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31 Aug, 2023 by Anonymous
Allan has guided me through a divorce and continues to guide me through child-custody agreements. Allan gives you the facts: he does not overpromise or underpromise in terms of what can be accomplished with the court. He is highly skilled at understanding situations and people. I highly recommend Allan to be your divorce/child custody advocate... He is always working for you, and he understands your situation.
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11 Jan, 2023 by Dana
I purchased representation of this law firm of Alexander and Ewart when I was referred to Mr. Ewart's partner, Brooke Alexander for my son's custody case. Mr Ewart on several occasions made decisions against what was told of him to make, made comments to opposing attorney that was contrary to the demands of my son throwing him under the bus on numerous occasions. When he was called out for these bad decisions and indiscretions, he would say he messed up but would then, on each occasion charge fees to explain himself via emails. The final straw was when he was told that his partner, Brooke Alexander would be the only one acceptable to conduct and represent my son in mediation. He would not reply nor acknowledge this demand and was terminated. This firm still owes back fees advanced and kept in trust of approximately $1500.
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16 Jan, 2022 by Katie davis
Terrible legal services. Literally charged me to PRINT paperwork, like that’s hard and time consuming. You can tell she doesn’t have children, and yet she’s practicing Family Law, with no clue what it takes to raise a child. If I could give a zero star rating, I would.
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20 Sep, 2021 by Shelby bruce
She won my case ( I won my case it was a slam dunk). But she charged me for every thing she could.
Buyer beware.
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19 Jan, 2020 by James james
Do not use Catherine Tieman for legal needs. She represented me in a complex case. She does not understand the laws or the application of them, and does not take the time to understand her client's needs. I recently met with other past clients of hers, who have had the same experience. While she is quite pleasant, she will charge you for every second of her time, even though some of her communications are written in a manner that don't make sense (so require follow up calls or emails to clarify). Billing for poor communication is a very effective money making strategy on her part, but will leave you frustrated, especially when adding her lack of ability.
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01 Jul, 2024 by Jerry hershfeldt
"Who knows why we were taught to Fear the Witches
And not those that burned them
Or those who stood by, watching."
Hertz paid $168 million two customers who we're wrongfully arrested and prosecuted. Some of them by this office. Hertz paid- U-Haul is next. Shame on the DA.
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25 May, 2024 by George mac
The DA's office lets child abusers off the hook with no consequences of any kind if they are white women. DPS also allows the same white women to stay on the job, working in proximity to other children and their victim.
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13 Apr, 2024 by N lang
01 Jul, 2024 by Jerry hershfeldt
"Who knows why we were taught to Fear the Witches
And not those that burned them
Or those who stood by, watching."
Hertz paid $168 million two customers who we're wrongfully arrested and prosecuted. Some of them by this office. Hertz paid- U-Haul is next. Shame on the DA.
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25 May, 2024 by George mac
The DA's office lets child abusers off the hook with no consequences of any kind if they are white women. DPS also allows the same white women to stay on the job, working in proximity to other children and their victim.
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13 Apr, 2024 by N lang
01 Jul, 2024 by Jerry hershfeldt
"Who knows why we were taught to Fear the Witches
And not those that burned them
Or those who stood by, watching."
Hertz paid $168 million two customers who we're wrongfully arrested and prosecuted. Some of them by this office. Hertz paid- U-Haul is next. Shame on the DA.
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25 May, 2024 by George mac
The DA's office lets child abusers off the hook with no consequences of any kind if they are white women. DPS also allows the same white women to stay on the job, working in proximity to other children and their victim.
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13 Apr, 2024 by N lang
01 Jul, 2024 by Jerry hershfeldt
"Who knows why we were taught to Fear the Witches
And not those that burned them
Or those who stood by, watching."
Hertz paid $168 million two customers who we're wrongfully arrested and prosecuted. Some of them by this office. Hertz paid- U-Haul is next. Shame on the DA.
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25 May, 2024 by George mac
The DA's office lets child abusers off the hook with no consequences of any kind if they are white women. DPS also allows the same white women to stay on the job, working in proximity to other children and their victim.
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13 Apr, 2024 by N lang
01 Jul, 2024 by Jerry hershfeldt
"Who knows why we were taught to Fear the Witches
And not those that burned them
Or those who stood by, watching."
Hertz paid $168 million two customers who we're wrongfully arrested and prosecuted. Some of them by this office. Hertz paid- U-Haul is next. Shame on the DA.
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25 May, 2024 by George mac
The DA's office lets child abusers off the hook with no consequences of any kind if they are white women. DPS also allows the same white women to stay on the job, working in proximity to other children and their victim.
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13 Apr, 2024 by N lang
14 Dec, 2023 by Delores
Do not hire Bruce Danford. He is unprofessional and unethical at best.
1. He has billed me hundreds of dollars for items he refuses to clarify for me.
2. I had to call him to tell him the email he sent to myself and opposing counsel was blank. Then he blamed opposing counsel stating that something was wrong with his email. Well there was nothing wrong with my email and I received a blank email as well. Guess who paid for that phone call. His mistake he should pay for it.
3. He billed me once for having some papers notorized. If his wife would have been there on time there would have been no need to have a conversation with Bruce. In addition he stretched out this time by speaking to his wife about traffic.
4. He states he has made and received calls and will not clarify who these conversations were with.
5. He billed me for research but won't tell me what was researched. If an attorney needs to research anything that's not my problem you don't know what you are doing.
6. He billed me as he needed to consult with another attorney. Again not my problem if you don't know what you are doing. Again I asked for details on this by email before I fired him and he still won't respond. I don't believe he ever consulted with another attorney.
7. On one invoice he billed me 2x for the same service so watch these charges closely.
8. Bruce failed to respond to opposing councils email. After 2 weeks I called to remind him. He told me he was busy with court. I do not appreciate looking like an idiot because you won't put in overtime to respond to opposing council. Guess who paid for that as well.
9.
10. He missed a entry on the closing documents made by opposing council that would have been put in escrow over an entirely separate matter. He called me and was pretty angry that I would not sign the closing documents. After I explained it to him he agreed. That was his job to look over the closing statement. Guess who paid for that call.
10. Bruce way overestimated some rental income that kept this case going. I explained to him several times the figure he estimated was way overinflated. This resulted in hundreds of more dollars being billed to me.
11. I had to keep calling him as he would not update me on the status of my case. I have since fired him and now he won't tell me if there is a court date coming up. Now I have to clean up his mess again.
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01 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
I saw Mr Danford to get the name changed on my will after a divorce. He said it would be easier to make a new will. He was just out for money. He made a draft will which was incomprehensible. I told him I couldn't use it. Even though he had not completed the process, he charged me the full price.
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31 Dec, 2015 by John tinder
Bruce is an excellent attorney. He is knowledgable about the subject matter which he works in and tries to stay on top of changes to the law to better help his clients. Better than that, he is a good person. Bruce tries even harder to help his clients 'get it right' the first time. He cares about the people he is helping. Bruce's whole focus is the client and this saves his clients money and time.
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23 Aug, 2022 by Rachel
Mr. Wasley was unprofessional when I first spoke to him in 2019. This is regarding the custody case. Between the father of my child and I. I expressed to Mr. Wasley. What if? The other party was lying. Mr. Wasley. stated he has a " B.S meter". That's what first. Was kind of odd. To me, the choice of words he was using. When I spoke. to Mr. Wasley in 2021. He told me if I needed to talk to him again to reach out to him for another phone call, he never answered me back. He's a lazy investigator. He said the state is not paying him no money at all, so I feel like he did a lazy job on the investigation!
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22 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
Mr. Wasley was great in the beginning. Scheduled everything came out my home right away for my DR case with my kids ( for drug and alcohol abuse as well as physically abusing on their dads side) my kids-and then everything changed. I still to this day can not get ahold of Mr. Wasley. It’s been a month in half sense court in July of 2022. He never showed up for court. Never finished the final report or submitted it to the court. And I still cannot get my retainer back for services not rendered. I have sent emails, texts, and voicemails to get no reply. I was court ordered to use him thru the Jefferson county court. I have used two previous CFIs and have never had to this happen before.
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06 May, 2017 by Judy washington
Peter helped me with my paper work and he was very friendly and helpful. Thank You Peter.
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13 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
We hired Sherri to help us with getting an APR for my brother’s child who was in my care. Our case, not unlike others, had a fair amount of small details. I would sit down with Sherri and explain the situation or answer questions she asked, watch her take notes and then a few days or a week later, she would tell me she needed the same details we had already gone over and stated that I hadn’t given her yet. She often misspelled names or got a DOB wrong, even after being corrected and that still made it’s way into the final document. She sent an email at the conclusion of our case stating she would return the retainer and then a week later, she said there was nothing to return (she would bill when the retainer had run low, so it felt as though she had intentionally found enough to charge to keep the entire retainer).
After consulting with an attorney who mainly works on custody/adoption, we’ve found our APR is boardline illegal based on the way it’s been written.
Overall, Sherri seemed polite and professional, but in regards to our case, she felt scatterbrained, spread too thin and not well versed in family law. I respect her as a person but would not hire her as an attorney again.
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27 Dec, 2019 by Jeffrey
Ms Murgallis made repeated mistakes that cost me several thousand dollars. She was incapable of even getting the basic court ordered documents, despite repeatedly telling me she could. She then made sure there were no consequences to the opposing party for not turning them over. She refused to present evidence of serious legal infractions of the opposing party. Undermining my argument and strengthening that of the opposing party. She made sure that the case cost as much as possible to the point that I had to send her an email telling her to stop wasting her time and my money until she got the documents she said she would be able to obtain.
You will need to know the laws so that when you try to stand up for your rights she won't be able to force you into a bad situation.
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14 Feb, 2017 by Laura
I will definitely hire Sherri again if I ever need legal assistance. She was straightforward, compassionate yet professional, and represented me well. She gave my case the amount of attention it needed, but no more -- which kept her fees reasonable as well.
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27 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
If I could give no stars I would. He’s a fraud and scams elders! Waste of time and money. Steers you in the wrong direction but happily takes your money!
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16 Nov, 2022 by Pitrone
Rickey has done magnificent work for myself, family and friends over the last 25 years. In this age when honesty and integrity aren’t the norm Rickey has these qualities in abundance!!!
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26 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
If I could give a 0 rating I would this man should have retired 10 years ago all he does is talk to you like you're a friend and he gives you advice but never actually helps you with your court case. He sat in on a mediation with me and talked to my sister the entire time about her living in New York and then turned around and tried to charge me thousands of dollars for it. I ended up having to complete my entire case alone with the courts. He should be disbarred if you ask me and he should give his services away for free.
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02 Dec, 2022 by Shannon
Mr. Cucullu did a great job representing me against a giant corporation. I will never forget him.
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06 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
Nice gentlemen and seems fairly knowledgeable in legal matters. Responsiveness was on average with what I was expecting from an attorney. While hourly billing rates were reasonable compared to other attorneys, time required to perform relatively simple work was excessive yielding an outrageously high overall fee for very minimal services. His final bill turned out to be double what other attorneys had quoted. I would suggest shopping around then outlining deliverables and the corresponding fee before any work is begun.
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18 Jul, 2011 by Paul
Mr. Cucullu dropped out of sight after his initial contact with the person I had a complaint toward. Cucullu represented me in a case roughly about 3 years ago. He was responsive, on-the-ball, and respectful to me up until the time he received my money and sent out a letter. After that, he made unsatisfactory, intermittent contact with me for almost a year before I lost my patience.
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05 Sep, 2019 by Jessica
I got a pretty serious charge when i was 19/20 yrs old, I had a drug addiction& Roger stuck his neck out for me, he convinced the judge to get me into rehab(after i had already blown through all the chances the judge had given me) he saved my life. And because of him caring about my future& wellbeing he saved my life. Bevause of him I am still sober today and I am 28 years old. If not for Roger I'd be either on prison locked up or a casket dead. Thank ypu Roger for everything you've done.
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10 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
I have been dealing with a dependency and neglect case. Roger is court appointed. He seems only concerned with collecting the county check. He has not done a single thing i asked him to do. He is just simply sending me through the motions of such a case. I cant believe he even calls himself an attorney. He has blocked me from emailing him or changed his email without informing me.
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26 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
As far as having an Attorney, I should have just paid his paralegal Deb. She was the one I talked to, explained things to me and looked things up. Not only did Larsen cause me to lose my children, but he didn't even know what he was defending me for. Then didn't even care enough to fix it. When he decided to withdraw from my case, his paralegal Deb told me a month after he already had, and he didn't even bother to call, then I had a court date I didn't even find out about till 4 days before. I personally think that since it was HIS mistake that caused my ex to take my children then it should be his responsibility to fix it. However I have gotten a different Attorney and if I were you, I wouldn't hire a Attorney with no sense of responsibility.
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16 Jul, 2024 by David williams
Matt werner & he passed me of to other poor lawyer Jennifer Emerson.
Alpern Myers did not represent me
Matt werner threat to suit me what a joker you are sir going my social security joker
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16 Jul, 2024 by David williams
I WOULD NOT TRUST THIS GUY EVER!
HE SHOULD BE REPORTED TO the suppream court for Ethics violation they price gouge keep your money and smear your name to other laywers they are crooks if they take your money and change prices as they did with so many others complain to suppream.court of colorado warning do not trust or use this attorney's
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11 Jun, 2024 by Aaron tucker
Not sure what I even actually paid these people for. They didn't do anything to help me.
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30 Jul, 2024 by Bill bedortha
Cynthia has been a gem to work with. She's helped us through a number of issues both legally and in real estate and leasing. She's professional she understands her business and she knows what she's doing. I am so glad we found her to help us through our situation and we will be keeping our relationship with her as we move on to bigger and better things with our business. She is a joy to work with and I would highly recommend her if you need real estate advice or legal advice.
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05 Jun, 2024 by Christy seabourne
Cynthia was incredibly helpful in her advice! She provided feedback that I had not thought of. Thank you!
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11 Sep, 2023 by Abdulaziz yorkulov
04 Nov, 2014 by John
I used Joel for estate planning. He proved to be knowledgeable, but he is TERRIBLE at returning phone calls, emails, etc. I have been waiting for a return call for many (6+) weeks. His follow-up is absolutely horrendous! Beware.......
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30 Oct, 2014 by Harold
I am very disappointed with Joel. We made the step to set up an Estate Plan(Trust, Medical POA, etc) with Joel back in 2006. He offerred an ongoing Plan that had a large initial payment for Trust Preparation,etc and then an annual payment for future updates. He prepared the trust to our satisfaction and we had one update in 2012 when we were told that Joel and his Law Partner(Peter Scott) were parting ways.
We were given the choice of which partner we wanted to continue to use. We elected to stay with Joel since we felt comfortable with him. We felt that this would be very important after someone passes and he was young enough that our kids could relate to him and be comforable around him if my spouse and I passed together. Since the Law Partnership breakup Joel has not returned phone calls or emails. I have sent emails through AVVO as well. The annual payment notice has not been sent to me even with me leaving messages that I still wanted the plan and was willing to pay. I would hate to see how Joel would responded when my children would need him most. My father was a lawyer and one that worked for the good of his clients but I guess that is "old school."
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06 Dec, 2012 by Anonymous
Joel was hired to write an estate plan, he did half the job was paid in full. Two months went by, he didn't return email or phone calls. Oct 30 2012 he did return the phone call, apologized and said he would get the job done in a month. As of today, Dec 6,2012, no calls have been returned and the job has not progressed. Joel did not keep his word.
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09 Aug, 2024 by Patti
Contacted them to fill in and file 2 petitions. Paid for it. One was changed and fee schedule switched after I notarized them without telling me but filed them anyway.
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20 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
It's been 5 months and she's done absolutely nothing. I tried calling her every day for a month and still not reply.... If you want someone to care about you and your case, please go somewhere else.
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26 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
Almost all communication, I waited an average of a week for a response. I received all the excuses as to how she missed my emails. Any filings that had to be done were done under the wire at the very last minute. She would submit documents to related parties past the requested deadlines. The other attorney made remarks in regard to her disregard for timing. I received the outline for my trial the night before adding to my stress and frustration. When I asked specific questions, she gave a roundabout answer that avoided actually answering. It was obvious she briefs herself 15 min prior to a call or meeting and our phone calls were always repetitive as were the emails. Waste of my time & my money.
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07 Jul, 2023 by Robert
He is an absolutely awful attorney. He was totally unprepared for my arbitration hearing and did not represent me in any way. He barely knew the case. The only thing he knew is what I told him. He put no effort into understanding the case. I knew I was in trouble leading up to the hearing when we had our preparation phone call and he offered no strategy whatsoever. When I tried to press him on it he had no answers at all. All he did was introduce me at the beginning of the call and then left the rest up to me. At the end of the hearing when the arbitrator asked if we had a closing rebuttal he asked me if I had any. I couldn't believe he had NOTHING to offer. I had one shot at getting my record amended and I blew it on this clown. Stay far, far away from this guy. All he does is collect a pay day, and an expensive one at that.
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03 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
When it comes to divorce law, Brian Luther is the worst attorney to hire. He does not know one thing about Colorado procedures or the law, he simply takes clients money and files frivolous, groundless, baseless motions he NEVER WINS
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24 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
This office is not professional. Trust me when I say stay away from this attorney's office! Sure they seem to care and be professional at first but once you give them money it is a whole different story. I lost my appeal with child support. Then I said ok we can do another appeal but the attorney wrote me an a email saying I would lose and no longer be representing me because I was upset they wrote a terrible appeal in the first place! They turned in an appeal last minute to the court as well as overcharged me for telling them they forgot certain detail and to fix some grammatical errors.
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21 Jan, 2016 by Terry
In the end did not deliver on our personal injury case and was very, very slow. We needed closure and feel like Craig Johnson and associate Hank failed.
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16 Sep, 2015 by Anonymous
Would give 0 stars if possible. Attorney did absolutely nothing but took a big chunk of backpay. Took myself through my Ssdi claim for almost 4 years including the initial denial and appeals process. Went to a hearing, and judge asked me to come back with an attorney. Found this one through a friend referrel . Worst decision ever for legal representation. She literally did nothing. Except negotiate an inset date that cost me to lose 3 years of backpay, in exchange for a bench decision. Then had the audacity to charge me for fees for Obtaining my med records... Which I took to her and paid out of pocket for, to the record copiers, In order to get them released. She then took 25% of each of my children's backpay as well, which I never retained her for my children. Scam con artist scum attorney. Avoid her at all costs
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07 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
this dude is a real piece of $hit....he has purposely convinced his client to commit perjury to the court numerous times, he has falsified financial documents in order escape child support. Unprofessional Lacks morals lies to the court.....nothing more than a ambulance chaser
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21 Nov, 2017 by Charlene
November 13, 2017 consult $150. The phone consultation was a waste of my time and money. Dan was arrogant and kept asking me why my neighbor would want that little strip of land. That there must be something I was not telling him. He was more occupied with wanting $1500 and up retainer because I live in another county. I would not recommend this arrogant lawyer to anyone. His secretary was sweet and easy to get along with but Dan was not.
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07 Oct, 2015 by Denise
I have had the exact same experience as another reviewer. As a Personal Representative I hired Carl to represent myself and the estate. He has repeatedly failed to act timely, gone months without doing anything and does not respond to emails or phone calls from me as his client. It is beyond my understanding, he is has a lot of knowledge but it does no good at all because he clearly doesn't care about representing his client. My advice is to find someone else, after 10 months and a very simple estate not being settled I am going to have to fire him and get a new attorney.
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07 Apr, 2020 by Anonymous
I have filed a formal complaint against this firm with the Colorado Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel. At first Mr Hutchins said he could help me but he needed the $2,000 retainer before he could say anything to me. After I paid the retainer, I never received any substantive advice or direction from Mr Hutchins, but somehow they came up with almost $2,500 of fees. It has been almost 2 months and they will not return emails or calls. I even got a revised statement with an additional $1,200 of fees from the initial statement. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY ON THIS ATTORNEY!
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07 Mar, 2018 by Geoff
I hired Michael to put together a will and trust several years ago. He assured me his fees to do the work would cover any changes in the future. He specifically mentioned that a change in marital status would be covered.
The reason I give him a low rating is that he did not keep his promise. Several years later after getting married, he wanted to charge me full price to modify my will and trust. While I’m unsure if this is industry standard, it is irrelevant as he baited me with the promise of a comprehensive package. He specifically explained that the initial fee was high because it was a one time, lifetime fee.
The last thing I want when hiring an estate attorney is to be taken advantage of after I’m essentially “locked in”.
I spoke directly to Mr Meurer about this and he said he’d “cut me a deal” for the misunderstanding - which after comparing to other attorneys was more than double what they charged. Very frustrating.
Stay away from this operation!
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15 Dec, 2014 by Brian gurinsky, dds, ms
We worked with George for a couple years. Had very little success and was very disappointed in his performance. Not only were the results poor, but if you call him or try and get in touch with him, it will take over a week to get a response if you get one at all. George also lied about some of the fees and when a case which he represented settled, he failed to pay us the amount that was stipulated and agreed to. I questioned it multiple times hoping he would do the right thing, but he just kept ignoring our requests. This has forced us to file a formal complaint with the Colorado Supreme Court.
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23 Mar, 2012 by Anonymous
Very disappointed in his representation, feel he did not negotiate on my behalf. Replaced him at sentencing.
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28 May, 2019 by Chris
I received legal advice from this purported attorney that was plain wrong. He seems to have a strong emotional reaction to people with disabilities, assuming they “go around making demands to which they are not entitled.” What was asked was a simple question: is it possible to request a reasonable accommodation from a builder due to severe asthma? The accommodation would be to have a slab poured rather than a basement or crawl space. It would require a code variance. He began to pontificate on my medical condition about which he knows nothing and then claimed that asthma was not covered under the ADA. Mild asthma is not covered, but my condition is severe, long-standing and life-limiting and most certainly IS covered - and a simple google search could have quickly corrected his ignorance. But Mr. Janssen’s ignorance is intractable. Furthermore, he was very rude and unpleasant even though I was polite and professional in the face of his boorish bad manners and ignorance of the law in an area where he does not specialize. Had this ignoramus a modicum of professionalism, he would have referred me to someone who does know disability law. I was content to get away from him as quickly as possible. Regardless of the area of law you seek, avoid this man. A lack of knowledge and professionalism will not serve you in any forum.
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03 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
Mark joked around by saying “that’s gonna cost you an overnight” when entering the courtroom late. This is my kids future, my time with my children my ex was trying to take away from me. Not something I could then or even now laugh about. He was frequently unprepared and unorganized. For example during our temporary orders hearing he forgot to leave time for his closing argument. And during final orders he was 45 minutes late to court. We looked like idiots.
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22 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
Words can’t describe how disappointed we are with the practices of this Judge! Because of her dereliction of duty, she has ignored 76 pages of CFI reports, and she has put my daughter's life in danger. She is not a person much less a qualified judge. She disregards the lives of people and the hard work of investigators who serve the public.
My daughter's life is in danger because she was to lazy to read CFI reports and my daughter's school and friends' letters. Everyone wants my daughter to come back home, but this unqualified judge just send my daughter to a absiver's hand.
I will be following up with more disputes shortly..
Shame on you judge!
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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:
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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.
