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19 Oct, 2015 by Serena
Working in property management is like navigating a mine field of legal issues. Emma Fabeck has always helped me navigate that mine field with ease. Emma has helped me with a ton of different issues such as covenants, contract negotiations, landlord tenant questions, closing escrow, and anything and everything that goes along with real estate. She is my go to attorney for any issue. It just so happens all my problems are real estate related. The thing that sets Emma apart from other attorneys is that she understands the unique challenges I have as a business owner. She is sensitive to my time constraints and always gives me options for how to handle a particular problem. Other attorneys I have gone to have told me to do things only one way without looking into other options. Emma will always present me with options and her recommendation so I can make an informed decisions so I always maintain control.
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27 Apr, 2015 by Richard
So far my interactions with Ms. Fabeck have been very positive and very helpful. She responded within 30 minutes to the email inquiry that I sent to her through Avvo. She assessed my situation and offered some useful advice right off the bat. We have spoken since then as well, and I am planning to become a client. It's clear that she is personable, knowledgeable, and attuned to my needs as a client.
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16 Nov, 2010 by Mindy
While Sandra knows her law well enough, her people skills are lacking. She added antagonism & mistrust to an already volatile situation and caused a solveable situation to deteriorate into an emotional catastrophe for my daughter,
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21 Jul, 2010 by Greg
Sandra helped me out of one tough time in my life, she was a good friend and a excellent lawyer. She took on a well funded and experinced adversery (actually "Attorney of the year 2007" SoCal Bar Assoc.) and prevailed. She was always helping me keep my emotions under check with here good common sense outlook on life.
I plan on having Sandra as a friend for a long time.
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03 Aug, 2009 by Anonymous
Sandra is a trustworthy, nice, ethical, and smart lawyer. She provided legal represention for my divorce for over 14 months. She understands and is knowlegbable about family law. I would recommend her for simple and straightfoward divorvce cases, with minimal complexity or challenge.
That said, for complex, detailed, and combative, and adversarial divorce cases, I would not recommend her. I experienced constant delays, lack of feedback ,and lack of clear direction from Sandra during my case. I had several outstanding issues that were never resolved after many dicussions with her. At times she seemed a bit overwhelmed .
After switching to new legal counsel, sevral of my unresolved issues managed by Sandra are in the process of being addressed and resolved after only a few days. I now have a very clear game plan.
I like Sandra on a personal basis and wish her much sucesss in the future.
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08 Sep, 2016 by Danielle cote serar
My husband and I asked her to review our trust. When she came back and said it was out of date, some areas were not legal or no longer legal due to new law, we decide to have her update our documents. She prepared a boiler plate agreement with my step children and our names thrown in, arbitrary ages for our children to inherit, nothing of our intents for how we wanted our estate handled and numerous errors. When we emailed her letting her know that we would be emailing her corrections based on the intents we wanted for our trust - one specific example that the estate be preserved until the youngest child turn 21 - she wrote back and I am paraphrasing but if you don't like my document and what I included, then don't use it. When I emailed again saying we hoped this was a misunderstanding and that all we were wanting was to make sure the trust reflected our desires not hers, her assistant sent us an email saying Ma. Martindale would no longer be working with us because we were not willing to work within the confines of the law. For the record, I repeatedly said we wanted to be legal but wanted to discuss how to meet our desires legally. For the record other than althe review of our former trust, a two minute meeting on the tag end of a meeting with my mother and a two minute phone call, not once did Ms. Martindale inquire as to what my husband and I wanted. Other than one email from her directly basically saying go pound sand, no communication with Ms. Martindale took place. I would never recommend her. I found her unprofessional and disrespectful.
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05 Nov, 2012 by Anonymous
She is horrible. She missed court dates, always got confused on what she was suppose to do, and tried to have us pay her an extra $1000.00 which turned out to be a mathamatical error (guess she doesnt own a calculator) Do your self a favor and DO NOT hire her. It seems all she wants is a lot of money and if your settlement isnt enough she will be rude and non professional.
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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.
