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05 Apr, 2024 by Jonah
Camelia made the task of dealing with a loved ones passing the easiest possible for myself and my family. Communication was clear and concise for all tasks as personal representative and I never had to attend court myself. She made all the calls and met all the guidelines to complete the process. Thank you for guiding us through a tough process.
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21 Jan, 2023 by Kathi
When I found myself in the daunting position of having to work my way through the legal ramifications of a loved one’s death in another state with no will or trust in place, I found and chose Attorney Camelia Mahmoudi based on her many positive online reviews. They did not steer me wrong. She explained what to expect throughout the probate process ,
patiently answered my many questions and reassured me when I felt overwhelmed and out of my depth. Her quick response to emails and phone calls was nothing short of amazing.
She responded at night and even on weekends. Her dedication and attention to her clients needs cannot be stressed enough. Her compassion and work ethic make her a true standout.
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17 Feb, 2022 by Kamyar
Camelia helped us with establishing a living Trust, Will, and Advanced Health Directives. She guided us through every step of the way and was able to accomplish the whole thing remotely! We recently asked her to make some modifications to the Living Trust due to changes in our life and she completed the Amendment in the same professional manner as the first time. I highy recommend her for your legal needs.
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04 Jun, 2011 by Dr. stephanie
I am very impressed with the level of knowledge, detail and personal service I received from Marina Vinsky. She made the process painless and asked all of the questions that I did not even think of. She made great recommendations and really explained all of the options until I was comfortable and understood the result of my choices.
She also let me know when to contact her in the future and what else I needed to do so the trust would be complete.
I appreciate her knowledge of everything required in this area. She loves it and it shows.
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23 May, 2011 by Elaine
My partner and I found Marina through our employer's EAP program. Marina worked with us to produce a Living Trust, and she made the experience a very easy and enjoyable one. Most importantly, she was very sensitive to our needs and ended up serving as a true coach for me. She guided me through some of the difficult decisions that had to be made and did so with a high degree of empathy and professionalism. What began as the fulfillment of a goal to secure my financial matters has morphed into a solid and ongoing relationship. I now proudly say 'my attorney.' I have had others in the past, but Marina is now my 'go to' person. We will be working on a pre-adoption process next, and I have every confidence that Marina will provide the same level of excellent service.
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18 May, 2011 by Michelle
Whilst finalizing a divorce, I was referred to Marina Vinsky with regard to creating a Revocable Trust, Advance Health Care Directive, Power of Attorney and a Will. Marina is extremely knowledgeable in all of these areas and I would highly recommend her professional services to anyone in need of the above.
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05 Sep, 2023 by Kathleen
Contacted Elizabeth Caplan today for a free consultation regarding amending my Living Trust. So knowledgeable and answered all my questions and concerns fully. Liz is very easy to speak with, is a diligent note taker and LISTENS to the client's needs. I felt comfortable from the start. I would recommend Liz and Caplan Wilkinson's services without question
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17 Aug, 2023 by Phil
We engaged Caplan Wilkinson's services to create our family trust. Unlike many other estate planning firms that often follow a standardized and high-volume approach, Caplan Wilkinson offered a tailored service at an affordable cost. We enthusiastically referred Caplan Wilkinson to both our family members and friends, and they've also had a great experience.
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08 Aug, 2023 by Lisa
Liz was helping us to set up a family trust. She clearly explained everything to us and made the process very easy.
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28 Oct, 2023 by Mimi
I had the opportunity to work with Teresa on estate planning. Teresa did an exceptional job leading me through the process and making everything understandable and straight forward. Where there were choices to be made, she made sure I understood the options and the implications of my choices. Teresa responded promptly to questions and met every deadline she set. I enjoyed working with her and have no hesitation recommending her to my friends and family.
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20 Aug, 2023 by Catherine
Teresa breaks setting up a trust into discrete chunks of work which makes the process less daunting. and easier to complete without stretching out the amount of it takes to finalize your trust.
More importantly, Teresa listened to me, learned how I live my life and, my distribution goals. In turn she made custom recommendations to create a trust which is personal to my life and memory.
Teresa guides you through some difficult decisions. I always felt that she was working for my benefit rather than pushing to finish up.
Another huge part of Teresa's service is to ensure that you understand how trusts work especially the changes that you can make to tweak it in the future. The real definition of a living trust.
Teresa/Caplan Wilkinson provides simple to use tools to document your assets, your plans and final chapter care. I'm happy knowing that my trust is not fixed but will continue to age gracefully with me.
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14 Aug, 2023 by Lance
I highly recommend Teresa Wilkinson for any estate planning work like creating trusts and wills. She updated our family trust and will documents that were over 20 years old. There was a lot to update in the trust structure and wording and for me the new documents are much easier to understand.
What stands about working with Teresa are her trustworthiness and thoroughness. We've known Teresa for many years and trust her implicitly. Knowing she's an expert in estate planning and elder law gave us complete confidence in choosing her as our lawyer. Teresa was extremely thorough during our interviews to cover all aspects like advanced medical directives and a number of topics I hadn't considered.
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29 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
I have worked with Derryl Molina with numerous clients. All of them are very happy with her knowledge, patience, compassion and responsiveness. I have always found her to really care for her clients and will go the extra mile to make sure they are taken care of.
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24 Oct, 2013 by Diane
Derryl is one of the most efficient and trustworthy lawyers out there. She asks great questions, is organized, is well-versed in her field, priced very reasonably, is thorough, is friendly and compassionate. If there is anything that Derryl was not sure of, she always researched it thoroughly instead of doing what other lawyers tended to do; "make up" the answer. I have worked with many lawyers over the years for various reasons and I have to say, honestly, she is one of the best! She handled my prenuptial agreement, my living trust, my health care directive, my power of attorney, my will etc. and I highly recommend her to people who need these type of services. I have had nothing but positive experiences with Derryl and I am grateful for her services and expertise.
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24 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
Derryl Molina did a terrific job preparing a living trust for our family. She explained complicated concepts and answered our questions thoroughly in terms we could understand. Derryl is extremely knowledgeable and truly cares about her clients. She is very dedicated to doing the best for her clients and is willing to go the extra mile for them. Our Family highly recommends Derrly Molina to anyone seeking help with wills and trusts.
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24 Jun, 2022 by Violet
Victoria was very thorough going through my trust and explaining it, out loud, what’s in the trust and I heard something I wasn’t aware of and didn’t want. She made the adjustments to my satisfaction and I am very please. She also put my binder back in order. Thank you Victoria!
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24 Jun, 2020 by Doris
Victoria took us through the settlement of my parents trusts very efficiently and made the entire process, which could have been stressful, smooth and easy to understand. She also very efficiently reviewed our trust and made sure we were up to date. I highly recommend her.
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23 Jun, 2020 by Cathryn
I needed a new attorney to handle my estate planning. Although not ultra complex, I needed someone who could handle multiple trusts, carry out specific objectives, udate provisions, and correct some issues created by a former attorney.
I was referred to Victoria Horvatich and Copenbarger and Cooenbarger. After an initial consultation I felt confident that she would be able to handle our families estate planning needs.
Working with her was very easy. She was both responsive and attentive to detail. Setting up appointments and completing documents was easy. She took time to explain everything and helped develop a plan for the tasks I needed to do. Unfortunately, before we were able to complete all of the tasks, the COVID-19 shelter in place went into affect. Government offices were closed yet Victoria continued to work on my case.
Estate planning is never fun, but Victoria was able to make the process manageable and helped me complete a process that I had too long postponed.
I would highly recommend retaining Victoria Horvatich and will be using her in the future.
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01 Nov, 2021 by Vlade
I've been a client of Ms. Perreault in two cases--probate and civil. With her expertise and passion to fight for justice I’ve accomplished more in a shorter period of time than with my previous two lawyers. Hopefully, I won’t need legal services anymore but if I do I feel safe to have Ms. Perreault on my side!
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01 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Ms. Perreault is highly knowledgeable and informative in the areas of Conservatorships, Estates and Trusts. She helped me to understand all the legal matters concerning my elderly parents, their assets and transfers to different trusts. Extremely helpful.
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24 Sep, 2018 by Tanya
She was excellent as my attorney for my chapter 7. She has a wonderful staff and she made a difficult situation easy. I highly recommend her!
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14 Jan, 2018 by Edith
I consulted with and then hired Mrs. Victoria Li for my Estate Planning. From the very first contact to schedule an appointment to the last stages of the Estate Planning process, Mrs. Li and her team were highly organized, very knowledgeable, informative, time-efficient, cost-effective, and immediately responded to any questions that arose. I greatly and especially recommend her services because Mrs. Li walks you professionally and very patiently through all the stages of the process.
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08 Mar, 2019 by Anonymous
I and others I have referred have used Jennifer Scharre as a trust attorney. She is excellent! She is responsive, professional, goal-oriented, pragmatic, insightful, and made us feel at ease through the whole process. I know of others who have used her services and they feel the same! Thank you Jennifer!
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19 Apr, 2024 by Aj hart
Excellent review and suggested updates required ..
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02 Apr, 2024 by Jokay bednar
27 Mar, 2024 by Joanna chou
It's a pleasure working with Tatiana Hadirca. She always responds quickly and she does everything she could to help. She is a treasure for any law firm.
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22 Nov, 2023 by Pat
Our attorney retired and referred us to Ms. MacLellan's firm to handle our estate should something happen to my wife and/or me. We are both am very pleased with her work. She is easy to talk to, and she explains complicated issues in an easy to understand manner. I'm extremely confident that we are in good hands moving forward. Last time we met, we asked her for some advice for our son who is starting the difficult walk through a divorce. She had some very good points for him to consider, and she was even willing to meet with him to give him advice for finding a good attorney where he lives.
My wife and I feel fortunate that we have her helping us set things up so our three sons know exactly how we want things to unfold should something happen to either one of us. I highly recommend Ms. MacLellan to anybody who is trying to plan for the future with someone well versed in the laws and able to make complex issues understandable.
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31 Aug, 2020 by Russ
Mary MacLellan has represented us for 7 years in a guardianship case. Her deep knowledge of the processes and individuals in probate court has allowed her to provide exceptional representation for us. She knows what the court is likely to decide and she has helped us to optimally prepare for multiple issues. Mary is responsive and she believes in our case. We recommend her highly.
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10 Oct, 2019 by Gerardo aguilar
Christopher was such a good attorney to work with. He recommended what to do with a ticket and I could not have been happier with the outcome.
Best attorney ever!
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17 Sep, 2024 by Mel cross
I called the Legal Aid advice line to speak to an attorney, and unfortunately, Amelia returned my call. Amelia is disgusting and rude. She antagonize me during the phone call, making ridiculous snarky comments. I would not recommend that anyone interact with her. Unfortunately, Legal Aid has someone so unprofessional working for them. SMH
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05 Sep, 2024 by Lucia trino
Had to call several times. They have a message option however they won't return calls on messages which just intensities thre stressful situation.
So before you call and are on hold for almost 3 hours, yes 3 hours, please note they will not help anyone unless you're being evicted. Yep, enough their website lists many other subjects.
Oh and lily is in desperate need of customer service training courses.
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29 Feb, 2024 by Carla hull
Food is always good
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02 Dec, 2015 by Myer
My family's trust attorney. Did not return my phone call in regards to an important but simple trust question. She was quite curt and rude when I called again. The first time I spoke to her, she was pleasant enough.
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13 Nov, 2013 by Linda j. schultz
Linda Silveria is the best of the best at working with families that have to make very difficult decisions. She is gentle and very professional. I worked with Linda when she did my parents trust, then my trust and many of my clients over the years that all loved her. She speaks English not legalese. She is looking to see that her clients best interests are fully satisfied and interjects possibilities as she is thinking ahead of the curve. Having a Living Trust and timely estate planning when life events change....keeps you empowered and puts your mind at ease so your family knows EXACTLY what you want done with your assets!!
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26 Jul, 2012 by Anonymous
Linda is not only very personable and knowledgeable, she explains things (using a white board as appropriate) thoroughly in language that is easy to understand without feeling that your question is inappropriate or ignorant.
Linda explained various options available to us in our need for a will, trusts and durable medical power of attorneys and then gave us very detailed forms to complete that were extensive but, again, easy to understand. She told us not to hesitate to call her with any questions we might have.
Our concerns included protecting our assets and reducing the tax liabilities for our heirs. Linda was able to explain the current tax laws and helped us make decisions that met our needs. We felt that the final documents she drew up met those concerns and needs. Linda's work is thorough, accurate, and definitely personalized.
My husband and I highly recommend Linda.
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02 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
Tony is a very caring lawyer. He puts himself in his client's situation and tries to help them as much as he can. I feel that he listen to me and work with me and put all his effort into our case.
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27 May, 2014 by Anonymous
Anthony Delas was such a horrible Attorney to deal with and here is why. Besides taking 2 years rather than 6 months to go through my bankruptcy process he always kept me in the dark of what was going on and what I should expect. He would always give me a days notice for meetings or important appointments which would get in trouble at work. His emails are very hard to understand and he would always have me resend attachments because he would "lose" them. I wouldn't recommend this attorney. He was such a headache to work with and made this process even more stressful. I honestly felt like he wasn't on my side. I was already very stressed and upset that I had to go bankrupt and he made the experience even worst.
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04 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
Run fast from her - terrible attorney who is only concerned about her bottom line. She was hired to protect but all she has done is not listen to her client and distroyed a life.
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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.
