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07 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
In February of 2024 I attended a seminar presented by Preston Estate Planning, after which I signed up for a free consultation.... When we met I was impressed with the amount of information presented, as well as Mr. Preston's pleasant, and engaging manner.... I asked for a second meeting, which my son attended, in the hope that everything previously discussed was absolutely clear to both of us...
I did choose to become a client, and am pleased with the efficiency with which my account has been handled. I look forward to a long, and pleasant relationship with J.M. Preston and Preston Estate Planning...
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16 Nov, 2017 by Dede
I read the 1 review posted re: "affluent people". My parents, and myself have John Preston for our "living trusts". We are, simple country folk. "Mid America" if you will. Have some assets, but certainly not enough to do anything but keep ourselves fed and comfy in retirement years. I felt I had to post this, after reading the only other review. My Mother passed all of the sudden a year ago. I cannot tell you the EASE and comfort of having everything already lined up. They took her from ICU, to the funeral home. All my father and I had to do was pick up death certificates. They even took Mama to the Vet's cemetery. (thru the vet's program.) The mental stress of having to do all that was gone. All we had to do was grieve. No matter your age, DO this for your family. It's hard enough w/out dragging thru probate court for years, and family bickering. It's said and DONE.
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08 Nov, 2015 by Tim
Preston Estate Planning targets the more affluent elderly by placing full page ads in newspapers promising a free lunch and a free Kindle if seniors come to a meeting and bring their trust with them for review. John Preston told me that it didn't matter if their website was 10 years out of date because their audience did not much use computers or the web. At the luncheon, almost invariably the trusts are found to be significantly defective and in need of reworking. Their motto is "We Fix Trusts".
Seniors are then offered a $100 gift card after they attend a free meeting with Mr. Preston or another lawyer for a more detailed review at a local rented office room. At the meeting I attended, my wife and I were told, after a cursory examination of our documents (prepared by a very highly regarded established local law firm) that they were among the worst he had ever seen and would not work as planned. Mr. Preston also told us that that there was not enough time to tell us all the problems with our trust and that it was too complicated for us to understand. However, if we agreed to have Preston Estate Planning do all the work that was necessary to "fix" the trusts, they would reduce the $7500 cost by $2000 - but only if we signed up at that exact moment - no waiting to think it over or get a second opinion or talk to family about it.
I was not allowed to take any notes about the cost, and my request for Mr. Preston to return the required detailed questionnaire with its confidential, private, medical and financial information was not met, even after making the request in writing.
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09 Oct, 2020 by Bonnie
I sent her retainer after we had carefully discussed my case and fully expected to move forward. From there, however, she began repeatedly changing her information, and contradicting herself repeatedly. At one point she didn’t contact me or do any work on my case for THREE WEEKS. Then she began telling me things that are simply not true. I’ve spoken with other lawyers who made things very clear and simple (As much as possible anyway) and confirmed which things she told me were true and which were not.
I don’t know if she is incompetent or was simply not willing to work with a case that didn’t make her a lot of money, but the only good thing I can say about this experience is that she sent my retainer back in full.
I am a disabled single mom of two disabled kids and she took my money and wasted my time and energy. Inconsiderate and unacceptable.
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23 Mar, 2019 by Jules
It's rare to work with an attorney who has deep expertise and is still accessible. Sasha is one of the great ones. She thoughtfully answered my questions and made sure I had the information I needed to make decisions. I never felt rushed and I knew she had my best interested in mind at every step of the process.
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25 Feb, 2015 by Corey
Sasha Kamfiroozie is everything you need in a lawyer: honest, knowledgeable, hard working and extremely personable. She assisted me with setting up an entire estate plan. She took something very complicated and made it easy to understand for my wife and me. I would recommend her to anyone.
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07 Oct, 2023 by Lz
Mr. Mike Ditter restored our faith in the legal system. We were referred to him through a close relative. He is especially good at explaining complicated probate issues. He is also a great "communicator". All our phone calls and emails were promptly returned. Will be grateful to Mr. Ditter forever. Definetely will recommend him to a relative or best friend. He deserves 100 stars!.
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14 Dec, 2018 by Anonymous
Mike Ditter has been handling my estate, and in this capacity he is doing a great job. I highly recommend him. I have referred him to friends, two of which have hired him, and they, too, are very happy with his support and legal expertise.
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05 Dec, 2013 by Anonymous
Ditter is handling what should be a very simple dispersal of an estate. He has stretched the process out over a period of 18 months, has made careless errors, and seldom, if ever, returns calls. I'm not sure if he's inept or dishonest, but he's not someone I'd recommend or hire.
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10 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
It was a pleasure to work with Doug Jaffe. He was professional and has a very impressive amount of experience inside the San Diego courts. He knows what the court expects and that really came in handy.
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11 Sep, 2019 by Aj
Mr. Jaffe was recommended to me from the California Bar, I was a service member who was having an issue with someone and he took on my case. Things were decent in the beginning but as time went on they changed drastically. Finally, He took himself off of my case as soon as he thought there was no way for him to make any more money. I did more in one weekend in San Diego than he did in over a year and a half. I did not live in San Diego at the time so I put all of my trust in him just to have it backfire on me. He will ask you for a $1500 retainer and will ask for more within a month from there. He states in his contract that your Retainer is "returned upon request" but after asking multiple times I have never received it. I had asked multiple times for an itemized receipt and never received one. I feel He is not an Honest Lawyer and I would not recommend him to anyone. Find someone who finishes what they start.
Oh and the way he went about removing himself as my attorney- He sent me paperwork next day delivery stating that he was requesting his removal from the courts, and provided me with a date that I could fly to San Diego to pose my objections. I flew there, I entered the courtroom at 0845 and the hearing was at 0900, the bailiff could not find my paperwork so he asked me to sit down and wait, when all the cases were reviewed and the judge left he came over to me (the bailiff) and said that Mr. Jaffe was in at 7 am that morning to and told the judge that I lived out of state and would not be attending the hearing, he then signed the documents and was removed without my right to refute.
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13 Dec, 2014 by Pete
I have used Doug Jaffe on a few cases and have won each one. They both settled/paid.
He is thorough, knowledgeable and gets to the point.
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15 Nov, 2017 by Homecare seo
Stacy has been our estate planning attorney for years. We have been very satisfied with her technical legal knowledge as well as her practical know-how that comes with her many years of experience.
We trust her so much that we refer friends, clients and family to her, including my own parents, for their estate planning needs.
Choose Stacy DenHerder for your estate planning, probate and trust needs. You won't find anyone better!
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21 Feb, 2015 by Judy
We were very pleased with Stacy. The entire staff was very helpful and super nice. Would highly recommend Stacy and your firm. Sincerely Judy and Jerry Horacek.
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31 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
My husband and I were represented by Stacey DenHerder in 1993 and she did the Trust. My husband died in 2006 and the Trust is very confusing and Stacey DenHerder said to me that she didn't want to represent the Trust. I have consulted several other attorneys and they also are very confused by the wording of the Trust. Because Stacey DenHerder wrote up the Trust . I would think that she would try to make it right. I know that she got her degree in 1992 and was young and inexperienced but to not represent me because she goofed I find very difficult to understand. Stacey herself told me she would not take the time to explain the Trust to me. I was married to my husband and the Trust is in his name not ours. I was in love and a very trusting newlywed. I have spent thousands of dollars trying to figure out what the Trust langage means and I am still lost and want to move on in my life and sell my home but it appears from my reading it that I will have to divide the proceeds of the sale with his children and that will not leave me enough to purchase a home. Other attorneys have no answer for me after reading the Trust and the Ammendment and charging me $200 plus an hour with no resolution accept that I would probably have to go to court to get this resolved by a judge. When I go to an attorney to see how this is done they say they can't help me.
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30 Nov, 2022 by Jeff
Mr. Spencer was assigned counsel to me on appeal (at no cost). After not returning my calls for 3 weeks to discuss possible appellate issues I decided to represent myself. Mr. Spencer did file a Wende brief on my behalf -- though I wouldn't recommend doing that for any appeal.
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07 May, 2018 by Anonymous
After being referred by a friend, I came to Mr. Spencer during a conflict with a former landlord.
My interactions with Mark were consistently positive. While I felt vulnerable and anxious about any outcomes- he remained even keeled with a unique ability to remain compassionate and non- judgmental.
Mr. Spencer's ability to communicate in a clear and effective manner with the defendant and myself paved the way for a great outcome. As any lawsuit is stressful simply because of the ambiguity, he put me at ease that he can handle any curveballs with a solid knowledge base, timeliness and grounded responses..
I would, and do, recommend any friend of mine to contact Mr. Spencer for their legal needs.
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19 Apr, 2016 by Robert
Mark did a great job for me, stayed on top of court delays and kept me informed every step of the way. Knows what he's doing.
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31 Jul, 2012 by Patrick
I was referred to Mr. Stewart by two elder attorneys in the San Diego area. Mr Stewart was very helpful and extremely knowledgeable regarding not only the legal aspects of the elderly, but also how the elderly age and what the family may expect in the future. His recomendations regarding asset protection and medicare enrollment allowed my father to have health care far beyond what we could have provided otherwise. Scott's detailed estate plan also allowed us to provide personal private care for my father as my father's health declines. Scott also advised me on what skilled nursing facility would best serve my father's needs in our area. I have found Scott to be very personable and extremely wise in his consultation with me regarding complicated family estate planning issues. I have personally recommended several people already to Scott as I have received excellent advice from him.
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21 May, 2012 by Anonymous
My first meeting with Scott was wonderful. I was so nervous about my situation and he really took the time to listen and give a realistic strategy for how to handle my case. After that initial meeting, I had gathered all the information Scott needed and called back a week later. He didn't get back to me for 2 weeks. His secretaries attitude and attire were unprofessional every time I went down there, the way he handled my case was sloppy. Eventually when I called after trying to set up a second meeting for over a month his assistant Bonnie informed me that Scott wasn't even handling my case anymore.
Having wasted over 2 months of my time, constantly being put on hold and never actually doing anything besides that initial meeting, he didn't even have the decency to say he wasn't handling my case anymore.
My only recommendation for clients going to Scott is to find another lawyer.
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10 Jun, 2010 by Anonymous
As a geriatric care manager, I often need to refer clients to attorneys with a particular expertise in the areas of elder law and Medi-Cal planning. Mr. Stewart has extensive knowledge of eligibility criteria, asset protection strategies, and issues related to incapacity planning. He was a helpful advocate as my clients navigated their way through the benefits planning process and the transition into care in a long-term care facility. Even more importantly, he has continued to provide help and information beyond the Medi-Cal qualification process, which I greatly value and appreciate.
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11 May, 2023 by Awake nowadays
I saw this woman and her lawyer on Judge Judy...she is kind of a tricky one. Glad JJ set her straight.
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26 Apr, 2022 by Mandeep saini
Karen is unprofessional. She didnt do the job and took all the money. DO NOT GO TO HER.
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30 Aug, 2017 by Paul paruginog
Karen knows her stuff. We came here for a living trust, also to ammendment that trust nearly 15 years later.
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19 Apr, 2023 by Adc
Mr. Alfred is very professional, kind and efficient. He is very responsive, and easy to communicate with.
He helped me to obtained a restraining order against my neighbor who was harassing and stalking my husband and I.
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01 Mar, 2016 by Mike
Michael Alfred is an incompetent attorney. He was passive and un-knowledgeable. He made mistakes on our contract and he was never available, seemingly on vacation the last two weeks of every month. He would ask for money, disappear and do nothing. He was reactive to the other side of the case and never seemed to have a plan of his own. When we were being beaten on every aspect of the case he recommended a settlement that benefited the other side. He was late submitting interrogatories then blamed it on me when all he had to do was ask for an extension. Avoid this guy, you can do better.
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20 Apr, 2015 by Gabriel
Michael was extremely helpful by giving me multiple approaches to resolve my issue with corresponding pros and cons to each one. In the end, his recommended approach achieved the desired outcome and I would highly recommend him.
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30 Oct, 2014 by Scott
Eric Weitzen has worked with my family on trusts and wills over the past fifteen years or so. He has always been ahead of the curve on the ever-changing tax code and its implications for my family. He stuns me with how he's able to keep all of our details together in his mind when he has so many other clients.
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07 Sep, 2013 by Michael
This attorney drafted a living trust for us more than 10 years ago. Today, his wish is to redraft the entire document rather than to simply adjust beneficiaries. He wants to charge us as if we had nothing already in place. We see nothing wrong with the wording in the original document.
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08 Nov, 2020 by Gregg k
Tatiana assisted me with legal advice and counseling from the darkest days near the beginning of my family law case from about 2009. She listened to me and helped me find strength at my weakest moments to pursue my family law case. It was a long and rocky ride in the court system and with the challenges of raising a child, but she was always there for me for direction for the case and assisting me with understanding the laws and why the case evolved the way it did to today. I highly recommend Tatiana if you want an attorney you could trust, to tell you the truths about the strengths and weaknesses of your case, to explain the legal system, and to assist you with reaching the best results possible for the realities of your budget and your case.
Cheers
Gregg
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15 Aug, 2020 by Anonymous
My simple custody-support case was handed off to Ms Doran by the attorney I originally hired. She represented me for 2 months. It cost me $20,000. There was zero effort to come to an agreement with opposing counsel outside of court. I was so embarrassed as she accused opposing counsel of lying about multiple things with absolutely no proof. The judge was quite frustrated with the lack of preparation. Tatiana asked for an additional hearing without even talking about the possibility with me, as if I could afford it. Opposing counsel was now asking that I pay for their legal costs as well. It looked as if there were a good possibility that the judge would grant their request. I’m a struggling single parent. I could not allow it to go any further partially because I drained my entire savings on something that could have been easily resolved. I had her immediately removed from my case. It put me and my children in a very difficult position just as we were hit with the pandemic, and I had other major stressors. Ultimately, I contacted opposing counsel to attempt a resolution. They had some sympathy as they saw the representation I had. I was able to work out an agreement where I was given $500/ month over disomaster guidance. They dropped the request for me to pay the $16,000 in retroactive overpayment of child support, and the request for attorney fees which amounted to $10,000. However, I did suffer tremendously with anxiety and depression triggered by this event and it took a toll on my health physically also. I would not recommend her my worst enemy .
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27 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
Twice Scott tried to transfer title on a property into my trust. Both time, the transfer was denied. He does not return phone calls or emails. Three, four, and never go by without a response to emails and phone calls, particularly when he is in the wrong and doesn't know how to correct his errors.
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21 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
Scott was very helpful in amending my grandmothers living trust. He was very patient with our lack of knowledge and explained everything in detail. He was also more than fair with his fees.
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11 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
No response from Mr. Jay Wiley Jones. I am DONE WITH AVVO. NEVER received consult.
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17 Dec, 2018 by Marsha and larry saben
Wiley has been our corporate and personal lawyer for 40 years assisting with both professional advice as well as creating and amending our wills and trust as the years evolved. He is personable and caring and looks out for your personal/professional best interests.
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26 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
My husband and I hired him a couple years ago to resolve our tax issue (we needed to make installment agreement with IRS) Our case was passed around to several different lawyers in his firm. Zero follow-up! And the installment agreement to this day has never been set up. I’m guessing they have a huge turnover in his office. Not once have we ever received anything that had been promised. He never even spoke to us again after we paid him. Just a couple of weeks ago Cheryl e-mailed us about a notice they received from the IRS. When my husband had a call with them a few days ago and spoke with the gal who answered the phone , she had absolutely NO idea what was going on, she thought it was a bankruptcy. Then a completely different attorney reached out from his office and wants money, again. Please people, do your homework and do NOT waste you money. Take your business elsewhere!
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23 Mar, 2018 by Bree
My husband and I just did our complete estate plan with Gary and had a wonderful experience. I don't think anyone really gets excited to make plans for what will happen after their death but Gary and his team made the process easy for us. They were very personable and easily answered all of our questions. Now we know that our children and assets will be taken care of according to our wishes if something happens to us.
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16 Dec, 2016 by Anonymous
He was hired by my family to help with a legal matter and was terrible to work with. He has been of no help and now cost us $1000's of dollars we will never be able to recover. Horrible customer service and would not return calls or emails.
Take it from us...hire a different lawyer and save yourself the stress and financial loss.
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03 Jul, 2024 by Anonymous
It’s been three years since this law firm was hired for my case. In the three years they have not returned calls, were not prepared for hearings, and passed off to other attorneys in the firm. Everything was finalized 2 months ago and
Merianne is holding on to the distribution I believe to collect more monthly money. The most unprofessional law firm I have ever dealt with.
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30 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
I felt she didn’t have time for me even though she takes all cases It seems. Maybe cut down on your cases please and do a better job. She seemed to take the easy way out whenever she could. Didn’t read my input or questions until we were chatting so it cost me while she read and she wasn’t prepared with answers. She knows the law and could pass any law exam today I’m sure but not good at helping people. She allowed the other side to guide the case to my detriment. For some reason she decided she was done although I wasn’t. I believe things got more complicated than she wanted.
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28 May, 2022 by Anonymous
COST ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND LOST MY CASE. SHE TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR HER NEGLECT AND DID NOT EVEN PAY ATTENTION TO MY CASE UNTIL IT WAS TO LATE.
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08 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous
This law firm is not professional and prey on innocent people promise and under deliver. They actually have class action lawsuit against them for violating privacy act.
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08 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Most arrogant and disorganized attorney. Very difficult to communicate with and is impatient with her clients. Often shows disrespect towards the client. Do not hire.
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06 Sep, 2021 by Anonymous
In 2014 , I was a 19 year old single parent who just got out of an abusive relationship so I was vulnerable. She told me she was a lawyer and can help me get support for my son and I since his father did not want to be a part of my son's life. She charged my $2500. I just started my first job so we both agreed $500 a month. After several emails of her telling me she hired private investigators, gone to court on my behalf and asking personal questions about my life and the fathers she stopped replying to me after I gave my last payment. I never heard from her again.
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18 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
Reached out to Kristen Fritz for assistance during a family crisis. Unfortunately, my experience with this attorney was extremely disappointing. Not only did they she fail to listen to my concerns, but just flat out displayed a complete lack of empathy. Instead of trying to understand my situation, taking the time to just ask some basic questions, she immediately assumed the worst and approached the situation with a rude demeanor. I would not recommend her services to anyone seeking compassionate and attentive legal representation.
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21 Dec, 2019 by Anonymous
After a decades-long relationship for my own trust/wills with no problems, I engaged them to monitor/enforce my father’s estate and inheritance. The results were extremely disappointing. Lack of follow-up, lack of digging into details, ignoring pertinent facts and warning signs, months between communications that should have been days. It appeared they either had no interest in enforcement/litigation of estate cases and/or were not interested in anything less than a case worth $100k+ in fees. I am now suffering through $10k’s of legal fees with a new attorney (on top of the $10k’s already invested) unwinding shady maneuvers from the opposing side that could/should have been caught and addressed years ago. Very disappointing – I do not recommend.
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24 Sep, 2024 by Melissa
Zero out of 10 recommend Mr. Haskett. My experience with him was disgusting. I had to deal with perverted comments and unsolicited sexual advances made by him on countless occasions. But on top of that, the man stole my retainer money and did not do ONE minute of work on my case which caused me to not only lose my case but go bankrupt. I will see to everything in my power that this man no longer is able to practice in the state of California but in the meantime, DO NOT HIRE JONATHAN BLAIR HASKETT!
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06 Dec, 2022 by Ramon chavez
Very rude, he don't like client ask no questions about the case,
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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.
