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04 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
We were referred to Ms Redinger by a friend who had already used her services and was satisfied. We hired her to set up wills and estate planning. Things started quite well, but then she abruptly dropped us as clients when we asked a basic question she had difficulty answering.
We're not confident in an attorney who is unable to provide clear answers about something (in this case a Trust) they're supposedly very familiar with. And we're put off by an attorney who quits when the first snag comes up.
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02 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
I spoke to Denise Redinger on the phone on a Friday afternoon about getting help with real estate-related paperwork that had to be completed before I could sell my house. She said she could help and told me she could prepare the forms over that weekend. I paid for the service then in good faith.
Two weeks passed, and I hadn't received the forms in the mail or heard from her (although I did receive an invoice for the charges to my credit card).
I called her office twice after that to request status and was told both times that she wasn't available but that she would be given the messages. She never returned my calls. The third time I called, I was told that Denise had said to this person that if I called, to tell me that she would have the forms done that day. I said that since she told me she would have them completed by a certain date and hadn’t, and I hadn't heard from her, I couldn't really believe what she said, and I requested a refund.
When I received a copy of the refund transaction from one of her employees via email (who had copied her on the email), I replied and relayed my disappointment. Denise replied and claimed there had been a series of misunderstandings (I don't know what they were; she didn't say), then lied and said that when I called the third time, I was actually told that the paperwork was done but that I said I didn't want it.
She also claimed she would email me the forms for free and never did. Instead, she mailed them, and they were incomplete. I had to wait three weeks to find out that the service I'd paid for wasn't performed, thus delaying a real estate transaction I needed to complete. This lawyer also lied and didn't think it was necessary to explain why she had given me a completion date but failed to meet it.
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17 Nov, 2015 by Robert
Things that are important to ones soul sometimes require legal representation and this can be problematic because law and the representation of the law do not always have the finesse, heart and honest purpose that are required to resolve difficult and familial issues, so I feel particularly blessed to have found such a capable and professional legal representative.
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13 Jun, 2023 by Mike roth
Whoever answers the phone is very rude, she cut me off while speaking. Not a good way to establish a business relationship. Good luck in the future.
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27 Feb, 2023 by Sarah stephens
Highly recommend this lawyer. Absolutely love working with Kirk and team!
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01 Dec, 2022 by Karl patureau
Terry answers and routes people needing help to the right legal and other resources competently. Even though she communicates in a Yankee dialect that reminds me of someone from the Northeast. She might be a local, who knows.
We needed help with a senior and Terry thought of all the right directions to take.
I have confidence this law firm has what it takes to help you.
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12 Jul, 2015 by Doug
Suzanne has represented me in several different cases. Each result has been in my favor. Her preparedness and knowledge were such that the other side had little or no chance at victory. She kept me "in the loop" each and every step of the way, telling me what to expect and reminding me to stay on track. She's ethical, and informed. She will tell you how it is and will also tell you when to settle your case so it does not drag on forever. She is tenacious and will not give up. Everyone knows horrible lawyers whose sole purpose seems to be billing hours. Suzanne Bartleson provides her clients with good value for her time, excellent knowledge of the law (in several different areas), and a strong work ethic. I have recommended her services to many people in the Spokane community who have used and relied on her law skills. I would give her 6 stars, but there are only 5.
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07 Oct, 2011 by Charles
i hired her based on the add in the yellow pages which indicates caring about children. i meet with her for free consultation and decided to hire her. at that time she indicated to me that i should seek 50% custody of our 6yr old son based on my work schedule which allows me availability to be a parent. one day after i hired her, my wife had her attorney file and serve a temporary dissolution. i was told that i needed to write a response to the dissolution to also be filed. i was not given any instruction to achieve this but was able to get the information from the internet. we emailed my response back and forth to edit it. i virtually wrote about 80- to 90% of the documents. at one point i questioned the condition of her edits and was told defensively that she had to spend 3 hours rewriting my documents because they were poor. i doubt that. when we meet with my wife and her attorney to file our legal seperation the next week, i asked ms. bartelson about the 50% custody and she told me that if either party is not in agreement that 50% custody would not occur. i told her that if she had told me that early on, i would not have requested it because i knew my wife would never allow it. this also caused my wife to get overly aggressive. at the time of our filing the legal seperation, i had agreed to move out of our home within 30 days. at the filing i was given documents to sign but was rushed and really not able to review them. the one that i should have reviewed was my child support schedule. the documents were filled out incorrectly and caused me to have to pay $200 more in child support each month. ms. Bartelson was aware of the correct figures but allowed the opposing attorney to use her schedule which was based on a copy of a worksheet that i had filled out incorrectly during our edit process.my wife retrieved the copy off my email account and provided it to her attorney. a big issue that i stated to ms. bartelson was that i needed to have access to the shop at our house for the winter to store things during the divorce process. once the legal seperation occured, my wife began a process of harrassment which i saw that i could not stay in our home for the 30 days i was given. i immediately moved out and my wife and her attorney began requesting that i vacate the shop also. ms. bartelson contacted me several times about this issue even after i stated to her that it was not possible and that it was the only agreement that i asked her to maintain. there were a few more motions filed by my wifes attorney which were resolved by agreement. i hired ms. bartelson in the beginning of oct and by mid dec. i reviewed my support schedule and realized that i was paying $200 more on my support than was needed. i called ms. bartelson to discuss my feelings about her short comings with my case but before i could list the multiple issues she cut me short and said she needed to remove herself from the case.at that time there was a motion in court to allow my wife to take our son on a winter vacation for three weeks. i was opposed to this because my time with him was reduced to 20% visitation and i wanted him to stay with me for the 3 weeks.she abandoned me at a critical point. in 2 1/2 months i spent $4,500 utilizing ms. bartelson and i spent $1000 in child support overage which i never recooperated. where divorce attorneys feel that they are due $200 - $250 per hour to provide poor service or to charge you for their time when you call to see why they are not working on your case. i spent an extra $2,800 on my next attorney which did absolutely no legal work but was to help file my finalized "mediated" dissolution. the $2800 was spent on me calling his legal aid from feb. to june to see why the divorce was not finalized. in the end, the majority of the dissolution documents that were signed and filed were from my original documents. my wifes attorney used my drafts. something is wrong with spokane's divorce attorneys.
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21 Oct, 2011 by Anonymous
For several years I used this attorney and found that he always charged top dollar and provided average work. It came to light when I hird another attorney to do some business deals that how found out how I had paid way to much. In addition several of Brian's deals had to be redone do to poor work all at my expense.
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15 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
I have known Brian Hipperson for over 15 years and he has acted as my counsel multiple times. He is always honest, trustworthy, straighforward, knowledgeable, of extremely high personal moral standards and an overall very kind gentleman. I would highly recommend him for real estate closings, contract issues, wills or trusts or any general law issues you may have.
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17 Dec, 2011 by Laura venegas
Mr. Stump routinely comes to Washington State from Alaska to take depositions. I would caution all court reporters who he hires to only accept COD from this attorney. He refuses to pay his bills, refuses to acknowledge correspondence, and allows his telephone messages to go to voicemail and doesn't return them.
He and his colleague in the same case, an attorney from Tacoma, Washington, by the name of Michael Davis, handles a case, White vs. Harris, and litigated this case without paying any of their court reporting fees. Mr. Stump is in arrears to my court reporting firm $1,000. I'm sure his clients would be interested to know that he keeps his retainers and orders services for which he doesn't pay.
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09 Dec, 2010 by Anonymous
Keith represented me when a previous landlord tried to take my entire deposit (and then some). Keith was professional, wrote excellent letters (to the landlord), and was very easy to work with. He is also very knowledgeable in a variety of law topics and has successfully represented me in other unrelated instances. I would definitely recommend him to anyone.
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27 Oct, 2008 by Anonymous
"sign the agreement or I will withdraw from the case" were the words that Mr. Tracy used. Because I could not afford to hire another attorney, I had to go ahead and sign, despite misgivings I had on the wording of the agreement. Ten years later and I am still paying for that mistake. Upon contacting him to rectify the situation, I received a curt letter saying "I no longer handle divorce cases." No advice, no recommendations, no referrals. Because of his demand, I have overpaid my child support to the amount of $12,000.00 which I stand little chance of getting back. I have lived a life of poverty because of his words. Think twice before hiring Mr. Tracy.
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20 Apr, 2023 by Montse astorga
The level of care and attention to detail Mr. Gregg and his team offer is unmatched. They led the process and kept me well-informed during my personal injury claim. So grateful to have had the chance to work with them.
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04 Apr, 2023 by Lisa meyer
Mr. Gregg and staff were great to work with while handling my mother's probate matters. The process was explained and any questions I had were promptly answered by either Mr. Gregg himself or one of his knowledgeable staff members. With his many years of experience, I felt confident in using his law firm. I would highly recommend The Law Offices of Robert Gregg for my legal matters.
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12 Feb, 2023 by Michelle m
The staff of Robert Gregg are very friendly and outgoing. Robert Gregg definitely knows what he is doing. I used them several times and have been satisfied with each outcome. I highly recommend The Law Office of Robert Gregg.
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22 Mar, 2023 by Brad
I met with Rob in early 2020 , paid a $2000.00 retainer for his help with a legal matter. I received a letter when Covid started saying there would be delays for all clients. This was the last I ever heard from him or his office. I have since called dozens of times for a refund of the remainder of my retainer as the matter I hired him for has become irrelevant in the 3 years that have passed. I have never received a call back. I would just like the retainer returned. I cannot fathom taking money from someone and never providing the service or a return of the money paid. Looking at other reviews, I see I am not alone there are plenty of others who describe similar experiences.
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15 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
Doing what's best for his pocketbook, not the client. Would not recommend this attorney.
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18 Feb, 2023 by Anonymous
This man will take your money and disappear. Don't expect to ever hear from him again after you've paid his retainer. In any other line of work he'd be a criminal.
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12 Dec, 2023 by Laurie sitherwood
Still won't return my phone calls
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03 Aug, 2023 by Jim borjay
Disappointing and discouraging. Sent an email July 28th requesting a consultation. No reply. Spoke with receptionist on July 31, left message for call back. No reply. Called again on August 3rd, spoke with receptionist who tried to connect me with Derek. He was unavailable. Was told he would call me later in the day. Shortly thereafter received a brief email that he wasn't taking on any new landlord/tenant clients. I only requested a one hour meeting to get some answers to questions. In my opinion, very unprofessional.
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27 Apr, 2023 by Remmacs ami
I hired Mr.Myers for 10,000 dollars produced all the evidence for my case to make a great case and most likely win. Well months before trial the prosecutor dropped all charges and I was a free man and I only met with Stan twice for a total of 1 1/2 hrs so I asked to have some of my money back because we didn’t need to go to trial and he told me no because of how much work he did…I never saw that work honest definitely not 10k worth of work but that’s not the best part. So two months later the state refiles charges on me so I go to talk to Stan and ask about why and what we should do and he refuses to answer any calls or speak with me he finally sent a letter to my house saying he completely fulfilled his duty to me and now refuses to be my attorney and won’t tell me why he’s a slimy attorney and person that has zero morals ….. And best for last my crime was against a Native American and come to find out he was the chief judge of that tribe so he figured that out and was in cahoots with the prosecutor to drop charges then take my money so then I’d be stuck with a public defender when they refiled charges if you can believe that he’s a terrible lawyer and person I DONT RECOMMEND HIM TO ANYONE he’s a scheming corrupt lawyer!!
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01 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
We hired him and put down a retainer of $3000. We told him it was all we had. He not only dropped us before the case was finished, he then sent us a bill for $2,000. We lost because of him and we have never lost before. We were going up against my fiancé ex wife, she had 2 child protection order placed against her, he didn't even motion to get them! He never added my declaration at all which I did all myself anyways! He did no work at all! My fiancé has never missed a child support payment, he is a good father. Now his child support payments have been raised as high as they can get and we're not sure when we will get to see the kids again. We no longer can afford to have a lawyer so we gave up til we can afford to go after her again! We will never go through him again and we warn everyone else before you hire this heartless con man person. He will loose and take all your money.
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04 Oct, 2015 by James
Mr. Quinn is the most honest, persistent and patient man I know. He went above and beyond to protect my daughter and make sure that all court actions were in her best interest. He skillfully handled revision of parenting plan and many other actions that came with this as it was a high conflict case. He tried to negotiate and settle when necessary. He is fair, honest, reasonable and dedicated to his clients. I highly recommend him. He acted ethically and was always well prepared. He will always look out for your best interest and your children's too! He is well respected at the courthouse and by other attorney's.
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16 Mar, 2009 by Anonymous
Patrick Quinn put his own fees above the cleints needs
He fumbles through oral testomony. He fails to keep his cleints informed and files motions that have not been approved by the cleint.
The final straw was when he failed to notice an serious error in the orders from court. This cleint tried to tell him that he failed him and he quit.
Some $4000 waste of money on this lawyer with no gain and in fact he put me in a worse place that when I started.
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17 Aug, 2014 by Michelle
Paula was hired to my case and she began by a phone call. During our phone conversation she was very responsive as well as open to everything I had to offer the situation. She has continued to keep me well informed as well as stayed in constant contact with me. I would definately reccomend her and have had personal experience with san juan countys attorneys. The simple fact is she stands at the top of her class and deserves the respect of our community.
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13 Nov, 2013 by Patrick
Upon my Sister's retaining of Plumer I began to question her ability to formulate a comprehensive argument respective to my defense. Not only did she fail to consider my input regarding my case, she seemed intent on a defense that had little to nothing to do with MY case. At one point she informed me that I could NO LONGER CALL her, and as for my "defense" she failed to file the usual challenges, failed to object to stipulations that are outside the authority of the court to allow....
not ONE HOUR of time was applied to my case by a private investigator... when I found myself beginning the process of selecting a jury and was informed by her that she could either select a jury or describe how she intended to present my defense, I chose to enter a STTDFG Alford Plea which I will withdraw once I am able to develop a comprehesive defense... I would NEVER recommend this person. It was like watching a horrific accident happen right before my eyes
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17 Feb, 2008 by Anonymous
i want to warn the general public about the practices of this person. I retained her as my lawyer. Her skills as a lawyer are truly pathetic. I would like the public to know that she failed her fiduciary agreement with me her client. She shared with the "victim" in private very confidential information that is strictly between client and attorney.
I'm currently in the process of filing a bar complaint against Ms. Plumer and also filing a law suit against this lawyer for breaching her client confidentiality that has destroyed my family's life.
Ms. Plumer's actions have costs me my personal freedom, and the loss of my two kids. I will never forgive this person for her lack of trust and lack of advocacy for her client. She simply sold me out her client at the 11th hour of the case.
On top of all this, she pretends to be a divorce lawyer, and in fact she is a criminal lawyer and pathetic at that too.
Ms. Plumer is the most incompetent and unethical person I have ever met.
Beware NEVER to meet or do business with this person. You will regret it.
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12 May, 2014 by Ken
Barbara Joe is a superior trial lawyer who has mastered her discipline. I have used her twice in two equally as difficult of cases with excellent outcomes. She conducts her business in the most professional manner like no other. In Pierce County, all trial lawyers know her and respect her.
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17 Jan, 2014 by David
My case was mishandled due to Barbara Jo's awful demeanor in court with opposing counsel and the Judge. To be specific, Judge Arend. I heard that she was a "go-getter", but she overcharged me, rarely, if ever, returned emails/phone calls, and her aggressive style in court was repeatedly rude and unsuccessful. This was on a custody case in 2010-2011 and I would never use her again.
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11 Jan, 2011 by Anonymous
I had a bad experience with Mrs. Sylvester and her law office. I called her office several times and never could get a hold of her. She has too many clients and I did not feel like she had time to devote herself to my case. Because of that, I do not recommend her to anyone.
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11 Jul, 2023 by Marc
Stay away!! I requested a legal letter to address inconsistent payment against a promissory note that Mr. Gray drafted. The initial response was prompt, but the draft letter needed some work. I asked for some changes but never heard back. Emailed 3 times and called twice over 3 weeks. No response. I finally gave up and moved on. Months later, I was emailed to inform me that, because I hadn't responded, I was being billed for the letter and consult. I provided evidence of my correspondence and was told that "clearly" it was not received. Somehow, emails get through for billing, but not otherwise. Calls to discuss continue to go unanswered.
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23 Feb, 2018 by Brenda
Judson Gray is not a good person or a good attorney. He threw me and my special needs daughter under the bus. I hired this attorney and showed him photos of my neglected non verbal daughter. Mr. Gray knew how desperate I was to save my daughter yet he didn't care. We went to court and lost so we discussed about my next option and that was appeals court. Judson was to send me a list of names because I only had 30 days to appeal. He never did send me the names until I contacted him and he lied and said he did. I finally got a few names but none of them could take my case because they didn't have time before the 30 days was up. I finally found an Attorney to help me and when he went into my file he said that Judson Gray didn't file his paper work in a timely manor of our court hearing and that I couldn't appeal now, What a caring loving person "NOT" how do you sleep at night knowing my beautiful daughter is being neglected and you just threw us under the bus. Don't hire this man he has no compassion. Maybe he got paid off..... Vengeance is mine says the lord I will repay!
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21 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
I work for a Real Estate company that hired Judson company to defend the company. It was a family dispute over a commission. I hired my own attorney who wasn't a Real Estate attorney but very sharp. My attorney gave our case first and Judson got up to give his side for the company. He literally said exactly verbatim what my attorney said and had the nerve to charge me and the company for his 15 minute statement that he copied from my attorney. We did win the case but not because of anything he did or said and the bill from him was over $10,000. which I had to pay a large portion.
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12 May, 2023 by Anonymous
She on more than one occasion failed to use evidence that could've helped my case and even started siding and working with my ex fiancée lawyer against me despite the outcome refuting what she said was going to happen. Much better lawyers out there than her.
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18 Aug, 2021 by Anonymous
Based on my personal experience she appears to be more concerned about her high fee than actually working. Again based on my experience the last thing she wants to do is solve anything quickly.
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24 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
On Nick's bio page of his law firms website the very first line states how he helps transition wealth to the next generation. This is plainly untrue.
I am one of those next gen individuals with an inheritance and an estate and Nick has done nothing but the exact opposite of what he claims. Other than sitting back and billing me out of my inheritance, he also isn't moving forward with an offer submitted to the home left to me and is forcing the house into foreclosure! Why would anyone do that?
Nick has been completely unhelpful in transition the inheritance to me, is purposely slowing the process to bill more, and has been deceitful to me throughout the entire process.
I used to believe in Nick too when he help my then alive grandmother with a guardianship case but after her passing it's like he stopped caring about anything or anyone else but himself and his bank account.
I do not recommend this lawyer. If you find yourself reading this, be warned!
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23 Mar, 2021 by Liz
Widow. Community property agreement that was drafted before my husband’s death was not recorded. Hired him to file a lack of probate so I could sell the house since he said I needed it. Paid a bill for $150 and left a message with his office to call if they needed anything. Heard nothing. Just had to pay $120 at closing a lack of probate. Mr St Hilaire reports he sent me a second bill for more money (never received) and offered no excuse for not returning my call.
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28 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
This attorney and his firm misinformed me about my rights in a case which cost me the case and a lot of money. He mislead me into thinking that the case was being handled by another attorney and just pasted me back and forth while billing me to update each other on the case.
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13 Feb, 2015 by Dj
My personal experience with Mr. Friedman was terrible. I found him rude, demeaning, unhelpful, and extremely unprofessional. I believe he lacks customer service skills, and would absolutely not return to his practice, or recommend him to anyone else.
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19 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
Don't waste your money on this cheap joke of an attorney.
None of my documents were filed properly through her or in a timely matter! This is what lost our case. Improper formatting and untimely filing. The courts considered NOTHING that she filed.
She never had any rebuttal ready when the other lawyer drug me through the mud in attempts to convince the courts I was mentally unstable. She read damn near nothing that I gave her for my DV case.
While the courts did not recognize this argument, it was still very upsetting when Renee wouldn't respond when the proof of stability was right in front of her in documents from professionals.
She lost my case so miserably, that I lost primary custody of my children after being their full time mom for 6 years. On top of it all I have been ordered to pay child support in the amount of 1128 per month on a minimum wage income. I have had a hard time finding better employment since being a stay at home mom for 6 years.
When all was said and done, Renee never apologized for her ridiculous mistakes that cost myself and my children. She was also rude to me and my family when we attempted to confront her or ask her about these atrocious oversights.
When I came to collect my things from her office, again there was no apology. She blamed the court for making mistakes, when it was clearly her own.
She made a pathetic attempt to send me off on "good terms" by showing fake sympathy for my situation and making suggestions for jobs that I could get.... as if that makes up for the current situation.
I would have represented myself better. Don't waste your time or money.
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01 Feb, 2017 by Anonymous
Aaron Jennings did not keep parties informed of the case and when asked he was rude, condescending and provided no help. There were no disputes regarding the will or probate so he had no reason to be annoyed or upset when questions were asked.
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05 Jun, 2008 by Anonymous
Doug Bratt is awful. Good luck getting him to return your calls.
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31 Jul, 2024 by Ashley
The whole thing she is done nothing but ignore me. I have an animal, but I was charged for every land they had parts of, etc., etc. but the worst part is I gave her evidence and every bit of everything is habit for me. I’m disabled and I need thatto know what she has the audacity to tell me Hi Ashley,
Preparing a letter for you to send to your landlord is the full extent of service that I can offer you. I do not have the capacity to represent you and send a letter in my name.
I will be closing your file at this time. You are welcome to call CLEAR again in the future should you need legal advice (call 888-201-1014). If you have an eviction-related matter, you may call our Eviction Defense Screening Line at 855-657-8387. We also have many self-help publications available on many legal topics at www.washingtonlawhelp.org.
Sincerely,
Joanna Otero, Attorney
Northwest Justice Project
401 2nd Ave. S., Suite 407
Seattle, WA 98118
Phone: 206-707-0871
Fax: 888-201-9736
www.nwjustice.org | www.washingtonlawhelp.org
Combating Injustice • Strengthening Communities • Protecting Human Dignity
If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message. The information contained in this email message is attorney privileged and confidential information intended only for the use of the individual or entity named above.
it’s crazy because she never truly said representation she would never. Why do you throw cases if you’re not gonna treat people with the same compassion that you treat somebody Or their services this is her name was given to me, from Northwest Project JUSTICE, and has the audacity to basically tell me she never represented me and was never representing me. That was the whole point of her being involved, but instead another person to abuse my right and give me further behind when she put up the letter addressing the situation, but I gave everybody fruit that I want is wrong about, truly disgust me
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23 Dec, 2021 by Christina digesti
Beware! Professional elder manipulator and abuser. Stay far away. She works as a POA, guardian, and swindler of the elderly. I pity anyone unfortunate enough to have to deal with this monster.
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What an Elder Law Lawyer Can Do for You
An elder law lawyer specializes in legal issues that affect older adults, their families, and caregivers. These lawyers handle a broad range of topics, including estate planning, Medicaid and Medicare, long-term care planning, guardianship, elder abuse, and retirement planning. The goal of an elder law lawyer is to protect the rights, finances, and well-being of elderly individuals and to help them plan for future healthcare and financial security.
If you or a loved one is aging and facing challenges related to healthcare, finances, or legal matters, an elder law lawyer can provide essential guidance to protect your rights and interests as you age.
When Should I Hire an Elder Law Lawyer?
Hiring an elder law lawyer can be beneficial in many situations where older adults need help with legal, financial, or healthcare-related decisions. Common reasons to hire an elder law lawyer include:
- Estate planning: If you want to create or update a will, set up trusts, or ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, an elder law lawyer can help with comprehensive estate planning.
- Medicaid and Medicare planning: If you need help qualifying for Medicaid to cover long-term care or need advice on navigating Medicare benefits, a lawyer can guide you through the application process and protect your assets.
- Long-term care planning: If you’re concerned about paying for nursing home care or assisted living, a lawyer can help you create a financial plan and explore options for government assistance.
- Guardianship or conservatorship: If a family member is unable to make decisions due to age-related cognitive issues, an elder law lawyer can assist in setting up legal guardianship or conservatorship to ensure their care.
- Elder abuse and exploitation: If you or a loved one is experiencing physical, emotional, or financial abuse, an elder law lawyer can help you take legal action to stop the abuse and recover damages.
- Retirement planning: Elder law lawyers can assist with planning for retirement, including managing pensions, Social Security, and other retirement income.
- Special needs planning: If you have a disabled family member who requires special care, an elder law lawyer can help create trusts or other legal arrangements to ensure their long-term financial and healthcare needs are met.
What Does an Elder Law Lawyer Do?
An elder law lawyer provides a wide range of legal services to help older adults and their families navigate the complexities of aging, healthcare, and estate planning. Their responsibilities often include:
- Drafting wills and trusts: Creating legal documents that outline how an individual’s assets will be distributed after death, ensuring that their wishes are honored.
- Medicaid and Medicare planning: Helping clients protect their assets while qualifying for government benefits to cover healthcare and long-term care costs.
- Establishing guardianships: Assisting families in setting up guardianship or conservatorship for loved ones who are unable to make decisions due to mental or physical incapacity.
- Protecting against elder abuse: Investigating claims of elder abuse or financial exploitation and representing the victim in legal actions to stop the abuse and seek compensation.
- Planning for long-term care: Developing strategies to cover the costs of nursing homes, assisted living, and other long-term care options without exhausting the elder’s financial resources.
- Managing probate and estate administration: Guiding families through the probate process to ensure that the decedent’s assets are distributed according to the law and their wishes.
- Setting up advance directives: Helping clients establish healthcare directives and powers of attorney to ensure their medical and financial decisions are carried out if they become incapacitated.
How Are Elder Law Lawyers Paid?
Elder law lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the case and the type of legal work involved. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rate: Many elder law lawyers charge by the hour, especially for tasks such as drafting documents, handling legal disputes, or providing ongoing legal advice. Hourly rates typically range from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Flat fee: For specific tasks, such as drafting a will or setting up a trust, some lawyers charge a flat fee. This can range from $500 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the estate plan.
- Retainer: For long-term legal representation, such as managing a trust or handling guardianship matters, a lawyer may charge a retainer, which is an upfront payment that covers future legal work.
- Contingency fee: In some elder abuse or financial exploitation cases, a lawyer may work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they recover compensation for the client. This fee is typically a percentage of the settlement or damages awarded.
Be sure to discuss fees with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand how you will be billed and what the total cost of services might be.
How Much Does an Elder Law Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an elder law lawyer varies depending on the complexity of the case, the lawyer’s experience, and the fee structure. General cost estimates include:
- Simple estate planning: Drafting basic documents, such as a will or power of attorney, may cost between $500 and $2,000, depending on the complexity of the client’s assets and wishes.
- Complex estate planning: Setting up more advanced estate plans, such as revocable or irrevocable trusts, Medicaid planning, or special needs trusts, can range from $2,000 to $10,000 or more.
- Guardianship or conservatorship: Legal fees for setting up guardianship or conservatorship often range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case and whether disputes arise.
- Medicaid planning: Legal fees for Medicaid planning can range from $1,500 to $10,000, depending on the level of asset protection needed and the complexity of the individual’s financial situation.
Always ask for an estimate of fees during your initial consultation to ensure you understand how much the legal services will cost.
Top Questions to Ask an Elder Law Lawyer
Before hiring an elder law lawyer, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure they have the experience and expertise needed to handle your case. Key questions to ask include:
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What experience do you have with elder law cases?
Make sure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, whether it's estate planning, Medicaid applications, or elder abuse claims. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges by the hour, a flat fee, or a retainer, and ask for a detailed estimate of the total cost. -
What is the best approach for my case?
Ask for an honest assessment of your situation and what legal strategies the lawyer recommends. -
How long will the process take?
Whether it’s drafting an estate plan or setting up a guardianship, ask the lawyer how long they expect the process to take. -
Will you handle my case personally?
In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may handle parts of the case. Make sure you know who will be working on your case directly. -
What documents should I bring to the consultation?
Ask the lawyer what documentation or information you should prepare for your consultation, such as medical records, financial statements, or prior legal documents.
How to Check the Credibility of an Elder Law Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable elder law lawyer, follow these steps to verify their credentials and experience:
- Check their bar status: Verify with your state bar association that the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for elder law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in elder law and have experience with cases similar to yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about the lawyer’s professionalism and success rate.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who have worked with them on elder law issues.
- Check for certifications: Look for certifications or affiliations with organizations such as the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), which can indicate the lawyer’s dedication to elder law.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first consultation with an elder law lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- Existing estate planning documents: If you have a will, trust, or power of attorney in place, bring copies for the lawyer to review.
- Financial records: Provide details of your assets, including bank accounts, investments, real estate, and retirement accounts, as well as any debts.
- Medical information: If the case involves guardianship or Medicaid planning, bring relevant medical records that detail the individual's health condition and care needs.
- Insurance policies: Bring information about health insurance, long-term care insurance, and any other relevant policies.
- Questions for the lawyer: Write down any questions you have about your legal needs, the process, and the lawyer’s fees.
- List of family members or beneficiaries: Prepare a list of the individuals you want to include in your estate plan or who will be affected by the legal process.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation more effectively and receive the best legal advice tailored to your needs.
