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27 Sep, 2024 by Lauri miro
12 Sep, 2024 by Nathan k
They were very helpful and explained everything throughout the process of setting up our trust. They also assisted and answered other questions that came up after we set it up. Very responsive, professional and personable service. We highly recommend them!
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05 Sep, 2024 by Amy ruehlow
27 Sep, 2024 by Lauri miro
12 Sep, 2024 by Nathan k
They were very helpful and explained everything throughout the process of setting up our trust. They also assisted and answered other questions that came up after we set it up. Very responsive, professional and personable service. We highly recommend them!
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05 Sep, 2024 by Amy ruehlow
24 Mar, 2024 by George hesselberg
Rick Coad has been a patient, prompt, thorough and persistent representative of my interests in an insurance claim. He was reasonable and logical in his assessment. I was more than satisfied with his skills and the conclusion of the case. I would hire him again in a minute!
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23 Feb, 2024 by Tom darlington
23 Feb, 2024 by Bobby wrobleski
Richard Coad handled a matter for me that was unique, complex, and 20 years old. Something that had been nagging at me for two decades. Over the course of that time I had consulted with other attorneys and none of them had a clue on how to handle it, or had even heard of a situation like mine. When I reached out to Mr. Coad for guidance on my case he was in a remote area vacationing with his family but still took the time to respond. He seemed highly intrigued by my case and showed a genuine interest in getting me the result I wanted. Not only did he succeed in an honestly impressive manner, but he was always easy to reach and kept me well informed every step of the way. An outstanding attorney with a big heart and a pretty good sense of humor too.
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24 Mar, 2024 by George hesselberg
Rick Coad has been a patient, prompt, thorough and persistent representative of my interests in an insurance claim. He was reasonable and logical in his assessment. I was more than satisfied with his skills and the conclusion of the case. I would hire him again in a minute!
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23 Feb, 2024 by Tom darlington
23 Feb, 2024 by Bobby wrobleski
Richard Coad handled a matter for me that was unique, complex, and 20 years old. Something that had been nagging at me for two decades. Over the course of that time I had consulted with other attorneys and none of them had a clue on how to handle it, or had even heard of a situation like mine. When I reached out to Mr. Coad for guidance on my case he was in a remote area vacationing with his family but still took the time to respond. He seemed highly intrigued by my case and showed a genuine interest in getting me the result I wanted. Not only did he succeed in an honestly impressive manner, but he was always easy to reach and kept me well informed every step of the way. An outstanding attorney with a big heart and a pretty good sense of humor too.
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27 Sep, 2024 by Lauri miro
12 Sep, 2024 by Nathan k
They were very helpful and explained everything throughout the process of setting up our trust. They also assisted and answered other questions that came up after we set it up. Very responsive, professional and personable service. We highly recommend them!
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05 Sep, 2024 by Amy ruehlow
18 Apr, 2024 by Randy rock
Experienced , friendly group. So helpful to us and our family.
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27 Mar, 2024 by Arthur logan
I came into the office late in the day to ask for directions to a different office in the same building. Out of curiosity I asked about the services offered by the firm. Maggie was able to answer all of my questions, and she gave me a business card for if I thought of more. If ever I need to update my will I will seriously consider using this firm, the staff seems very professional.
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27 Mar, 2024 by Michael b
Maggie did an excellent and thorough job of explaining our new Trust to us, going through each section, answering questions, and posting notes in it to help us navigate it in the future.
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14 Sep, 2021 by Laurie
Daniel was very helpful as we worked through our estate planning. He answered all of our questions, and came up with scenarios that we might not have thought about. He was respectful of our decisions, and really helped us take ownership of our plans for the future. I would highly recommend him.
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16 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
He was very helpful years ago with setting up my mom’s trust, so when my husband and I decided to set up our own, I never gave it a second thought that I wouldn’t go back to Dan again. He was as thoughtful and helpful as we expected he would be.
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04 Dec, 2020 by Vince
We worked with Dan to update our estate planning documents. He was extremely thorough, did an excellent job of incorporating our wishes into the new documents, and described in detail all of the changes and the reason for them. I would highly recommend his services!
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20 Feb, 2024 by Kim
John and his team made the process of planning our will and estate seamless when we went to them a few years ago. They answered all our questions directly and in a way that made more complex legal terms easy to understand. They also asked all the right questions to make sure we were covering all our bases. It was overall a great experience and I would highly recommend John and his team!
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11 Sep, 2020 by Heidi
Fast, efficient, expert opinion and astute recommendations were much appreciated. All of my questions were answered in a direct and concise manner. Pretty sure I was able to avoid potential legal issues with John’s advice. The office staff were friendly and very helpful. Easy office to find and lots of parking spaces. No downtown hassles.
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14 Aug, 2018 by Keith
We met with John Horn recently to update our estate plan, which we had originally worked with him on. Super easy, friendly and knowledgeable. Would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to create a living trust or estate plan.
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5.0
20 Reviews
29 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
The whole team at Horn & Jonhsen is friendly and kind. Dera helped us with estate planning and is providing all the follow up we need. Highly recommend.
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25 Jul, 2023 by Carol
Dera has made an experience in my life that I would never change and continue to look forward to seeing Dera until it's God's time to send me home.
Dera will change the way one looks at life-changing decisions.
We all have to make tough choices in life and I highly recommend Dera for a positive choice to protect your assets, health, and end-of-life decisions that you want. Dera looks out for YOUR best interest.
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17 May, 2023 by Steve
We're a married couple in our mid-60s with no kids. Dera explained with excellent clarity the benefits of a living revokable trust for our particular situation. She and Julie take care of practically everything, and it was a pleasure to work with them.
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06 Oct, 2020 by Ian
I hired Sam Wayne to litigate a case involving the FCRA, and federal student loan system. It was complicated, the trial Court was uninterested and unfair, often refusing to see how the dots connected, and without Sam's close attention to detail: would have been disposed of. At the end of the ordeal, after the Court dealt me one last bit of unfairness by abridging my constitutional right to a jury trial and verdict, Sam negotiated a settlement that maximized my return and didn't leave me with a huge tax burden. Sam is a rare attorney; one who looks beyond his overhead and works to obtain relief for his clients.
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04 Jan, 2020 by Larry
I hired Sam after the original attorney I hired dropped the ball and admitted to the court that he was incompetent!
Sam picked up the pieces, fixed the mess from the original attorney and got us a quick settlement in which I didn't pay a cent from my pockets! In fact, I walked away with a little cash!
The money we spent on Sam's services was well spent!! Besides it's a write-off!! He provides excellent value as well! I would hire him again and again...
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11 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous
Sam Wayne represented me in a case regarding a noncompete with a former employer. He was thorough and diligent in investigating and explaining all of the options. Sam is thoughtful with his clients and goes out of his way to answer any and all questions that his clients have. Sam is a trustworthy attorney, who I would recommend to any of my family members or friends!
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21 Apr, 2021 by Rae
My husband and I have been client's of Wilson Law Group for decades. We have worked closely with Wayne as he guided us through thoughtful estate planning to address our life changes. Both Wayne and the Wilson team take time to make sure we understand and agree with their recommendations and are responsive to our needs. We highly recommend their services!
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01 Feb, 2021 by Laura
My husband and I had such a positive experience with the creation of a trust with Wilson Law Group. We were able to take a big step with our planning with so much ease since Wayne and his team helped explain relevant laws in an easy to understand way. Their pace and level of information provided was just right for us to make informed decisions - we never felt like we were sitting through hours and hours of hard to understand or superfluous information. They filter all of their knowledge and expertise into well communicated information to their clients. Highly recommend.
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23 Dec, 2020 by Bj
We had searched for someone to assist in our estate planning for about 3 years. We had hit several dead ends with other people. We then contacted and met with Wayne Wilson. He very clearly explained his suggestions to us and the process to implement them. We are very happy with his guidance and assistance in our estate planning.
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25 Nov, 2020 by Timothy
Ethan is an outstanding attorney - his obvious competence and friendly demeanor put me at ease in a fraught first-time home buying experience. Ethan patiently offered clear answers to my many questions, and was far more generous with his time than I deserved. When I next need an expert attorney, he will be my first call.
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08 Oct, 2020 by Matt
I have a unique situation that I wasn't sure that I could find a beneficial outcome to. The risk I was facing was paramount to my life stability. I wasn't sure what my options were so I looked for counsel. After a few moments of Ethan's time, I had the answers I needed to take decisive action to protect myself. He was very forthcoming about all the positive and negative aspects of the situation, which allowed me to make an educated decision immediately.
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19 Jan, 2019 by Shane
Ethan is every person’s dream attorney: knowledgeable, competent, and trustworthy. He clearly explained my legal liabilities in a tenant-landlord dispute, recommended a plan to handle the situation, and went out of his way to make sure every detail of my case was thoroughly addressed. Importantly, Ethan let me know when certain legal services would be costly and unlikely to provide much benefit, saving me a significant amount of money and stress. Ethan is an excellent lawyer, and I strongly recommend him.
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26 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
I had an initial meeting with Atty Ringe. She then forwarded me the paperwork to review. After reviewing it, I made an appointment to sign the documents.
Atty Ringe was very thorough, very pleasant to deal with, and extremely helpful.
She handled all of my questions and gave me complete answers for all.
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07 Dec, 2016 by Dale
I have worked with Chantelle on a number of projects. She is very knowledgeable and helped simplify and streamline complex financial matters and worked well with multiple generations. She has helped set up Living Trusts for me. She is very competent, efficient and a great pleasure to work with. I recommend her highly.
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15 Jul, 2016 by Terrie
I consulted with Atty Ringe regarding the care my mother-in-law' was receiving from a care giving agency which we felt was taking advantage of her. Atty Ringe was very knowledgeable and gave us some great options to consider. I was very pleased with the way Atty Ringe handled our concerns and questions.
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24 Oct, 2020 by Debbie
My aunt passed away unexpectedly leaving a complex and sizable estate without a will or trust. We found ourselves trying to find an attorney in her area. I am so very thankful we found Julia Walsh and Bob Nennig. Their knowledge and professionalism is outstanding. They were instrumental in guiding us through the probate process and helped us coordinate communications of this process to all family members living out of state. They were patient and kind, answering every single question, during a very difficult and emotional time. They even helped us resolve an uncompleted real estate transaction, as my aunt died in the middle of buying a second home. Bob and Julia are remarkable and expert attorneys. My family can’t thank them enough.
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06 Oct, 2016 by Michael r. luttig
Bob Nennig is an Estate Planning attorney. He helps people prepare their lives and finances for their death or disability. This sounds simple enough. Everybody dies, and it should not be that difficult to figure out what we have. So, all we have to do is figure out where we want things to go and put it in writing.
But there is a lot going on here. It is one thing to acknowledge that everyone is going to die at some point. This is very clinical in a sense. We are talking about other people and of course they will. Now, say that about yourself. This is not so easy. And to sit with someone and talk about his or her eventual death is a conversation most people do not want to have. Facing our own mortality is about the hardest thing most people will have to do. There is a finality about it that is difficult to grasp.
Next, in most cases, we are talking about family. If it only involves spouse and one or two children, it may be simple enough. But often there are complications, such as a second marriage, step-children, and children with special needs, children who need financial assistance or protection and many variations of the above.
Combine the above and it gets to be complicated. Guiding a conversation through this and coming up with a workable plan requires a very specific ability and skill set.
There is a basic knowledge of the basic vehicles based on a certain set of circumstances, and of course, the ability to apply them to the matter at hand is certainly a necessary skill. Many lawyers have or can get these tools. Those alone, however, do not make for a great Estate Planning attorney.
In addition to the technical and legal skills, there are two critical things that take it from competent to great. These are the ability to listen, and compassion. It is easy to gather the basic facts, suggest a course of action, and then set out to explain why it is the best way to go. But this just gets a will, or perhaps a trust. What takes it to the next level is being able to listen to the concerns of the person doing the planning. In most cases, they do not speak legal-ese. But they do speak from their heart. And it is what they say that permits the great Estate Planning attorney to go above and beyond a simple plan that puts a will or trust into place.
And finally, there is compassion. This is the ability to empathize with the client and let them know you understand what they are going through. This is the ability to let them know that what they are experiencing is normal and that they need not feel bad. In fact, if they did not need something special, that they would be unusual.
Bob Nennig has the technical skill set. But Bob has that next level of skills. Bob listens and does so with compassion. I have sent many people to Bob, and do so without hesitation, knowing my clients will get a great experience.
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20 Aug, 2016 by Daniel
My wife and I hired Bob Nennig to develop a will and a living trust for our estate planning. He was recommended to us by our financial advisors and proved to be what we needed to complete our financial security package.
Bob was very professional and courteous throughout the creation of our will and trust, which took about three weeks from start to finish. We were very impressed with his thoroughness in gathering information from different sources, i.e. banks, investment institutions, mortgage companies, etc., and then preparing the necessary documents and compiling them all into one comprehensive Estate Planning Portfolio.
He also helped us true up our estate documents when we retired and sold our home in the U.S. and gave us references for estate planners here in Ireland when we bought a new home and other assets.
It has been our privilege to know Bob Nennig who is a true gentleman and a fine attorney. We highly recommend him.
Dan and Ruth
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04 Sep, 2022 by Ian
I was referred to Tony because of jurisdictional complexities and the potential for high conflict in my divorce case. Tony’s skill and experience ensured quick resolution with an excellent financial outcome. I live in North Central Wisconsin and apart from one hearing, everything was handled remotely.
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21 May, 2021 by Aari
I found Attorney Anthony Menting to be knowledgeable about the laws and court cases relating to divorce and family law. He is very much an advocate for his client getting their fair share from the divorce. He is also a strong proponent of a clean break with no future fighting or squabbles. I have recommended him to others going through a difficult divorce.
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11 Jun, 2020 by Michelle
Tony represented me in a highly contested divorce including complicated financial matters. I found him to be patient, thoughtful, strategic, and knowledgeable. As an attorney myself with knowledge of the law and process, this adds a dimension to the representation. Tony navigated this well. I am pleased with the results and refer clients to Tony whenever I can.
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04 Mar, 2018 by Tom
When I became involved in a complicated eviction case I turned to Patricia for help.
She spent a lot of time educating me and I found her extremely compassionate and very knowledgeable. She is a marvelous attorney and person and I do not hesitate to recommend her services.
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05 Feb, 2017 by Sue
She was intelligent, sensitive, efficient and affordable. Would definitely hire her again! I had a great outcome.
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04 Feb, 2017 by Billy bob
Ms. Hammel represented me in several cases involving alleged civil ordinance violations filed by the state, all of which were eventually dismissed by the court or the prosecutor. We fought the law and WE won!
She has also drafted end-of-life documents, including a will, living trust and power of attorney for health care. I was well-satisfied.
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04 Feb, 2016 by Kendle
My wife and I were referred to Juscha by a local real estate firm. Juscha's knowledge and experience were quite evident; we felt we were in good hands throughout the selling process. She was easy to contact and always responded to us promptly. We highly recommend Juscha.
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30 Oct, 2014 by Kevin
Juscha was a referral from our corporate counsel in Chicago when my wife and I entered into a real estate contract for a vacation property in the Wisconsin Dells. The purchase was very complicated due to multiple mortgages, liens, judgments, encroachments, HOA delinquencies, and other "surprises". We were skillfully guided through the whole process and eventually found safe passage. She had our back at all times, explained the relevant law clearly and concisely, and helped us finally close on our dream property. I cannot imagine this process without her expert help and guidance.
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31 Mar, 2014 by Jean
I was referred to Juscha by a member of a different firm in Madison, WI who could not handle my matter due to a conflict. The attorney himself felt she was outstanding and that I would be happy with her service. She exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend her.
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03 Sep, 2014 by Jenny
Hiring Attorney Dan Evans to represent me in my divorce was one of the best decisions I've made. Dan is very organized and thorough. He remembered everything I told him pertaining to my case, leading up to the trial. Dan was very prompt in returning phone calls and forwards information pertaining to my case as soon as he gets it. Dan was exceptional in court. He cares about his clients and I now consider him a friend. Thank you Dan, for helping me get my life back!
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17 Nov, 2013 by Kevin
Working with Dan was such a great experience. He has exceptional focus and attention to detail. We hired Dan for legal advice about a municipal issue, and hiring Dan enabled us to accomplish what we set out to do. Additionally Dan was quick to respond and clear and straightforward about his rates. We felt we received a lot of value for our dollar. We highly recommend Dan for your legal needs.
Thanks Dan!
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03 Nov, 2013 by Anonymous
Attorney Evans represented me in a difficult divorce. He did a great job in proving my ex-spouse's real income (he was self employed) and getting me the support I needed. He was very convincing to the judge and really did a good job in questioning witnesses, including my ex. He was also very responsive to my calls and emails when I had questions about my case.
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19 Mar, 2015 by Carolyn
I was referred to Attorney David Makovec in December 2014, because I needed help to draft up and file a QDRO after my divorce. His prices are very reasonable, he is very knowledgeable at what he does, and he is friendly and he made me feel at ease and no worries at our first meeting. He always kept me informed as the process of filing the QDRO went on & he was there for me to answer questions when it came to any communication between my ex-husband's company lawyer.
I would definately use Mr. Makovec again in the future if I needed to and will refer all family and friends to him as well!! Keep up the great work David Makovec!! and Thank You for all your hard work!!
Carolyn
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14 Mar, 2015 by John
I am so thankful for the good work David did for me in my divorce/family law case. Not only did I retain joint custody and placement of my children, I received a new lease on life. I cannot tell you the personal hell that this case would have been if not for David's assistance. I constantly worried about the future, until I retained David. Today I have a strong relationship with my children and a renewed outlook for the future. This sincerely could have not been accomplished without David's selfless work done in my case. I found him to be professional, down to earth, personable, and an expert diplomat. It goes without saying this could have gone much worse for me, and thanks to David's assistance I received the best possible outcome.
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27 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
Dave Makovec is one of the best attorneys of law. This guy works for great prices and will stick it out as long as it takes and he treats you just like family and will help in any way. I was dealing with crap i had nothing to have a part of for the last 4,5 years cuz of people blaming me and its all done! Yay lol saves me my charger fund! Might be a bar night in the coming lol. Your card will be saved...not saying ill be getting in to any thing else tho lol.
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16 Mar, 2017 by Ann
Charity has done legal work for my family for many years. She's always responsive and provides good advice on how to structure our estate plans based on our changing needs. We highly recommend her.
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15 Mar, 2017 by Hannah
Charity has provided great legal services for us. She's always respsonsive and flexible with our needs. And charity consistently has provided pragmatic and timely counsel. I don't know what we would do without her!
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14 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
Rachel Mielke did an excellent job from the first introductory appointment to the final settlement. Very knowledgeable and took time to research options and explain her justification for her recommendations. Communication was timely. Dedicated. Have recommended her to friends and colleagues.
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07 Jan, 2015 by Megan
Rachel impressed me with her knowledge, thought process, delivery, communication and professionalism. In trial, the judge even commented on how articulate she was.
On top of being incredibly professional and intelligent she has a very kind heart and a wonderful sense of understanding the components of the human emotions, especially with children. I can not recommend her enough, especially if you need an attorney for the best interest of your children.
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15 Nov, 2015 by Samantha
Alyssa always explained everything very thoroughly so I knew exactly what was going to happen and she worked very hard to make sure I had the best result possible. She is a fantastic lawyer, and person in general. I highly recommend her!!!
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27 May, 2015 by Sheldon
She helped me with a pretty rough paternity action and really took a lot of the worry away from what was going on. She promptly returned my phone calls, explained & kept me informed regarding all aspects of the case and went over my available options. Very down to earth, knowledgeable and has an obvious wholehearted want to help I would without a doubt retain her again if the need should arise.
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15 Oct, 2022 by Janice o. wilson
16 May, 2022 by Tricia d. lacey
28 Jun, 2022 by Emily
We worked with Theresa to draft and negotiate our legal contract in a surrogacy arrangement. From the initial consultation all the way through the completion of legal clearance, Theresa was an absolute pleasure to work with.
When our clinic provided a timeline by which legal clearance was needed, Theresa went out of her way to ensure the contract was negotiated and signed by all parties with plenty of time. She was quick to respond to our calls and emails, and made herself available to us as needed to meet our timeline.
Theresa was able to confidently discuss and explain the intricacies of the laws and the contract in a way that made it so easy for us to understand what we were agreeing to. She answered our questions and made sure we felt comfortable and supported in the decisions we were making.
From start to finish she was knowledgeable, friendly, kind, and professional. We would highly recommend working with Theresa.
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27 Sep, 2010 by Genna
Shayna was very knowledge and thorough and executed our documentatin very quickly. She did an excellent job.
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08 Aug, 2014 by Tracy
After David answered my question online, we decided to schedule an appointment with him. He met with us and answered all our questions thoughtfully and intelligently. He is the best lawyer we have worked with in the last five years. He is never condescending and even has a sense of humor. He is exactly the lawyer we needed for this issue.
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05 Jan, 2017 by Byroncooper
Ruth Knows her stuff and took the lead in what was a very hostile situation at first. In the first meeting with the Judge she took over the situation and wrote up the whole proposal while the other lawyer just kind of stood there and watched. I was very emotional and she kept me focused. fortunately I am in the process of reconciling but I know if I had to go the distance it would be with Ruth!!!
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07 Feb, 2020 by Michelle
I highly recommend this Attorney. I worked with Felice on creating a Will for myself and had a lot of questions about it. She was very patient with all of my questions and explained everything in a way that I could easily understand. She went above and beyond to make sure everything was as I wanted it to be. I definitely trust her with any future legal needs I may have.
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25 Jun, 2015 by Mike
Consistently provides excellent advice and resources. Is extremely knowledgeable and persuasive. Has tremendous network of contacts and great breadth of firm to provide legal services in which he is not expert. Possesses great respect from his colleagues, City staff and elected officials as well as the general public.
Constructive criticism: Could delegate a bit more to other attorneys when his plate is full, and it often is.
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06 Aug, 2016 by Donna smith
Krystal drew up a will for me and was so clear on details that can be confusing to nonlegal people, like power of attorney, living will, how the will actually works. I knew her reputation and knew I was in good hands. I would highly recommend her
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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.
