, but believe my husband really wanted the end result and probably more. I would recommend that if you are elderly and need any help whatsoever with wills, probate and estate issues, she is the one to call upon. She also contributes much of her work and time to several elderly associations pro Bono which speaks to her character.
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24 Jan, 2025 by Nancy merriman
pleasure to deal with !
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15 Jan, 2025 by Tom richards
My wife and I recently had our will prepared by Ben Farah. We were pleased with services provided. Ben was very professional, thorough, and informative. He made the process very easy to understand and stressed to contact him in the future with any questions. We will definitely use Ben and his office if needed in the future.
Tom Richards
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15 Jan, 2025 by Elise fleming
They are easy to work with and listen to what my concerns are.
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27 Nov, 2012 by Anonymous
Staten did a Healthcare Power of Attorney and Living Will for me. The process was painless: he asked for my facts (name, dob, etc) and completed the documents for me. He kept a file at his office and gave me a copy for myself and the people I named. I had never done either one of these documents before, but I would go back to him for any updates or additional legal work I may need in the future.
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30 Oct, 2020 by Christopher
I have practiced law for 35 years. My wife and I engaged Amy for estate planning. She is smart, well organized and to the point. No overselling like some of these “living trust” mills with one-size-fits-all solutions that curiously require annual updating at a hefty additional fee. Skip them and call Amy!
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14 Jun, 2016 by Anonymous
I wanted to protect my assets from future long term care costs and Attorney Rugg was able to set up a legal plan and all of the documents needed to make my plan work for me.
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08 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
I hired George Pattison to prepare a Will, Trust, and Power of Attorney for estate planning. He handled it professionally, gave great advice and made the whole process easy.
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01 Jan, 2016 by Darren
Before moving to Tennessee, Ms. Garvin worked with us to establish a trust for my special needs son, Matthew. I will always remember when Ms. Garvin asked Matt if there was anything that he wanted to bequeath. Matt, very seriously, responded that he wanted to make sure his brother received his video games. Ms. Garvin responded with equal seriousness and made sure that Matt's wishes were honored.
We also engaged Ms. Garvin to represent my father, who had a massive stroke that inhibited his ability to communicate. Upon meeting my father in the nursing home, Ms. Garvin asked my wife and I to leave the room so she could "talk" to her client privately. I am very impressed with that kind of commitment.
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17 Jun, 2021 by Kyle
I spoke with Jared in regards to my child custody issues with no court agreement.
Jared gave me good honest advice and gave me options from every aspect or angle to take. He proved to me that he cares and will do whatever it takes to get me the rights that I deserve. He explained everything really well and made sure there was no confusion on my end. The efforts that he showed me for the price he gave me is unbeatable.
Hire this guy, he will work hard for you.
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07 Mar, 2012 by Endia
I would definitely recommend this lawyer. He took the time out of his busy schedule to meet with me. I did not have an appointment with him and i was in desperate need to meet with an attorney at the time. He was the only one that to actually said he could meet with me. I greatly appreciate the time that was given to me. Every other law firm i called was very rude and as I look at it very unprofessional. I must say Mr. Bartimole was professional and has great. He gave me great advice and information i needed.
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27 Oct, 2014 by Mary
Mr. Eckstein's experience makes him a very good lawyer.
He has helped me from advice standpoint, interpretation of legal jargon, and knowing which way to direct me if some of the questions are not in his specialty area. He is easy to talk to and is professional to the highest standards through and through. I highly recommend his services to anyone needing legal help.
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23 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
Karen was difficult to reach, but when we finally got together, she came to my home and gave a free 1-hour consultation! she was extremely helpful, attentive and kind. She was worth the wait!!!!
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29 Sep, 2010 by Anonymous
Wow! He is a true asset to his clients. He cares about each person that enters his office and treats them with respect and dignity. He went the extra mile to make sure my estate plan was on track and notifies me when the Ohio laws change so that my estate plan is locked tight.
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29 Jan, 2016 by Thomas
Mr. Beasley has provided excellent advice and service to various members of my family for over twenty years, which includes wills for myself and my wife, arranging an adoption, and drawing up an emergency will in the hospital for our son who had a cancer scare. I recommend him without hesitation.
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20 Jun, 2014 by Davis
Our family was looking for an attorney for several different items. We found Courtney and we will never leave her office.
Courtney took care of all of our legal needs. She took the time to work with us and find out exactly what we needed - personalizing several documents for us.
From Courtney to the rest of the office staff - they are always professional and courteous.
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16 Jun, 2016 by Soul k
After over three years of harassment of my landlord, one morning I satdown and googled desperately looking for help. I fell on Michael Lawson and his associate Ryan Welker. That was my lucky day because it was the beginning of the end of years of nightmares. In couple weeks, these young lawyers put time, energy and skills to solve the issue and save me from eviction. And all that at reasonable cost.
I will definitely go back to them and refer friends.
Thanks gentlemen for your help.
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23 Jan, 2011 by Anonymous
I went to Mr. Taps for help straightening out poor estate planning by another lawyer. The estate was somewhat complex due to a late-life marriage and a husband who had recently had strokes and been diagnosed with dementia. For 3 1/2 years now, Mr. Taps has been consistently the best lawyer I have ever worked with. Some of the things I value: He is easily accessible and responsive. He has excellent ability to grasp complexity quickly and a phenomenal memory for newly introduced detail. He has allowed me to participate as much or as little as I want. He is willing to educate me (and my son) in addition to advising. I attribute the successful Medicaid appeals he has made on my husband's and my behalf to the depth and excellence of his understanding of the law. In addition, his recommendations are realistic but he still lets me know the range of my options so that I can participate in the decision-making process. He is at all times professional, calm, respectful, firm but not overbearing, and reliable. What is also very impressive is that he is persistent; I feel he not only cares about the outcome but is personally invested in it as if it were his own. In my experience, that is unusual and a real treasure. It is has also been very reassuring. My respect and admiration extend beyond him himself to his staff and associates whom I have met. He maintains outstanding office help and has been capable and willing to refer me to equally competent advisers in other areas as needed. While I look forward to working with Mr. Taps for the foreseeable future, I have no qualms about his giving my heirs excellent assistance when they need it. I have recommended him unreservedly to a number of people. Richard T. Taps is across the board the best!
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09 Mar, 2018 by Matt
Larry helped our Cultivate 501c3 get approved quickly thanks to his attention to detail and knowledge of the process. We couldn’t be happier to refer him to both other nonprofits and entrepreneurs that are forming their legal entities.
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06 Sep, 2017 by Renee
Attorney Moseman made sure our interests were protected and got results for us. She is professional, honest, and advocates strongly for her client's rights
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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.
