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25 Sep, 2020 by Katherine
She worked very quickly to move the case along and was very professional. She or her paralegal kept me well inform throught out the process.
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06 Dec, 2018 by Kerry
We hired Catherine to advise and construct our wills/trusts. She provided excellent advice and guidance throughout the process. The end result was what we wanted to see. We are happy with the service provided. Catherine also advised us on a family real estate matter. We will definitely continue using Catherine as our attorney.
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22 Jun, 2017 by Walter
At the time I first met Ms. Haynes, it was during the worst part of my life, my wife had just died. I knew I was in need of a competent attorney to help me navigate through the critical things that were urgent and needed to be accomplished. Catherine more than fulfilled my expectations and needs. She compassionately and intelligently worked with me and addressed all of the issues, and helped accomplish all that needed to be resolved. I was most fortunate to have her as my attorney.
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18 Mar, 2024 by Doris hayes
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07 Sep, 2022 by Gene vieta
No comment
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09 May, 2019 by Wayne st.peter
Very intelligent man.
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31 May, 2022 by Jean bergeron
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28 Jun, 2021 by Jeremy viel
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01 Dec, 2020 by Ali kargar
Shawn and his team are so easy and friendly to work with. His staff are always helpful and quick, and Shawn is responsive to any and all questions, even answering after hours, and is patient and reassuring. They go above and beyond in all they do.
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02 Apr, 2024 by Amy singh
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14 Aug, 2023 by David whitehead
No help
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27 Jul, 2023 by Dominic carter
Always enjoyable.
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11 Jul, 2024 by Trumpvance2024
Led me on for months saying they'd review my case, never getting back to me. A simple sorry, but we're not interested would have been fine. From the beginning several emails were not answered, far from professional.
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02 Jul, 2024 by Beatrice talmage
I received a call at my place of employment from an employee of this company and I left my shift in tears. I haven’t been spoken to in such a demeaning and belittling way in some time- that is why I am writing. I was schooled by this person about how to run a business and that not answering phones will be cause for people to look elsewhere. While I whole heartedly agree with the principle, it does not take into account that a person showing up to their job and who makes no company-wide decisions - is not an appropriate contact to put down (let alone harass). I work very hard and despite the insinuation of this person, I am not stupid; I simply have no control of staffing or volume of calls. This is not the first person I’ve encountered from this firm that has exhibited a concerning moral compass. I’m cheering everyone on to be represented adequately and fairly- so I’m not writing this to express hatred (we all have our moments, me included). I just want to share my personal experience as I know that those seeking legal advice and representation want to feel informed and secure in their endeavors.
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28 May, 2024 by Jim
So far a great law firm.
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11 Jul, 2024 by Trumpvance2024
Led me on for months saying they'd review my case, never getting back to me. A simple sorry, but we're not interested would have been fine. From the beginning several emails were not answered, far from professional.
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02 Jul, 2024 by Beatrice talmage
I received a call at my place of employment from an employee of this company and I left my shift in tears. I haven’t been spoken to in such a demeaning and belittling way in some time- that is why I am writing. I was schooled by this person about how to run a business and that not answering phones will be cause for people to look elsewhere. While I whole heartedly agree with the principle, it does not take into account that a person showing up to their job and who makes no company-wide decisions - is not an appropriate contact to put down (let alone harass). I work very hard and despite the insinuation of this person, I am not stupid; I simply have no control of staffing or volume of calls. This is not the first person I’ve encountered from this firm that has exhibited a concerning moral compass. I’m cheering everyone on to be represented adequately and fairly- so I’m not writing this to express hatred (we all have our moments, me included). I just want to share my personal experience as I know that those seeking legal advice and representation want to feel informed and secure in their endeavors.
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28 May, 2024 by Jim
So far a great law firm.
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28 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
We sat waiting for over half hour while this attorney gossiped with another woman from down the hall from her office about a previous employee. She cursed a lot and overall gave my wife and I a terrible impression. Her entire office had an odor of fast food, was overly bright and simply not cheerful. There was an older woman who worked there who talked to herself quite a bit and was very rude and seemed very unhappy to be there. After sitting with her for far too long listening to her talk about herself. we eagerly went down the street to another attorney who was professional and met our needs. Two thumbs down on this attorney.
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27 Jan, 2023 by Bob
She quoted me a fee of $200 per hr. Came to last billing cycle and I had $350 to the good. Then all of a sudden the fee jumped to $250 per hour and surprisingly we were even. Also don’t call or text office to get an update cause that will cost $20-$30. Be careful how much you pay up front
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15 Mar, 2020 by Bruce
I hired Jessie to help with a financial transaction from my divorce. The other side stalled and delayed at every step. Jessie kept me updated with what was happening and what the expected time frame would be. She also planned what would happen if the other lawyer did not do what was agreed to. She was amazing. I wish more professionals were like her. I highly recommend Jessie
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24 Jul, 2024 by Tina bowring
My boyfriend and i wanted to put me on one of his deeds with a mortgage. I am already on the deed where we currently live. Ken kept stating what a generous gift my boyfriend was giving me and he had dealt with plenty of divorces. We flat out told him i was divorced and my boyfriend has no children it is what we want considering we aren't getting married but have been together for 25 years. Ken had me leave the room to talk to my boyfriend privately for 20 minutes. When my boyfriend came out he said Ken says for us to do a life lease. WHAT A JOKE. Ok so apparently he sees me as a gold digger. If thats the case then i would just be happy with my boyfriend's three 401ks that i am 100 beneficiary including the other deed i am already on. We wanted just a simple quick claim deed done and he just didn't want to do it. This guy was a jerk and rude. Also, floor was not vacummed and his secretary was walking around with no shoes. Very unprofessional!
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15 Oct, 2023 by Br be
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27 Jul, 2023 by Cj soviero
Fantastic business. Brandi is always a pleasure to speak with. Ryan is knowledgeable, hard-working,and courteous. I highly recommend Ryan for both real estate law and title work.
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14 Mar, 2024 by Peni
My daughter used Amy for her divorce and she impressed me then. My daughter was left with a large bill and I paid it. Further issues arose and my daughter's children accused her with abuse. Child protective was involved. Her 12, 14 and 20 year old refused to return to her home. Knowing this Amy took the case giving my daughter hope when there was none. This cost thousands of dollars which I paid. Then my daughter had a foreclosure and we paid even more. Three years later and the case is not resolved and we were still paying. Amy was often late for court or just did not show up. Then I needed a lawyer for an inheritance case. Amy came to my home and while looking at my paperwork got all excited when she saw my murdered cousins name stating that serial killers are her hobby. She took the paperwork that I need for my case and promised to send it back. She never did nor did she contact me regarding if she would be taking the case. You can call and call her, email or and she never responds. Then came my husband who has some type of disorder where is is delusional, paranoid and hears voices. He was arrested and hired Amy. He thinks he I Nostradamus and she took $10,000 from him for a domestic violence/criminal threatening charge. The first hearing myvhusband sat scared asking "where is my lawyer". Amy nrmever showed up. The second hearing and my husband was left once again asking where she was She was 45 min late and he was returned to jail. He was then moved after 8 weeks in the mental health unit in solitary at York County Prison. He was then transferred to a mental health hospital. I spoke to the court and asked where I should forward his mail. They said Amy. I called and wrote emails and all were ignored. She is a horrible lawyer, always missing or late for court dates, doesn't respond to correspondence as simple as where to send his mail. Not only to I think she is a horrible lawyer, out for the money (who takes $10000 from someone so delusional he thinks he is Nostradamus?) and a terrible person in general. I will be issuing complaints to the Attorney General who already investigated her regarding her billing records.
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12 Apr, 2023 by Anonymous
Will take cases she has no interest in expensive lesson She just doesn’t seem to care she’ll run the clock talking About her other cases expect you to have blind faith in her found out she is being investigated for overcharging the state for indigent clients
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06 Jun, 2019 by Anonymous
I hired Amy Fairfield for a child custody case. Amy's only interest was to expedite the process and collect as much money for doing so as possible. After three court appearances and one mediation I am no further in the process than when we started. Amy is difficult to have a conversation with, she doesn't listen to your wants or needs, and all the times I met with her and she appeared in court on my behalf she was disheveled and distracted by something other than my case.
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05 Aug, 2024 by Bob weir
Enda ngers OPs. Doesn't respect opposing party signing confidentiality affidavits at the court. Will thre aten OP for confidential information and hold their property against them if they don't give it to them. Willing to des troy your property if you do not give them everything they want, even if they're the opposing party and the court redacted your information to protect you against your abuser. Play games like children, i.e. holds your vehicle title then tells you to never contact the office again. Then tells the po lice you can contact them anytime with your private, court redacted information they have no permission to have! If you want an attorney who is willing to be unethical and not care about conflicts of interest at all, this is for you! If you want an attorney that is trying to not get you su ed, you should probably run away! If you want an attorney who is willing to put your literal life on the line and risk your well-being, sign right up! This one is willing to get you put in the hospital
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03 Aug, 2024 by Aman alex
These attorneys try to get v ictims of severe d omestic v iolence to give over their personal information including address to their abusers who should never know where they live. This includes even if the court redacts the information to protect the victim's life Unbelievably unethical and puts people's lives in great D anger
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09 Apr, 2022 by Mike tripp (papabear69)
Very friendly people to help you out during difficult times.
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15 Mar, 2024 by Sapphire hill
Not very helpful.
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05 Jan, 2024 by Stacy goodwin
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05 Jan, 2024 by Grayson gray
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09 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
Having worked with attorneys from many different firms in business and having had wonderful experiences, I have been amazed at the very different experience working with Rick Abbondanza. His lack of responsiveness to his client and other attorneys has been so surprising and not at all what I expected. One realtor who called Rick his friend admitted not using him due to Rick's professional issues.
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30 Nov, 2020 by Marsha
Rick was great for awhile. He assisted us with setting up a trust for our home. Everything seemed thorough and understandable. So he tucked away our papers in his vault, ready to be pulled out upon our demise. About two years later, we had some real estate tax questions regarding our home, but it was literally like pulling teeth to get a response. I emailed and called both him and his assistant several times. He did respond once, at the beginning, and then I was just ignored. The one time he did call back, he said he was very busy with real estate closings. It was all very disappointing. Needless to say, we are now in the process of selecting a different attorney to assist us when needed in the future. Luckily we can bring our paperwork, and we will not have to start the process all over again.
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20 May, 2015 by Carole
Rick has been our attorney for over 20 years, he has handled our real estate transactions, estate plan and given advice and represented us and our children in many legal situations. He is not only our trusted attorney, he is a personal friend, in fact, we consider him "family"!
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24 Jan, 2018 by Bill
Hired Jeff to write a trust agreement and I provided detailed instructions as to names to be included. Went thru three drafts to get the many errors corrected. Draft quality poor. Originally told it would be several weeks, actually took over two months. Unless you plan to do a lot of proof reading and writing letters to explain errors, I suggest looking for someone else.
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30 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
I used Greg to update a Will he had done in the past. This second time using him took forever with too many mistakes. I corrected the mistakes on the draft and sent them back. The next appointment was weeks later to go over the corrections and finalize the will. I had a 2:00 appointment I lived 2 1/2 hours away , 5 minuets before I arrived I got a cell call from his secretary that the company down stairs is who they use to come up as a witness/ sign the Will but they went home early. I was not happy after driving 2 1/2 hours. Greg’s response was things happen in life you will just have to reschedule . You think he could have advised them in the AM they would need someone at 2:00 A week later I go back for the signing and there are still mistakes on the new draft, now he starts yelling at me yes yelling that it is my fault, clearly not, he spelt the persons name correctly on the first page. Then I was pushed through reading the rest of the Will Bottom line stay clear from this Lawyer. Very unprofessional. Sloppy work.
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17 May, 2023 by Anonymous
Hand down worst attorney I have ever been appointed. She does not listen to you. She likes to interrupt you when you are speaking. She will advise you to take deals knowing you could win in a trial. Hardly answers the phone or return emails and calls. She is more interested in pleasing the district attorney than winning your case, probably because she used to be one. She does not defend you against the D.A during court and even forgot my name and husbands name. Very short and tries to rush you off the phone. You can practically hear the eye rolling & sighs on her end. Never looked i to my case or discussed my chances at trial. DO NOT HIRE THIS WOMAN. She wants to get you out of her hair asap and make the D.A happy
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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:

  1. What is your experience with estate planning?
    Ensure the lawyer has substantial experience drafting wills, creating trusts, and handling other estate planning services.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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