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09 Oct, 2024 by Jonathan betancourt
Great service all time, trustworthy.
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24 Sep, 2024 by Health benefits advisors
David has represented me in aggravated assault with deadly weapon 15 years reduced to Misdemeanor battery adjudication with held . I am prior law enforcement and correction. ATF, DWI. the most professional and knowledgeable Attorney . I would never use any one. I love referring him clients who have had their rights abused by law enforcement . and rights violated.
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17 Jul, 2024 by Brandi campbell
Was my son’s lawyer for awhile. Did nothing for the case. I got another lawyer and they said he didn’t nothing the entire time.
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15 Jan, 2025 by Renee schneider
I would leave zero stars if I could. Empire came highly recommended from another law firm. Worst referral we have ever received. The Court Reporter showed up late for the zoom deposition and left her audio on the entire time with the tv playing in the background. We scheduled a 2 hour deposition for 4pm and Empire charge us almost double the hourly rate for after hour charges without letting us know there would be an additional fee. They corrected the invoice and when we paid it charged us the original amount of the invoice. I call and get disconnected or voicemail on a regular basis. This company has been very unprofessional and rude. I would recommend another court reporting service for your needs.
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14 Dec, 2024 by Adrien henao
06 Dec, 2024 by Ferdi's
Excellent communication and fast results!
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26 May, 2023 by Pamela burkett
10 Feb, 2022 by Scott mallory
Very nice man but had to request refund due to not hearing from him in over 6 weeks.
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02 Nov, 2020 by Shana
Mr. Dishowitz was quick to draft and finalize my documents. He was a pleasure to work with and gave me great peace of mind! I highly recommend him to anyone else seeking a probate attorney.
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15 Jan, 2025 by Renee schneider
I would leave zero stars if I could. Empire came highly recommended from another law firm. Worst referral we have ever received. The Court Reporter showed up late for the zoom deposition and left her audio on the entire time with the tv playing in the background. We scheduled a 2 hour deposition for 4pm and Empire charge us almost double the hourly rate for after hour charges without letting us know there would be an additional fee. They corrected the invoice and when we paid it charged us the original amount of the invoice. I call and get disconnected or voicemail on a regular basis. This company has been very unprofessional and rude. I would recommend another court reporting service for your needs.
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09 Oct, 2024 by Jonathan betancourt
Great service all time, trustworthy.
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02 Oct, 2024 by Allison leonard
Although the circumstances that brought me to Davis and Associates were not the best, the lawyers in this office were the best to handle my situation. They handled my case with professionalism and grace. No questions were left unanswered, and I was updated through every step of the way.
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15 Jan, 2025 by Renee schneider
I would leave zero stars if I could. Empire came highly recommended from another law firm. Worst referral we have ever received. The Court Reporter showed up late for the zoom deposition and left her audio on the entire time with the tv playing in the background. We scheduled a 2 hour deposition for 4pm and Empire charge us almost double the hourly rate for after hour charges without letting us know there would be an additional fee. They corrected the invoice and when we paid it charged us the original amount of the invoice. I call and get disconnected or voicemail on a regular basis. This company has been very unprofessional and rude. I would recommend another court reporting service for your needs.
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09 Oct, 2024 by Jonathan betancourt
Great service all time, trustworthy.
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02 Oct, 2024 by Allison leonard
Although the circumstances that brought me to Davis and Associates were not the best, the lawyers in this office were the best to handle my situation. They handled my case with professionalism and grace. No questions were left unanswered, and I was updated through every step of the way.
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12 Nov, 2024 by Dr. beck e. otomi
They keep their office very secure.
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24 Jul, 2024 by Zacharias cohen
24 Jun, 2024 by Gennnybravo
Would avoid working with this firm if at all possible. They are extremely slow to respond, completely disregard emails, and show a complete lack of empathy or understanding. If you are not consistently following up, you will be hard pressed to receive any type of response. If you do receive a response, it will be short and often times not even answer your questions. It consistently felt like we had to chase them down for the most simple requests. Go elsewhere if you have the option.
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27 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
Todd has the experience, wisdom and guts to go up against the big boys. He is relentless and is an active litigator.
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02 May, 2018 by John
I had medical and emotional issues that had been brought on by the devastating housing market collapse. Our whole world was crashing down all around us. Everywhere we turned, there was more trouble rearing its ugly head. We ended up having two homes foreclosed, medical and regular bills were piling up and my family of 4 was literally homeless! Our wonderful neighbor opened her home to us and was truly our angel in our time of tribulation. We were experiencing very serious and life changing issues which none of the things were of our own doing. Todd Lewis was referred to us by a family friend. We didn’t know what to do or whom to ask to know what to do! It was a very scary and humbling time, the darkest days I have ever experienced. But Todd was a breath of fresh air. He educated and encouraged us and helped us to remember that bad things do happen to good people. His direct approached helped us tremendously to stay focused and not dwell on the negativity of the circumstance but to look forward, take one day at a time and focus of “fixing” our situation to move forward in a positive manner.
Todd may have started out as our lawyer, but he quickly became our trusted friend!
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04 May, 2017 by Cal.
I recently built a house in northern VA and I had a problem where a utility pole was in the front middle of my property that had three big utility companies wires on it (1 electric, 2 coax and 4 fiber cables). The pole was pretty much an eyesore. I tried to work with the utility companies for 2 years to get them to remove it since they didn't have an easement but that did not go anywhere until I retained Mr. Todd Lewis to represent me. Thanks to Todd, all three utility company were gone off the pole and the pole was removed. The cost to get that done was less than 15% of what I would have to pay only one company to remove it. He did all this without having to go to court. Thank you Todd.
PS. I used to think that many lawyers just want to take your money until I worked with Todd. I am a true that lawyer like Todd will get your more for your buck, Todd proved it. Also, let's face it, not everyone can be a lawyer. Not only does Todd know the case laws, he also has the negotiations and mitigation skills that was required for my complicated case.
This review does not really do Todd justice. What he did and the pressure he put on those companies was phenomenal and saved me a lot of money.
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28 Sep, 2023 by Rick humphreys
I Strongly recommend these experts. They have the passion and the strategies to win the uphill battle against the banks.
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04 Jun, 2023 by Marina gaffar
Lance saved my Miami condo from foreclosure. He was great. Did everything he said he was going to do.
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04 Jun, 2023 by Frankie mendez
I highly recommend this firm and I guarantee once you have used the service you too will look no further. They respond in an extreme timely matter. The staff very knowledgeable and trustworthy. There is no other firm that will work as hard for you. They were able to provide clear, and practical legal advice on various foreclosure and real-estate issues.
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24 Nov, 2023 by Anonymous
WORST LAWYER I HAVE EVER HIRED. FAMILY CASE. HE DID NO WORK ON MY CASE. My child was taken by the father without paternity proven. I finally found out from the police department to go downtown and file an emergency pick up order three weeks after hiring Gary, which he should’ve notified me of After having him as a turning on dial, which he didn’t. I GOT MY SON BACK ON MY OWN. DO NOT USE GARY
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28 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
If there were more than 5 stars I’d give them to Gary in a heartbeat!
A friend recommended that I use him for my DV hearing. I was nervous because my case is very complicated and I gave Gary very little notice.
After our first call, I knew that this man was going to give it his all and it’s not everyday you find that. He exceeded all of my expectations and went above and beyond. I am forever grateful!
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29 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
In 2014 I had a DUI case with property damage something I wasn’t proud of, I hired Gary Gonzalez. He was extremely professional, thorough, and honest. I appreciated him every step of the way. Needless to say I avoided jail time. I definitely would recommend Gary to anyone.
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10 Sep, 2024 by Janet p
The absolute best!
After my injury, I felt completely lost and vulnerable. Having never experienced anything like this before I didn’t know what to do or who to turn to… and then a friend recommended Theodore Enfield to me. From day one, I hung up the phone with a sigh of relief, feeling a huge burden was lifted off my shoulders. I knew I had placed my “burden” in their trusted hands.
Andrew handled my case and was an absolute God send! He is exceptional, very kind and courteous; answered any and all questions I had, and kept me informed every step of the way. I always felt that I was being “heard”. He took the pain out of a painful situation, and gave me the hope and the confidence I needed to move forward. I cannot thank Andrew enough for all he did for me and I 100% recommend this firm to anyone who is looking for honest and trustworthy representation; that goes above and beyond your expectations!
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03 Sep, 2024 by Milli
23 May, 2024 by Papa bear
From the beginning of my case to the end they were on point. It was never a time I wasn't able to reach someone if I had questions. Ms Valarie made things at ease. Very professional. Always was in communication.
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20 Sep, 2023 by Nick
Exquisite. Knowledgeable, compassionate and efficient, Daniel McDermott is an engine of helpful information. A gentleman and a scholar, Mr. McDermott assisted me with info re estate planning. You simply won't find a better attorney. The best there is.
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21 Aug, 2023 by Shannon
This attorney and owner are impersonal, they overcharge and have been told by more senior attorneys, they don’t know what they’re doing. I retained Ryan Grubich through my counsel after my husbands untimely death. 10 months into the case, he’s never met me in person or done a zoom call, he is impersonal and used his $485 per hour fee to do all the administrative paperwork which should’ve been done by a paralegal for a fraction of the cost. He doesn’t care about an advantageous outcome for his client but continually sends outrageous bills to a widow with 2 children.
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05 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous
So glad we chose this law firm.
This law firm was professional, thorough, provided options, and made solid recommendations on how to proceed with the case each step of the way.
Danny McDermott was aggressive and serious. He was very knowledgeable, always prepared, and was the driving force behind winning our case.
I highly recommend Danny and this law firm.
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15 Jan, 2025 by Renee schneider
I would leave zero stars if I could. Empire came highly recommended from another law firm. Worst referral we have ever received. The Court Reporter showed up late for the zoom deposition and left her audio on the entire time with the tv playing in the background. We scheduled a 2 hour deposition for 4pm and Empire charge us almost double the hourly rate for after hour charges without letting us know there would be an additional fee. They corrected the invoice and when we paid it charged us the original amount of the invoice. I call and get disconnected or voicemail on a regular basis. This company has been very unprofessional and rude. I would recommend another court reporting service for your needs.
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09 Oct, 2024 by Jonathan betancourt
Great service all time, trustworthy.
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02 Oct, 2024 by Allison leonard
Although the circumstances that brought me to Davis and Associates were not the best, the lawyers in this office were the best to handle my situation. They handled my case with professionalism and grace. No questions were left unanswered, and I was updated through every step of the way.
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15 Jan, 2025 by Renee schneider
I would leave zero stars if I could. Empire came highly recommended from another law firm. Worst referral we have ever received. The Court Reporter showed up late for the zoom deposition and left her audio on the entire time with the tv playing in the background. We scheduled a 2 hour deposition for 4pm and Empire charge us almost double the hourly rate for after hour charges without letting us know there would be an additional fee. They corrected the invoice and when we paid it charged us the original amount of the invoice. I call and get disconnected or voicemail on a regular basis. This company has been very unprofessional and rude. I would recommend another court reporting service for your needs.
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09 Oct, 2024 by Jonathan betancourt
Great service all time, trustworthy.
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02 Oct, 2024 by Allison leonard
Although the circumstances that brought me to Davis and Associates were not the best, the lawyers in this office were the best to handle my situation. They handled my case with professionalism and grace. No questions were left unanswered, and I was updated through every step of the way.
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15 Jan, 2025 by Renee schneider
I would leave zero stars if I could. Empire came highly recommended from another law firm. Worst referral we have ever received. The Court Reporter showed up late for the zoom deposition and left her audio on the entire time with the tv playing in the background. We scheduled a 2 hour deposition for 4pm and Empire charge us almost double the hourly rate for after hour charges without letting us know there would be an additional fee. They corrected the invoice and when we paid it charged us the original amount of the invoice. I call and get disconnected or voicemail on a regular basis. This company has been very unprofessional and rude. I would recommend another court reporting service for your needs.
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09 Oct, 2024 by Jonathan betancourt
Great service all time, trustworthy.
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02 Oct, 2024 by Allison leonard
Although the circumstances that brought me to Davis and Associates were not the best, the lawyers in this office were the best to handle my situation. They handled my case with professionalism and grace. No questions were left unanswered, and I was updated through every step of the way.
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15 Jan, 2025 by Renee schneider
I would leave zero stars if I could. Empire came highly recommended from another law firm. Worst referral we have ever received. The Court Reporter showed up late for the zoom deposition and left her audio on the entire time with the tv playing in the background. We scheduled a 2 hour deposition for 4pm and Empire charge us almost double the hourly rate for after hour charges without letting us know there would be an additional fee. They corrected the invoice and when we paid it charged us the original amount of the invoice. I call and get disconnected or voicemail on a regular basis. This company has been very unprofessional and rude. I would recommend another court reporting service for your needs.
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09 Oct, 2024 by Jonathan betancourt
Great service all time, trustworthy.
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02 Oct, 2024 by Allison leonard
Although the circumstances that brought me to Davis and Associates were not the best, the lawyers in this office were the best to handle my situation. They handled my case with professionalism and grace. No questions were left unanswered, and I was updated through every step of the way.
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06 May, 2021 by William
This lawyer is not competent for trial work
Robert Judd handled a probate case for me. Before I hired him, he stated he was an experienced trial lawyer. It seemed pretty clear during the course of the litigation that he had little or no experience with trials. This was especially glaring in the way he allowed himself to be bullied and have his lines of questioning derailed during depositions. The defendant’s key witness was a falling-down drunk alcoholic who would have made a terrible impression in court. Without consulting me, he consented to allow her to appear by videotaped deposition (on the grounds that her demeanor would come through in the videotape), then neglected to arrange for the videotaping and, during the depositions, failed to ask many of the questions critical to the case. He filed what should have been a single complaint with two claims for relief as two, separate complaints, thereby multiplying his fee. He specifically stated in one of the complaints that we did not have a claim against Merrill Lynch -- thereby trashing our claim against probably the key defendant in the case. He was, on top of this, the single most expensive lawyer I ever dealt with. During the course of our representation he moved to another firm, thereby dramatically increasing his billing rate. We discovered this months later. Despite a firm understanding before we hired him as to the amount of money we had at our disposal, he ran through the entire amount very early in the course of representing us, then used our lack of money as an excuse to attempt to drop us as clients. When I asked what he expected the remaining cost of pursuing our claim to be, he replied with a number substantially greater than the original estimate. Looking back, I believe he knew he had dug such a hole by that point that victory was impossible and wanted out of the case. By any measure, I had an adequate amount of money to finance this case when I set out. In fact, I had about 50% more money than Mr Judd told us we would need. Even disregarding the Merrill-Lynch issue and the amateurishly botched depositions, by his billing practices he ran through this money so quickly that he made a viable case untenable. I do not consider him either trustworthy or competent, and I would not recommend that anyone employ his services.
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21 Aug, 2017 by Mary
It is a pleasure to recommend Mr. Judd at the highest level. He is very capable and qualified litigator who has assisted me in a difficult matter with great success. And, he is very responsive and takes the time to explain strategy and concepts in words I can understand. He is a great attorney.
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15 Apr, 2016 by Jeff
Robert is a standout ! We were very lucky to have been introduced to him during a contested estate process that had been badly mishandled by another. He picked up a loosing case in the 4th quarter and quite literally "turned the tables". We are most grateful for his genuine concern and superlative abilities.
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14 Dec, 2020 by Eric
Thankfully this person has been disbarred from ever practicing law.He is a criminal liar and thief. Google his name the news covered this . It took him stealing from a police officer to even get in trouble.
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18 Mar, 2017 by Debra carmen
I saw George for an discrimination action. He was aggressive in litigating my case and recovered more than I expected. He was always available...very friendly...answered my questions and always showed me the appropriate level of respect for his clients.
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03 Mar, 2016 by Brian
George and his staff were very pivotal in assisting me with my situation. George and his were extremely professional and attentive to my questions and concerns and always responded quickly. I would highly recommend George and his team.
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29 Jan, 2023 by Anonymous
This attorney is a Joke! He gets in bed with the other party rather than his clients. No communication, no updates and no motions filed on our behalf, when he was hired by opposing parties!!!! He clearly didn’t represent these victims who retained him, but help the selfishness of a widower, who didn’t have any feelings regarding the heirs…..
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27 Sep, 2017 by Marc
We contacted Mr. Brocato to do our Will. He is extremely knowledgeable and helped us make the decisions that were best for our family. He takes the time to explain everything to you and why something is or is not good for you. It was a pleasure dealing with him on a professional and personal level.
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24 Sep, 2017 by Jim hanushek
My wife and I needed to redo our trusts and other documents. Chad presented us with a total package at an extremely reasonable price. His questions regarding what we wanted were clear and complete. He was able to come to our home along with a notary and a witness for the signing of our documents.
I'd have no hesitation at all in consulting Chad for any future legal matters.
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01 Feb, 2023 by Jaz lopez
Ramona is the best she was my lawyer
Ps Yasira Lopez
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01 Feb, 2023 by Southbeach smith
SHE HELPED ME AND A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT I KNOW, SHE'S HONEST AND TRUSTWORTHY
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02 Jan, 2023 by Larry budau
16 Jan, 2024 by Anonymous
Multiple errors in legal documents requiring corrections, makes careless mistakes that could be prevented if documents were double checked.
Poor communication, doesn't respond when contacted. Seems like she just figures it out as she goes.
It's simple, don't take more clients if cannot handle it.
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17 Dec, 2020 by Steve
Christine represented us in a complex, drawn-out, contentious probate matter over the course of 4 years. During the process Christine fiercely advocated for our position. She educated us as to our rights, risks, and rewards in the actions considered and pursued. Ultimately, she shepherded us through a successful mediation rather than a debilitating court battle. Her fee structure was extremely fair and clearly articulated. We felt respected and supported throughout the proceedings and concluded the probate matter happy with the settlement of the estate and our share. I would highly recommend Christine in any probate matter and hire her again should the need arise in the future.
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29 Oct, 2020 by Svetlana
When grieving not always able to clearly think for yourself . I was fortunate .Christine represented my case in probate court. I could not wish for better attorney. Christine knew how to protect interests of my child when I didn’t and handled all complexity of the delicate case with excellence. Available at any hours of the day, honest, thorough, professional and caring. My family will always be grateful Thank you !
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21 Dec, 2022 by Anonymous
Inattentive, difficult to get ahold of, and unable to resolve the case after almost four years (!), Mr. Pinnock also had trouble meeting legal deadlines and put me in further jeopardy. I was only able to get the matter resolved after dismissing Mr. Pinnock and hiring new counsel.
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24 Jun, 2015 by Bl
Mr. Pinnock is incredibly knowledgeable as well as compassionate and understanding. Being the Trustee of a Trust that was greedily attacked was by far the most difficult event of my life. Thanks to Mr. Pinnock, I prevailed 100%
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23 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Weiss to handle my grandfather's estate and it was a nightmare. The lawyers took forever to respond to phone calls and emails. It was a very frustrating experience. If they had been more professional about contracting me in a timely manner, I would overlook the ridiculous length of time it took to get matters settled.
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02 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
Scott Weiss is one of the most honorable, knowledgeable, and informative lawyers I have had the pleasure of working with in estate litigation. Scott Weiss's representation was exemplary, his grasp of the law is impressive and his appeal work outstanding. I would highly recommend Scott to anyone seeking an estate lawyer, especially if you are facing probate litigation.
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03 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
Douglas Kniskern was hired to settle my father's estate for a flat fee of $15,000. He made several significant errors, including one that was MAJOR, and then billed me an additional $10,000 to "investigate" and "fix" his own mistakes! He made several threats to charge me even more if I didn't release him from liability for his multiple screw-ups. It's taken 11 years to undo the legal and financial disaster he left me with. He is well-known in in South Florida for over-billing clients and for extremely unethical business practices. He should be disbarred.
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27 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
This man robbed us of our money and took advantage of a family in need!!! A brief synopsis, I hired this lawyer to represent my husband who was picked up upon return to the Fort Lauderdale cruise port (our family vacation) on a VOP from Orange county, FL. us!! His retainer fee was $2500 and he took this money knowing that he could not help us and after I realize his scheme I fired him and agreed to give us back half the fee ($1250) in which I received and gave to his new lawyer in the county where the case is and where he need to be transferred to! DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU, BUYER BEWARE!!
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13 Nov, 2012 by Guenther
I am an 85 year old man in poor heath. I hired Mr. Hoffman back in February of this year to file a petition to open a probate case. From that moment on he has been a struggle to get him to work on my case. He has never called me. My daughter has tried to get him moving on the case. She told him what we wanted 2 months ago and still to this day he has refused to work on my case. It has been so frustrating for my family to work with him. He never returns our calls. Any letters we write to him are ignored. It seems he is waiting for us to fire him. He has prejudiced my case. My next step will be a bar complaint against him for not adequately representing me in probate court.
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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.
