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09 Dec, 2015 by Wendy
I just reviewed our final Trust Book and all the documents Andrew, Erica and his office staff prepared for us. It was unbelievable how well organized and self explanatory it was. The whole process and experience of redoing our trust was positive and amazing, We couldn't be more pleased and feel so confident that our affairs will be taken care of. It was the best decision we have ever made to go with Andrew. His paralegal, Erica is outstanding. She was with us every step of the way and took care of every detail. In addition, they were both a delight to work with. I could go on and on, but if you are in need of an attorney, I wouldn't hesitate to hire Andrew and his staff.
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20 Nov, 2015 by Nate
Andrew and his team have been excellent. They are responsive, friendly and easy to work with. I know Andrew is very busy, but he always finds time in the day to return my call and talk through my concerns. He's become a trusted adviser and friend.
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19 Nov, 2015 by Billy
I've worked with Andrew for over 8 years on business and estate planning primarily. His advise and guidance has been invaluable as my businesses and family have grown. I consider him a long-term advisor and friend, and plan to continue working with him and his team for years to come.
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14 Jan, 2016 by Lary & dottie
Very honest and straight forward. Answered all of our questions and followed through in a timely manner. He made us feel very comfortable.
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13 Nov, 2015 by Alan
We have been using Randy Sparks for our estate planning for over a three years. Throughout he has been professional, patient, knowledgeable, and has guided us with money-saving strategies. We highly recommend him and his firm.
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11 Nov, 2015 by Chris
Mr. Sparks has always been helpful with whatever I'm doing. He isn't a nickel and dime attorney. He isn't looking to break the bank with everything you're doing. He's a fair guy with fair prices. But most importantly, he knows what he's doing to accomplish what needs to be done.
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08 Aug, 2019 by Brad
I was in a car accident and worked with Mark on a settlement with the insurance companies. Mark went out of his way to make sure that every question was answered. He was extremely responsive, and made sure that we communicated as needed. He was very thorough in the information he received, and presented it very well to the different companies. He had my best interest in mind, and took the time to make sure he got the best settlement possible for me. I would definitely recommend Mark to anyone who wants to have that personal touch, and to have that communication made throughout the whole process.
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04 Nov, 2018 by Sharon
I was injured in a car accident, I wasn't sure if I was going to contact an attorney to help me with my case, however I am so happy that I did and that Mark Ethington helped me with my case. He is very professional and his assistant Tessa is amazing. Every time I had a question or sent them an e-mail, they responded within 24 hours. My case was settled and I was very satisfied with the results, without the help of Mark, the outcome would have been different. I highly recommend anyone that has been injured in a car accident, hire Mark Ethington for your attorney needs. They definitely go the extra mile.
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10 Jul, 2015 by Terry
Mr Ethington handled a very difficult case for me. I knew I was innocent of the charges against me,but I did not
think I had much of a chance of winning. This was a jury trial. Mark was great. He, in my opinion clearly
out shone the prosecuting attorney. I was found not guilty on all charges. I am very grateful for the job he did.
he is a fine attorney and I highly recommend him.
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28 Aug, 2020 by Bianca hernandez
03 Nov, 2018 by Phenixx james / forever martinez
Omg he is the best attorney I have ever had! I have recommended him to others. He handles the business!!! Much love @ respect to the best!
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13 Sep, 2018 by Tammy holmquist
I called Rex the day before I had court. I was in a panic because I had been talking to another attorney and not much was happenening. Rex stated that he would see me at the court house the next day. We chatted about the case for a minute and I was so relieved just by talking to Rex. He assured me that He would be there again. The day of court he was very professional did his job well and has continued to be a stand up attorney and eager to help me out. I am grateful for the opportunity I was given to speak with Rex. We still have some work ahead of us, but without a doubt in my mind he will do his best work for me.
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06 Aug, 2022 by Tricia walton
Had a credit union mistakenly apply my payment 2 days later than I should have missing my statement and date. They said they fixed the mistake and I will see this correction on my next statement but the issue is it was reported to the bureaus with wrong amount prior to them correcting this. The amount is over $16k so this is making a huge impact on my credit score/utilization/total balances and ability to get approved for new credit. Well, I fixed my credit and got rid off my debts with the help of PINNACLE CREDIT SPECIALIST whom a trusted friend recommended and he did a perfect job increasing my credit score to (801 TransUnion, 805 Experian, 807 Equifax) all credit card debts are marked as paid, public record, bankruptcy and hard inquiries are all gone. I’m so happy. I refer this great hacker to those who have a fixed date to fix their credit profile. Text PINNACLE ON +1 (585) 466 4373. Tell them Tricia Walton Referred you. You can also reach them on
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11 Mar, 2014 by Anonymous
Jack and his staff made me feel that they were looking out for my best interest and were able to get the matter solved in mediation instead of dragging it out in the courts.
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13 Dec, 2013 by Bridget
I have not hired this firm as of yet. I am seeking grandparents rights in regards to my granddaughter and the advise given by this office has been very helpful. As a result, I may be able to handle my ex-daughter-in-law w/o the trauma of a courtroom. If not, I will definitely seek the assistance of this firm. It truly felt that they are in the business to help as opposed to looking at the bottom dollar.
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08 Apr, 2014 by Rob
I have used Bretton to handle issues dealing with business law; everything from human resource issues to contracts with partner companies to business establishment and corporate structure issues. He's great at explaining things in layman's terms. He's very well-versed in all of these aspects of law, is very detail-oriented, and has made me feel very well represented.
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13 Mar, 2014 by Andrew
Bretton assisted me with a purchase agreement for buying a business. He was very knowledgeable and thorough. I believe it was money well spent when a lot was at stake and an emotional time to begin with. The process help me also think through things that helped with my negotiation.
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06 Mar, 2014 by Greta
I have used Bretton for ALL my legal needs for over 4 years. He can do it all, from Living Trusts, Wills and Estate planning, Conservatorships of my disabled adult children to more advance cases that involved the higher courts and/or juvenile courts. He is well rounded and can do anything that has to do with the law.
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05 Feb, 2017 by Will pham
Gave great, quick suggestions and responses. If i was hiring id hire him.
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25 Feb, 2014 by Mike
Andrew was very helpful and accommodating. He provided all the forms and information we needed to set up our will and living will/medical directive. We had many questions and he answered them all. Andrew followed up to make sure everything got done when we needed it. I recommend Andrew's services, especially for anyone with a lot of questions.
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22 Feb, 2014 by Anonymous
Everything was done in a timely manner. I felt like a valued client. All questions I had were answered well. I will definitely use Mr. Lillywhite again. We were correcting mistakes made on a property title and its history. Namely transferring a dual ownership to a single ownership. In the process Mr. Lillywhite found a loan had not been properly reconveyed. As a result of performance from Mr. Lillywhite, the lender complied with our requests. Had it not been for his expertise, my property would have been in jeopardy.
THANK YOU LILLYWHITE BUSINESS LAW.
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12 Nov, 2016 by Stephen
I hired Attorney Jase Allen to prepare a revocable trust for my estate in August of 2016. He responded in a timely fashion with home visits throughout the two week process. Over the course of those two weeks, I continued to give Jase changes and updates through many emails until I felt the details in the trust accurately described my wishes for asset distribution. He was very patient and responsive to my requests for these changes and updates. Additionally, I found Jase to be very knowledgeable, personable, congenial, cooperative, and willing to go the extra mile to assure my wishes for distribution of trust assets were accurately described to meet my satisfaction. I therefore give Jase the full five star rating.
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19 Mar, 2016 by Heidi
We had a great experience working with Jase. He reviewed our will and trust and gave us sound advice for updating it. He was pleasant and professional and we will use him again!
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12 Mar, 2016 by Carrie
Jase helped my mom with her estate planning. He was patient, professional and knowledgeable. He did a great job. I would definitely use him again.
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19 Aug, 2014 by Anonymous
Shawn was very open about the cost of hiring counsel and our options. Our case didn't involve a lot of money and attorney fees would have taken a big amount out of any settlement . He provided sound advice and allowed us to make our own decision. He could have easily taken our money and represented us and the outcome would have still been the same. However, he was honest and forthright. This is a good man to have on your side.
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03 Mar, 2014 by Darin
Throughout my life and career, I have worked with many lawyers, some very good. However, Shawn Potter is the best I know. Shawn is so good that he handles my personal affairs, as well as work for my $10mm company. He is well versed in everything, from construction and real estate law, to estate planning, etc. In fact, we even had Shawn take care of the adoption work for our daughter. Anyone would be fortunate to have Shawn represent them.
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28 Feb, 2014 by John
Mr. Potter has handled two cases for me. He is always very responsive and thorough. We won one of the cases he handled for me and received very favorable dispositive orders in the other case that is still pending. I have also referred numerous clients to him, who have all been very happy with his service.
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29 Oct, 2020 by Brittany heninger
Dustin helped to finalize our adoption. He was very kind and helpful! He was wonderful to work with. :)
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11 Oct, 2016 by Mike dana
Dustin assisted us with a step parent adoption. The process was streamlined and done very quickly. They took care of everything for us and the entire process was finalized within one month. We couldn't be happier with the kindness and professionalism the he displayed along the way. Thank you so much. We will be forever grateful.
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04 Apr, 2014 by Michael storper
24 Jun, 2019 by Kelly
My 80 year old mother was in a battle with her step son over the estate that her deceased husband left to her. We had many consultations, emails, and letters back and forth with Frank and he was patient, kind, and very knowledgeable. He didn't hesitate to tell my mother what would be in her best interest, even if that was to stop using his services and be finished with the fight. He didn't seem to be motivated by the dollar, which eased our minds in the process. Ultimately, Frank helped us to get a settlement and allow my mother to move forward in peace. I would highly recommend Frank for all the reasons listed, as well as the fact that he was prompt in his response no matter which way we contacted him. Thanks again Frank!
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27 Oct, 2017 by David
Mr. Warner helped us with a very difficult guardianship case for an incapacitated. His knowledge and expertise in the field ultimately were very helpful in reaching a satisfactory resolution.
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04 Dec, 2014 by Anonymous
I recommend Mr. Warner to anybody seeking an attorney with ethics and integrity. Mr. Warner puts in the time and research to achieve the best outcome for your case.
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13 Jul, 2017 by Natalie
Adam is supportive and nurturing to his clients , courageous and resolution driven in his interaction with opposing parties and incredibly responsive , overall the most personal, attentive experience I have ever had with an attorney . I am so incredibly greatful to him for ironing out a complex tax situation from the past that frankly I had been just avoiding because I couldn't resolve it myself . Adam relieved my anxiety and managed the problem until it was resolved to my satisfaction. I could not be more impressed . I am so glad I picked up the phone and called him . The next chapter of my life literally has a new beginning because of him !!
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03 Jun, 2016 by Patricia
All I had to do was tell Mr. Easter once what was going on with the Utah Tax Commission. I had no idea what to do. He immediately told me exactly what information he needed and I never worried another minute about what was happening. He kept me informed and handled everything. The case came back in my favor and I saved a ton of money! Thanks, Adam Easter!
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17 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Dave is hands down the best business attorney you can find. He has helped me start/grow my business without any pitfalls, also his firm has helped keep unsavory vultures from threatening my company
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01 Apr, 2010 by John
Dave is an excellent Attorney. He has handled a case for me involving a crooked CPA. We won both the suit and the counter suit because of Dave's expertise and attention to detail. I would recommend Dave to anyone seeking counsel from a good, honest, hardworking professional.
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13 Jan, 2023 by Diane
Craig Hughes wrote my Trust back in 2014. He was very thorough with regards to every detail. Now, this week, in 2023, I just needed to update a couple of things that had changed in my life, and again it was done with thought and precision, in a timely manner.
I didn't need to change anything else, or have a new Trust, because it was so well done the first time. I am super happy with his firm, and recommend his services to others!
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06 Dec, 2015 by Julie
The first thing I noticed about Craig Hughes was his passion for estate law. He clearly loves and relishes his role in helping people avoid all of the problems with family and inheritance that can happen when proper planning has not occurred.
Craig was very careful to make sure I understood all of the legal jargon and how it applied to my life now and in the future. He was anxious to make sure that everything was done in my best interest.
I appreciated and felt safe with Mr. Hughes' desire to make sure that the banks we dealt with and the documents he handled for me were meticulously and carefully explained.
I was particularly impressed that Craig demanded integrity and professionalism from not only his staff and himself, but from all of the outside institutions that we worked with.
It was a pleasure to have worked with an attorney that helped me in such an honest and forthright manner, while at the same time making sure I understood everything without a trace of impatience. He truly loves what he does, and loves helping others.
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06 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
Zach assisted a family member in applying for some much needed VA benefits and we couldn't have been happier!
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19 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
Zach handled my case in a timely manner. Very professional and easy to work with. He went above and beyond what was needed. I couldn't have asked for a better attorney to handle my case.
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08 May, 2017 by Natalie
This review and my gratitude is long over due. Virginia was my lawyer during a long, difficult custody battle. Family law is a ugly business and Virginia is one of the few lawyers who is it for the right reasons; to protect children. Her morals are one of her best qualities.
She is beyond professional; nothing will ruffle this women's feathers. Her manner is always sincere, calm, and collected. I learned so much from her.
When you call, If she does not answer right away her wonderful secretary Elizabeth is on it.
She is second to none and I would recommend her to anyone.
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31 Jul, 2014 by Team tapia!
I've been a client for several years the whole staff is friendly, kind and go out of thier way to ensure the outcome of your case of settled fairly, they are very compassionate treat you like a person and not just another number, I absolutely would recommend them I world give 100 stars if I could!
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19 Sep, 2017 by Stacy
I had occasion to have Dale represent me as a defense attorney. I can not say enough good about him. He answers emails and phone messages in a very timely manner--even on weekends. He is professional to a fault. He is organized, intelligent and well respected by his colleagues. He is VERY knowledgeable, has a wide range of resources available to him, and he treats your case as though it's the only one he has. His defense of me was thorough enough that the charges against me were dropped.
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21 Jan, 2015 by Barry huntington
Dale Sessions is a very good attorney. I have practiced against Mr. Sessions as opposing counsel for many years and he always represents his clients vigorously. Mr. Sessions has a wealth of knowledge and is extremely helpful to those he serves.
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25 May, 2018 by Anonymous
I Was referred to match from a friend of mine who handled his divorce. He did an amazing job for my friend and I had high hopes he could help me. Mitch was highly knowledgeable. It was very easy to talk to him and he could articulate the complicated legalities of my case very well
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22 Feb, 2018 by Shelby
I had used Peter for a family friends personal needs and than some. I knew that there would possibly be issues. So, I consulted with Peter and WOW..was I happy with the out come from him; and the overall great dedication, determination, and passion that he had for his job along for myself as a client (due to all of the stress and more that I was going through).
Peter, was very prompt with emails, and any other notifications that I/He needed. Communication........ by all means I can tell is a top priority in Peter's tasks with his clients! Even his great office help has great communication/promptness!
Thank you Peter and KLC Team for all your hard work and dedication. YOU ALL ROCK!!
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15 Oct, 2018 by Anonymous
Scott Help me through a very rough patch in my life. I needed to work through a marriage fraught with trials and challenges. He did not encourage me to hurry and get a divorce, rather he encouraged me to do several things to save the marriage. I followed his advice and in the end he did help me with the divorce process, but by the time we did that, I was well prepared for the end. I knew that everything possible had been tried, and having tried many, many solutions gave me insight into the situation that I otherwise would never have known. My ex-wife was married to me but she was in love with someone else. Had we filed for divorce right away, I would have ended up in a much worse situation. Having waited until the more complete story came out put me in a great position to keep the children with full custody. I get to stay in the family home and the money I earned goes to support the family not to support someone who is untrustworthy. During the time I was trying to put things back together, I found out about secret banking accounts, real estate, and other possessions that were part of her life but not mine. Scott helped me understand why she pushed so hard for some things (mostly financial.) She pushed hard for all of the things we owned together to be put into a family trust which for some reason didn't include me. She said that because we were married in reality I was a member of the trust. She wanted access to my bank account, but refused to allow me to even go into her bank with her. When it came time for the financial statements to be filed, I had the information needed to confront her about the assets that she had and had not declared.
Due to the lack of her disclosure it was clear that she was not telling the truth and therefore had no credibility with the judge. The judge looked much more favorably at the arguments we presented even though the truth of my position was not always pretty, it was the truth. I had given Scott all of the ugly details of the marriage, so there were no surprises for him during negotiations or when we got to court.
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21 Sep, 2016 by Sam
I engaged Mr Diehl to review my estate as I approached retirement to double check my overall estate planning and financial well-being. He meticulously reviewed all aspects of my estate and provided sound courses of action given several scenarios along with detailed recommendations. These recommendations have proven to be "right on" as I have entered into the next phase of my life with low risk concerns of my portfolio. He recently followed-up with additional recommendations based upon one of my investment scenarios. Highly recommend the advise of this excellent "Counselor"!
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29 Apr, 2020 by Sue
Absolutely the Awesome Amazing Attorneys on the planet!
Seriously...nothing short of an A+++My financial situation had finally backed me into a corner where the only positive real answer was to call an attorney. It took me days to make that call and when I did it was 4:45pm on a Wed .almost hoping they had gone home for the day a pleasant voice of a woman answered the phone Debra Rasmussen) and connected me to Josh. He was so understanding and said I could come in the next day to go over my situation. From that day we met and it a gift from the Lord to use these attorneys, Josh, Daren and Debra took over and instructed me daily on what I needed to do to proceed ahead so everything was in order. I was astounded at how things were rolling along at such a fast pace. Never once were there harsh words or demeaning or degrading conversations or attitudes! THAT ALONE IS A PURE JOY & MIRACLE IN TODAYS WORLD. They worked as a true genuine team to genuinely help me. Any other attorney in this area and I'm sure 99% of the world would be a total let down. THANKS JOSH, DAREN & DEBRA FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY FOR HELPING GO THRUOUGH THIS EXPERIENCE. Sincerely & Smiles, Sue Stowe
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10 Aug, 2015 by Staci
Lee was professional!, Really knows what he is doing. He educated me on the whole bankruptcy process and showed compassion and understanding. I highly recommend Lee.
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25 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
He is a very caring lawyer who really listened what I had to say. He was there to answer all my questions to prepare for the court day. He is very polite and respectful.
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23 Oct, 2017 by Sheryl
Brad has been my corporate attorney for over 17 years. Brad understand corporate structuring and gives great legal advice. If I ask him something that is outside his expertise, he is quick to refer me to another attorney, and he is very well connected with the local attorneys so he knows exactly who would the best person for the job. Brad is always very responsive and he is always friendly and upbeat when I speak with him. He is wonderful and I highly recommend him.
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26 Sep, 2020 by Patricia
I highly recommend Brad Rice as an attorney, he is knowledgeable, ethical, pleasant to work with and thinks outside the box. He has advised me on many legal issues and created my estate plan.
Mr, Rice was very understanding and considerate of my situation and made the legal process much less stressful than attorneys I have worked with in the past. My family and I will continue to hire Brad Rice for all of our legal needs.
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09 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
We hired Joshua to file a proof of claim as a creditor in a bankruptcy case. He went ABOVE and beyond for us. Providing anything and everything he thought would be helpful. Attorneys like him are a rare breed and every one needs someone like Josh in their corner.
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29 Jul, 2013 by Kimberly garrard
Craig Carman, Attorney at Law, is an excellent law firm. They have helped me with several different legal matters. They are very professional. They have always done very good legal work for me and my family. I have also recommended them to other friends of mine that needed help.
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19 Dec, 2014 by Michelle
Best attorney I've worked with and I've had to use several. Non judgemental, not pushy but informative. I felt very comforted in my situation after filing with Lee. I had been totally stressed out after talking to several other attorneys. They either didn't explain enough to me or they were kind of condescending.
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02 Nov, 2015 by Bill
Stephen helped my business in two business areas. He advised and them helped me set up an s-corp. Then reviewed a complicated contract from a major corporation where I was going to consult. He provided excellent advice and guidance that the potential client accepted, saving my business money.
I describe Steve as very engaging, very talented, and honest.
While most people do not look forward to working with an attorney, Steve is a person that you should sincerely consider within any of his practice areas. York, Howell, and Guymon is a great firm.
In the future, I would not hesitate to use Steve's services again. Thank you!
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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:
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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.
