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25 Jul, 2024 by Stephanie wallis
From our experience, Rick Christian's review is dead-on in accuracy. The firm has deficiencies.
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02 Apr, 2024 by Kandis s
Didn't even get to paying for a consultation thank goodness. She basically asked me why I would want to stand up for myself on a bogus parenting plan. He is in contempt monthly and she thinks I should just allow him to control and walk all over his children and the parenting plan. Definitely not for you if you need someone strong that will stand up for you and what you want or
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09 Mar, 2024 by Janine o'del
I have never had contact with Ms Currin, but her firm has billed me repeatedly for a contact which never took place, on a matter which was settled without her assistance 5 months before the service they are billing for and 4 years after I fired a previous attorney with that firm. I have made repeated calls to the firm to tell them this bill was sent in error and nothing has been done. I cannot speak to her competence, but I certainly have no confidence in their office staff.
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12 Oct, 2023 by Anonymous
What a waste of money and time for family law.
I would have been better off to represent myself.
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07 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
At the time of my divorce, I had become permanently disabled from a major car accident. While I was unable to defend myself, I hired Mr. Larvik to be my voice. He spent several months researching my case and a considerable amount of money. At the time of the court hearing, he said that he wasn't prepared and encouraged a settlement that gave my husband all of our joint assets so that we could get it over with. I was too shocked and incapacitated to respond. Later, my ex-husband stated that he would have settled for half of what he received. I received no part of the marital estate and continue to incur considerable medical expenses. I would have been better off letting the judge decide.
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10 May, 2015 by David
Mr. Larvik represented me in a family law/divorce case. He was truthful at all times and always kept me informed as to what was going to happen next. He prepares diligently and meticulously and didn't wait until the last minute. My trial was bumped up but no worries due to his timely preparation. My trial proceeded exactly like he assured me it would and I couldn't have been more pleased with the outcome; a fair decision by the Judge.
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14 Mar, 2024 by Danita macy
Family attorney for many years. Helpful in getting help for aged parents with dementia.
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27 Mar, 2023 by Amber
22 Jul, 2021 by Sbs
Zero at most. Front desk lady is very rude. Definitely glad I was in the wrong place and don't have to deal with her ever again!!
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29 Jun, 2009 by Anonymous
We worked with Corey on a land use issue. His knowledge was good, though not comprehensive. For example, after reading the relevant ordinance, we identified problems he hadn't, problems he later agreed were there.
The biggest problem working with Corey is his lack of responsiveness. During a crunch time for us (a period of a couple weeks), Corey was completely unresponsive, despite our contacts by email, by fax, and via voice messages. We ended up missing a deadline because we could not get Corey to respond. He eventually did respond, but with no mention or apology about his delays. When we contacted him again to follow up, same problem: we contacted him multiple times over multiple days without response.
We don't expect every attorney to be instantly available, but Corey's unresponsiveness was far beyond reasonable.
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18 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
After 6 months she could not settle the case, and ultimately dropped my case. Tiffany came highly recommended to me and she was disappointing & hoped she could settle a simple divorce in less than 6 months. I wish I would have read her reviews prior to hiring her.
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18 Feb, 2022 by James
I received a referral from the Oregon State Bar for an attorney to help me with a problem that I have with some landlords that concerns fraud. I tried to get a hold of this guy but his phone automatically hung up after two rings. I called the Bar back and told them as much and they called him, and he called me and left a message, then the Bar called me back and said that his phone did work. Finally my call went through. He seemed like he was interested in my case. He asked me to mail him my documents. I said I would and I needed a few days because I wanted to get it all together correctly. I mailed the documents and it was around $11 to mail them because they are wirebound books of ongoing fraud and persecution and harassment by some very unscrupulous landlords. When we had our initial meeting he seemed a little bit put off by the fact that I was so prepared. I don't believe at this point that he wanted anything to do with my case because of all my evidence. At the end of our half hour appointment he tried to back out and I said, come on you can help me. This is not a hard claim for an experienced attorney. He said, give me two days to wrap my head around this stuff and I said, that sounds cool. Then he said, he would call me in two days which would have made it Friday. I did not receive a call from him on Friday and I really don't like it when somebody tells me they're going to do something and then they don't, especially an attorney. So I figured that he must have really gotten into it and could see what was going on. My research notebooks are wirebound and they're in order, very easy to understand. All weekend long I figured I had an attorney that was on my side and we were going to finish this. I did not receive a call from him on Monday, so I called him and his phone hung up on me after two rings. Then, I received a phone call from him and he said, who is this? I said, it is James. He said, what do you want James? I said oh, how is it going? Then he goes, well, oh, umm, I only picked up the phone because, because, l umm, then, he said, what do you want? I said, l want to know if you are going to represent me. He raised his voice and said, NO I AM NOT ! Then I said, ok, l need all of my books back. He said, that he had just typed a letter for me and was getting ready to mail them back to me. I told him that I only use my PO box and we confirmed the address. I said goodbye.
After two days I did not receive my documents. And I emailed him asking if he had a tracking number. Later on I received an email and a tracking number. He had just taken them to the post office. I tracked the item and I received my documents the next day. I open them up and I read his letter, there was two identical letters. Both were signed. Apparently he wanted me to sign one of them and return it to him as though I agreed with what he had to say. I didn't agree with anything that he had to say and I noticed that the date on the letter was the 16th, the same day he mailed it. Which means that he lied to me and had not finished writing a letter to mail with my documents. I immediately emailed him and told him I was not signing his letter and that he was shameful. This man wasted 3 weeks of my life, he was not direct. He lied to me more than once saying he was going to call me back in 2 days and that he had typed that letter on the day that we spoke on the phone.
Additionally, he had the nerve to keep the $35 check. He most certainly did not earn it and I can tell he didn't even look at all of my documents. Why is he even taking cases on referral? Is it so that he can get an easy $35 ? Well I'm not sure. But I can say this. Do not waste your time! I don't think this guy cares and I know he's dishonest.
I feel like he made a fool out of me . . .
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17 Dec, 2021 by Anonymous
Information not updated not able to contact the individual websites showing him at Old employment no new website no way to contact you
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01 Apr, 2014 by Anonymous
In my opinion Bill Keeler is one of the most evil men I have ever encountered in my entire life. I think that he is arrogant, selfish, inconsiderate, incompetent, and will do just about anything for money. I caught him lying to me on three occasions. He never kept any promise he made to me. He hunted me down like I was a wild animal, defamed my character and forced me against my will to testify in a civil case that had absolutely nothing to do with me and he knew it.
The civil case was all because someone at his law firm had written a living trust incorrectly and did not list and give money to anyone who might contest the trust. Because of that when their client died, someone previously listed on another living trust contested the trust. Everyone knows or should know that you have to list anyone on a trust who might contest the trust and give them $1 which shows you considered them and didn't want them to get any money. Any competent attorney would have listed any and all people listed on previous trusts and given them a $1. This is standard practice in the industry. Yet Bill Keeler's law firm did not do that. And one of the people listed in a previous trust contested the trust. Surprise, surprise. NOT The case couldn't be thrown out because he wasn't listed on the trust that Bill Keeler's law firm had written. So instead of owning up to the fact that they had written the living trust incorrectly, he decided to supeona anyone who might correct his mistake. A good person doesn't force other people against their will to correct their mistake. A good person corrects their own mistakes.
I was one of the people subpoenaed on their fishing expedition to correct their mistake. However, Bill told me excruciating details about the case. Attorneys are not allowed to tell details to a witness because it might sway their testimony. But Bill did exactly that to me. In my opinion he was trying to get me to lie under oath.
He also sent a process server to go to all my neighbors and tell them that I was being served papers. That process server hunted me down for over a month. I work a lot so I was never home when she tried to serve me. That gave me many sleepless nights during that month because all my neighbors were coming up to me telling me that someone was trying to serve me papers. I knew that I had done nothing wrong to get someone to serve me papers. He had never sent me a letter in the mail to tell me what was going on in advance. His first effort without giving me a chance to volunteer to testify was to serve me papers to get me to testify against my will. Again it is extremely rare for a person to be supeonaed in a civil case. Yet, because Bill, in my opinion, has no morals, it didn't bother him that he had made my life hell by defaming my character to all my neighbors.
When he finally got a hold of me, I figured out right away he wasn't owning up to the fact that they had made a mistake. And they wanted me to correct their mistake. I was so furious when I found the truth about why the process server had defamed my character for over a month.. To make matters worse, he and one of his staff threatened to throw me in jail if I didn't do exactly what they wanted. Knowing they would be throwing a completely innocent person in jail didn't bother Bill and his staff one bit. In my opinion, the person who should be thrown in jail is Bill and his staff. In my opinions they are criminals.
I sent Bill two certified letters telling them not to contact me and I sent over 50 emails telling them not to contact me. And the next day Bill would always contact me out of complete disrespect, arrogance and selfishness. I couldn't sleep for four months over a case that was 100% caused by Bill Keeler's law firm's incompetence, in my opinion. Now you know why I think Bill Keeler is one of the most evil men I have ever encountered.
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07 Feb, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. Keeler told us we would not be liable for anything but our own attorneys fees but infact he joined us to a petition that held us responsible for over 100 grand of all the other partys fees. He filed responses we never agreed to or even signed just to rack up more charges. Mr. Keeler was all about the money rather then having a close bond with his clients or even standing up and showing compassion for a deceased individual who deserved justice! NOT TRUSTWORTHY! I do NOT reccomend and would NOT ever use again! Please research thoroughly before you just think because of his age and how long he has been practicing law he must be good at what he does.
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21 May, 2021 by Kay
The victims advocate withheld crucial information from the police and then blamed the police for not doing their job. I believe they did so because the perpetrator is a relative of a victims adcocate liason.
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13 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
Violating ORS good faith laws since June 2020 puts the community in danger having zero background in neropdycological evaluation and not capable of assessing mental illness or following HIPPA federal law code of conduct that puts minor children at risk as well as perpetuating drug use epidemic in the state of Oregon via pill mill contracted malpractice.
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28 Aug, 2012 by Anonymous
I had an IRS situation that he said was a very easy case. I should be resolved in about a year, that was almost 3 years ago and I am still waiting. I gave him all my personal and financial information and he called me several weeks later and said he was still waiting for it. Very unorganized! I do not think he knew what he was doing. My case is still pending and he told me he has moved to LA. I do not trust his knowledge of the law at all.
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03 Dec, 2008 by Anonymous
This lawyer disappeared like a contractor! This was after he took our case and gave us hope and the illusion that he would be there for us. Total waste of time! Unless you have BIG $$$ or a case requiring no effort or any of his time, as a client you will be left in dust - this lawyer is un-responsive, seems unclear as to laws - unwilling to advise clients and can be intimidating to deal with. Very bad experience with no results, unless you can count wasting our time a result.
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17 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous
She couldn’t cut it in private paractice so now she’s a speeding ticket hack at Salem Muni- Court.
‘Just got back from “judge school” ( no kidding - that’s what it’s called) - at Guantanamo?
She’s overly aggressive because she is under-educated and under-skilled.
If you see her on the bench - don’t give her any breaks.
Use up as much of her (and the cops) worthless time: think of it as a community service: the longer you keep her and the “ armed tax assessor” off the streets - the better for all of us.
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06 Dec, 2016 by Anonymous
I should have asked how many cases she had won/lost. I should have asked her strategy. She was overly confident I would win or extremely lazy, I'm not sure which. She called ZERO witnesses on my behalf. It was pure defense, and weak at that. I heard from the opposing party the judge's decision...you got that a text from my ex-husband not a call from my attorney... And 3 months later she has yet to have one conversation with me that was not thru her assistant. My children were taken from me and I did get so much as a "I'm sorry." My life is broken and my own attorney couldn't be bothered to tell me what my options were. Absolutely unprofessional.
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07 Apr, 2024 by A mother
This attorney was arrested in a child predator sting in Washington County Oregon on April 4, 2024. Don't give him a penny of your $
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01 Jan, 2009 by Anonymous
Mrs. Morasch gouged me in my divorce. She made sure everyting was convenient for her and not in her client's best interests. She would not respond timely to any of my written requests/instructions and lost my divorce case for me due to her poor representation which has cost me thousands of dollars. During the divorce hearing, she just sat there and never once defended me. She was a total disappointment.
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15 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Ms. Peterson was hired by me in relation to descrepencies on my credit report. During our initial consultation, she appeared competent and knowledgeable. After she was hired, she did not follow through on promises she made to attempt to contact the companies regarding my case, she did not return my phone calls or emails. I had to
Physically go to her office twice. The first time I showed up, she apologized for not returning my calls stating that things got extremely busy. She admitted that she had not even started on my case and it had been almost a month since she was hired. After our meeting , I heard from her via a letter she sent to the companies on one occasion and then another "letter" that actually was an invoice for time accrued. Well it's been 6 months and I have heard nothing else from her. I just recently emailed her requesting the valve of my retainer: $44.00. This attorney is awful and I am extremely surprised she has remained in business. I only stumbled upon her through my employer's EAP Program...if you need a lawyer, beware of this one....in fact, run the other way.
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19 Feb, 2024 by Barb
Contacted through his message center on 1/12/24 and again on 1/16/24. Why have a message center if you are not going to respond? Today is 2/19.
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01 Aug, 2019 by Anonymous
Truly the most uneducated attorney I have ever spoken too. I hired him to evict a tenant and the convoluted interpretation he came back with was laughable. He charges $220 per hour, is very intimidated by other attorneys and clearly he just bought a degree and now the public must suffer. Consumers please be aware so you don’t waste your hard earned money on someone who does. Or know what they are doing.
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18 Nov, 2017 by Michael
Ernest was my court appointed attorney on a coercion charge.I was in custody in county for 3 months before he even made contact with me.He refused to take a single phone call from me during the entire 4 month stay in county (even though i was paying for phone calls). Communication was next to none.Ernest lied to me on most occasions about what was going on.Would barely communicate with my family who tried to talk to him.I had a very valid defense to my case , all that needed to happen was provide the da my medical information , but it didnt happen.Ernest was a dishonest person and a barrier between myself and the court.Due to Ernest my voice could not be heard and i got railroaded into a 14 month prison sentence.While i was in prison my 18 year old daughter died just 3 months prior to me coming home under tragic circumstances.I contacted Ernest after i got released and was surprised to see he answered his phone because he stated to me i was his last case then he was retiring.I explained the consequential tragedy that happened while i was in prison and my resentments towards his lack of effort and inability to be due dilligant as my attorney.He was highly disrespectful and yelled at me over the phone calling me a liar and that i was just mentally crazy was the problem.He also shifted blame on my mother for not providing him with my medical records from the hospital.That was not her responsibility.A grieving father who lost his only child , Ernest was the most disrespectful and unproffesional adult ive ever seen regarding his attitude and lack of concern.I am following up with a complaint to the oregon state bar.I was even informed by the partner that rents Ernest office space that it was unfortunate i got stuck with Ernest as my attorney and he understood why i wanted i different lawer.These are all true and actual facts.Ernest is the worst attorney i`ve ever had any dealings with.I must live the rest of my life without my little girl over a situation that could have been much different if i would have had a attorney that simply worked with me.Its very likely my daughter would still be alive if i had been home.
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19 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Attorney Ford was referred to me via Pre-paid Legal to write a letter to someone who was defaming my name. He sent the draft letter for me to review. I submitted the letter with changes. I then received a email from his administrative assistant with the original letter attached without the changes I requested. The name and orientation of the agency was wrong, and there were several name spelling errors. I let the office know that I was not aligned with them sending out the letter. Despite my communication of my not being aligned with the letter they sent the letter out without my knowledge or approval.
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22 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
I engaged Caitlin for a small project. She estimated the time to complete at roughly 3 hours. Caitlin initially sent me an email stating that she would begin the research immediately and check in by the end of the week. A month later, I've heard nothing - no status updates, no work product.
I then write her an email on a Tuesday checking in to ask for a status update and to request that she have the project completed within the next 10 days. She writes back that she'll have it to me by the end of the current week. End of the week arrives, nothing.
Tuesday of the following week, she emails me to she had a multi-day emergency the previous week but that she would get it to me the following morning. She did not. She also did not send me any notice that she would be delayed by the emergency.
A few days after that, I emailed her to terminate my engagement with her and asked for a refund. Ignoring my email, she sent me the work product for the project soon thereafter.
If you're looking for a responsible, responsive attorney who will complete work in a timely manner, I strongly recommend that you look elsewhere. Caitlin exhibited a clear pattern of excuse making throughout the engagement that I would have never tolerated from any of my own employees. I suspect that if I hadn't followed up the project would have never been completed.
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04 May, 2017 by Anonymous
He scratched and destroyed my evidence, all is lost, worst lawyer ever
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11 Mar, 2016 by Wendy
DO NOT HIRE ERIN KEELER (RICKARDS) AS YOUR DIVORCE ATTORNEY.
Erin Rickards failed me in every way that a divorce attorney could fail. She failed to give me good advice. She failed to critique every level of the valuations done of shared assets. She failed to ensure that premarital assets were attributed to me. She failed to account for money that could have and should have been deducted from the equity of assets. She failed to go after my ex when we really had him with his lying and concealing of assets. She failed me. I trusted her and thought she knew what she was doing. But she did not. She had barely been out of school three years when taking my case she had NO business being my divorce attorney. She made mistake after mistake and failed to protect me from total financial ruin.
The results of Erin Rickards failure towards her client is that I am about to go into bankruptcy because of the insurmountable debt that I have incurred because of the huge divorce judgement against myself. I owe more on my divorce judgement today then I did in 2010 because at 9% interest I can barely make the interest payment each month. Furthermore, the emotional and physical stress that I have suffered since my divorce trying to run the business that I unhappily own and be a single mother and pay my ex-husband every extra cent I have has had a terrible toll on my physical health to the point that I can no longer even work in the restaurant as I am physically unable.
Please take my advice and do not use her if you want to come out on top on your case.
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05 Jan, 2011 by Anonymous
"Whoever wrote this did not know what they were doing" said a Multnomah County Judge to me in 2010 regarding my simple bill of sale Mrs. Burns crafted expensively for me in 2009. The judge also said "This document is not legally binding" and "If I were you I'd seek legal advice against your lawyer."
After my lawsuit was thrown out I approached Mrs Burns for a return of my money. She refused, and gave me the name of her malpractice insurance company. My new lawyer told me its expensive and fruitless to go up against another lawyer like this, and it's not really worth the money that I spent already.
(As a side note, I should have known better, for at my first meeting there, there was dog poop all over her office and meeting room floors and it stank horribly. Completely unprofessional.)
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27 Jan, 2009 by Sha
Lynn mostly knew how to charge, bill and write Agreements to lock me in. She would make a super Sales Person!
You simply, 'can not like this girl'.
She would not 'stand up for me', if you know what i mean.
Lynn had a hard time allocating her time towards her clients needs. She was busy with personal business. It is hard to write this but you see, she keeps her message machine full after she is 'done' with a client. I believe her MO is talking you into a last retainer fee and then closes you out. at least this is what happened to me.
after completely loosing a hearing completely, she then talked me into 'getting the guardian off' for $2,000 more dollars. After that, i heard noting from her at all.
she locked me into a conservatorship and guardianship, when i ordered her 'not to sign those papers'. but to clear her 'desk', to finish what she reinged in, she had to complete those papers, else all was lost for her 'history'.
i have not been able to contact her 3
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06 Jan, 2022 by Anonymous
This man is a crook who likely won't be allowed to practice law in the state of Oregon for much longer.
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15 Feb, 2019 by Alex
I am a single case, so I can't speak to her broader treatment of clients, but I feel discarded and ignored. We went to her to get a revocable living trust. We initially waited 2 months to see her, due to her workload. I should have taken this as a sign. It's now been about 9 months since we finally signed our papers and we still don't have copies of them. She virtually never answers the phone, and never returns calls when I leave messages. I've sent 9-10 emails since May of 2018, and she has answered exactly 2 of them, both saying that she was sorry for being busy. The last one said she'd get back to us in a week... that was more than a month ago, and she's back to ignoring us. We gave up and are moving on to a new attorney. I'd really love to get copies of the paperwork we already paid for (in time, tears and cash), but I'm no longer holding my breath.
In terms of the quality of the work in creating the paperwork, I have every faith that she did diligent work. She asked lots of good questions and helped us think through many contingencies that we hadn't previously considered. In the 2 actual meetings we had with her, she displayed the kind of care I had hoped for, and was in fact why we chose her.
Unfortunately, after all of that... we have nothing to show for it. Since that last meeting in May of last year, we were so casually and so thoroughly discarded, you'd think she had retired. Because of this, I not only cannot recommend her, personally, but I must actively caution you against choosing her. It's not worth the frustration.
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14 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
We used this lawyer because another lawyer referred him for real estate issues. Unfortunately, as we found out, he has zero knowledge on real estate law. Even though we hired him and paid him and would’ve cost us more money to change lawyers, we ended up going with a different lawyer due to his lack of knowledge and incompetence.
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05 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
Called Bryon and spoke with him one time, he told me to call him back when I needed his services. I called him back and he was always in a meeting, left numerous messages to call me back, he never once called, zero call backs... That's not how you do business... Don't waste your time, he doesn't get it!
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10 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
Please consider my experience before hiring Lisa K. Day. She is very inexperienced, misguided me on numerous occasions, drew out my legal process way too long, cost me tens of thousands of dollars due to her mistakes and lack of experience. She overlooked many details of my case which ended up affecting the outcome. She raised the eyebrows of bankers, other attorneys, businesses and more. I strongly encourage anyone that is considering her to represent them and/or draft documents to be advised of her extremely low level of competence.
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25 Sep, 2024 by Marlene
As soon as we met him I knew we would look for a different attorney. I have never met anyone more unprofessional in my 80+ years. It was obvious he wanted to be anywhere but where he was. It got worse during the consultation. I think he prejudged my granddaughter rather than the child custody case we were there for. He gave us completely different information than the lawyer who represented her in the CPS case. I would not recommend him at all.
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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:
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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.
