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17 Feb, 2023 by Christian garo
29 Jul, 2022 by Chuck provost
Great Experience working with David A Erickson. Super knowledgeable and professional.
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29 Mar, 2021 by Dino b
17 Feb, 2023 by Christian garo
29 Jul, 2022 by Chuck provost
Great Experience working with David A Erickson. Super knowledgeable and professional.
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29 Mar, 2021 by Dino b
17 Feb, 2023 by Christian garo
29 Jul, 2022 by Chuck provost
Great Experience working with David A Erickson. Super knowledgeable and professional.
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29 Mar, 2021 by Dino b
08 Apr, 2015 by David
I was a little apprehensive when I read the regulatory disclosures, but after meeting with Michael and his staff, I was quickly reassured. He is a very ethically and hard working attorney. No complaints here.
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15 Oct, 2016 by Eric brodeur
14 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
Don't expect any sort of real communication for over a year of your loved ones passing. This attorney has an unreasonable delay in services performed. They never answer the phone and you can leave all the voicemails and emails you want, it will go ignored. I would never want my loved ones to feel the way this attorney has made me and others in the will to feel after going through what we have had to go through with them.
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29 May, 2021 by Anonymous
Mr Johnson and his staff have assisted our family in estate planning. His entire organization is professional and easy to work with.
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30 Apr, 2020 by Christian
Chris Johnson is excellent. He created the Trust for my mother and stepdad. Every part of the process was professional, detailed and informative. Chris is trustworthy and very thorough in his work. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to create a Trust or anyone in Probate.
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02 Sep, 2014 by Frankii
Mr. Barbaro is an awesome person and a man I knew before coming to him regarding the law.
He is a GREAT man that has a sense of humor yet his judgement and personal character are wonderful. He cares yet fervent and passionate about his work, and does it extremely well. Family can be fickle, yet when all you seek is the truth and dishonesty may be in play, there are things that can and should be done about it, especially if it is a person or person’s, last wishes. Mr. Barbaro Jr., takes wills, the deceased and determines what their desires (wills),last wishes are and makes sure its fair to everyone in the will. Philip Barbaro Jr., always has your best interest in mind. Do you want someone who has your back, all the time? Mr. Barbaro is that person. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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08 Apr, 2013 by Deanna
In my opinion, my lawyer Mr. Philip Barbaro Jr., was professional, conscientious and someone I can highly recommend. He went above and beyond my expectations. My case was overwhelming to me. Phil would continually say “you don’t need to be worrying about this…that’s why you hired me. Let me do the worrying”. He made me feel very comfortable and well represented. I appreciated his directness and “get it done” attitude. I can honestly say, Mr. Barbaro made my unpleasant lawsuit end with what I think was the best possible outcome!
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01 Aug, 2008 by Anonymous
never returned my calls. left me hanging
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08 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
Mr Kim is only concerned with how much money he can get from his client. A competent attorney could have had the case against me dismissed soon after it was filed as a fact of law. Mr Kim billed our legal plan for tens of thousands of dollars in work he never did and dragged his feet and procrastinated in doing anything to defend me. When I realized he was lying to me, it was too late to get another attorney before trial. Now, the Judge has determined that the cased did not follow the law. Both attorneys (plaintiffs and defendants) have taken enormous amounts of money and just walked away. DO NOT USE THIS ATTORNEY!!!
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21 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
Atty. Kim was very helpful when we called him for help due to a lease agreement dispute. He was the only lawyer that took our case and was very knowledgeable about the law. He made us feel very safe. That was a very stressful moment for that I couldn’t sleep the night before. I am thankful that I called Atty. Kim. He is an expert at real estate law.
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10 Jan, 2021 by Anil
Unfortunately We did not retain this lawyer from AVVO.
We retained him for 2 cases until resolved he wanted full cash upfront for total cases. we gave him , yes we are stupid to do that even though he said he has some problems which i think he was in financial problems. after about a year he withdrew from the cases and left us alone without lawyer and now we are about to loose (dismissed )both cases worth very big amount because we do not know the law and judges will not wait till i find the lawyer. He kept all the money and has not returned any retainer fee yet but has promised few times that he will but never does. Be careful please. we wasted years on this cases and we lost all in a year. He never understood what the cases are all about because he was paid in full in advance. good luck
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20 Jan, 2018 by Michael
My wife was referred to Mr Walch and unfortunately after her passing and having beneficiaries attorneys examine the contents there were and still are many questions. This has been challenged for over two years and hopefully resolution will be soon,
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10 Sep, 2015 by Doug
Spencer is one of the most efficient lawyers I've ever met. He is honest and hard working. He's worked with us on this case for about 9 years.. I t could have been done sooner but for an unfortunate brother in law who objected to most everything. I call him a great lawyer but more so a great friend.
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03 May, 2016 by Anonymous
Mr. Leach DESERVES "NO STARS" in handling my divorce. I was the Petitioner and the divorce was uncontested with no children. My husband asked if we could both use Mr. Leach, thus supposedly saving us both money. Upon which, Mr. Leach advised that would be fine, but stated that he would only be "representing" and "counseling" me. (In the end it resulted in more $ out of my pocket). ANYWAY, once those terms were agreed upon, Mr. Leach NEVER GAVE ME ANY SEPARATE COUNSEL WHATSOEVER!!! As a matter of fact, the only time I even SAW or SPOKE WITH him after THAT was when he would have both my husband and I meet together in his office,ALWAYS WITH BOTH PARTIES PRESENT. The result was that, in a nutshell, Mr. Leach would sit there eating up my $5K retainer, at $350/hr, as my ex and I argued about the issues at hand (since there were no children involved, the issues were mainly real and personal property settlements and spousal support). The meetings generally lasted 2+ hours, or until I would become INFURIATED and walk out!!!!! While my ex and I would argue about the disposition of real and personal property. My ex wanted to keep our family home and SUV, paying me out of each and maintaining possession of both. I didn't have a problem with either, thus of course neither did Mr. Leach. When I advised that I wanted to keep some of the furnishings and buy my husband out, my husband had issue saying it wasn't fair because I'd continue to gain benefit after buying him out and insisted that the furnishings be SOLD and proceeds divided. I advised that there was no difference in him buying me out of our home and SUV and keeping both as his sole and separate property, and me buying him out of select furnishings and keeping such as my sole and separate property. I looked to Mr. Leach to stress THAT POINT to my ex, but Mr. Leach just looked dumb-founded and stated "hmmmm, I'll have to think about that". I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EARS!!!!!!!! IT WAS THEN THAT I REALIZED THAT NOT ONLY WAS MR. LEACH NOT PROVIDING ANY COUNSEL/REPRESENTATION FOR ME!!! IT ALSO MADE ME QUESTION IF HE HAD HANDLED ANY OTHER DIVORCES, AS I'M SURE THESE ISSUES WOULD HAVE DEFINITELY HAD TO COME UP IN OTHER DIVORCE CASES!!!!! After THAT, I became very disgruntled, and started to interview other counsel. It was then that I discovered Mr. Leach had prepared, filed and obtained a court date to address the issue of spousal support, but had never apprised me of my mandatory appearance in court, and neither did Mr. Leach appear, resulting in the judge throwing out the case. (I was not working and had $0 INCOME).
The matter was taken off of calendar and NEVER RE-ADDRESSED. Thus, I was forced to continue struggling with absolutely NO INCOME!!!
As I was vacillating as to whether or not to continue with Mr. Leach, or consider exercising other options, I asked him to provide me with up-to-date accounting (NOTE: I HAD NEVER RECEIVED ONE STATEMENT PRIOR TO THIS, ALTHOUGH BY THIS TIME I HAD BEEN UNDER HIS 'REPRESENTATION' FOR OVER 3 MONTHS). His statement not only showed a depletion of the retainer, but actually left me with a balance owing. Also, along with the accounting statement, there was a letter from Mr. Leach stating that he could no longer represent me, etc... In essence, as I was trying to determine whether or not I would continue to
employ Mr. Leach -- HE FIRED ME!!! Not only that, but my subsequent counsel, AND the subsequent counsel my ex-husband retained, both stated Mr. Leach's uncooperative nature and even hinted at deliberate malice, thus hindering both myself and my ex to proceed in the most timely manner. ALL I CAN SAY, IS, I'M NOT SURE ABOUT HIS EXPERTISE IN OTHER LEGAL ISSUES, BUT WHEN IT CAME TO THE DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE, IN MY PARTICULAR CASE, HE WAS MORE OF A HINDRANCE THAN A HELPER/COUNSELOR. BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, I WOULD NEVVVVVVER RETAIN MR LEACH FOR ANYTHING, AND WOULD DEFINITELY NOT ADVISE ANYONE ELSE TO, ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA OF DIVORCE!!!!!
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26 Apr, 2013 by Josh
adam has helped me through my child custody case. he has shown professionalism and knowledge through my case. Im not done with my case but i do have a peace of mind and feel extremely relaxed.
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20 May, 2022 by Ashley baker
I would highly recommend the McDonald Law Firm. My father was hesitant to hire an attorney. He had A LOT of questions about the process, and they were very patient and responsive.
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17 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
I know many lawyers who never charged any clients for reviewing their case documents before taking the case. But Grace Change charges a few thousand dollars for reviewing a potential client case documents.
Not recommend.
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13 Jun, 2014 by Carol
It's a long story. How should I start. It's a painful and long story. My child's father was working overseas for 4 years. He was having affair with another girl who didn't know he was married with a child. They went to Japan for vacation. I didn't know about this until I couldn't find him for a week when he said he was at work. I stayed with my parents who help me take care of my son. I had difficult pregnancy and unexpected C-section and some complications. He was calling me failed mom and fat. He complained that I spent too much money on the CHILD. I was stupid and I didn't spend any money on myself. I'm a saver and a busy mom. I didn't have time for myself. He cancelled our joint credit card and served me with divorce paper one month after he came back from Asia. He took our house and took my stuff and jewelry and antiques..... after he got the U.S. citizenship. He was trying to kidnap our child to Asia. He was trying to take away my physical custody. He came me so much problems with visitation and late child and spousal support payments...He was always late during the visitation and left early. It was only 4 hours a week. He missed 8 times visitation. He called the child stupid. He didn't care about the child. He didn't want to pay. Grace MADE HIM PAY. Grace helped me a lot. Today I finally signed all the court papers. I got a good settlement with good child support. My child is not even 3 years old. He will be paying for a long time. The bad thing is father refused to pay for the child's college even though I proposed that he only pays if the child can't get financial aid and scholarships. He refused and he said he doesn't care about college education. He wouldn't put our child as a beneficiary on his life insurance (not even for 50%). I tried to save the marriage for our child for one year. I had to let him go because he is not caring about our child. His parents and he took me sign off my name on the deed one day without my prior consent. I was a nice person. The case is very complicated. I'm glad Grace could help me go though the most difficult part of my life. She is very knowledgeable and very professional. She is very efficient when she works. No drama. She always told me during the case that I was the boss because I hired her. She always wanted to hear what I wanted at different stages of the case. let's admit: couples change their minds all the time. As a lawyer, she made sure I didn't settle because of pressure, she made sure that I knew what I really want from the divorce, she made sure that I understand all the consequences of everything I do or say during the divorce. She is very protective and honest. She is straight forward, nothing hidden. Fees are very reasonable consider the amount of work being done.
I did interview many top lawyers in Los Angeles County and Orange County because my ex filed in OC which was the wrong jurisdiction. Like everyone else: I want great lawyer to represent me and doesn't charge too much. I finally came back to Grace because she knows what I want, she would help me to get what I want: JUSTICE! The most important thing: she cares! Now I finally got what I want. I'm ready to move on and focus on myself and my child. Even after we closed the case, she still inform the client about the possible future problems and what to do when the clients run into these problems. She warned me for lots of things. I do have a small child with my ex. I didn't pay her until one year later when the case was closed. She gave me a big discount. She was very good in front of the judge when we went to the hearings. She made the other lawyer looked 'stupid', 'unprofessional', and 'unprepared'... I don't really want to use these words. The other lawyer was working hard, but not hard enough like Grace. She is a tough woman. I've see many happy customers during my one year experience with Grace. Staffs are nice too.
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21 Sep, 2011 by Anonymous
I was a client of Matthew Wailes Goldsby. I am disabled/special needs in trust, absolutely nothing was done for me and my future. My personal experience is that Mr. Matthew Wailes Goldsby is guilty of unprofessional conduct, derelict of duties , incompetence, and malfeasance.
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26 Sep, 2023 by Anonymous
It was a huge mistake to hire this law firm. Doitch promised to handle my case for $100,000, and now she is demanding a quarter of a million more! She refused to prepare witnesses for their testimony nor did she even prepare me for mine. She ignored my repeated request that she conduct even a basic investigation. She allowed the opposing counsel to attack me loudly and aggressively through a year's worth of hearings and never responded nor protected me.
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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.
