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21 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous
I would highly recommend Mr. Pirrello if some one needs to hire an experienced and honest attorney. He gave us free consultation with very helpful advice. Most importantly he responds immediately to telephone calls and works hard on your tasks. His knowledge and politeness are remarkable.
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30 Nov, 2010 by Anonymous
Used Mr. Pirrello for a number of legal issues . He has treated me with respect and handled my legal work with professional care and expertise. I would highly recommend him.
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15 May, 2010 by Anonymous
I had been a Client of Mario Pirrello's & his firm for over 30 years. Mr. Pirrello didnot have my best interest in mind when representing me. He took advantage of our long standing Client/Attorney relationship & friendship for his own person financial gain & has total disregard his
Client & their issues. Due to Mr. Pirrello & his firm's misdeads , I have lost all trust in Attorney's. Please beware before contacting this man to represent you. I have know him personally & professionally for over 30 years. He also did work for myself & my family going back to the early 70's.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Christy shaffer
Mr. Martin Handelman and Mr. Steven Witkowitz were both professional and took excellent/outstanding care of my case. They always keep me current and informed on every step of the legal process. I felt safe and protected, I actually felt untouchable because of their expertise and skill. They are powerful lawyers and caring individuals. I am filled with gratitude and warmth for all they have done for me.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Keyona baggling
08 Jul, 2024 by Leticia riddle
Steve was by far the best attorney I've had (and I've had many at this point) with my family law issues. He went above and beyond for me! He handled everything himself, and I wasn't always speaking to a paralegal. His paperwork was phenomenal, and the judge threw the case out in less than ten minutes. I wish he was able to handle everything for me. I think about him often, and the impact he had on my family. Best most caring attorney hands down.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Christy shaffer
Mr. Martin Handelman and Mr. Steven Witkowitz were both professional and took excellent/outstanding care of my case. They always keep me current and informed on every step of the legal process. I felt safe and protected, I actually felt untouchable because of their expertise and skill. They are powerful lawyers and caring individuals. I am filled with gratitude and warmth for all they have done for me.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Keyona baggling
08 Jul, 2024 by Leticia riddle
Steve was by far the best attorney I've had (and I've had many at this point) with my family law issues. He went above and beyond for me! He handled everything himself, and I wasn't always speaking to a paralegal. His paperwork was phenomenal, and the judge threw the case out in less than ten minutes. I wish he was able to handle everything for me. I think about him often, and the impact he had on my family. Best most caring attorney hands down.
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5.0
1 Reviews
2.9
42 Reviews
04 Aug, 2024 by Kay fina
05 Oct, 2023 by Nathaniel blood
Avoid using Jon Bonavilla for your divorce attorney. Jon did not provide me with proper representation, overall Jon’s communication was not helpful and left me confused, and Jon provided limited legal advice. After a couple of months, I sought out a new attorney.
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22 Apr, 2023 by Kristen konight
Left a voicemail and emailed. 1 week later still no response.
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04 Aug, 2024 by Kay fina
05 Oct, 2023 by Nathaniel blood
Avoid using Jon Bonavilla for your divorce attorney. Jon did not provide me with proper representation, overall Jon’s communication was not helpful and left me confused, and Jon provided limited legal advice. After a couple of months, I sought out a new attorney.
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22 Apr, 2023 by Kristen konight
Left a voicemail and emailed. 1 week later still no response.
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04 Aug, 2024 by Kay fina
05 Oct, 2023 by Nathaniel blood
Avoid using Jon Bonavilla for your divorce attorney. Jon did not provide me with proper representation, overall Jon’s communication was not helpful and left me confused, and Jon provided limited legal advice. After a couple of months, I sought out a new attorney.
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22 Apr, 2023 by Kristen konight
Left a voicemail and emailed. 1 week later still no response.
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02 Feb, 2024 by Anonymous
Gary is not only an experienced attorney, but a really good one as well. I’ve relied on his sage advice relating to several issues over the years, and he has consistently led me in the right direction. Recently, Gary advised me on a very important legal matter and I couldn’t be more grateful.
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26 Aug, 2011 by Anonymous
I was referred to Mr. Muldoon by a friend for my divorce. He made it all sound so easy. In the end, the final court appearance, he threw me to his associate. The final outcome was NOT what I agreed to. And I can't argue the facts because he didn't file the oral stipulation with the clerk's office! As I just learned recently. Every attorney should treat a client like they would want to be treated. I think Mr. Muldoon likes writing about law more than he likes practicing it.
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27 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
This woman should not be able to practice. She ignores abuse going on in homes. She keeps kids from family's that deserve to see the children she's awful I don't know how she sleeps at night
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23 Apr, 2019 by Angel
This woman was court appointed and now I am having her removed for NUMEROUS reasons. Had primary residency taken from me under false pretenses. Also is ignoring major health issues concerning my child along with many more issues that if appointed again will be brought up in court and asked to be permanently removed for the sake of my child. Be careful who you have represent you or your child. Also do background checks on not just her but anyone you may feel is off. I've learned my lesson I just don't want it to happen to anyone else.
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05 Jan, 2012 by Anonymous
love the way she handle my case (child custody) in a professional manner. the way she treat me it was like a friend instead of a client. excellent person and outstanding lawyer.
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06 Nov, 2014 by Anonymous
He is dedicatedly someone who will trust the truth and make things go in your favor. But tries to pump you up to be angry and exaggerate hire scared or worried you are
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06 Dec, 2016 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Leichtner for a divorce and house closing. Details were missed on both, in the end, costing me money, plus communication was an issue. I could not recommend him.
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18 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
I would never hire him for my divorce again. He has not filed paperwork when he said he would... never returns calls... moved without notifying me... He did not follow through and left me hanging. Excuse after excuse!!!!
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05 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
Ed took forever to file on my behalf, and when he did he mishandled the paperwork. This led to yet another delay in my Divorce. I'm now trying to get formal paperwork on my divorce (because he never got me my official copies) and I find that he has entered erronous birthdates, transposed "defendant" and "plaintiff" to the point my house may be in danger. I'm now lost and don't know what to do
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26 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
I retained Stephen Jacobstein July of 2016 and by December he had gone through all of my retainer and only started discovery. It was June of 2017 and he had finally entered into discussion about a settlement with the opposing attorney. It had taken him almost a year just to get the release of a few personal items (cloths, jacket, boots, pictures, etc..). I ran out of money and he bailed on me and left me to finish the negotiation with opposing council. He was suppose to be a very good lawyer as advertised (Best lawyer, Super lawyer), however, he did minimal work and minimal quality, could have used a more economical lawyer and probably moved faster and more effective. I had no children and basic assets, should not have been difficult or time consuming. I would recommend someone more enthusiastic about your case and who has passed the bar a little more recent.
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07 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr Jacobstein came highly recommended but his performance was less than stellar. After one year and a depletion of 65K, I was no closer to a resolution. I fired him the next court appearance. He called me often to see how I was doing, and the next monthly statement would reflect those nice calls at his hourly rate. He saw resources and went after them. He was totally unprepared for the deposition and had me come in early to help organize for it. His office was a total mess and I would have to declutter the chair and part of the desk in order to meet with him. He refused to discuss my case with my wealth manager, even after I did a release. He had a CPA review my case and orally they came to a conclusion - - both refused to put in writing what advice was given, That was another 3500.00 plus Mr Jacobstein's fee. Mr Jacobstein refused to have a well respected gentleman ( knowledgable in what my case involved) from the Corporate community meet with him at his office because his secretary and her husband did not like him.( He had discovered ethical issues with her husband's law practice.) Every time I called and mentioned said person and his advice for the case, I had to refer to him as my "brother" as to not offend/worry his secretary. I repeated asked him to write me a will since the case was lingering and he always said he would and never did. I ultimately wrote my own. Mr Jacobstein is to be avoided at all costs. Trust me when I say he was almost worse to deal with than my husband of 30 years. This is a small community so I have let my case be resolved before writing this review.
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04 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
He handled my auto injury claim in 2001 and took the majority of my winnings and left me broke.
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20 Jan, 2011 by Anonymous
I expected Chris to speak for me when i could not. He failed at this. He was very slow to act, in fact he had to file for an extention to bring the suit as he drug his feet for literally 3 plus years. Had I not been so incapacitated I would have been more on top of him, but this is why i needed him, I was not at my best. He seemed very tenatious at the inception of our lawyer client relationship but that wained. He did very little with me to prepare for the trial and did not tell me about the defendants witnesses that were to be called until the day before the trial. He kept me in the dark. His performance in court can only be as good as his preparation, and that is where he failed. He did not have all the facts. I would not recommend him!
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30 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
The most outrageous and stressful closing of my life. This woman is completely unprofessional, calls for a closing threatening the loss of our singed agreement and the forfeiture of my deposit without even having all required seller's documents ready. She sent documents with egregious errors and takes forever to respond to emails, insisting that she is correct when she is wrong. I promise you, by any means necessary, avoid this woman, or you will regret it.
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12 Apr, 2017 by Bob
This woman was my mothers lawyer till a little before she died. I was the only blood relative avail, and was listed as executor of her will. Nichole withheld important information after being hired by my Uncle who was backup guardian when my mother was hospitalized permanently. I had a meeting discussing why I shouldn't or want to be executor. My uncle stated that he had everything done down to a phone bill and all assets sold and all cash, and he could execute the will promptly. I was told it wasn't worth me doing it, maybe $5,000 and a lot of trouble. Well I decided to do it out of principal because at our meeting her and my uncle took advantage of my grief and thought they had it locked in. I wasn't told my mothers belongings including 2 cars belonged to me upon her death, moreso, upon her death ALL money goes to the other family. On the day of our meeting I went to my mothers house. All her thnigs laid out for sale the next day. I was told it was the best thing for me to do. There was not much left anyway, but out of respect I left everything there. Then I went to meet Nichole. I was never told that after everythng my mother had was sold, that money would go to the other family. I could have taken anything I wanted on that day. I live in Atlanta so It's a rare trip. I didn't receive as much as a button from my mothers possessions. THEN, since I was now acting as executor, and hired a lawfirm that was happy to do it. Nichole advised me nobody really wanted the case. It took her and Dan over a year!!!!!!, to transfer the proper things. I sat and listened to Dan tell her everythng was wrapped up. TAXES, THE WHOLE ESTATE LIQUIDATED, everything down to a phone bill. This was one of the hardest times of my life, and was the blood son of this woman that other people decided they would do what they saw fit. So, there's one more lawyer that's better at the bottom of the sea. Thanks Nichole and Dan. I did my part and served my mothers last wishes. Too bad I didn't get what was due to me. Memories of her. I didn't want money. Oh and by the way, my executor check was over $10,000. Another lie.
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02 Feb, 2024 by Jay
Not happy as of now but hopefully that changes..if it does, the review will change . Hopefully this goes better then it is soo far
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16 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
Does not give good advice as a counselor should and is not easily accessible when needed. Does not truly care about the client, just looking to make a quick fee.
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04 Jan, 2024 by Anthony
I do not recommend using John D’Aurizio as an attorney whatsoever. John is NOT a problem solver. John takes the path of “least resistance.” He does not offer solutions, he wants to get in and get out. Steer clear from this firm if you are looking for a lawyer!
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23 Jul, 2024 by Tori mancuso
This place has been absolutely horrible to deal with. The guy my girlfriend and I were dealing with was named Mark. First issue was, I was making payments on a large sum of money I owed and when I got to just over halfway done with paying it off, they told me that they switched over their systems and that I’d have to prove that I paid ANYTHING on it at all which is completely ridiculous. And then they told me that they’d be able to figure it out it was just gonna take some time so after my payments were at a stand still for weeks, which made this whole process even longer, I finally got back to paying weekly for it and they didn’t want to take my card for a payment only checks or money orders so I had to go get a money order every week and send it out to them and LUCKILY I kept track of what I was paying because i went to pay everything off early and confirmed with them exactly how much was left to pay before I got such a large money order to send to them, and then three weeks later I get in the mail that I missed my last payment and now they’re going to try to get me to pay them another $700 dollars because “I haven’t responded to them” even though I heard NOTHING about it even though they had my phone number, my email, and my address and could’ve notified me if I did miss a payment OR they shouldn’t have told me the wrong amount when I asked them how much was left to pay. So I’m stressing out all night and all day about it and I send over all my bank statements showing exactly how much I paid to them and that I paid everything off and they have the audacity to tell me, “oh sorry! We didn’t update our system😁”. So basically you weren’t doing your job and/or were trying to scam me because you thought you could? WRONG. and you’re horrible lazy people by the way.
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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.
