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13 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
This was the smartest thing I have done. Carol was professional, organized, and knowledgeable. Carol made a complicated topic easier to understand and explained everything in terms my wife and I could understand. This was money well spent and after researching attorneys to complete the update of our trust, I am extremely pleased with the final product. I am happy I chose Carol to complete this task.
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13 Sep, 2023 by Diane
Extremely happy with living trust Carol created for me. Carol is both skilled and easy to work with, very good value for money expended. Have recommended her to my adult sons for creation of living trusts.
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05 Oct, 2022 by James
Carol is articulate, and takes the time to explain the plans we were pursuing. I was there to have a Estate Plan put into action, she walked me through each point. I left there, feeling I had achieved my goal. She also left the door for follow up consolations.
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04 Oct, 2024 by Bryan martin
Worked with Matthew Poppish and it was a Pleasure!! Great Firm!!
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17 Apr, 2022 by Kirk somebody
03 Mar, 2021 by Russel
Heather did an excellent job on our estate plan and living trust. She was able to explain everything in terms we could understand and even added our home to the trust.
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29 May, 2024 by Maria conchita perez
We're very pleased with Todd and his team helping us to resolve my husband's case. Bissell Law Corporation promptly addressed all issues. We highly recommend Bissell Law corporation to anyone in need of advocacy.
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21 Feb, 2024 by Lucy itm
Todd has been So Great with Knowledge and Input. He's always very patient with my questions. He takes his time to explain all of the little details so I understand my options. I would recommend him Highly!
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20 Oct, 2023 by Jay diaz
Todd is an honest man. He helped me through a car accident with proper filing, legal advice, etc. and he has always kept it honest about what my options were and what the realest solutions were. He’s not another lawyer who’s just trying to make a quick buck.
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02 May, 2020 by Dan
We finally made the decision to create our Estate Planning Trust and Jeremy Price was recommended by our Premier Banker. Jeremy was very professional and helpful in completing our Trust and we highly recommend his services for your Estate Planning needs.
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19 May, 2019 by Carmen
We were very happy to meet with Jeremy to establish our family living trust and to update our wills. Jeremy was very informative, professional and a great consultant. He provided us with legal clarity, answered all of our questions and made us feel comfortable with the living trust process. He was able to complete the entire process in a very short time. His office location was very convenient and in a very professional welcoming environment. We recommend Jeremy very highly as he is and excellent attorney and adviser in estate planning.
Thank you Jeremy!
Robert and Carmen Jenkins
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14 Jan, 2019 by Brandon
Jeremy was friendly, knowledgeable and patient, taking the time understand and answer all of our questions. We are confident that our estate documents are in good order thanks to his expertise and attention to detail.
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12 Jan, 2016 by Rebecca ewing lee
I have been a client of Joseph Hoffman for over 15 years.
I have found him to be the utmost professional and a bounty of knowledge. He assisted me with a difficult divorce and again with a situation with CPS when I lived in another state.
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23 Apr, 2014 by Michelle
There are very few "bigger deals" in life than Child Custody Matters. After interviewing several attorneys, many high powered, high dollar attorneys, it was Joe Hoffman who I chose to represent me in court. Not only did I have to appear in court as a respondent with risk of losing time with my child, I had to defend untrue accusations that were being made against me.
I could not have chosen a better attorney to help navigate this process, especially when so much fear and emotion was involved. Joe cuts right to the chase. There is no fluff and no wasted time. Because I have gone through a lengthy and very costly divorce, I understand how the process can work and situations can drag on and on and attorney fees multiply. Joe was very methodical and strategic. He knows exactly what he is doing to get his clients desired outcome.
I am so fortunate and blessed to say that not only did the mediator not grant the additional time away from me, the court granted more custody for me than we had originally anticipated.
Joe continues to council me on challenging situations that arise. His suggestions and council have been 100% accurate and I am deeply grateful for his knowledge and experience.
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22 Oct, 2016 by Sophie
If you are looking for a Lawyer for Estate planning you should definitely consider Don Madson. He was very thorough, patient, and knowledgeable as he walked us through every step of the decision making process. Don was helpful explaining the often complicated documents in lamen terms and made sure we had enough information to make some important decisions. We even had a few laughs along the way.
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21 Oct, 2016 by Steve
I hire Don Madsen over the phone I live in oregon my parents lived in california when they passed my sister was in charge of my parents estate. She told me it was non of my business i am the son of these parents so it is my business. And Don Madsen was the lawyer to hire i worked with him over the phone he explained everything truthfully with me right from the start. All the fifteen other lawyers i called b4 him wanted me to give them 25,000 to look into it. That to me was crazy thank god i found Don Madsen he wanted 2000. That to me when he is a partner of the firm was very acceptable after many months of my sister not cooperating Mr Madsen put her lawyer in his place got my money and investments completly finalized for less than 5000. Were others wanted just to get a chunk of change out of my million dollar portion my parents left me Don Madsen did a honest fair and speedy recovery of my money from what i call a sister that did not honor my parents trust or personal wishes. He save me at least 20,000 dollars telling me the truth about the system and how it would end up in court if we had to go there. He will put every second of his time to get you the honest fair results your looking for a fair an honest charge of his time and you will get the truth from him always about your problem. If your haveing problems and need a real honest lawyer this man Don Madsen is your only choice. My name is steve i would be glad to tell you exacly what he did for me in detail to convince you to hire him if your problems need a lawyer. I have had to deal with many attorney's in my 54 years of life never have i found one that was honest at all but Don Madsen is bottom line
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16 May, 2024 by Cameron
Without hesitation, I give Doug the highest recommendation. He is extremely knowledgeable, highly skilled, and his great work ethic helped my case go smoothly. Doug was there for me every step of the way through a painful and difficult Change of Venue case. I truly admire Doug’s excellent representation, care and adaptability! I am incredibly grateful for The Law Office of Tiffany L. Andrews. These professionals truly care about you and your case!
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22 Jan, 2014 by Penny and diane
We were about to give up hope of finding an attorney to take our case before the statute of limitation ran out. So, in a last-ditch effort to find an attorney Diane sent out a plea to a number of attorneys to take our case on contigency. At the 11th hour, Michael took our case because he really believed our group was not treated equitably with other employees. Michael is a very ethical and professional attorney as well as thorough in his pleadings. He travels over 100 miles one way to appear in our court. Whenever we have questions or concerns, he is very patient and takes the time to make sure we understand what is happening and what to expect.
Our case will be decided the end of January. Michael has worked so hard on our case and we will probably feel worse for Michael not getting paid if we lose than we will for ourselves. We feel he has gone above and beyond what is required in our behalf. We would definitely recommend his services.
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03 Jun, 2024 by Elizabeth burwell-neil
I was sent to Donald from my father and my aunt and uncle who had done business with him, and I would most definitely recommend him. He helped with taking care of my father's affairs.
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25 Sep, 2023 by Jeff k
Donald was recommended to me regarding updating Living Trust, which I am very pleased to say was a great referral. Donald and his staff were patient, knowledgeable, and very helpful during the process, which was completed accurately and efficiently. I plan to continue to hire Donald for probate legal needs in the future.
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30 Apr, 2018 by Matt klein
Don Madsen was recommended to me by a friend who is a very successful businessman in the Sacramento area. I am glad I followed my friend's advice. He is extremely knowledgeable, thorough, and most important, friendly. I recommend him highly.
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03 Jun, 2024 by Elizabeth burwell-neil
I was sent to Donald from my father and my aunt and uncle who had done business with him, and I would most definitely recommend him. He helped with taking care of my father's affairs.
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25 Sep, 2023 by Jeff k
Donald was recommended to me regarding updating Living Trust, which I am very pleased to say was a great referral. Donald and his staff were patient, knowledgeable, and very helpful during the process, which was completed accurately and efficiently. I plan to continue to hire Donald for probate legal needs in the future.
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30 Apr, 2018 by Matt klein
Don Madsen was recommended to me by a friend who is a very successful businessman in the Sacramento area. I am glad I followed my friend's advice. He is extremely knowledgeable, thorough, and most important, friendly. I recommend him highly.
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04 Oct, 2024 by Bryan martin
Worked with Matthew Poppish and it was a Pleasure!! Great Firm!!
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17 Apr, 2022 by Kirk somebody
09 Sep, 2024 by Kern atwal
Thapar Law was highly recommended by my brother, and I couldn't be more grateful. My wife and I had just purchased a home and needed help with estate planning and some legal work. Karn made the entire process incredibly easy and stress-free, taking the time to explain everything in detail. He made us feel like family and truly went above and beyond to ensure we were comfortable every step of the way. I can’t recommend him enough for anyone in need of personal and professional legal services!
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06 Sep, 2024 by Amrit dhaliwal
Very diligent, intelligent and ethical .Takes his time explaining everything throughly and patiently. Went above and beyond to make sure everything was done right .
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30 Aug, 2024 by Angie rinaudo
If you’re reading this review I cannot stress enough how amazing Thapar law is. My husband had a severe heart attack and had to go in for emergency surgery. We reached out to numerous law firms and nobody could service us in the appropriate time frame. We were unprepared for our situation as we are very young for this situation. Once we spoke to Mr Thapar he insured us he would take care of all our needs before the surgery which no other business would do. He was absolutely amazing to do business with. If you’re reading this please just call him you will not find a more professional and polite person to help you with all your needs. Mr. Thapar if you read this I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you did for our family. Thank you
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5.0
20 Reviews
4.3
23 Reviews
07 Oct, 2024 by Jayme harris
Tiffany is very professional and always has a quick reply and really knows what she is talking about! She was excellent to work with and I highly recommend her!
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16 Aug, 2024 by Thomas hurd
Posting this review that was sent to Tiffany Andrews following completion of our service. This was never posted on her firm's website.
We are writing to provide an objective review of our experience with Tiffany Andrews and her mediation services. Although Tiffany was pleasant to work with, our overall assessment is that the services provided were average. We were disappointed that we never had the opportunity to meet her in person, despite multiple trips to her office. During our case, we couldn't help but notice that the handling of our mediation proceedings resembled that of a general contractor overseeing a construction project. We encountered unexpected changes in Tiffany's team, with members coming and going without prior notice. This lack of consistency had a noticeable impact on the process and left us feeling unsettled. Another area of concern was the significant disparity between our original cost estimate and the final bill. The cost nearly doubled, which was unexpected and disappointing. Our mediation and divorce proceedings were minimal in complexity, as stated by Tiffany herself. Considering the simplicity of the case, we had hoped for more streamlined and cost-effective services. Throughout the process, there were instances where communication and continuity seemed lacking. We often had to repeat information from one meeting to the next, resulting in frustration and delays. It would have been more efficient and productive if there had been better coordination and a stronger sense of continuity between sessions. In summary, while Tiffany Andrews and her team were pleasant to work with, there are clear areas for improvement. Enhancing client expectation management, addressing cost transparency, and ensuring consistent communication and continuity throughout the mediation process would greatly benefit Tiffany and her team. These learning opportunities could elevate the quality of their services, providing clients with a more satisfactory experience. Tom and Naomi
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10 Apr, 2024 by Bryan gaytan
16 Jun, 2021 by Amanda duncan
Matthew took on our case (pro-bono) because it had been so mishandled by all previous attorneys. Here’s an excerpt:
"Faced with an admittedly difficult decision, the trial court skirted the question entirely (of what custody arrangement would be in Katie's best interest when mother moves) and issued an order purporting to maintain the status quo. By issuing such an order, the trial court effectively prohibited mother from moving, which is an abuse of the court's discretion... Although it is ultimately the trial court's error that we review on appeal, the error here did not arise in a vacuum. Here, the genesis of the court's error can be traced directly to the failures of the court-appointed mediator and the minor's counsel.”
May our attorney, Matthew Purcell, continue to flourish in his practice and know that We will be eternally grateful for his perseverance, intelligence, and integrity. What a better world this would be if all attorneys modeled his attributes!
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11 Jul, 2018 by Jeff
Mr. Purcell represented me in a divorce and child custody case that took nearly 3 years to complete. His experience and demeanor was invaluable as he guided me through the process which involved manipulation, high conflict, unreasonable requests, false CPS reports and both parties moving out of state. No divorce is ever easy but I’m glad I had him in my corner.
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19 Nov, 2015 by Belinda
Matt has been my rock through my legal separation. My case was complicated and involved several hearings for the court to determine whether California had jurisdiction over my request for a legal separation. Matt was able to successfully defend my request for a legal separation in California, which ultimately resulted in a stay of the out of state action and resolution of all issues in my case. Matt and his staff consistently communicated with me to make sure that I understood through every step of the process. And if I had questions, I was always able to speak with someone about my case and get answers whenever I reached out to his office. Matt and his staff, Dorinda and Kalli, were professional, compassionate, and knowledgeable throughout this process. Matt was also cognizant of costs and attempted to resolve the issues in my case without the need for court intervention at first. When he was faced with obstreperous conduct by my ex, he immediately responded assertively and prevented all of my ex’s impractical positions. I couldn’t have asked for a better advocate or better representation. I would highly recommend him!
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07 Apr, 2022 by Rock
We hired Cyrus and found him to be Terrible! Terrible at everything he did from Criminal to Civil! If You want to Lose this is the Guy! We sued 6 different Law Enforcement Agencies and He was scared off and turned tail! Never Hire Him!
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03 Oct, 2019 by Steven
Cyrus Zal was hired to represent myself and others in a lawsuit in San Diego County regarding a sit-down protest of an abortion mill. Hundreds of protesters showed up on a Saturday, and closed the facility for the day. Consequently, myself and many others were arrested for engaging in a peaceable protest, under the pretext of "trespassing".
However, California law clearly states that trespassing is, indeed, legal, when done for the purpose of saving a life. For instance, entering your neighbor's home without permission is illegal. But entering your neighbor's home to save their child from a fire is perfectly legal.
And yet, because the Judge in the case was a highly partisan Liberal, he not only refused to inform the jury of this law, he even took the unprecedented step of barring my Attorney from telling the Jury why the protesters were there; to save lives. In fact, (and this will shock any fair and reasonable person - regardless of political affiliation), he also banned the word "baby" from even being uttered in his courtroom.
You see, if a mother is 6 months pregnant, and she sees her doctor for a sonogram, he will tell her, "Your baby is doing just fine." Even before birth, the child is obviously a baby. But in the courtroom of this Judge, using language and terms that every obstetrician in America uses to describe the infant in the womb, was suddenly verboten.
Well, Cyrus Zal refused to accept this blatant trampling of the Civil Rights of his clients. He argued that if this was a civil trial in which a woman alleged that her unborn baby had been injured by negligence, this same Judge would allow the pre-born infant to be called a "baby".
So, in a completely selfless and remarkable act of bravery, Cyrus Zal defied this Judge's tyrannical and politically-motivated despotism, and made our case anyway, using the language that he had been barred from saying aloud in Open Court.
Needless to say, this Judge was furious, and told Attorney Zal that he would go to jail for Contempt of Court, immediately after the trial, for each and every utterance. Yet, Cyrus Zal was undeterred. He bravely and courageously defended his clients and our legal right to trespass in order to save lives.
He was continually shut down by the Judge, and threatened repeatedly. And, yes, the Judge did, indeed, send him to jail after the trial. These were not empty threats. Tyrants mean what they say.
But I have never forgotten what Cyrus Zal did for me and my companions. In 56 years, I have never witnessed a single attorney every show this degree of integrity and fearlessness in defending and representing their clients.
Name for me a SINGLE attorney on this entire website who was willing to go to jail, (and who DID actually go to jail), in order to make sure that their clients were not railroaded and stripped of their Civil Rights, by a court that wantonly trampled the law? I contend that you could search literally thousands of attorneys here, and this may be the ONLY attorney who possesses that level of integrity.
Cyrus Zal is the kind of man about whom movies are made. And just as people like Rosa and Martin had their Civil Rights trampled and abused, and suffered for it by unjustly being sentenced to time in jail, Cyrus Zal belongs in that rare pantheon of people who are willing to suffer for what is right, rather than timidly acquiesce to the whim of tyrants.
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25 Mar, 2017 by Sarah bluford
Mr.Zal represented me and my company in a civil litigation matter and did a great job. He was honest and upfront about fees, the process and what could happen. Mr. Zal not only saved us a lot of money but got us a great settlement as well. I would highly recommend.
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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.
