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23 Oct, 2018 by Carole
My brother lived in AZ and I live in CO. When he passed I became his personal representative. We weren't really sure we needed an attorney, but Jennifer was recommended and we engaged her. That was the smartest decision we made.
She was able to explain and guide me through the process, which was significantly more complex than I had ever imagined.
When the situation took a turn for the worse and became contentious she provided valuable guidance and advice and worked tirelessly to resolve the issues. She and her staff listened and understood my concerns and helped me work through them. They also helped me stay centered and focused on the important issues.
She and her staff were always available to answer questions and provide assistance. This was especially helpful since I did not live in AZ. Their communications with me were always clear and concise whether they were explaining something or forwarding me documents. I received the information I needed and, when necessary, very detailed instructions on what was required.
She was always mindful of managing her and her staff's time to try and keep the costs down. She made sure I was aware of the status of the important issues, but did not keep me updated on the status of every little item which helped keep the costs down. If, however, I had any questions she and her staff were always available and would answer all my questions.
They were always supportive and understanding and worked very hard and diligently to help me through this process which has been going on for over 15 months.
Jennifer and her staff exceeded my expectations in all areas and I cannot thank them enough for all that they have done.
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11 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous
Jennifer was hired to represent me in our nightmare of a case against cps. We were wrongly accused with no evidence and Jennifer did everything in her power to prove that. She knew what she was doing and how to respond to cps and their lies. She never gave up, always working hard to prove their lies wrong. She was professional, caring, informative, hard working and completely committed to my case. She was constantly thinking a step ahead of cps.
Although my case has gone on for 2 years, she never gave up or stopped caring. Even though the case is not closed yet, my kids are back at home where they belong. When the kids came home she genuinely celebrated with our family!! She was excited to meet and hug our kids.
If you want a lawyer who will fight for you, knows what they are doing, genuinely cares and knows how the system works.. Look no further, this IS who you should hire!!
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20 May, 2015 by Janet
I hired Jennifer to help me get my share of an asset from my fathers estate. She proposed to get a written agreement between myself and the other beneficiaries, but failed to inform me that the trust attorney added language to the agreement she knew was unacceptable to me. She then lied and said she told me of the added language. She later suggested to correct the language we amend the agreement and wanted to charge me for the time and effort. The sale of the asset eventually happened without help from her. It was a very unpleasant experience. She seemed distracted and communication was poor. In fairness it may have been a staffing problem but ultimately she should be in control of what is happening in her name.
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04 Nov, 2024 by Jeff johnson
They lie about taking sepsis cases (septic shock deaths in this case). The first trip to the hospital in February my wife contacted staph and it turned sepsis while in there that alone is on the hospital. Then 6 months later she ended up back in the hospital for suspected infection due to her CRP and ESR both being well over 100 and she had a history of infections like staph, Osteomyelitis, pseudomonas all in that 6 month period but the hospital didn't run a thorough battery of tests and the issue that put her in the hospital turned sepsis then she went into septic shock and died due to not running enough tests to find the infection that started all this.The hospital didn't even take her off the long term IV antibiotic to do an accurate blood culture and antibiotics will cause a false negative for bacterial infections.
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22 May, 2024 by Jada warrell
John and Bill took my case with the upmost professionalism and attentiveness to every detail. I will definitely be using them again if I need any legal help in the future.
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22 May, 2024 by Landon wagner
John Ager is very professional and attentive. He is active and always reliable. A caring individual that I will always respect.
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07 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
Well versed and competent. My only caution is to hang onto your pocket book. Her firm will bill you ridiculous charges. I'm sweating out a conservatorship for my daughter. Almost half the available funds have been eaten up by lawyers fees and costs. Never dealt with someone who charges you for copies and sends you several copies of the same pleading.
I'm even afraid to call and talk to her about this because I don't want the "protected person " to get charged e
verytime I have a question.
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19 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
Kelly Kral is a personable and well-spoken attorney who thoroughly answered my questions about the probate process. She was patient and a joy to speak with during my Probate Lawyers' Assistance Project consultation. I highly recommend this attorney.
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02 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
Ms. Kral was in charge of my husbands trust and was completely one sided and partial. I was constantly treated poorly while my step daughter was awarded everything she asked for. I was given deadlines my step daughter was not. Ms. Kral did not do her job.
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16 Mar, 2022 by Mike
22 Jun, 2020 by Sky boles
Man was so rude he couldn't wait to get off the phone and didn't listen to what I was saying before I finished saying it, two sentences. I asked him a basic procedural question that he said he couldn't answer unless he reviewed my entire case. Whether you can file an appeal in bankruptcy is universal and procedural, it doesn't change "depending on your case". don't waste money on these idiots, they can only lose for you.
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19 Sep, 2019 by Immortal scorpion
16 Mar, 2022 by Mike
22 Jun, 2020 by Sky boles
Man was so rude he couldn't wait to get off the phone and didn't listen to what I was saying before I finished saying it, two sentences. I asked him a basic procedural question that he said he couldn't answer unless he reviewed my entire case. Whether you can file an appeal in bankruptcy is universal and procedural, it doesn't change "depending on your case". don't waste money on these idiots, they can only lose for you.
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19 Sep, 2019 by Immortal scorpion
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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.
