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14 Oct, 2024 by Lynne
I contacted Carla to represent me in what turned out to be a very prolonged, contentious probate case involving my mother's estate. From the beginning Carla was understanding, kind, compassionate and professional. She took a personal interest in my situation, always thinking about my mother, who passed away before this case was settled. Through the course of the case Carla always gave 100% to this very complicated civil litigation. She fought vigorously to defend my mother's dying wishes. Carla's hard work and dedication resulted in a positive outcome. I am so thankful that I chose Carla for my attorney. I highly recommend Carla to anyone who is seeking representation in a probate/civil matter You will not be disappointed.
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16 Aug, 2024 by Matt brock
Jared was phenomenal. I’ve had a great experience working with him and his team. I highly recommend using these guys if you find yourself needing an injury attorney. Very happy with my results.
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01 Aug, 2024 by Joshua roldan
16 Aug, 2024 by Matt brock
Jared was phenomenal. I’ve had a great experience working with him and his team. I highly recommend using these guys if you find yourself needing an injury attorney. Very happy with my results.
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01 Aug, 2024 by Joshua roldan
31 Jul, 2024 by M c
Happy with my results. Thank you for staying on top of my case and providing updates during everything.
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11 Jul, 2024 by Jeff
I've worked with Sara off and on over a 10-year period in a challenging and complicated divorce situation. Sara has always been helpful and responsive. She has remained calm and kind even when I wasn't. She has been honest and never gave me false hope or set unrealistic expectations. Instead, she has helped me understand the strengths and weaknesses in my case so I could make informed, clear minded decisions. Sara knows the family court system well and the people involved in the system. She also understands its limitations. The unique thing about Sara is that she's a good person ... and I can't say this about other family law attorneys I've worked with. She has looked out for me and my family's best interests while other family law attorneys I've used always managed to prioritize their financial interests above all else.
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10 Jul, 2024 by Andrew jones
Greg helped me with my BK and was absolutely fantastic in every way. Very honest and helpful, even got a creditor who came back years later to stop harassing me for requests of payment. Was very responsive to everything i asked and had the experience to make the process as stress free as possible. Thank you Greg!
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02 Jul, 2024 by Sonny
Greg restored my faith in the legal system and I would recommend him to anyone/everyone who's recently been in a car accident. I was in an unfortunate accident two weeks ago and was in shock when I called up my car insurance company and was immediately pushed into giving a recorded statement. I felt steamrolled by my insurance company (they are not your ally), especially since they immediately pronounced me 100% at-fault without any defense (and without even letting me know). I needed an expert coach to get me through the process and defend my rights. I started calling attorneys and after 15 calls of bureaucratic rejections I felt defeated. These large legal "corporations" would have a rep answer the phone, punch my info into a computer, and then say, "Sorry, but we don't cover minor accidents". I was literally about to give up (and cry), but then Attorney Hood picked up the phone. Yes... he, the actual attorney, called me back and asked for my full story: what happened, why did I feel cheated, etc. He was compassionate, patient, and infinitely helpful. He started sending me legal terms to use and lawsuits to reference. He took the time to actually show/explain to me my rights. I can't thank you enough Greg! Highly highly recommend!
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10 Aug, 2023 by Jordan kelly
Joel is amazing! Trustworthy, experienced and extremely professional. He has your best interest at heart for sure. I highly recommend his services!!!
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05 Jul, 2023 by Jorge mendoza
Joel bailey was professional from the start to finish . Outcome was great .good job joel
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05 Jul, 2023 by Jt reiman
Excellent experience!! Joel is outstanding, he represented me in a very stressful case, I HIGHLY recommend his services—he is professional, prompt and always available.
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01 Aug, 2024 by Irina
I had the pleasure of working with Gregory Duncan for both my immigration and estate planning needs, and l can’t say enough good things about him! Greg’s professionalism and dedication are truly commendable! He is not only incredible knowledgeable but also genuinely kind and approachable. What really stood out to me was how Greg treated me like a friend rather than just a client. If you are looking for someone who truly cares about their clients and goes above and beyond, look no farther than Gregory Duncan! Thank you, Greg, for your outstanding service and for being such a wonderful person to work with!!!
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05 Oct, 2023 by Brandon s
Greg was absolutely amazing and very easy to work with during my immigration process. With his help I received my green card without any stress or worry. He is very punctual and always got back to us,couldn’t have ask for better results and so quickly wow. Huge thanks to Greg couldn’t be happier with everything thanks sooo soo much. :)
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29 Jul, 2023 by Grecia
Thanks to Greg, I finally received my permanent residency!!
When we first filed my case a couple years ago I thought it was going to be a stressful and overwhelming process, but I never got that feeling knowing Greg had my back.
He is organized, punctual, and always called/emailed to give me updates on my case.
Thank you, Gregory S. Duncan, for changing my life!
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19 Apr, 2018 by Greg
The team at Geiger Law Office was highly professional and great to work with. They were very informative and thorough, giving us confidence in our resulting family Trust.
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08 Jan, 2018 by Kelly
My husband and I had our first trust completed by Brenda and her helpful staff years ago. We needed a complete review and update to our trust and were very happy once again with their service. All details and options were clearly explained to us as and we were given time to discuss and consider each option. All our questions were answered with no surprises at the end. We highly recommend Brenda Geiger and her staff for any estate planning/trust needs.
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03 Jan, 2018 by Debbie
The best thing we did in 2017 was establish our trust. My husband and I were procrastinating because it seemed so overwhelming to us. The Geiger team’s professionalism, organization, and patience made the entire process seem so simple. They helped address everything needed to protect our estate (including property, finances, medical directives, etc.). I highly recommend them to everyone!
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26 Mar, 2022 by Teresa
My HOA was having problems and our property manager was lying often and withholding financial documents, so I hired Danielle Wakefield for help. She gave me information about my rights as a homeowner, and she fought on my behalf to get straight answers from board members and the property manager. Her expertise changed my situation because she empowered me and let the property manager know that his actions were no longer going to be tolerated. Shortly after I hired Ms. Wakefield, the property manager resigned, and our HOA is running much better.
If you are at the point where you are looking for an attorney for a similar matter, I suggest contacting this attorney sooner rather than later.
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06 Mar, 2022 by Mary
It is my absolute pleasure to recommend Danielle Wakefield. My daughter and I were deeply involved in two separate but related civil cases. Danielle represented me throughout the lengthy and often tedious process of litigation.
She remained positive, always encouraging me to do the same. Her compassionate and caring approach gave me hope and confidence. She was personable, honest and straightforward regarding all aspects of the case.
Danielle was ultimately successful in securing the dismissal of my case and preventing any further action against me. For that, I am eternally grateful!
Her knowledge, expertise and professionalism set her apart from others in her trade. She is extremely hardworking, highly efficient and presents herself perfectly. Here is a dedicated lawyer who is willing to go the extra mile for you.
When all is said and done, she is more than just a great lawyer, she is truly a lovely and gracious lady at heart. You cannot go wrong with Danielle!
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03 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
Danielle got me the outcome I sought and was great to work with. Her rates were reasonable and I would not hesitate to use her again in the future.
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19 Jul, 2019 by Tom and jackie
We needed our family trust updated and we went to Sara to incorporate the new laws and rules of estate planning while adding our family changes.
We were completely satisfied with her process, listening and consideration of our questions and update of our trust documents. We recommend her without reserve!
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30 Mar, 2019 by Duane
Sara Tasch of Tasch Law Firm guided my wife and I through the process of creating, assembling, and completing our Family Trust. It was truly a pleasant and comforting experience from start to finish. Thank you, Sara, for your expertise and meticulous attention to detail and to the needs of our family.
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20 Feb, 2019 by Lori
Sara was wonderful to work with. She explained everything very clearly and she is very efficient and personable. So glad I have her as my attorney. I would highly recommend her to anyone that needs a estate planning
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17 Feb, 2021 by Gary
Andrea was very helpful to us to design an estate plan and a new revocable living trust that updated our decade old family Trust and so many associated documents. Her Elder Law expertise added additional provisions to protect us in the case of any medical issues. As we went through this process, Andrea communicated every detail to us thoroughly. And she answered our many questions with respect.
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07 Feb, 2018 by Alison
Andrea has counseled me wisely and developed a thoughtful trust account for my family. She also assisted me in successfully dealing with a complex deed ownership dilemma in Costa Rica. I am very confident in her professionalism, ethics and empathy for her clients, and would highly recommend her.
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09 Feb, 2015 by Stephanie
Andrea and her team did a great job of helping us update our trust and create an estate planning portfolio. We don't live in southern California, but wanted to have Andrea do our trust because she lives near our daughter, who is the executrix of our trust. That put an extra burden on her office, but they handled it well, and we are happy with the end product.
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28 Jun, 2023 by Mike
We were in a hurry, and Owen got our living trust completed in record time. He's a rockstar!
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24 Sep, 2022 by Edward
He made the process of setting up a famity trust easy. Very competant and a pleasure to work with. Highly recommend.
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11 Jun, 2022 by Harry
Great experience working with Owen and his office while creating a Will and Trust for our family. Communication was precise and very informative, was easy getting answers to all of our questions. Would highly recommend this practice as everyone was very personable and professional. Thanks for all your guidance and services Owen.
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30 Nov, 2021 by Kristina
William Lange from Geiger Law helped me put together my first trust. He had my best interest in mind throughout the process and I felt very comfortable in trusting in his recommendations. It's a big step (but necessary!) to create a trust and the process was pretty seamless. He explained everything in everyday language. I'm very happy with his work and highly recommend to anyone considering creating a trust.
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01 Jun, 2021 by Yannick
We worked with William to get our trust and estate planning done and had an excellent experience! William was very knowledgeable, personable and efficient. Highly recommended.
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27 May, 2021 by Mike
We worked with William on the creation of a variety of documents including will trust, power of attorney, and others. William was efficient, personable and very knowledgeable. He coached us through the whole process and came back with our documents created as expected.
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24 Feb, 2018 by Larry
We needed to create a trust so our estate could be passed seamlessly to our children when we are gone. We hired Clinton Crosser based on recommendations from our friends. He is impressively experienced and knowledgeable in this area of law. An added bonus is his patience and his delightful personality. Covering all the bases to create a bullet-proof trust is anything but simple, no matter what the on-line ads may say. Crosser law is thorough and meticulous about careful preparation and correction of any errors that may be found. All needed documents such as grant deeds are identified, and Crosser law recovered these for us when missing, filed necessary papers with the county, and gave detailed instructions and forms for us to take to our banks, stock brokers, etc. He gave us a big, well organized binder ("The Blue Monster") with all relevant documents and instructions, including detailed instructions for our kids to follow as successor trustees. All this for a reasonable price. Bravo!
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14 Jan, 2018 by Joe
My wife and I put off creating a will and family trust for quite some time, fearing that the process would be time consuming and complex. Clinton took the time to teach us about wills and trusts and why we needed both. He was a pleasure to work with and made the entire process quick and easy. I have already referred him to friends and family.
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07 Jan, 2018 by Brenda
Me Crosser helped ed my husband and I with setting up our living trust. It was something we had needed to do for a long time and had been putting of. Me Crosser helped us think about the decisions we needed to make and really worked with us to explain all of the details. It was such a blessing that he was able to guide us through the entire process. I highly recommend his services for anyone that needs to do estate planning because he can explain things in simple terms and help you make the really tough decisions.
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06 Feb, 2023 by Natalia
Couldn’t be happier with the help Ryan and her team provided for me. They made my application for the citizenship a breeze from being extremely organized, timely and responsive to preparing me for the interview process and what to expect. Highly recommend!!
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16 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
She has given a lot of useful suggestions and opinions to me, and you can tell from her words that she is a very nice person,
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06 Aug, 2013 by Muhammad
Ryan Alexeev is an amazing lawyer and a good friend. I went to her office regarding my wife's case for citizenship a year ago. She is one of those persons who would listen to your case, give you personal attention before she takes up your case or not. She is not like other lawyers out there who listen to you only when you pay them. Before going to her, I went to couple of other lawyers who didn't give me any hope regarding my wife's citizenship. Ryan looked into my wife's case in detail and came up with a plan on how to go about it. She helped us every step of the way and was there for us when ever we needed her. Due to her efforts, my wife' s case was approved for citizenship and after that she helped me as well in filing my green card.
I would highly recommend Ryan to people regarding their immigration issues. She is knowledgeable, detailed oriented and goes out of the way in helping her clients out. She is a very nice person with an amicable personality.
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22 May, 2017 by Mavis hill
was first referred to Tara Cheever when my wife and I were looking for an Attorney who could educate and assist us in crafting a Living Trust. It was super important to us as an Aunt and Uncle to ensure that we effectively handed off, to the next generation of our family, the businesses and properties that we had created and acquired for them. Our experience with Tara during this process was enjoyable, enlightening and resulted in fulfilling all of our criteria.
Fast forward 3 years later and Tara has become my legal counsel for both my Art and Farm companies. Since then she has helped me maneuver a bad business partnership, create new business entities, purchase multiple unique properties, while providing ongoing legal consultation for other areas of need.
There is nothing more priceless to a small business than having excellent and affordable legal representation. Tara will continue to get my business and my referral.
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20 May, 2017 by Flavoredlayers farms
I was first referred to Tara Cheever when my wife and I were looking for an Attorney who could educate and assist us in crafting a Living Trust. It was super important to us as an Aunt and Uncle to ensure that we effectively handed off, to the next generation of our family, the businesses and properties that we had created and acquired for them. Our experience with Tara during this process was enjoyable, enlightening and resulted in fulfilling all of our criteria.
Fast forward 3 years later and Tara has become my legal point person for both my Art and Farm companies. Since then she has helped me maneuver a bad business partnership, create new business entities, purchase multiple unique properties, while providing ongoing legal consultation for other areas of need.
There is nothing more priceless to a small business than having excellent and affordable legal representation. Tara will continue to get my business and my referral.
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18 Nov, 2015 by Max
Tara has put together my family trust she had worked for me off and on for 5 or 6 years she is very efficient she knows what she's doing I would recommend her hundred percent and she is very pretty
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02 Mar, 2015 by Patrick alain
I wish to thank Attorney Sam for all his brilliant work. He's the most talented attorney that I know. He has helped a lot of people and I highly recommend this great man !
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03 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
We had some difficult and legally grey issues we were dealing with and Sam did a great job of walking us through all of it. He frequently tells us what we might need to do in the future, but never tries to sell us on estate planning products that we don't need yet. I feel that he is very trustworthy and honest.
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17 Nov, 2010 by Anonymous
He's very friendly which was good because I was nervous about doing my will. His staff is very helpful and they were very professional. I really had a good experience with them.
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26 Jun, 2014 by Assly sayyar
As a business attorney, I knew I needed to prepare a trust and did not want to attempt being my own attorney. I utilized Patty instead and she was knowledgeable, diligent, and even went above and beyond looking into what I needed to set up a practice manager for my own business in the event of my death or incapacity. Being the client in this situation was eye opening and I could not have asked for a better attorney than her.
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16 Sep, 2010 by Anonymous
Particia is one of the smartest and best attorney's in San Diego for wills, trusts, estate planning and probate. She has high interity and eithics. Highly recommend her!
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04 Aug, 2011 by Anonymous
Ann was tremendous in helping with a family member's will. I would recommend her to anyone. She has a great paralegal working for her as well that is extremely helpful and responsive. No question I would go back to Ann with any estate issues I have in the future.
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06 May, 2016 by Joseph
A close friend of ours passed away unexpectedly which was when my wife and I realized we didn't have any of our affairs in order. Being a very frugal person I thought I could get one of those "do it yourself" estate plan packets until I realized the complexity of it. So my wife and I decided to find a true expert to handle this extremely important task for us and through a mutual friend we were referred to the Heieck Law Center. Attorney Carrie Heieck is very knowledgeable and professional and walked us through the process of understanding our options and deciding upon a living trust, powers of attorney and health care directives. I feel a great sense of relief knowing that when I pass, my wife and children will be provided for.
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21 Jan, 2016 by Ruth
Handled an intellectual property case so well that after he became a broker, I am using him to sell my home. One remarkable talent.
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05 Jan, 2015 by Donastacm
Attorney Gaddis and his associate, Doug Duey helped me with a problem with PNC mortgage that I had been attempting to deal with for one year. They resolved it favorably for me in a few hours.
Thank you Michael Gaddis and Avvo.
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01 Jul, 2019 by Evelyn
I could not have asked for a better Bankruptcy Attorney. My needs were put first and was treated as a friend rather than a number. My nerves were calmed and the process was explained every step of the way. Stephan went above and beyond and did everything to ensure a great outcome.
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27 Jan, 2015 by Susan
Mr Haase (Patrick) exceeded all expectations. I have encountered many different attorneys in my life and he exemplifies the best qualities of them all--knowledgeable, concise and honest!!! Take the bull by the horns attitude that gave me comfort in a difficult situation. I would highly recommend him and his firm.
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15 May, 2015 by Zoe
It is rare to come across an attorney who has both emotional intelligence and legal intelligence. I am grateful to have found Ariel - she strategically helped us through a sticky situation and was insightful and intelligent. We will continue to use her for our business. We know that good attorneys are difficult to find!
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31 Aug, 2023 by Ross peabody
Over the past 15 years, I have had the opportunity to work on cases opposite of George Arvanitis, and also alongside George as co-counsel. I have found him to be resourceful, exceptionally knowledgeable, and willing to fight for his clients for the best outcome. George is professional and trustworthy, and I would highly recommend him to anyone needing an attorney.
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01 Aug, 2023 by Christiana garske
If you are looking for an attorney who is very knowledgeable and cares for his clients, he truly has concern and respect for his clients. I highly recommend George Arvanitis. He has great expertise of the law and maintains communication throughout all steps of the case. Very professional.
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26 Jul, 2023 by John romaker
I am a California attorney. I have known George Arvanitis for thirty-four years. I appreciate his great skill and see his work ethic as extraordinary. George is knowledgeable. He is honest. And George is an exceptional communicator. His cross-examinations and closing arguments are legendary. I refer my clients’ personal injury cases to George, because he handles those cases skillfully. George reported his progress on my referred cases to my clients and me. Therefore, I know the care he takes to provide the best outcome possible for his clients. If I ever need the services of a personal injury attorney, I will call George. I most highly recommend George to any person needing a personal injury attorney.
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09 Dec, 2023 by Michael james slattery
Over more than a decade I have almost annual legal needs as a commercial and fine art creator. The matter of fact and direct explanation of legal considerations I have gotten from Carlsbad Law Group has proven invaluable. Considering the goals of my business I am not just grateful but lucky to have access to such great service.
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30 Nov, 2023 by Dawn v
Carlsbad Law Group has helped answer many legal questions over the past years. Sean Slattery is always at the top of his game in explaining things and giving multiple options. Always kind and professional. Thank you Sean!
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01 Nov, 2023 by Jennifer sillstrop
"I recently had the pleasure of working with Carlsbad Law Group on a personal legal matter, and I couldn't be happier with the service they provided. The entire team was professional, knowledgeable, and extremely responsive. They guided us through the legal process, explaining every step in a way that was easy to understand.
Not only did they demonstrate expertise in the area of personal law, but they also showed genuine care and empathy for our situation. They went above and beyond to ensure our best interests were protected, and the outcome of my case exceeded my expectations.
Carlsbad Law Group is a law firm you can trust to handle your personal legal matters with competence and dedication. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of legal assistance."
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09 Sep, 2024 by Tavio najera
09 Sep, 2024 by Travieso ramirez
09 Sep, 2024 by Jose hernandez
09 Sep, 2024 by Tavio najera
09 Sep, 2024 by Travieso ramirez
09 Sep, 2024 by Jose hernandez
09 Mar, 2021 by J b
Pierre is a wonderful attorney and has an amazing staff that supports him! He helped me in my divorce and got me more than I could have asked for. He made sure I wasn’t taken advantage of and made me feel so comfortable through out the process. Every time I was worried about something I was able to call and if it was just a technical question one of his wonderful paralegals (Rebecca) was there to answer and assured me of the process.i have and will continue to recommend Pierre to any and all of my friends who need help!
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03 Mar, 2021 by Tazmi salcido
When the outcome of your case can affect every member of your family, there is no option for anything but the best. Pierre and his support staff were excellent throughout my case. He took the time to understand all the details and offer the best options. He was also able to get me full legal and physical custody, even though California is pro family. I pray I never have to, but I would certainly choose to use this firm again!
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17 Feb, 2021 by Greg spencer
26 Jun, 2024 by Katie marie
I am very happy with this law group. Very easy-going, helpful, and knowledgeable.
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05 Mar, 2024 by Amy johnsgard
Bobby helped me through the legalities of an extremely emotional loss. Even as an attorney it was impossible to get through it without the right expertise.
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09 Sep, 2023 by Albert stgeorge
We used Koza law firm for our estate planning. Deciding to even do the estate planning can be uncomfortable. Once decided we hired Koza to handle this important delicate matter. The attorney we worked with was very professional and made us very comfortable when we had to make decisions for the unforeseen. I highly recommend this law firm.
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24 Nov, 2019 by Pieter matthew olimerick
21 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Cathy Hersch came into my life at a time I really needed some help. She was amazing! She embodies a rare combination of vast knowledge from her years of experience along with authentic compassionate and caring. She speaks in language I can understand and always makes the time to answer all my questions or concerns. She has brought my family back together again after a difficult and painful time. Thank you Ms. Hersch today and always!!
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07 Dec, 2017 by Docscotty2001
Ms Hersch has helped me with various issues over the past several years. She is honest and has the highest ethics. Besides being highly competent what I really love about her is that she really cares about me. She makes that clear in the way that she listens and takes time to arrive at the very best approach to solve the problems I set before her. I would never want to use anyone else. She is the best.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What an Estate Planning Lawyer Can Do for You
An estate planning lawyer helps individuals plan for the management and distribution of their assets after death or during incapacitation. Their services involve drafting important legal documents, such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Estate planning attorneys work to ensure that your assets are transferred according to your wishes, minimize tax liabilities, and avoid probate court. They also help clients plan for potential long-term care needs and protect their estate from being diminished by healthcare costs.
By working with an estate planning lawyer, you can have peace of mind knowing that your loved ones will be cared for and that your estate will be managed efficiently and according to your desires.
When Should I Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer?
Hiring an estate planning lawyer is beneficial in many situations, especially when you want to ensure that your assets are handled properly after death. Common reasons to hire an estate planning lawyer include:
- Drafting a will: If you want to clearly define how your assets will be distributed after death, an attorney can draft a legally sound will.
- Creating a trust: For those looking to avoid probate or provide for loved ones over time, setting up a trust can help manage the distribution of assets.
- Planning for incapacity: An estate lawyer can help draft powers of attorney and healthcare directives so that your financial and medical decisions are made by someone you trust if you become incapacitated.
- Minimizing estate taxes: If your estate is large, a lawyer can help create strategies to reduce or eliminate federal and state estate taxes.
- Special circumstances: If you have minor children, blended families, or complex assets like businesses, an estate planning lawyer can create tailored solutions.
- Guardianship or conservatorship: If you want to designate guardians for minor children or ensure proper care for incapacitated adults, an attorney can help.
Hiring an estate planning lawyer is especially important if your estate is complex or if you want to ensure that your wishes are properly followed.
What Does an Estate Planning Lawyer Do?
An estate planning lawyer provides a range of services designed to help you organize your affairs and ensure your estate is managed according to your wishes. They can:
- Draft wills and trusts: Creating legally binding documents that dictate how your assets will be distributed and managed.
- Create powers of attorney and healthcare directives: Appointing someone to make financial or medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated.
- Minimize taxes: Developing strategies to reduce estate taxes, gift taxes, and other financial liabilities for your heirs.
- Help avoid probate: Structuring your estate plan to avoid probate, which can save time and money for your beneficiaries.
- Advise on long-term care planning: Helping you plan for potential healthcare needs in the future, including Medicaid planning and protecting assets from being depleted by nursing home costs.
- Assist with beneficiary designations: Ensuring that life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other financial instruments are correctly designated.
- Handle probate and estate administration: If a loved one has passed away, an estate planning lawyer can help guide you through the probate process or act as an executor.
How Are Estate Planning Lawyers Paid?
Estate planning lawyers typically charge for their services in one of several ways, depending on the complexity of your estate and the type of services you need. Common payment structures include:
- Flat fee: Many estate planning services, such as drafting a will or trust, are charged on a flat-fee basis. The fee covers all work related to preparing the document.
- Hourly rate: For more complex planning, such as estate tax strategy or trust administration, lawyers may charge by the hour. Rates vary based on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Retainer: Some lawyers require a retainer for more complex cases, such as ongoing trust management or estate administration. The retainer is an upfront payment that covers future legal services.
It’s important to discuss fees with your lawyer upfront to avoid unexpected costs.
How Much Does an Estate Planning Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an estate planning lawyer depends on the complexity of your estate and the services you require. Here are some general guidelines:
- Simple wills or powers of attorney: A straightforward will or power of attorney may cost between $300 and $1,500, depending on your location and the lawyer’s experience.
- Trust creation: Establishing a trust, such as a living trust or revocable trust, can cost between $1,000 and $3,000 or more, depending on the complexity of your assets and estate planning needs.
- Comprehensive estate planning packages: Some lawyers offer packages that include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, which may range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the estate’s complexity.
- Hourly rates: For ongoing services like estate administration or tax planning, lawyers may charge hourly rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience.
Always get a clear estimate of costs during your initial consultation to ensure the services fit within your budget.
Top Questions to Ask an Estate Planning Lawyer
Before hiring an estate planning lawyer, it’s important to ask questions to ensure they are the right fit for your needs. Here are key questions to ask during your consultation:
-
What is your experience with estate planning?
Ensure the lawyer has substantial experience drafting wills, creating trusts, and handling other estate planning services. -
How will you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges a flat fee or by the hour and ask for a detailed estimate of costs. -
What strategies do you recommend for my estate?
A good lawyer should be able to explain the best strategies for minimizing taxes, avoiding probate, and ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes. -
How often should I update my estate plan?
Ask how frequently you should revisit your estate plan, especially if your financial situation or family dynamics change. -
Do you offer ongoing support or updates?
Some lawyers provide periodic reviews or updates to ensure your estate plan stays current with changes in your circumstances or the law. -
How will you help my beneficiaries if something happens to me?
Ensure the lawyer is willing to guide your heirs through the estate administration process or help manage your trust after you’re gone.
How to Check the Credibility of an Estate Planning Lawyer
To ensure you’re hiring a credible estate planning lawyer, follow these steps:
- Verify their state bar license: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing, with no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for estate planning certifications: Some lawyers are certified as estate planning specialists, which indicates they have extensive knowledge in this area of law.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Online reviews on sites like Avvo, Google, or Martindale-Hubbell can provide insight into the lawyer’s professionalism and client satisfaction.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from previous clients who can speak to their expertise and client service.
- Check for membership in professional organizations: Lawyers who are members of organizations like the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) or the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) often have a strong reputation in the field.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first meeting with an estate planning lawyer, it’s important to come prepared. Here’s what you should bring:
- List of assets and liabilities: Provide a detailed inventory of your assets, including real estate, bank accounts, retirement funds, investments, and personal property, as well as any debts you may have.
- List of beneficiaries: Be ready to discuss who you want to receive your assets and in what proportions. This includes naming guardians for minor children if applicable.
- Existing estate documents: Bring copies of any existing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, or other relevant estate planning documents.
- Questions about your estate goals: Write down your goals, such as avoiding probate, reducing taxes, or setting up charitable donations, so your lawyer can tailor a plan to meet your needs.
- Information on medical and financial decision-makers: Be prepared to discuss who you want to appoint for healthcare and financial decisions if you become incapacitated.
By being well-prepared, you can ensure a productive consultation and begin building a comprehensive estate plan that meets your needs and protects your loved ones.
