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27 Jun, 2024 by Kostas lazanas
Austin is a great guy who really cares about his clients. I’ve called him multiple times to get me out of sticky situations. He is knowledgeable and has an aggressive passionate approach that gets things done. Nothing worse than a lackadaisical lawyer. I would highly recommend him for any of your legal needs.
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15 May, 2024 by Tom hooton
Good lawyer
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20 Apr, 2024 by Meranda shelton
Mrs. Anderson was extremely helpful in getting my daughters case taken care off in a timely manner. She worked above and beyond to help my daughter.
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06 Jul, 2016 by Roger
I hired Kerry to deal and battle with the mortgage company who were trying to foreclose on our property but were not dealing with the outstanding issues. Kerry took care of this for me and did a remarkable job of battling the big city lawyers and achieved an very good result for me.
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02 Jun, 2016 by Jeannette
I was selling my home FSBO and needed a lawyer to review the documents and help me with the title transfer. I live 3,000 miles from the property that I was attempting to sell and needed an attorney close to it so that the sellers could have the closing at the attorney’s office. In my search, I called about 22 attorneys that advertised themselves as real estate attorneys. I received a return call from two. Fortunately for me, Kerry Lee Prisock was the first, and, how glad I am that he was. After reading his online reviews, I decided he was my attorney of choice. Am I glad I did? He made the 3,000 miles seem like nothing. Most of the communication was electronic via email and text. I paid for his services via PayPal (how cool is that??). I was soon to find out that he is probably the most accommodating attorney when it comes to schedules. I’ve sent texts late and received responses when most would have turned off their phones. He was actually willing to have the closing on Memorial Day (go figure!!). When the buyers ran into trouble with the time for the closing, he rescheduled one of other clients so that they could meet with him based on their schedule. But, this is what sets Mr. Prisock apart from all others. The transaction was complete, I had paid him and he had provided all services promised. So needless to say, I was surprised when, the next day, I received an email from him saying that the bank needed more information from me. I truly believe that if Mr. Prisock was the average attorney, he would have considered the transaction complete and I would never have received that email. The agreement had been met on both sides….there was nothing further to be done. But being who Mr. Prisock is, he went out of his way to make sure I received the information. Because I received it in a timely manner, I was able to ensure that the closing went through. If you haven’t decided on an attorney to help you with your situation, please consider this one. From the bottom of my heart, I believe he will serve you well.
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11 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
Kerry recently helped my husband and me with the purchase of our home. We had some major issues that we needed negotiated with the seller to be able to close on the home. We are from out of state, so we weren't familiar with any area attorneys. We called a few law offices, but Kerry seemed the most competent. We hired him without even meeting him and paid him via PayPal. He did everything he said he would and more to get us to the closing stage. He was always available via phone, email, or text. We are more than grateful that we were lucky enough to stumble upon him. We highly recommend Kerry without reservation for legal services!
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23 Feb, 2018 by Erica
After being struck in an auto accident, I contacted Ms. Nwigwe to ensure my interests were handled properly. Ms. Nwigwe was professional and personable from the start. She explained every step of the process and broke things down in a relatable way. Ms. Nwigwe was able to obtain a fair settlement and I was extremely pleased with the outcome. I recommend contacting Ms. Nwigwe if you ever need legal representation. She is fair, honest, and produces winning results.
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14 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
I'm single with no kids and I wanted to make sure my house and earnings were available to certain members of my family should I pass untimely. Ms. Nwigwe sat down with me and explained what would happen to my possessions in the event I passed without a will and circumstances that could arise in the event I do have a living will. She took the time to answer all my questions and even made herself available by phone afterwards. She explained the process to me clearly and did not pressure me to hire her. She gave me some links that I might be interested in and told me to call her if I had any questions or concerns. After looking over some of the information and speaking with my family, I contacted Ms. Nwigwe again and told her I wanted to start drafting my will and living will. She kept me updated and involved throughout the process, which made me very comfortable. She completed the documentation in a timely and efficient manner. Ms. Nwigwe was great and has a wonderful personality. She had me smiling and laughing and was very personable. I would definitely seek her services again should the opportunity present itself.
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09 Jan, 2015 by Gary
He did not know me at all, but he took my case ,he did and out standing job, he got a judgment dismissed and has become a real friend. I have used him since then, and have sent other clients to him. Big Thanks
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07 Sep, 2024 by Dahlia brown
Navigating the murky waters of filing a child support suit is challenging and terrifying. I chose Timpa Law to represent me, and they did not disappoint. My lawyer, Zachary Rivera, guided me through this difficult process. He was understanding and professional. Above all, he delivered results. Zach went above and beyond, and I will be forever grateful.
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30 Jul, 2024 by Vaibhav mishra
Review for Caitlin Henderson I worked with Caitlin on my divorce in the Rockwall County. She is very professional and always gave me good advice. She guided me and answered all my questions during the divorce process. Caitlin has good command of the law and understands how different Judge’s think and make judgement. She advised me on the next steps and predicted the Judge’s verdict which did not go wrong. Caitlin is friendly, a good listener and approachable. She made me comfortable enough to share my personal matters with her. I like her honest approach to work, which is unlike other attorneys. She is cunning and smart but will not compromise with her ethics. She often advised me to not to do “XYZ” because then I will end up paying more money to her. I experienced Caitlin’s detailed and process-based approach to work. She asked me a number of questions throughout the case and prepared a ton of questions and Addendums to be presented during the trial. She also sat down with me and prepared me for the trial. Caitlin is to the point and has magnificent work ethics. During my case she lost her father, but she was back within two days attending my court hearing. It was a pleasure working with Caitlin and I highly recommend her.
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26 Jul, 2024 by Sara brogan
I highly recommend Caitlin Henderson as your lawyer. She was absolutely amazing in my case. As hard as things were she eased my stress and did everything she possibly could to make sure i was fairly taken care of. She over explained until i understood everything with all the confusing words and rules of the court system. There were many tears shed in her office but she treated me like a person and just absolutely put the utmost care into the work she did for my family and I. It wasn’t just a job for her she worked with passion and care and fought to the very best of her abilities. It’s been two years since but I’ll never forget her and if I’m ever in a position where I need to seek a lawyer she will be it no questions asked. Thanks again Caitlin!
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22 May, 2024 by Erin venturelli
Tina and Brandy (her paralegal) were fantastic! Very communicative and I never felt like I wasn’t a priority. She took her time when talking with me and always kept me informed of every step in my case until completely filed! I’m really grateful I found Tina!
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22 Apr, 2024 by R strawn
Mr Jack Robinson is a wonderful lawyer! So many lawyers talk fast and want to destroy the client’s spouse, but Jack is kind and thoughtful. He sat with me for an hour and a half to make sure I understood my divorce papers and took the time to very every page so I wouldn’t have any problems moving forward with the judge. His work was so thorough that it took a mere 8 minutes for the judge to approve my divorce. THANK YOU Jack!! I will hire you again when I need a family lawyer.
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04 Apr, 2024 by Doge 7o3
Our family needed GOOD advice on possible family estate issues. Jack explained all of our options and helped us with difficult decisions. He provided us with all the legal documents we needed AND explained why each was important/necessary. His follow up was much appreciated! I highly recommend him for all your estate planning needs!!!
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10 Dec, 2021 by Alma
Mr. Lister should be on the top of the Best Top Ten List for Rockwall County attorneys. I was part of a Court Watchers group in a different county and have seen the worst. Mr. Lister, a retired Marine, is a man of integrity who served his country well. I spent many hours researching other lawyers before choosing Mr. Mark Lister. The research paid off in spades. He worked with me to bring an end to a 48 year marriage. He was honest about the difficult months ahead and the best approach to a ending with mediation as opposed going to trial. Mr. Lister never hurried through a meeting over the very difficult financial issues. He returned calls and emails within a reasonable time, a major issue with many lawyers. Nothing was overlooked in the mediation and final decree. My final bill was more than fair for the amount of hard work he put in to my case.
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26 May, 2021 by George
Get results. Mark gets results! He is professional, knowledgeable, and provides excellent communication, including response times. His comprehensive insight in regards to my case got me results that I requested and more. I highly recommend his law firm and would use him again, if necessary. Best Wishes
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23 Feb, 2021 by Monica
I am going to be honest! After my daughter came to me for help and looking for an attorney on very short notice and court date approaching less than a week I did not know where to turn. When I spoke to Mark I knew he was the attorney that we needed to hire based on his wisdom, openness to hearing every little detail of the custody issue, the time he put into the case, and feeling he truly cared about the case and well being of my grandson made it known to me he was the right person for the case. I just cannot speak enough about how much time he put into the case knowing we had very little time. Anytime anyone ask me about an attorney or I see someone like me not knowing where to turn for one in the time of need I recommend them to Mark immediately!! Seeing the compassion that Mark had for us as his clients made us feel confident in our case and in ourselves. I will definitely keep him in my phone and wish him all the best!
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27 Aug, 2024 by Mary jones
She is not truthful and has no morals. I would not use her.
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25 May, 2024 by Erika martin del campo
Excellent service. Staff is very friendly. She answered all our questions. Susan is extremely knowledgeable.
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04 Nov, 2023 by Alan shutt
We went to Rockwall HS at the same time. But not the same class. My class size was 98. When I needed a probate attorney I saw Susan’s name and remember those days. I called and trusted her because she’s old Rockwall. She did great work . I highly recommend her firm.
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25 Nov, 2015 by Kimmie morris
BEAUTIFUL office, lovely staff, at a time in my life when I was afraid and confused, I was comfortable enough to ask questions, even some I felt were silly, and left feeling confident! My babies are my world, so this is very personal and serious. I may not know exactly what the future holds, but I am not afraid anymore. Nice ladies, very professional!
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25 Nov, 2015 by Tp official
Terrible customer service! Spoke with Elizabeth "Betsy" Branch, owner, and she is so racist and unprofessional. Rates are outrageous. $300/hr. Really? Are you taking me to see the president? Laughing out loud. That is crazy. Owner was so disrespectful and kept interrupting before I could even explain my case. Would definitely not recommend this firm for anything or to anybody. HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE EVER!!!! >:(
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17 Nov, 2009 by Anonymous
Ms. Branch is very personable and easy to talk to. She listens and cares about her clients. She explained the law to me. She was always prepared and that really helped take away a lot of my anxiety. I was very happy with her work and with her.
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11 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
A good attorney will respect your time and money, Jack does neither. He purposely encouraged discord and promoted drama, stoking the flames speaking to the opposing party on our dime. He ate up our fees with nonsense instead of filing the orders necessary to protect our estate. Jack ignored calls to take action, forgetting to file motions or waiting until the next billing cycle. He had a habit of not receiving court documents only to find out later they had been. There is NO WAY an attorney doesn't receive information that has been filed by the courts due to the checks and balances put in place. Jack entertained the opposing party where he should have been focusing on our needs. He failed to cross exam the opposing party that would have clearly proven our case of how incompetent the opposing team was. Due to his lack of attention, lack of ability to fight for us, and his inability to stand up in court to make a strong presence we were totally railroaded. Just look at his other reviews and you will see this is an issue with this attorney. Attorney's make money by how much time they spending on a case and this attorney lined his pockets with all talk and no action. Avoid this attorney at all cost.
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21 May, 2020 by Lynette
We hired Jack for a custody case, we ended up spending $4500 and he did NOTHING. We let him withdraw as our lawyer and found someone else. Jack seems to get easily irritated when you ask any questions, he is NOT informed or up to date on things, he told us standard visitation was 45 days and we found out it is actually 42. He messed up on our discovery responses, and at one point in an email to the courts and opposing parties lawyer had the child’s name wrong. He was very back and forth on things and not very helpful. All he cared about was when he was getting more money, he didn’t actually give a care about his client or the situation and did not fight at all for anything.
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28 Feb, 2018 by Anonymous
Mr. Robinsson guided us thru the process of updating our will which involved multiple trusts. He was very through and the documentation complete and easy to understand. He also assisted me in the sale of our company agreement. I would recommend him.
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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:

  1. What is your experience with estate planning?
    Ensure the lawyer has substantial experience drafting wills, creating trusts, and handling other estate planning services.
  2. How will you charge for your services?
    Clarify whether the lawyer charges a flat fee or by the hour and ask for a detailed estimate of costs.
  3. What strategies do you recommend for my estate?
    A good lawyer should be able to explain the best strategies for minimizing taxes, avoiding probate, and ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes.
  4. How often should I update my estate plan?
    Ask how frequently you should revisit your estate plan, especially if your financial situation or family dynamics change.
  5. Do you offer ongoing support or updates?
    Some lawyers provide periodic reviews or updates to ensure your estate plan stays current with changes in your circumstances or the law.
  6. How will you help my beneficiaries if something happens to me?
    Ensure the lawyer is willing to guide your heirs through the estate administration process or help manage your trust after you’re gone.

How to Check the Credibility of an Estate Planning Lawyer

To ensure you’re hiring a credible estate planning lawyer, follow these steps:

  • Verify their state bar license: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing, with no history of disciplinary actions.
  • Look for estate planning certifications: Some lawyers are certified as estate planning specialists, which indicates they have extensive knowledge in this area of law.
  • Read client reviews and testimonials: Online reviews on sites like Avvo, Google, or Martindale-Hubbell can provide insight into the lawyer’s professionalism and client satisfaction.
  • Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from previous clients who can speak to their expertise and client service.
  • Check for membership in professional organizations: Lawyers who are members of organizations like the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) or the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) often have a strong reputation in the field.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To get the most out of your first meeting with an estate planning lawyer, it’s important to come prepared. Here’s what you should bring:

  • List of assets and liabilities: Provide a detailed inventory of your assets, including real estate, bank accounts, retirement funds, investments, and personal property, as well as any debts you may have.
  • List of beneficiaries: Be ready to discuss who you want to receive your assets and in what proportions. This includes naming guardians for minor children if applicable.
  • Existing estate documents: Bring copies of any existing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, or other relevant estate planning documents.
  • Questions about your estate goals: Write down your goals, such as avoiding probate, reducing taxes, or setting up charitable donations, so your lawyer can tailor a plan to meet your needs.
  • Information on medical and financial decision-makers: Be prepared to discuss who you want to appoint for healthcare and financial decisions if you become incapacitated.

By being well-prepared, you can ensure a productive consultation and begin building a comprehensive estate plan that meets your needs and protects your loved ones.

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