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12 Dec, 2024 by Melissa marie
08 Jul, 2024 by Victoria racz
Thank goodness for DeMent & Marquardt! My dad started working with Bill Millard to organize his legal affairs several years ago, and it was one of the best decisions he ever made. When I had to take over legal/financial responsibilities after my dad couldn't, Bill was right there to make everything easy and understandable. After both of my parents died (my dad in 10-14 and my mom in 1-16) Bill was there again to help me navigate the complicated process. He also assisted me in finding a wonderful realtor (Rick Crepas - he really went above and beyond as well) to sell the family home, and Bill helped to deal with other assets, such as my dad's car. Charles Ofstein from DeMent & Marquardt helped with my mom's estate and was just as fabulous - it was great teamwork all around.
Here's the clincher - all of this took place took place cross country, as I live in Washington State! What should have been an extremely difficult undertaking was made Stress-Free because of Bill and his team. The Estate has just officially closed, and I couldn't be happier.
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08 Jul, 2024 by 444 investments
After working with one attorney that knew very little and had to bring in an additional attorney to compensate for the lack of knowledge of which I was charged for both attorneys time, upon that attorney’s departure I was left in the hands of Tyler Stewart. Tyler felt he could prey on my family and myself. Being that we came to that business for their knowledge and expertise, he felt like he could take advantage of us, manipulate us and corner us into his services. Prey on our “ignorance/lack of knowledge “. My family and I were ready to depart with this firm after not being notified that Tyler had taken over as counsel until we received a bill in the mail for him “reading over our file”. He attempted to bully us into staying by saying the additional actions we needed had to be done by him, trumping up additional charges as well. I reached out to speak with his superiors which were of very little help and even defended him. Once consulting with a state attorney I was informed that Tyler had no right to counsel us the way he did. After we did our research and proved to this firm that we knew our rights their tone changed. It’s unfortunate we were charged and paid so much but yet did so much of the actual work and even more research for our cause and for our protection against them.
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12 Dec, 2024 by Melissa marie
02 Feb, 2024 by Ryan reeves
I've used them for my business for over two years. Mostly have worked with Kyle and Ashleigh with Kyle as my main point of contact. I went from a lower cost firm to them and I definitely believe they are worth every penny. They work with speed, easy to communicate with and have the resources to confidently help with with everything from HR opinions, defense and litigation. I'd highly recommend them.
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18 Nov, 2023 by Diane fogel
Very good service, friendly and knowledgeable
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21 Dec, 2024 by Guillermo rodriguez
Highly recommend for immigration issues. He was straightforward and answered all the questions I had about my mother’s case at the initial consultation.
He really knows his immigration stuff just be sure to have all your documents and questions ready for your case.
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16 Oct, 2024 by Ancella kristanti
We were trying to apply for a spouse visa. After trying to do it ourselves and got scammed by an immigration attorney, it was a blessing that we met Marc and it was the best decision we ever made to take him as our attorney
Process took about 1 year, yes it might seem long but the hold up was from our side. We were caught up with our daily life and didn't able to comply Marc's request according to his timeline, however, Marc is always patience with us
Once I got my interview schedule in my home country, Marc was willing to have video conference and did a trial interview with me
I've been in this country for almost a year and already got my green card. Every now and then I had some legal questions about legal documents and Marc is always able to answer my question thoroughly
Again, taking Marc as our attorney is the best decision ever. We met a lot of people that had issues with immigration and they all use Marc and they're successfully get what they need
Whenever we meet someone in need of an immigration lawyer, Marc is always on our speed dial
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04 Oct, 2024 by Benjamin etshim
Marc is an attorney with questionable ethics, integrity, and honesty, took on an immigration case for my sister-in-law, who was dealing with the U.S. Embassy in Kinshasa. He claimed to have handled similar cases and requested $3,500 from a vulnerable African woman. However, once paid, he began avoiding her and neglected the case entirely.
Despite the urgency of the situation, Marc wasted months without doing any meaningful work. By August, he had made no progress and consistently avoided meeting with us, claiming he was sick. In total, he only spent 2.5 hours with her, and even though we sent him over 45 emails, he never responded.
Marc has refused to refund the money and caused my sister-in-law’s case to miss critical deadlines. As a WMU alumnus and former resident of Kalamazoo, Marc is taking advantage of immigrant families. Please do not trust his services—he's only interested in taking your money. We ended up working on the case ourselves and left him with the money, but we know God is seeing him. DO NOT PAY HIM FULLY BEFORE THE END OF THE CASE.
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16 Jan, 2025 by Angela mabus
Professional, gentle but to the point, knows her stuff. Trust worthy and honest. Highly recommend.
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11 Apr, 2024 by Paige tortorelli
28 Jan, 2023 by A frye
Angie is a very valuable attorney to utilize. Her expedient response and swift actions demonstrate her passion for her clients. Her services are of highest quality. I highly recommend using her for any legal issues you may need.
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16 Jan, 2025 by Angela mabus
Professional, gentle but to the point, knows her stuff. Trust worthy and honest. Highly recommend.
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11 Apr, 2024 by Paige tortorelli
28 Jan, 2023 by A frye
Angie is a very valuable attorney to utilize. Her expedient response and swift actions demonstrate her passion for her clients. Her services are of highest quality. I highly recommend using her for any legal issues you may need.
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12 Dec, 2024 by Melissa marie
08 Jul, 2024 by Eggman007
When Michelle was here it was a great place now that she has retired not so much. Talked to Hanna and she was great and told us it would only cost about $160 to copy off 2 forms we needed (these forms had been copied so many times they were fading). She left and William Millard took over Hanna's accounts said it would be $450. When my wife asked him a couple of questions he tacked on another $100. Now we just received a bill in the mail for another $100 with no explanation as to why. Do not recommend these people. We will be going elsewhere moving forward.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Helen goyings
12 Dec, 2024 by Melissa marie
08 Jul, 2024 by Katie fields
08 Jul, 2024 by William cowley iii
Very nice people, elegant atmosphere.
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10 Jul, 2019 by Kim
I was very nervous going in and Joe and his staff were very helpful and helped me relax. Talked about what I wanted and he achieved that for me. He could have gotten more for me but he listened to me and did as I asked. Good personality and a fighter for me.
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17 Jun, 2019 by Jodi
I was referred to Joe and Jon Vander Horst from a friend. I cannot express my gratitude enough for the outstanding job the Vander Horst team provided. Their team was concise, professional and extremely knowledgeable. All phone messages were promptly returned and addressed. I also feel their fee structure was very fair and competitive. I would never hesitate to hire Joe Vander Horst and his team for future legal representation. I highly recommend the Vander Horst Law firm to anyone seeking the very best in legal representation.
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27 May, 2019 by Anonymous
I had the same problem as others mentioned in their reviews. Minor things were negotiated fine but the major issues, he refused to address or fight for me. I asked numerous times about specific issues and he was focused on settling without having to go to court. I said I was willing to and wanted to fight for them and he refused. He told me at my consultation that he would do what is best for me and would fight if needed. That was not the case and I felt like he didn’t want to be bothered by anything there was a disagreement over. I feel like he was more of a benefit to my ex-husband than he was to me and my kids. I hired him because of positive reviews as others have stated. Just a warning to consider all reviews before hiring him.
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13 Sep, 2018 by Kimberly
My husband and I along with several family members have used the services of Bill Oudsema for over 30 years. We are so grateful for his wisdom and guidance. He has gone over and above for us as he did once again today when he drove miles out of his way to help my parents who are unable to leave their home establish their POA. He was so kind and compassionate to them as was his son Jeff. Jeff Oudsema will add to the already great characteristics of this practice. Completely trust worthy, professional and generous.
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19 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
Dishonest and fraudulent He was the Attorney who executed my Mother's will and unknown to us, he was simultaneously one of the will's beneficiaries while he executed it. This was a 100% conflict of interest. Then he sent us fraudulent bills for work he never performed. There s no Lawyer as dishonest as he is. Please , avoid him.
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16 Mar, 2017 by Patricia
Hired this gentleman for a simple legal matter. Small unclean office about the size of a large bathroom. Never advised as to procedures necessary. Lost $1250.00 and now have a grievance filed with the State Bar of Michigan.
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07 Apr, 2014 by Anonymous
At the time of my bankruptcy, he accepted an installment plan, (not filing until paid.) However, he did get my creditors to stop harassing me prior to filing. Very affordable. I would use his services again.
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23 May, 2013 by Anonymous
I would never recommend this individual as an attorney. His ethics are suspect at best and the office is incredibly dingy and dirty. He has no professional decorum. Hiring him would be wasting a great deal of money as he will scam you out of additional money for work not preformed. I initially hired him for a chapter 7, but decided to go elsewhere.
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18 Sep, 2008 by Anonymous
Attorneys have an obligation to stay current with all aspects of the area of law in which they choose to practice, and to work dilligently to protect client's rights.. Mr. Walsh did not do so in my case, resulting in a very unfavorable judgement against me.
I would strongly urge anyone seeking a competant lawyer to avoid him.
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06 Feb, 2020 by Alan
Mr Taylor had been doing my father's estate work, so I kept him on when my father passed away to deal with the probate issues. Just before the probate hearing, I received my first bill for $17,000. I was shocked at this, but could not change lawyers at that point. Several of the line items were for 3 hours of work at a time. I'm not sure what would require that amount of time on a simple case, but I paid it and after the probate hearing, told him that we would no longer require his services.
Several weeks later I received another itemized bill for $1500. I paid that also and by then had hired a new attorney, who was much less expensive. I had also received three emails, two from Robert Taylor's paralegal and one from the admin, regarding my new attorney.
Several months later I received another bill for $300. This one was not itemized, but charged me for 0.8 hours at the attorney's rate even though my communications were with his paralegal and admin. I have no clue what they are trying to charge me for, but it costs between $50 and $100 per email or phone call to deal with these people. I have not contacted them since, since they would just send me another bill.
I filed a complaint with the Michigan State Attorney General, but they will non deal with issues against attorneys, so I'm on my own.
They continue to send me bills for whatever and I refuse to continue to pay them.
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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.
