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31 Mar, 2022 by Paige
I contacted Wade Law Group for assistance with a small claims suit. I have worked with Brett and Dave McGraw, both have been dedicated, helpful, and have gone above and beyond to meet my expectations. Dave has provided effective legal advice and detailed explanations about the process as well as developed a plan for my hearing. Dave has gave me confidence in my abilities and quelled my anxiety. If I ever need representation or consultations again in the future, Wade Law Group will always be my first and only choice.
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10 Jan, 2022 by Dave
A leader, innovator and most importantly, a terrific lawyer. No one wants to need an attorney, but when you do need one, Amiel Wade is the one to call.
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27 Jun, 2021 by Patricia cent
I hired Mr. Wade to expedite my divorce after being with an ill-prepared attorney for 1 1/2 years in which I didn't get past the discovery stage. I got quick results with Mr. Wade and my divorce was finalized after 4 months. His support staff quickly responded to all my emails and returned my calls. Mr. Wade is very experienced and knowledgeable and found an error in a filing by my ex-spouse's attorney and took immediate action on her behalf which saved me money and didn't prolong the divorce proceedings. He is involved in all the cases in his firm. Every Wednesday he conducts a meeting with his associate attorneys to consult and monitor their progress and provides them with his expert advice when necessary. Hopefully, I won't need Mr. Wade in the future but if I do, I would retain his services again because I was very pleased with his work and professionalism.
Patricia Cent
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29 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
Joshua helped me to understand some of the rules and procedures around easements on private property and found some related official documents for my property which I had not been given as part of the purchase. This was very helpful.
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30 May, 2018 by Anonymous
Was looking for help with a private easement move....called around to a few attorneys and most were clueless to useless, with one advising that I should just move it and keep quiet. Josh took the time to hear me out, gave a clear plan for what needed to be done, got it done ahead of time and was able to make the change recorded with no issues at all. Overall a great experience.
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21 Jun, 2017 by Chris
I was referred to Mr. LoBue by family for a property tax lien dispute. We had a very complicated issue with the county of Santa Clara and Mr. LoBue was able to research the entire trail, contact several members of the county office, and provide a solid path to resolution. He executed on this with the perfect balance of professionalism and compassion for our situation. I felt confident with each conversation I had and he was able to make something gray as black and white as it could get. We would not have been able to obtain the answers without him.
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13 Aug, 2012 by Sean
I am a CFP and besides using him personally I have also recommended Pat to clients for core estate planning documents. He work ethic, attention to detail and reponsiveness really set him apart.
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07 Jul, 2012 by Frances
Patrick walked us through all our options and helped us best manage our estate planning. He made himself available by email, phone, and in-person contact.
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04 Jul, 2012 by Matthew
Patrick did an excellent job for me. He was very knowledgable and efficient with my matter. I highly recommend him
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01 Nov, 2017 by Hesham younis
Barbara Nesbet is an exceptional professional. We first attended her course about “Estate planning” in Los Gatos and we were so impressed by her professionalism and endless knowledge that we didn't think twice about hiring her to set up our will and our trust.
She guided us through the whole process with remarkable patience, explaining everything to us, giving us great advice, and making us feel secure and confident.
Our experience with her service cannot be better. Her rates are also very reasonable. She is the best and I would highly recommend her!
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22 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
Barbara is an excellent estate planning attorney. She was especially good at making sure we were informed about the factors to think about -- not just the tax and financial side, but also the personal issues -- care of children and pets, health-care issues, etc. She really does go out of her way to personalize the estate planning issues and documents for the situation, rather than the "document mills" that seem all to common these days. Her focus is making sure her clients' needs are met, and that the legal process goes smoothly after we pass away, rather than a quick one-size-fits-all approach which may cause issues for the folks left behind during what is likely to be an already difficult time.
Her rates are also quite affordable -- her priority is to provide a high-quality plan at a reasonable price, and also not nickel and dime her clients. For example, she didn't charge to notarize documents or to make copies of a plan we made with her.
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30 May, 2022 by Blue
Laurel has been an exceptional attorney for my family and for my corporation. She has helped me start and complete a living trust for my wife and kids which meant the world to us! Several years later she helped me form a corporation and has helped me write successful contracts for 5 years now! She has a basic approach and yet extensive knowledge in multiple areas of law. I highly recommend her!!
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12 Aug, 2016 by Anonymous
I used Laurel for my trust & will documents. I was very happy with my experience. She is clearly smart, knowledgable, & a real go getter. I felt confident in her abilities & would definitely recommend her to a friend.
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18 Jan, 2014 by Ahp
This woman is the best. She is efficient, has great follow through and tenaciously goes after any mishandling of family Trust money. She has been a blessing. We put 100% of our faith in her and have never looked back. She is strong and communicative and --though she is cautious and never guarantees a 'win'-- she emits confidence and forges ahead with the word 'success' as her goal.
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17 Jul, 2014 by Roco
Mr. Sullivan is very knowledgeable on complex tax issues. He has a very good rapport with the IRS and they seem to respect his experience and expertise. He has been practicing I think more than 30 years and has handled some of the most influential and wealthy individuals in Silicon Valley. He has done a great job for me.
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10 Aug, 2024 by Dan romo
Judy Douglass was great to work with. She helped me navigate the ins and outs of probate and she made a difficult time a bit easier. Judy was informative, helpful and compassionate. I highly recommend Judy Douglass to establish a trust, health directives and probate needs.
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10 Aug, 2024 by E o
Judy recently provided legal services to my family and we are extremely satisfied with the entire experience. Her work product is of the highest quality. When selecting an estate planning attorney, experience was a top priority for us, and Judy has been in practice for decades. We value and trust Judy's expert legal guidance -- and her kind, friendly personality is a bonus. It was a joy to work with Judy.
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08 May, 2024 by Katie murphy
Do not hesitate in reaching out to Jordan Magnan! Jordan is very knowledgable and responsive. She offered me good legal advice and was very pragmatic (so important with family law!). My only regret is not finding this firm sooner. If you want to feel like an individual and not just a case number, this is the firm for you.
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14 Mar, 2024 by K woy
18 Dec, 2023 by Francois rodigari
A good law firm to assist in the creation of living and special needs trusts.
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14 Aug, 2021 by Scott seeley
Professional and helpful.
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14 Mar, 2024 by K woy
18 Dec, 2023 by Francois rodigari
A good law firm to assist in the creation of living and special needs trusts.
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14 Aug, 2021 by Scott seeley
Professional and helpful.
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04 Jul, 2024 by Bobbie chavarria
Carol is great. For myself as well as my older mother. Very friendly and approachable. She made my senior mother feel at home. I highly recommend
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25 Feb, 2024 by Judi brown
Tom just helped me through a difficult negotiation. Throughout the process he took the time to explain everything in a straightforward language that made sense. Many requests were being made, and Tom took the time to point out the positives and negatives as they were presented. In the end the outcome was satisfactory and met my expectations. I will highly recommend Tom to my friends and family.
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19 Feb, 2024 by Tracey david
I retained Tom to draft my will and set up a living trust, and he was always prepared, and provided strong counsel, which I think made the process quite easy. I then retained him to help me work through an unrelated beneficiary matter where we had little information to go on. He was able to quickly understand both the legal and the emotional issues, and was a strong but calm advocate with the number of parties involved. Things resolved in a very positive manner. He is personable, highly ethical and mindful of goals and time. He communicated frequently, something that I highly value. I recommend him without reservation.
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14 Mar, 2024 by K woy
18 Dec, 2023 by Francois rodigari
A good law firm to assist in the creation of living and special needs trusts.
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14 Aug, 2021 by Scott seeley
Professional and helpful.
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04 Jul, 2024 by Bobbie chavarria
Carol is great. For myself as well as my older mother. Very friendly and approachable. She made my senior mother feel at home. I highly recommend
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25 Feb, 2024 by Judi brown
Tom just helped me through a difficult negotiation. Throughout the process he took the time to explain everything in a straightforward language that made sense. Many requests were being made, and Tom took the time to point out the positives and negatives as they were presented. In the end the outcome was satisfactory and met my expectations. I will highly recommend Tom to my friends and family.
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19 Feb, 2024 by Tracey david
I retained Tom to draft my will and set up a living trust, and he was always prepared, and provided strong counsel, which I think made the process quite easy. I then retained him to help me work through an unrelated beneficiary matter where we had little information to go on. He was able to quickly understand both the legal and the emotional issues, and was a strong but calm advocate with the number of parties involved. Things resolved in a very positive manner. He is personable, highly ethical and mindful of goals and time. He communicated frequently, something that I highly value. I recommend him without reservation.
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04 Jul, 2024 by Bobbie chavarria
Carol is great. For myself as well as my older mother. Very friendly and approachable. She made my senior mother feel at home. I highly recommend
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25 Feb, 2024 by Judi brown
Tom just helped me through a difficult negotiation. Throughout the process he took the time to explain everything in a straightforward language that made sense. Many requests were being made, and Tom took the time to point out the positives and negatives as they were presented. In the end the outcome was satisfactory and met my expectations. I will highly recommend Tom to my friends and family.
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19 Feb, 2024 by Tracey david
I retained Tom to draft my will and set up a living trust, and he was always prepared, and provided strong counsel, which I think made the process quite easy. I then retained him to help me work through an unrelated beneficiary matter where we had little information to go on. He was able to quickly understand both the legal and the emotional issues, and was a strong but calm advocate with the number of parties involved. Things resolved in a very positive manner. He is personable, highly ethical and mindful of goals and time. He communicated frequently, something that I highly value. I recommend him without reservation.
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04 Jul, 2024 by Bobbie chavarria
Carol is great. For myself as well as my older mother. Very friendly and approachable. She made my senior mother feel at home. I highly recommend
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25 Feb, 2024 by Judi brown
Tom just helped me through a difficult negotiation. Throughout the process he took the time to explain everything in a straightforward language that made sense. Many requests were being made, and Tom took the time to point out the positives and negatives as they were presented. In the end the outcome was satisfactory and met my expectations. I will highly recommend Tom to my friends and family.
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19 Feb, 2024 by Tracey david
I retained Tom to draft my will and set up a living trust, and he was always prepared, and provided strong counsel, which I think made the process quite easy. I then retained him to help me work through an unrelated beneficiary matter where we had little information to go on. He was able to quickly understand both the legal and the emotional issues, and was a strong but calm advocate with the number of parties involved. Things resolved in a very positive manner. He is personable, highly ethical and mindful of goals and time. He communicated frequently, something that I highly value. I recommend him without reservation.
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04 Jul, 2024 by Bobbie chavarria
Carol is great. For myself as well as my older mother. Very friendly and approachable. She made my senior mother feel at home. I highly recommend
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25 Feb, 2024 by Judi brown
Tom just helped me through a difficult negotiation. Throughout the process he took the time to explain everything in a straightforward language that made sense. Many requests were being made, and Tom took the time to point out the positives and negatives as they were presented. In the end the outcome was satisfactory and met my expectations. I will highly recommend Tom to my friends and family.
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19 Feb, 2024 by Tracey david
I retained Tom to draft my will and set up a living trust, and he was always prepared, and provided strong counsel, which I think made the process quite easy. I then retained him to help me work through an unrelated beneficiary matter where we had little information to go on. He was able to quickly understand both the legal and the emotional issues, and was a strong but calm advocate with the number of parties involved. Things resolved in a very positive manner. He is personable, highly ethical and mindful of goals and time. He communicated frequently, something that I highly value. I recommend him without reservation.
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17 Sep, 2023 by Nancy eiger
We did not have a good experience with Ms. Carney. It is as difficult to even speak with her. She hired another attorney to assist with my mother’s estate who was horrid. This attorney was hostile to my sister and myself and wracked up charges. I would not recommend this law firm.
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18 Jun, 2022 by Edward katz
19 Oct, 2018 by Michael
I was really in a rough situation with my Uncle. Unfortunately, he was quickly passing away and only had a few days to live. I called an attorney that the hospital case managers suggested in order to set up a trust. That attorney was not in. I asked the hospital case mgr for the name of another attorney and they gave me Janis A. Carney. Janis was in and took my call. I explained the situation to Janis over the phone. She told me she would be at my Uncles bedside with us in an hour. In approx one hour from hanging up the phone Janis came into the hospital room at Kaiser Permanente introduced herself to all family that was present and told us all to leave the room and come back in an hour. We did just that and 75 minutes later the doors to my Uncles room opened. Janis told us she had what she needed and told us she’d be back in a few hours for my Uncle to sign trust documents. She was back in a few hours and my Uncle did sign the documents. Because of Janis doing this, most of his assets will go where he wanted it to go and will not end up in probate or with people my Uncle didn’t want to have it. This gave him peace of mind and made his last 3 days with us much more bearable. We can’t thank Janis enough for making his last hours worry free. Our case is still ongoing after almost 14 months and will go on for another few months before it’s finished due to complications with other family members. However, we are confident with Janis’s help we will overcome these last hurdles and completely settle my Uncles trust as he wanted.
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5.0
1 Reviews
4.0
4 Reviews
17 Sep, 2023 by Nancy eiger
We did not have a good experience with Ms. Carney. It is as difficult to even speak with her. She hired another attorney to assist with my mother’s estate who was horrid. This attorney was hostile to my sister and myself and wracked up charges. I would not recommend this law firm.
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18 Jun, 2022 by Edward katz
04 Jan, 2019 by Delia
Elizabeth is very professional and detail oriented attorney. She helped us create estate planning for our family. During the process she was very professional, cooperative, flexible and wonderful! We cant be any happier with her amazing services! Thank you very much, Elizabeth!
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16 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
We recently consulted with Dawson to draft a trust in which to put our home. We reached out to him and he provided a date and time for us to do a video conference call since we couldn't meet in person due to COVID. In preparation for the call, he also provided a cloud-based google document that asked for a tremendous amount of information about our accounts, last 4 digits of our account numbers (a bit unnerving to be asked to provide this for a consult?), children's names, who we wished to leave items to, who our POA would be for our health care directives, etc. It was a lot of information to provide for a mere consultation, but we provided it.
During the actual consultation, we discussed doing POAs and wills for each of us. He also discussed what we felt was a rather complex design of creating two separate trusts, one for each of us, to cover our situation. Mind you, this was his take on the best approach for our situation. It was more complex than we had envisioned, but we are not legal professionals and can't comment if this is normal and customary.
After our consultation, Dawson said he'd get back in touch with us when he had something for us to review. A few weeks went by. Then we received the following email:
"Thank you for meeting with me via Zoom for a free estate planning consultation. It was a pleasure meeting you
After reviewing your submitted documentation, my notes from our discussion, some research, and careful consideration, your matter is not one in which I believe I can be of assistance at this time. There are many variables involved in my decision process to take on a new client, most of which are considerations of what is in the best interests of the potential client. This includes, but is not limited to, areas of laws that may fall outside my expertise, as well as overly complex legal and/or factual issues.
Good luck."
As Dawson himself was the one who had suggested the complex trust solution, we were surprised. We wrote back and said that we weren't aware of legal or factual issues on our end and asked, directly, if he had a conflict in representing us. To date he hasn't replied to this inquiry. We presume it must be the latter: a conflict.
It was and is very unnerving to be ghosted like this, without further explanation, after having shared private information with him regarding the entirety of our financial accounts and partial account numbers.
Dawson was very pleasant. However, if you hire him for your estate planning, we'd recommend sharing nothing until a business relationship is established and it is confirmed that he doesn't have a conflict in representing you or your interests.
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20 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
Dawson Crawford is a fantastic lawyer. He will take the time to listen to your concerns and explain all your options. You will walk out of his office feeling well informed and that the matter at hand will be handled professionaly.
We have used him for a lawsuit and to set up our trust estate. He is always fully prepared.I have referred him to two other friends and they have been happy with his service. We feel like he is a trusted family member.
We will continue to use him for all our legal needs and refer him to friends and family members.
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06 May, 2018 by Erin g.
We can NOT say enough GREAT things about Douglas Barnes as a TRUST Attorney. Mr Barnes took care of our family TRUST and gave us ideas and things to think about. We had saved a "dime" YEARS ago and had some "good deal bafoon" write up a so called "Trust" that ended up not worth the paper it was written on and Attorney Douglas Barnes was able to fix this wrong, make it CORRECT, and he was worth EVERY SINGLE PENNY! Attorney Douglas Barnes is also an attorney who can go to court if our family Trust is ever questioned and he can defend our wishes, where OTHER Trust Attorneys can not always do. Something to think about when planning your Estate and wishes for after you are no longer here! GREAT GREAT GREAT hands to be in at the Offices of Douglas Barnes!
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25 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
I had an unsatisfactory experience in estate planning with Mr. Barnes and his office. I don't feel he invested effort enough to understand my circumstances, but responded in a "cookie cutter" way with generic advice that turned out to be inappropriate for me. The estate package he crafted was far too complicated and not only failed to achieve my goals but in part contradicted and undercut them. Quality of staff work was very poor: copy and paste errors in estate documents; spelled my name wrong in documents. I found him to be unresponsive to questions either by phone or email - until my new lawyer contacted him, which received immediate response. Please note that I don't question Mr. Barnes' integrity or knowledge. Rather that he didn't work hard enough to understand what I wanted; communicated poorly; and at the time his office staff were really a problem (maybe this has been fixed since then, I can't say). By contrast I'm profoundly happy with the attorney I replaced him with.
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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.
