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30 Jul, 2024 by Karyn
This atty missed deadlines and made our horrible situation much worse.
He paid more attention to scrolling through his phone for a hour then paying attention to the deposition he was hired to attend on our behalf.
He is not a litigator and is lacking the skills of a competent attorney .
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29 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
"You have been superb throughout this case, I was fortunate to have found you.
We would like to thank you for your diligence and professionalism. I am sure we will retain you on any other legal issues/matters in the future."
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24 Sep, 2014 by Jessica
I hired Kyle to write the Terms of Service for my website and he was excellent! This was my first time finding and hiring a lawyer and I really lucked out finding Kyle. He was very on top of everything, called me multiple times to go over things, checked in with me to see if I had more questions and gave me a wounderful finished project. We had decided on a price before we started and Kyle did extra for me with no charge which was very genorous of him. I would highly reccomend hiring Kyle if you are looking for a lawyer.
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21 Nov, 2015 by Laura
I had the pleasure of working for Ms. Birmingham about 12 years ago, so when a family member had a complex probate situation they needed help with, I had them contact her. This case was very difficult, and we were not sure if we would come out with even a little "win" but Ms. Birmingham fought hard for my sister-in-law and actually won the case for them, they are absolutely thrilled with everything Ms. Birmingham was able to do for them.
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29 May, 2015 by Yvonne
My business partner & I had a small claims quagmire with Allstate Ins. that Reba step into when there was no responsibilities for her to do so. She took actions that untangled the bureaucratic difficulties often associated with small claims payments. This small claims payment meant having the ability to receive life saving medical procedures. It was urgent. Reba simply got on it, my partner and I are grateful for her heartfelt generosity in going to bat for us without requiring any compensation, she simply gave and got it done. We are small potatoes who received the services from a Goliath. While it is true that knowledge and skills are important, what is priceless and invaluable is who someone is. Who Reba is lifts the legal profession into the height of service!
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09 May, 2015 by Anonymous
If you want someone who will listen to you, and truly do their best to be an advocate, go see her. She is friendly, open and works with clients from all different backgrounds without judgement. Attorney's who are affordable, accessable and hardworking are not easy to find, and she is one of the best!
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10 May, 2021 by Amy w.
Mrs Grant Wieder is very professional, knowledgeable and takes the pain & agony out of creating as well as executing the trusts written by her. She first worked with my parents on their trust in 2002. It was fully finalized & executed in 2017. She was always available to assist us with our questions. We just completed our own trust through her and are very confident with how our assets will be distributed upon our passings.
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04 Aug, 2017 by Gina m.
Catherine went above and beyond on our consultation. Even though she was out of town, she was diligent in setting up a conference by phone. She provided me help in what my next step should be.
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15 Nov, 2016 by Patricia e.
I was referred to Catherine Grant Wieder by LA County Bar Association. I made an appointment with her and received an email confirming it. My father wanted to put his house in my name and make a living trust. Her secretary said that Catherine didn't have any appointment with me. I showed her the email on my cellphone. We had to wait for another 20 minutes. After Catherine looked at my father's assets she implied that I was taking advantage of my father. Then she said she wouldn't do the work but a couple in Claremont, CA would do the work and handled me their brochure. I would never recommend Catherine Grant Wieder. Luckily I found a nice lawyer who did my father's legal work with courtesy and respect.
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31 Jul, 2024 by Tiffany
14 Mar, 2024 by Landon lockwood
I called & got a free consultation with James Sanchez. Even tho I paid nothing, I still feel like I spent 30 mins so Mr. Sanchez could talk over me, tell me "I red-flagged myself" just because my previous attornies werent able to negotiate out of an issue & it just burnt up legal fees. I suppose Im "red-flagged" because the opposition law firm has 10 attornies able to devote to maneuvering.
And all I needed from Mr. Sanchez was to review an agreement before I sign. Luckily, there's other attornies that can handle this 1 hr 'intensive' task.
Im glad the initial consultation is free. Thank god for that.
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02 Mar, 2024 by Cvl
This lawyer is very disrespectful. When I went to speak to him about my case, he started yawning and seemed bother by my presence. Arrogant and demeaning, not a very pleasant person and place.
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22 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
This lawyer 'prepared' trust papers for a friend. They were not even notarized or witnessed and other 'legal' documents she signed had dates that were hand written over other dates. Am pretty sure they don't teach this as proper protocol in law school. Also, never had the courtesy to return numerous phone calls made to her. This totally lacks professionalism, respect for clients and accountability. Shame on her!
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30 Apr, 2014 by Anonymous
This Attorney was amazing. She answered all my questions and was very knowledgeable. She was worth every penny and more.
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08 Jan, 2012 by Barbara cook
Gayle Carson has assested my family over the past 11 years. The most helpful areas have been in the filing of my bianial guarding reports for probate court, the monitoring of the trust accounts investments and taxes. Gayle has proved to be our saving grace in the above areas.
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25 Aug, 2019 by Anonymous
His office set up a Trust for.my elderly Father. Good documentation. When a dispute occurred between sibling beneficiaries they said get another Lawyer to represent me in probate court. Recommended an Attorney with a low online rating. The old man knows his stuff but his kids show they need more experience. Recommend them only for trust paperwork. Fees are reasonable.
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28 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
The biggest idiot you can hire I’m not sure where he went to law school but it was probably online. His wife takes up all of his clients time in office and resembles a pig
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21 Nov, 2008 by Anonymous
I've had David as my lawyer for 5 straight years now. He's been by my side through all my court cases. Thanks to David I get over 3000 a month in child support for my 3 daughters and we are still fighting for more! He is absolutely the best lawyer! He keeps me informed and is patient in receiving payment from me for all his hard work. He is on Top of my case every step of the way. I thank God every day for this man and feel very blessed to have him as my lawyer. Keep in mind when searching for a lawyer, do your research and find out for YOURSELF what kind of lawyer your hiring. David is a FAMILY/LAW lawyer and a great one at that! Don't be a dumb bunny and hire a lawyer if you dont know their profession! DUH!!! Serves you right to lose your money, if you hire a lawyer and don't know "jack squat" about them!
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02 Dec, 2007 by Anonymous
I hired this attorney to represent in a criminal case recently and he did absolutely NOTHING for me. And with good reason, on our third or fourth court appearance in this matter, he said "I am not really a criminal lawyer.." By this time, I had already incurred almost $2000 in attorney fees alone. You would have thought that for that kind of money, he would have at least tried keeping me out of jail, but he actually wanted me to do time! I could have done just as good representing myself without the expense. In case you wonder, the crime I committed was Driving With a Suspended License.
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04 Nov, 2017 by Anonymous
For starters, she was always weeks late with drafts of our divorce settlement agreement. One of her drafts included the names of someone else’s children! My now ex-husband should have been paid because he did the research and corrections to her extremely shoddy work. I found our later that she did not represent my interests and I lost thousands and thousands of dollars due to her inability to realize that one of my two lucrative jobs has varying levels of income. Do not hire her!
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25 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
Would I recommend this lawyer?? Never. I would never recommend this lawyer, ever. Unless you are a masochist prepared to lose your case while expending ridiculous amounts of money in padded fees, to an over rated attorney. I spent THOUSANDS of dollars to have this attorney turn my case upside down. Literally. Unless you work well with attorney' who are cold as ice & appear to have no compassion for her clients. Nothing like the Carolyn, attorney I interviewed. It was evident she operated from the school of; Clients will pay what you project your image & worth to be. Even false image & worth. I've read former client' reviews not only on this attorney , but Jarvis Krieger & Sullivan on other social media sites, (Yelp, Superpages.com/lbp, AVVO & various legal forums). It's important for potential clients to have this open forum to review when researching as they have the right to know. I felt validated after reading this attorney's & firms' negative reviews especially my exact suspicions and issues. I recall questioning this firm's negative reviews during my consultation meeting only to receive a well prepared and thought out response blaming the client who posted their review and not to pay much attention.
Throughout retaining this attorney, there were EXCESSIVE fees billing even billing fees that were questioned if work had even been performed. This attorney's demeanor & perception was that of someone who is burned out longing to retire soon. This attorney was shockingly unprofessional in how she conducted business and treated me, forgetting I was the client even AFTER signing her retainer & forking out way, way too much money. This attorney used the same consistent tactic the firm she works for; Jarvis Krieger & Sullivan's; asking you for double digit thousands dollars to pay "in addition" to the thousands already paid, towards your retainer fees, otherwise, they will threaten and often follow through on withdrawing from your case, leaving you abandoned without any remorse. There are other client written negative reviews on Jarvis Krieger & Sullivan for this same complaint along with the same threats they all received. One of Ms. Martin's clients negative reviews wrote; "Carolyn' peers had warned her Carolyn was steering her on a suicide mission. " This is the exact experience I encountered with this attorney. Majority of my calls as sporadic as they were completely ignored. I was kept in suspense on case matters especially conversations she billed me for with opposing counsel', to the point I was never briefed. On smaller matters, she would debrief you at the very last moment. This attorney's feedback, responses & advice was vague to say the least. I was never updated at ALL activities and matters & shamed me for asking. I often wondered; which side of my case is this women on?! Mine or opposing?! Why am I paying this women thousands of dollars within a brief period of time, when neglect, & irreversible damages are being made to my case by my own attorney?! The partners of Jarvis, Krieger & Sullivan seem unconnected & could care less what the client' satisfaction level was towards their attorneys or staff members. If disputes are brought up, you were mocked against by internal staff members & other attorneys. For me, the wool was pulled over my eyes once they figured out how green I was to the whole legal process. I was billed excessively for lack of actions, work and results, which have major impacted my future and they honestly will defend themselves and try to make you feel like you're the problem. We pay too much money and trust these attorneys to represent and fight for our best interests and what is right. This attorney's only concerns appeared to be that of obtaining money and aligning herself politically with peers. Buyer beware.
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21 Jun, 2012 by Brad
we used him for a real estate transaction. during this time we became familiar with his tenants. one house contained five families of hispanic immigrants. Mr Groff told them that they were liable to replace his roof, and they did it! The neighbors were hostile to him, considered him a slumlord. Our experience was that he ignored the law when it suited him and was ruthless.
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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.
