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01 Jun, 2017 by Morgan
Mr. Klatchko came highly recommended through another law firm to assist in estate probate matters in the greater Palm Springs area of Riverside County. His firm is efficient and gets the job done, with clear communication to the client along the way. I recommend Klatchko without hesitation.
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03 Mar, 2017 by Cynthia and sara
The 5 star rating for Attorney Philip Klatchko (and also his assistant Jolene) is richly deserved. I would have given him a 10 on a 10 point scale, based on interactions to date.
In our case, the actual client was an elderly parent whose mental abilities have been fading. He functioned adeptly as part lawyer and part psychologist and seemed to understand the innuendos of dealing with this category of client and their families. The presentation of all legal documents appeared immaculate. He (and Jolene) responded to and initiated communications in a timely and proactive manner - especially with regards to setting up appointments and replies to emails and "requests." While his services are not cheap, we believe (and have been told by others) that his fees are "well worth it." In our specific case we can highly recommend Attorney Klatchko for estate and trust-related matters of an aging or elderly clientele and their families.
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12 Jun, 2016 by Kerri
Philip Klatchko was my mother's attorney. He managed all arrangements for her Estate and drew her Will. He was incredibly thorough and easy for her to work with.
After my mom passed away, I was appointed Executrix of her Estate. I turned to Philip to help me through this murky process... a job one can't possibly prepare for. Philip was patient, kind, supportive, trustworthy, available and always willing to educate when I needed it. He held my hand through this very confusing and emotional process to the very end.
When the time came to purchase my own home in Los Angeles, Philip assisted me in buying the home from directly from the owner.
I have also consulted Philip on a number of occasions for miscellaneous legal advice. I would recommend him to anyone wholeheartedly.
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22 Dec, 2022 by Jared chongarlides
Mark is an honest attorney who puts his clients first. Mark never mislead me in the divorce and custody process. He never told me what I wanted to hear, but told me what I needed to hear. Mark is a great attorney and I am very thankful I retained him for my case. With the representation of Mark, I finalized my divorce and was awarded sole physical custody of my son! Mark’s assistant is wonderful and always answered any of my questions. Communication was excellent throughout the entire process. Mark is intelligent, well-spoken, and has a calm demeanor always even in the courtroom.
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01 Sep, 2021 by John acosta
I have worked with Mark for several years on matters unrelated to dissolution/separation and find him to be professional and responsive. I am glad we found him.
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01 Apr, 2021 by Mike bali
06 Jun, 2018 by Joe martin
Bill Manuel has help me with several legal issues over the past 20 years. I have always found his advice sound, to the point and easy to understand. His fees are very reasonable and he has always resolved whatever matter is at hand quickly. He’s an awesome attorney and I feel fortunate that he is "my lawyer".
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29 Mar, 2018 by William manuel
Mr Manuel I am extremely happy with my end result. I had all the faith and confidence
In you and your ability to solve my problem. It was difficult to do thank you
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08 May, 2019 by Carolyn bailey
I needed advise on a contract I was planning on entering into and Ms. McKee pointed out some problems and some possible future problems. We were able to work out a new contract and meet my deadline.
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24 Mar, 2015 by Helene
Used this attorney for contested probate matter. She was excellent, well prepared, articulate, very professional and compassionate. I highly recommend her.
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27 Nov, 2013 by Kurt
I am a retired English teacher on a pension. Accordingly, I was also an estate document do-it-yourselfer. I thought that after spending many hours carefully researching and writing my documents, that it would be an easy matter to find an estate attorney to vet them and pay a consult fee for this service.
I was mistaken. The first attorney I spoke to, one with superior ratings, said that if I paid $1.00, he risked liability. Attorney after attorney, likewise, did not offer assistance, essentially ignoring my do-it-yourselfer status and, instead, offering exorbitant services. Needless to say, being made to feel like a pariah was not the expected outcome for my self-reliance!
After attorney number eight, in steps Attorney O'Kane, the first person sympathetic to my predicament. She confirmed that, in general, attorneys would be reluctant to take my case “as is” because the practice of estate law is rife with malpractice lawsuits.
Yet, she was concerned and agreed to help me. We made an appointment for a consult, free of charge. She made sure I understood that she would examine my documents but that she would not warrant them. She would then offer a price for re-doing my documents according to California law and that I could accept or reject that price without obligation.
She spent at least one hour carefully reading, taking notes and asking questions. The price she offered was more than reasonable. Through the process, we communicated easily via email. Her office staff were very helpful.
I am now finished with my bona fide documents, the time I spent as a do-it-yourselfer was not wasted, and I'm very happy.
Attorney O'Kane is to be commended not only for her astuteness and workmanship but, moreover, for her warmth, caring and integrity. She therefore receives five stars.
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5.0
18 Reviews
4.9
181 Reviews
15 May, 2024 by D b
Attorney Rhea is a straight shooter, knows his profession well and is very friendly to deal with. If you have any issues in life that require legal support, I would not hesitate to call Joseph Rhea.
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13 May, 2024 by Alex chavira
06 May, 2024 by Adam morales
Definitely recommend Attorney Joseph Rhea. He is very knowledgeable, professional, and downright great at his career. I am a client and will always use him if needed (hopefully not)
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4.9
14 Reviews
18 Feb, 2016 by Paula
We recently were notified by our insurance company that after 25 years our daughter's private duty nursing hours were being reduced. A mom of a special needs child recommended we contact Valerie Powers Smith for help. Valerie had an instant understanding of our problem and immediately took charge of the situation. In just three days she collected and reviewed hundreds of pages of medical information, interviewed pertinent medical personnel, made numerous phone calls and had the insurance company decision overturned. Valerie kept us informed of her progress daily through emails and phone calls. She understood the stress we were under and was always available for questions. I highly recommend Valerie Powers Smith to anyone who is in need of an attorney .
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09 Nov, 2015 by Mary ellen
I am writing for the purpose of recommending, in the strongest possible terms, that anyone who needs legal advice or representation for a special needs family member contact Valerie Powers of Slovak, Baron, Empey, Murphy and Pinkney.
I have had a very long relationship with Valerie Powers as my special needs brother’s stay at the home he had been living in for 48 of his 50 years had been legally challenged multiple times and Valerie worked tirelessly to make sure he was not moved.
Her care, concern and compassion about some sensitive personal and legal issues made it easy for us to talk openly with her. She went over and above in contacting the appropriate agencies involved and was available very early while practicing from the West Coast, we reside in Connecticut, to weigh in on some very time sensitive issues. We also had the utmost faith that her knowledge of this legal system would ensure us the best possible outcome under the constraints of the law.
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29 Jan, 2015 by Kathleen
I retained Valerie Powers Smith to represent my interests in a trust litigation matter. It was a difficult time for me with very difficult people to deal with. Without a doubt, I would not have made it without her help. She really got every nuance of all the characters and completely understood my position and what I wanted. She guided me through the process legally, and emotionally, explaining the process and my options until I could understand. She supported me, listened and genuinely cared. She is truly a special person and exceptional attorney.
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07 May, 2024 by Joel robbins
Working with Josh Arthur at the J Arthur Law Firm was an absolute game-changer for us. Having relocated to California almost five years ago, we found ourselves in need of updating our estate planning, wills, and other directives. From the moment we engaged with Josh, his grace and depth of knowledge left a lasting impression. What truly set him apart was his calm demeanor, which instantly fostered a strong connection.
Josh's honesty and integrity were evident throughout our interactions, making him exceptionally trustworthy. Unlike our previous experiences with other attorneys, where we felt like mere transactions, Josh genuinely cared about our needs. He wasn't just focused on collecting fees; instead, he prioritized our peace of mind and the integrity of our legal documents.
In contrast to our prior disappointments, Josh made the entire process seamless and stress-free. He took the time to thoroughly review and discuss all necessary items, patiently addressing any questions or concerns we had along the way. The paperwork was completed promptly and efficiently, ensuring that everything was filed correctly and in compliance with all requirements.
Overall, working with Josh Arthur was a breath of fresh air. His professionalism, expertise, and genuine concern for his clients' well-being truly set him apart. We couldn't recommend him and the J Arthur Law Firm highly enough for anyone seeking top-notch legal services in estate planning and beyond.
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03 May, 2024 by Rocky wood
Even as the process with immigration was a long and arduous process; We were happy to have Bolour/ Carl group guiding us along the way. Especially for all the help from Scott Emerick who always was quick to respond to all our questions and concerns.
I would like to thank him again.
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22 Apr, 2024 by Corey mckeown
Fairly rude over the phone. Treated like they couldn't be bothered. Or that they had much better things to do since it wasn't their particular area of expertise . Very short and very curt.
The response to my review that is given here is all the more reason to stay away.
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21 May, 2024 by Kevin abrams
Unacceptable experience. See my feedback below to the firm after having an awful experience on what was a very simple request.
"The manner in which your firm has been communicating with me is bizarre and almost robotic...On top of that, there was no material explanation as to why such fees would be necessary. For your reference, I reached out to two of your competitors, all of which promptly responded to me via email with a normal conversation and discussion that involved a human back and forth with questions, and elaboration on my request. It was refreshing. Secondly, the potential fees of up to 4 hours for $550/hour for a reaffirmation were referred to as "ridiculous" not only by your competitors, but from other out-of-state counsel that I have worked with in the past. On top of that, some of which offered alternatives that require no fees whatsoever. In conclusion, the manner in which you conduct business and communicate is not only seemingly fee-driven instead of sincerely helping the needs of a potential client, but also not a fit for me."
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04 Apr, 2024 by Judy garcia
My husband and myself had a great experience with SBEMP, they are very professional and helpful. We had some legal documents taken care of with them and couldn’t have been more pleased. Highly recommend them for all your legal needs.
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08 Mar, 2024 by Charlie calhoun
So, I have a very challenging case. It spans two states and two different courts in Riverside County. Did I mention a very challenging Ex? Long story short, Valarie (probate area of practice) and Carolyn (family law) are amazing. They have fought tooth and nail for me. Let me be clear….this is not a “discount” law firm. The old adage, you get what you pay for. I needed competent hard working lawyers. Lawyers who knew the ins and out of each issue. That is what I got. Their guidance was/is worth every penny. These two women are amazing and I am so thankful for finding them. I can’t speak for anything outside of family law or probate, but I can tell you if you have an issue in these two areas, use them.
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15 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous
Do not use this man. He prepared documents for me, which I paid thousands for, and when I called a few years later to inquire about costs to update them, his incompetent assistant told him I was asking him to perform these services for free, which was not true. She flatly refused repeatedly to quote me a price for the VERY simple services I was requesting and insisted I needed to come in and pay for an hour of the lawyer's time in order to find out how much it would cost for me to literally just change one name on a document. Ludicrous way to do business. He then sent a nasty, vitriolic, factually inaccurate letter "firing" me as a client, accusing me of wanting free services, which is a lie. The California Bar advised me to lodge a complaint. Take your business elsewhere. This was the worst experience, most unprofessional experience I've ever had with a law firm. Awful.
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23 Dec, 2019 by Steve
I've worked with Eric to complete our will, and more recently to create our marital trust. He's an exceptional attorney. He and his staff are very organized, with great follow-up on pending items that we needed to provide. He made the process simple and easy to understand. Eric is also very civic minded, and contributes his time and resources to a number of community organizations. I'd highly recommend him.
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05 Nov, 2019 by Archie
I went to Mr. Rudolph because I did not feel that I was getting competent legal advice from my current lawyer. I could not be more satisfied with this decision. Mr. Rudolph and his staff have provided me with 5-star service and competent legal advice. He listens carefully and takes whatever time is necessary to explain all of your options. I feel that my estate planning is in better shape than ever. I have referred several of my friends to Mr. Rudolph and they have all shared their positive experiences with me.
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13 Feb, 2019 by Scott
My partner and I found David E. Jacobs online. During our first telephone conversation, I knew I had found our attorney. We needed an attorney that could advise us on several important items and understand the big picture of our issue. We had our first face to face meeting with Mr. Jacobs and hired him at that time, via retainer. Mr. Jacobs went the extra mile for us and resolved our legal issues. There are not enough good words I can say about how he successfully represented us.
My partner and i highly recommend Mr. Jacobs and we would utilize him for future legal issues.
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27 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
Mr. Jacobs was recommended. But soon after hiring him I realized that he really did not care what I had to say or what I wanted him to do for me. Like many attorney's, he just wanted the money. He was arrogant. He lacked respect for me and in fact even told me I was spoiled and that I needed to get a job. He did not take the time to research our family situation or me. He never saw the bigger picture just what he wanted to see. He was insulting. His plan failed and he blamed it on me. He kept saying he could not help me because I would not listen to him? Really? He told me I needed to get rid of my animals because they were costing too much. Really? This man is an awful attorney. Unprofessional and condescending. Way out of line. He screwed up and it will have a negative impact on my future.
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21 Jun, 2011 by Anonymous
I've know David for nine years. His expertise and passion is terrific. He is a dedicated family man. A champion for the rights of others.
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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.
