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20 Mar, 2019 by Anonymous
I hired this attorney in 2015 to handle a debt dispute. He requested a large retainer (upfront) and did nothing to earn it. He did as little as possible and I waited for results that never came. Ultimately, I had to hire another attorney. I am a elderly lady and every penny counts.
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07 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
Back in 2010 I was arrested for possession of marijuana. I was called to court, showed up the first time and didn't go back after. I had a warrant out for my arrest and moved to California in 2011. Between then and now, my family in Texas had received many letters and phone calls from the bail bonds threatening to take my family's property etc. Just recently, I decided to take care of this issue. I called Mr. Finkel because he had dealt with a case with my family years back. I was expecting the worst, time in jail and/or a large fine because of additional prior charges. From California, I paid a low, flat rate fee to have Mr. Finkel look at the case and see what he could do for me. He made sure to stay in touch when any new information arose and kept me informed as needed. Initially, Mr. Finkel told me that I would most likely have to turn myself in and do close to 30 days in jail. After sharing more information about a potential bias in my arrest, I heard from Mr. Finkel, in less than a week, stating that the case had been dropped, completely. I am extremely pleased with his services, especially services done long distance. I can't thank him enough!
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06 Nov, 2012 by Joyce
Mike is an excellent attorney would highly recommend him to anyone. He has handled to real estate deals for us. One was a lawsuit and he handled it excellently. Peggy is very friendly and courtious and great to deal with always.
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24 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
A very expensive headache. And I'm not talking about court. I've never been so happy to conclude business with someone!
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24 Feb, 2022 by Candy
Ms. Combs is a great attorney. She really helped me a lot through my divorce and she also did my estate planning after the divorce finalized. In the beginning of the divorce I was scared that I wouldn’t get a decent division of our assets and debts, child support etc. Ms. Combs fought hard for me to ensure that I got a great deal. Very happy with the results.
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06 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
7-10 day wait to get a phone call or email, maybe, then cancels the phone appointment you waited for, only to do more waiting and hoping as you try again. You have to beg her to pay attention to your case. Months of waiting and hoping she will take the next step or take the time to talk to you - then you get 10 minutes, maybe 15 at best (3 times over more than 7 months), then she has little to say about anything including the process. We went with her because of the claims on her website. Experience shows otherwise.
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03 Jul, 2019 by Maryjane
Mr. White represented me in a multidisciplinary law matter, and did so with demonstrated ethics, offering reasonable options and perspectives for the end goal. Mr. White is highly personable and has excellent communication skills, as I have experienced as the client, but also witnessed in his interactions with the bench and opposing counsel. The entire staff is professional and helpful.
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24 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous
I hired him for a divorce. Initially paid $2000, was nice but moved slow. I did have a complicated case. He asked for another $1000 and gave him that. After $3000, years and no divorce, I found another attorney that had me divorced within months. Got no money back.
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13 Jan, 2017 by Amy
Mr. White and Barbara are wonderful. I'm very nervous and confused about the process and they never make me feel like a bother. They are patient and answer my question. And they really know what they are talking about!!! I would recommend them. Thank you Jesse and Barbara.
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28 Mar, 2021 by Michael s
Attorney Magoo was professional, knowledgeable, and very understanding during our legal process. She explained everything well, and helped us through our issues during the passing of our loved one. We appreciated all her hard work and understanding.
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24 Sep, 2020 by Erin
Rosiee is professional, compassionate and responsive. She was recommended to me, and I can't say enough good things about her.
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29 Jan, 2019 by Rebecca
Never again!!!! I did all the work and she dropped us after she went missing for almost a year!! Waste of money!! She never returns calls or emails but will charge you for calling and emailing her!!
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29 Jan, 2025 by Rose swanson
I'M STILL WAITING TO GO TO COURT. ITS BEEN NEARLY 5 YEARS!!!! The man that caused my accident TOLD THE POLICE IT WAS HIS FAULT. You'd think it would be an easy settlement. NOPE!!!! IM STILL WAITING FOR NECK SURGERY. I think Brock and Brock are trying to draw it out in order to hut me with extra fees. I'll probably end up owing money after I win! SO FAR THEY SUCK
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23 Jan, 2025 by Dylan jones
30 Dec, 2024 by Confimax tomball
15 Mar, 2020 by Michael
Robert Saenz assisted me with sorting out a complicated Trust amendment along with pointing me in the right direction concerning a prenuptial agreement. He gave me a clear picture of the situation, which sometimes is not what you want to hear. Highly recommended.
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20 Dec, 2018 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Saenz for a divorce I was going through. Mr. Saenz was well versed in the law and handled my case extremely professionally. I have recommended him to everyone I know who needs an experienced attorney.
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21 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
Used him for a divorce and the other attorney at this wimp alive. I lost everything, kids and possessions. Terrible attorney. Took all my money and left me screwed over. I would of had the same results if I defended myself.
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16 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
Meet with Ms. Castro for a divorce, she talked a good talk. After paying 3k retainers fee heard nothing for months. I called and talked to Pat who said there was a court date set and Laura wanted to meet before that date. Never heard a word on the meeting date, then the friday before court i get another call from Pat saying Laura will call you sunday. I was think weird the day before court on a sunday, she did call at 5:00 pm. I next day at court she was was in organized and wanted me do things i had already done. Nothing was accomplished and cost me 1,000 for her to show up.
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28 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
I hired Ms Castro because on our initial talk she said everything you want to hear from an attorney. She really Sold me. After that she was unresponsive for months in my case. Several times I poured my heart out to her in many emails about things currently happening in my case & nothing but crickets for a good few months Eventually to my surprise ms castro replied to one of my emails and for the 1st time in a long time she actually seemed interested. then Next email I got was an itemized bill detailing the charges & I was quickly confused that the bill was at 2300 dollars I couldn't believe it!! How!! I almost never talk to her!!Well apparently, every single email she sends to you or anyone regarding case, or her paralegals sends to you or on your behalf will cost you. every email was $75-250 drafting a temporary order another 700.00. They easily eat up your retainer and then send you a bill for the other things that haven't happened. appearing in court, hearings, drafting other orders ETC. At the end I received a bill for an additional 2000. on top of the 2500 I had given her upon hiring her. For BARE MINIMUM WORK. She doesn't care about her clients or the outcome of the case. She just cares about how much money she can get out of you. Be aware.
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03 Feb, 2021 by Kellie dee perry
19 Sep, 2023 by Janie
He takes forever to return calls, text, and emails, office staff the same. I don’t even bother now to contact his office staff and I keep records of his lack of response so I can file a claim against him
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09 Jan, 2017 by Never again
Mr Robert Gier does not return calls or texts and the secretary is even worse.If you want to win a case and need a good aggressive lawyer,then turn away and run from this so called attorney!I lost my child because of his negligence.He turns in crucial paperwork to the courts late and makes it seem like its no big deal.trust me ,it is!!Please be warned..
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19 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous
Doesn't ever return calls. Or do anything by deadline takes weeks and weeks to get ahold of him and he acts like its no big deal. Constant excuses
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26 Jan, 2024 by Gilberto
Seeing Judy work in a jury trial is one of the most impressive performances I have ever seen. I recommend her to everyone.
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19 Jun, 2018 by Gail
Judith moved mountains for us!! We lived in a small town and grandson was related to most of the law. She didn’t back down like our other lawyer. Thanks to her and his counselor my grandson is now safe with his mother. He’s been with us for over a year now and is still traumatized by what was done to him. I can’t imagine where we would be today if it wasn’t for her help.
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02 Jun, 2018 by Anonymous
If I could give less than one star I would negligent doesn’t begin to describe this attorney she has not communicated with me since the day I wrote her a check not a return phone call not a return text or email I personally went to her office three times and spoke with her assistant who every time told me she was not in the office. I requested that my file be ready for me to take to another attorney and email to me or that I be called but I was ready for pick up this was about six months ago I have not heard the case was very simple required a mirror appearance and nothing much further than that filing a motion. I went to another lawyer after having to handle half of the issue myself personally for free and paid less than half of what she charged me to have him take care of this in less than two weeks in the meantime I have filed a bar complaint and still not heard anything back from this attorney steer clear I cannot warn you strongly enough against using her.
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13 Mar, 2021 by Bryan
This "Law Firm" is a joke. I paid over $2500 for what essentially amounted to one in office visit with CPS. We were quoted $2000 to handle a BOGUS CPS case. Paid in FULL and Mr Garza (Andrew) calls and tells us Mr Garza is with drawing from our case. We still have CPS in our lives (now more than ever because we do not have the protection of a attorney. They have threatened to take my daughter away and caused all kinds of stress in my life. We met with Mr Garza only one time. His paralegal Andrew did all the "work" on the case and billed us $100 a hour. Mr Garza never had me or my family in mind. All they were concerned with is how much money they could squeeze out of you. Called literally every day demanding more money. They missed filings on Court Proceedings that would have got CPS shut down, had numerous typos on signed Affidavits, didn't know who needed to sign the affidavits, didn't put in any evidence from our side, asked us to provide things for him and our evidence and then never used them. I could go on and on. I have worked in the legal field for a very long time and I have NEVER seen unprofessional, incompetent people in my life. Andrew is literally one of the most incompetent man I have ever met. All he would do is upset my wife and tell her how we should be prepared to lose. It was a BS slam door case. When I told him I wanted him to go in there and SHUT THIS DOWN ONCE AND FOR ALL, Andrew told me i would have to pay around $6,000 for Mr Garza to "take the gloves off" Like.... what?? He is total garbage and you are better off going ProSe in your case than ever letting these baboons even look at your case
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30 Jan, 2017 by Anonymous
Mr. Garza of The Garza Law Firm has been a great advocate for my case. He listened to me and what I needed for my family and I was able to get the assistance I needed from him. I highly recommend him for any legal matter you may have.
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08 Nov, 2024 by Suzette
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We had a wonderful experience working with Marisa Aragon at Huron Law. She was an outstanding attorney—knowledgeable, communicative, and made the entire process painless. Marisa kept us informed at each step, making everything feel seamless. We are truly grateful for her support and highly recommend her to anyone in need of legal assistance. Tim and Monique Bourgeois
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09 Sep, 2024 by Lizbeth cordero (liz)
If i can put 0 star i will she is the worst lawyer ever also for amicus she cant put herself on the middle since everything start she took a side
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06 Sep, 2024 by Anonymous
I read the posts on here and as bad as it sounds, I can assure you your experience will be far worse than you could ever imagine. 40 or so years in practice and hasn't made it above 1 star. I'm not a bit surprised
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19 Oct, 2022 by Kw
Contacted Mr. Gayler for an employment issue. I had contacted a few other law offices that gave minimal guidance and another that wanted to start a full-blown lawsuit. Knowing I had not found the right advice, I called and left a message for Mr. Gayler. He was responsive (called within 30 minutes), listened intently, and provided advice that I had not received from anyone else. Although I did not have a legal case, he provided advice on actions that I could take on my own. In the end, I was able to receive at least $15k more than was they were offering. I was very grateful for his measured and reasonable advice. A calm voice in the chaos at that moment in my life, and I am so grateful.
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11 Feb, 2022 by Jason
Gayler showed no commitment to truth. He was notified of 50 inaccuracies in a legal filing and upon notification he refused to address them. He is devoted to promoting divorce (slogan of “untie the knot”). He takes clients’ money, does rushed and shoddy work, and then refuses to respond to clients once he has been paid. Go elsewhere.
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05 Jan, 2017 by Anonymous
I recently used his service, and I have to say that it was one of tye most frustrating and disappointing experiences that I have had to go through.
In the beginning of the process, everything was going well and at full speed. Contract was signed, retainer was processed. Meetings were set up (huge was of money by the way). Lots of side talk while the clock was ticking.
Signs of incompentence was demonstrated when in meetings or emails, mr. Gayler denied knowledge of informations related to the case that was provided via email or during previous group meetings.
Frustration on my part obviously increased, and when i shared them with him he felt offended and started ignoring my contact attempts.
Why not seek for another professional? Because I was locked. The case/time was so advanced, that it would be more expensive and longer to both parties. Going through the frustration was the only option.
During the whole process, I felt like i was going against my ex, her lawyer and mr Gayler.
It was a "collaborative" process, but there wa no representation. Most of the work done was accomplished by me talking/argumenting with the other party. His job was not more not less than a typical paralegal duty of printing filled templates and collecting money.
At the end I got what I wanted, but I can not give any credit to his services.
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12 Jun, 2023 by Lora cantu
Didn't help me 😭 n what I needed didn't even give me a chance to explain my situation
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04 Jan, 2023 by Drew h
I don’t see how this guy is in business. He exudes apathy. Every interaction I’ve had with him just seemed like he couldn’t care less or was bothered. I felt like a huge imposition just from contacting him to consult on my case.
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02 Dec, 2022 by Vernell boson
Nice environment and safe.
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24 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
He seemed to be oblivious to my case issues. Said he didn't like computers and failed to read my emails. (I was out-of-state due to a dying parent). He relied on me doing all research. His sole contribution was asking if my ex-husband was related to an unknown someone who shared an extremely common last name with us. He did not follow up on info that I gave him. Charged me for attempts to call my home phone in Texas when I'd clearly informed him that I was in another state. He was unprepared, inept and more interested in discussing football than my settlement. He cited financial data that wasn't even applicable to either of us... was acting very confused. He tried to be more than a little chummy with my ex during this process. In addition, the attorney for my ex-husband declared he'd been extremely lax at responding to her communications. The divorce was not especially contentious and there were no custody issues, yet it took almost two years to be final. Paperwork was incomplete, omitting important points we'd agreed on in mediation such as my request to resume using my maiden name and the refinancing of the mortgage. He had the gall to say he'd file for that separately. Expensive exasperating muddling.
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20 Jan, 2012 by Chuck
Slow, dim-witted and ponderous - he missed a significant point of law that had changed in the previous year which was crucial during the middle of an all day mediation session. While his staff is good, and he is responsive, I would not consider using him again. While he won't engage in useless letters and bulldog tactics to run up billable hours, don't expect him to represent your interests very well either. You will need to hound him to bring up points on your behalf.
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05 Jun, 2020 by Maggie
I was very pleased to find a lawyer capable of writing a comprehensive trust. The document is very thorough. However, when I needed to make a minor change of exchanging the role of two names, the charge was half the cost of the trust itself. $500 for a minor secretarial change is outrageous. When we hired him we were made to understand that minor changes could be done without charge or at a minimal fee.
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25 Nov, 2019 by Kitty
I do not recommend doing business with this firm. I had a very negative and dissatisfied experience as I hired Matt to prepare a Will for my husband who was dying and I was scared by gifted talk into purchasing a high $$ estate plan which was NOT needed. Find a law firm that will support your needs and listen to what you want to do. The estate plan was not prepared timely, incomplete and totally worthless as the firm never completed the documents or returned my many telephone calls. I lost total trust to work with this firm. I wasted monies for an estate plan that I never needed and now as a widow, will find another lawyer to support my legal needs. Do some research and discuss your family needs before you are rushed to hire a lawyer.
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05 Sep, 2018 by Deborah
Matt constructed wills and a trust for our family. He took his time and made sure that the trust provided for our specific family needs.
We did not feel “rushed” and he was open to making changes, as needed.
He is competent and thorough.
He and his staff are efficient and friendly.
I would definitely recommend him to others.
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17 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous
I hired this lawyer paid up front, she did half of my case then left on vacation. came back told me her fee went up and had to pay. she did not even fight for what i wanted. took the money and ran. didnt even finish my case... please dont use this lady!!!!!!!!!!! she will take the money and go. she shows up late to court, doesnt answer phone calls text messages or email. save your money and hire a better lawyer. even at that when i hired another lawyer to take over my case he was cheaper than she was and more professional.
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03 Oct, 2018 by Amy
I was divorced over a year ago and she has failed to get me my half of the 401K. I call and text daily but she send everything to voice mail. She also raised her price in the middle of my divorce because I refused to fight for more money,
Do not waste your time. Don't be like me and not read the reviews and regret it later.
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12 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
Don't waste your time. Very unprofessional... late to arrive, judgmental, does NOT produce documents in a timely fashion and terrible about returning communication.
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01 Aug, 2023 by Dalila clark
As said in the previous reviews, Mr. Vargas is rude. He seems to be all about the money. I was advocating for my fiancé, who is in TDC. Who was appointed Mr. Vargas during a case. Mr. Vargas refused to help. The only thing that Mr. Vargas did was ignore text messages and phone calls. He showed up one time to a court case. And did little to absolutely nothing besides show up to the courthouse. I was told by Mr. Vargas over the phone that he would help if I was willing to pay the $300 charge that he charges per hour. I offered to pay that $300 per hour; after offering, Mr. Vargas, then said absolutely no. “I don’t want to take your case. I have paying clients that I’m already assisting” Even though he was already a court appointed attorney on said case. Luckily, I was able to contact the court system. And have Mr. Vargas removed from the case. Yes, it took months for this to actually happen. But thank goodness he was removed. Mr. Vargas is a horrible man. He does not want to actually help his community. I do not understand why anyone gets involved in law if they are not passionate about speaking up against the law, For their clients.
Good riddance Vargas. You will not be missed.
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01 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
I was court appointed this lawyer for a criminal case. Off the bat, I’ll say that his communication skills are horrendous. He does not return calls no matter how urgent the situation is. On one incident he showed up to court 5 hours late. He made absolutely no effort to speak with me about my case. The first two times that he showed up to court he was still unfamiliar with my case details and had to reset multiple times because he was not ready. Extremely dismissive in nature.
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07 Jul, 2021 by Marion
Mr. Vargas was appointed as the attorney for my grand daughter in Comal County Jail. The rules for court appointed lawyers is they have to contact their client within 24 hours of being appointed. I contacted Mr. Vargas after the 24 hours had gone by and he yelled at me for 10 minutes about how he did not want me to call him. This was Wednesday and he said he would see her by Friday, 2 weeks later he had not called her and would not return my calls. I called the court and explained the situation. The next day he did show up at the jail and left before seeing my Grand daughter. He came back with 3 court papers for her to sign, refused to let her read them, told her it was for probation agreement. He told her that I was never to call him or the court or the jail again. So we are trying to get a new court appointed attorney. He is mean and rude and does not keep his word
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25 Mar, 2021 by Andrea
This guy was horrible. He failed to get protective order in timely fashion or meet with me and tried to convince me of splitting my son 50/50 after the father abandoned, stalked, harassed, and was mentally unstable. He then said he needed an extra $7k retainer on top of $2.5k he already received. I fired him the next day and he refused to give any of the 7k back nor did he provide a single invoice. This man is a THIEF and should not be allowed to practice law for his lack of ethics.
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31 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
He didn't seem to really work on the details of my case until the very day of mediation. Prior to that, he forgot about our meetings that didnt involve his payment and wasn't prepared for them which left us discussing the exact same things we had already discussed; yet, he had no problem charging me for that meeting and thensome. During one meeting (in which I paid him more $) he yelled and threw papers at me when he got upset that I wouldn't just agree with his point of view of how I should just forget about getting things that the mediated contract noted should have occurred. Yes, I know that complaining about paper being thrown at me sounds silly because it was merely paper, but it should not have happened in the first place. I never felt like he was "on my side" and his advice during mediation was just to give into what the other side demanded since it'll cost more $ in the long run...but that didn't stop him from charging me more than $3,000 after that! Very unprofessional! It'll be a waste of YOUR time and money.
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29 Feb, 2024 by Arlene 210-309-0437
Took my $1200.00...Hired her to help Me to get custody of my 3 year old grandson...I go to Court on 1-23-14...she called me and said she has health Issues and will not be practicing law anymore...but will Not refund my money....so I can hire another attorney...Amazing
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05 Dec, 2014 by Toni
Dayla Pepi took my case via St. Mary's Legal Aid (pro-bono) and it ruined my life forever. I lived homeless in Haven for Hope because she wanted my kids to remain with their wealthy father. She broke the law and told me a piece of paper allowed my children to legally reside with their dad. The paper wasn't a valid legal document. (According to experienced attorneys and the judge) That was back in 2012, then she convinced me that a judge would never believe me if I went to court to ask them to review the documents.
When my children began to become brainwashed against me, due to the long periods of separation. I only saw them 6 times in 2012. I kept begging her to take my case to the judge, but she refused. Even when my kids showed up in smelly and dirty clothing, Dayla still felt that living with their father was in their best interest. I could be with my children right now, but Dayla told me I couldn't "live off their child support" in so many words. I have the documents to prove every word I typed and more. She's no "Saint" even is she does work for St. Mary's.
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25 Dec, 2016 by Anonymous
Mr Segovia handled my case a few years ago and after paying retainer and upfront fees, he was very hard to get a hold of. He kept asking for more money and paralegal did all the work. I was the plaintiff in the case and the respondents attorney was the one that did the final decree which I did not agree with.
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16 Oct, 2023 by Amy
This attorney got away with $10,000 of mine which I am currently trying to recoup in a lawsuit. This attorney had no idea what she was doing and was a bad case of ineffective assistance of counsel. She attempted to withdraw from my case in court because she was afraid and had no idea what she was doing and made me look like an idiot. I would not hire this attorney, she promises things she can’t deliver.
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06 Mar, 2019 by Thayli navarro
If you are considering going to this firm I would look for a different one. I’ve been dealing with the firm for 2years and I have yet to received any information or any calls back. They also demand more money without an actual explanation.
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06 Mar, 2019 by Thayli navarro
If you are considering going to this firm I would look for a different one. I’ve been dealing with the firm for 2years and I have yet to received any information or any calls back. They also demand more money without an actual explanation.
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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:
-
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.
