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26 Aug, 2024 by Rick segall
To say that Jay exceeded our expectations would be a profound understatement. He literally transformed our experience from a nightmare to a dream come true. Every single step of the way, he was deeply informative, constantly communicative, kind, thorough, and always available for us. We will not only be forever thankful for his extraordinary assistance unto the successful acquisition of my wife’s green card but we will refer anyone and everyone who needs similar assistance to him. You truly can not find anyone better.
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25 Aug, 2024 by Mark montenegro
Great service, knowledge and awesome follow up. Extremely satisfied!
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23 Aug, 2024 by Denise flores
My mom and I are so grateful that we found Jay to help us with her green card process. He answered all of our questions and made the process incredibly stress-free. We can't recommend him enough and can't wait to work with him again for her naturalization process.
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14 Oct, 2021 by Tim karcz
Seth provided us with timely, professional, and clearly understandable legal services. Highly Recommended!
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14 Aug, 2021 by Kathy cleversley
Seth helped me with getting my tenants out who were smoking in the unit and ruining my property. He wrote a letter and was very professional which finally got them to move. I highly recommend him.
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24 Aug, 2024 by Herendi estrada
Es muy buena la licenciada a mi me ayudó mucho en el caso de mi accidente se la recomendó
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18 Jul, 2024 by Gary g
22 Mar, 2024 by Marisa castro
Working with Yvette / Astria Law Group was so simple and easy. I reached out to her and we had a meeting the following week, and my trust set up the next month! She is great and I highly recommend her for all your estate planning needs.
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24 Aug, 2024 by Herendi estrada
Es muy buena la licenciada a mi me ayudó mucho en el caso de mi accidente se la recomendó
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18 Jul, 2024 by Gary g
22 Mar, 2024 by Marisa castro
Working with Yvette / Astria Law Group was so simple and easy. I reached out to her and we had a meeting the following week, and my trust set up the next month! She is great and I highly recommend her for all your estate planning needs.
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17 Mar, 2023 by James gajniak
My wife and I visited Sean’s office recently to discuss and get answers to our Living Trust.
We’ve had it a long time and it was time to Update our Revocable Trust. Sean reviewed our Trust, suggested amendments, and made recommendations. He is very knowledgeable about Trusts and other Legal Documents.
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10 Apr, 2019 by Brandi sparks
My family recently contacted Sean for a consultation and let me tell you he was fantastic. He had an answer for all of our questions and gave us peace of mind regarding the concerns we had. He was knowledgeable and extremely patient. We appreciate all thay he helped us with.
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04 Apr, 2019 by Nelly nazloomian
I recently worked with Sean,
He is the most knowledgeable, passionate, caring attorney that I ever worked with. I wil refer my clients without any hesitation to him.
Nelly Nazloomian
Real Estate Broker
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22 Aug, 2024 by Mark
Jane and her team did a wonderful job with our family trust. We had several properties and a blended family where we would eventually have to disperse our assets. They made the process easy and efficient. The final trust package was thorough and made us feel we covered all the bases.
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18 Apr, 2024 by Nelly romo
I recently engaged the services of Mr. MARCUS for my child’s case and, unfortunately, my experience did not meet the expectations set by other reviews. While I appreciate Mr. MARCUS's expertise in the field, I felt that the representation provided was not aligned with my child’s best interests, which was concerning and disappointing. It seemed there was a bias that did not favor a fair outlook for my child's situation.
I would encourage Mr. MARCUS to ensure that the representation of all parties' interests, especially those of minors, is balanced and fair in future cases. This feedback is intended to be constructive and I hope it will be taken into consideration.
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13 Nov, 2023 by Erkin boy
Excellent Service !
If you want your ticket to be dismissed, I'd recommend Aaron Fontana !!! Thank you for all !
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23 Mar, 2023 by Eduardo meza
Kann California Law Group is fantastic! They kept me abreast of every step of my case and were very professional. Aaron, my attorney, took the time to listen and understand my situation and was very polite. So, thanks. Job well done.
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18 Apr, 2024 by Nelly romo
I recently engaged the services of Mr. MARCUS for my child’s case and, unfortunately, my experience did not meet the expectations set by other reviews. While I appreciate Mr. MARCUS's expertise in the field, I felt that the representation provided was not aligned with my child’s best interests, which was concerning and disappointing. It seemed there was a bias that did not favor a fair outlook for my child's situation.
I would encourage Mr. MARCUS to ensure that the representation of all parties' interests, especially those of minors, is balanced and fair in future cases. This feedback is intended to be constructive and I hope it will be taken into consideration.
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13 Nov, 2023 by Erkin boy
Excellent Service !
If you want your ticket to be dismissed, I'd recommend Aaron Fontana !!! Thank you for all !
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23 Mar, 2023 by Eduardo meza
Kann California Law Group is fantastic! They kept me abreast of every step of my case and were very professional. Aaron, my attorney, took the time to listen and understand my situation and was very polite. So, thanks. Job well done.
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18 Apr, 2024 by Nelly romo
I recently engaged the services of Mr. MARCUS for my child’s case and, unfortunately, my experience did not meet the expectations set by other reviews. While I appreciate Mr. MARCUS's expertise in the field, I felt that the representation provided was not aligned with my child’s best interests, which was concerning and disappointing. It seemed there was a bias that did not favor a fair outlook for my child's situation.
I would encourage Mr. MARCUS to ensure that the representation of all parties' interests, especially those of minors, is balanced and fair in future cases. This feedback is intended to be constructive and I hope it will be taken into consideration.
Read more
13 Nov, 2023 by Erkin boy
Excellent Service !
If you want your ticket to be dismissed, I'd recommend Aaron Fontana !!! Thank you for all !
Read more
23 Mar, 2023 by Eduardo meza
Kann California Law Group is fantastic! They kept me abreast of every step of my case and were very professional. Aaron, my attorney, took the time to listen and understand my situation and was very polite. So, thanks. Job well done.
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31 Jul, 2024 by L v
I recently used Y&W services for a family law matter. The firm was very respectful and responsive to all aspects of my case. Mr. Young was very gracious and offered a creative solution to meet my needs and I was very appreciative of his efforts. I highly recommend the firm.
Luisa
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02 Mar, 2024 by Michele clow
Rand Pinsky is the most human lawyer I’ve ever spoken to. He was so helpful in providing me with the best information to help me with my issue. He’s as asset to his firm.
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02 Oct, 2023 by Nana kankam
I would highly recommend you look elsewhere for your legal needs, if my experience is any indication of this law firm’s professionalism and competency.
I reached out to Donahue, Young & Williams after finding them via Google, reviewing Yelp reviews, and checking out their website. Everything seemed fine. I had an initial intake call where I explained my situation and what I was generally looking for. I promptly received a legal services agreement, signed it, sent over the agreed upon deposit, and also took the time to compile relevant documentation, as requested by Kaylee. By promptly, I mean within three days. Kaylee and Sherry nearly immediately confirmed receipt of payment and documents, and all seemed well - I was confident that I was dealing with a professional and attentive law firm, and looked forward to getting robust advice. I expected this in a relatively timely fashion, as discussed and confirmed during my initial call.
2+ weeks, and 5 calls/emails later, I emailed to ask if someone could take just a few minutes to write back and give me a sense of when I should expect any feedback/insight/etc. This was a relatively simple landlord/tenant issue, and I’d provided well organized information for their review. Taylor Williams-Moniz, the attorney assigned to my case, emailed me, claiming that her office had called me several times (they had not), and tersely stating that though I wanted an email (I actually just wanted a response rather than radio silence), she needed to have a phone call. I wrote back confirming my phone number and asking if she could ensure they’d been calling me as I had to record of said calls, and also suggested a five hour window of availability for the next business day. No response. I had to follow up again in order to get a response from her legal assistant.
To make a long and frustrating story short, Taylor Williams-Moniz was very nice when I spoke to her, but couldn’t adhere to deadlines she herself set. Melody Dosch was unfortunately not much more helpful than Taylor - and in general I found the law firm to be not extremely well versed on the law (in one instance, Melody told me she would have to get back to me as to whether my unit was covered under a common law that I was able to discover as a layperson, and which should be been considered in the legal advice granted prior to my question), then proceeded to go on vacation and refuse to put her perspective in writing until I followed up repeatedly and insistently. Mark Younger was also very nice, but also totally missed a call we had scheduled with no prior notice. I also never felt like they advocated for my position or were particularly proactive and believe they misrepresented my actions to my landlord’s counsel (to my detriment). And obviously, I really didn’t appreciate having to agitate for a response from them over and over again.
I’d strongly recommend you look elsewhere, as it seems they have a burgeoning habit of playing attentive to get clients to sign, and then deteriorate from there. I also have strong questions on their expertise (at least on landlord/tenant issues) and have some ethical questions about their willingness to give advice without a seemingly thorough understanding of applicable laws.
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31 Jul, 2024 by L v
I recently used Y&W services for a family law matter. The firm was very respectful and responsive to all aspects of my case. Mr. Young was very gracious and offered a creative solution to meet my needs and I was very appreciative of his efforts. I highly recommend the firm.
Luisa
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02 Mar, 2024 by Michele clow
Rand Pinsky is the most human lawyer I’ve ever spoken to. He was so helpful in providing me with the best information to help me with my issue. He’s as asset to his firm.
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02 Oct, 2023 by Nana kankam
I would highly recommend you look elsewhere for your legal needs, if my experience is any indication of this law firm’s professionalism and competency.
I reached out to Donahue, Young & Williams after finding them via Google, reviewing Yelp reviews, and checking out their website. Everything seemed fine. I had an initial intake call where I explained my situation and what I was generally looking for. I promptly received a legal services agreement, signed it, sent over the agreed upon deposit, and also took the time to compile relevant documentation, as requested by Kaylee. By promptly, I mean within three days. Kaylee and Sherry nearly immediately confirmed receipt of payment and documents, and all seemed well - I was confident that I was dealing with a professional and attentive law firm, and looked forward to getting robust advice. I expected this in a relatively timely fashion, as discussed and confirmed during my initial call.
2+ weeks, and 5 calls/emails later, I emailed to ask if someone could take just a few minutes to write back and give me a sense of when I should expect any feedback/insight/etc. This was a relatively simple landlord/tenant issue, and I’d provided well organized information for their review. Taylor Williams-Moniz, the attorney assigned to my case, emailed me, claiming that her office had called me several times (they had not), and tersely stating that though I wanted an email (I actually just wanted a response rather than radio silence), she needed to have a phone call. I wrote back confirming my phone number and asking if she could ensure they’d been calling me as I had to record of said calls, and also suggested a five hour window of availability for the next business day. No response. I had to follow up again in order to get a response from her legal assistant.
To make a long and frustrating story short, Taylor Williams-Moniz was very nice when I spoke to her, but couldn’t adhere to deadlines she herself set. Melody Dosch was unfortunately not much more helpful than Taylor - and in general I found the law firm to be not extremely well versed on the law (in one instance, Melody told me she would have to get back to me as to whether my unit was covered under a common law that I was able to discover as a layperson, and which should be been considered in the legal advice granted prior to my question), then proceeded to go on vacation and refuse to put her perspective in writing until I followed up repeatedly and insistently. Mark Younger was also very nice, but also totally missed a call we had scheduled with no prior notice. I also never felt like they advocated for my position or were particularly proactive and believe they misrepresented my actions to my landlord’s counsel (to my detriment). And obviously, I really didn’t appreciate having to agitate for a response from them over and over again.
I’d strongly recommend you look elsewhere, as it seems they have a burgeoning habit of playing attentive to get clients to sign, and then deteriorate from there. I also have strong questions on their expertise (at least on landlord/tenant issues) and have some ethical questions about their willingness to give advice without a seemingly thorough understanding of applicable laws.
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31 Jul, 2024 by L v
I recently used Y&W services for a family law matter. The firm was very respectful and responsive to all aspects of my case. Mr. Young was very gracious and offered a creative solution to meet my needs and I was very appreciative of his efforts. I highly recommend the firm.
Luisa
Read more
02 Mar, 2024 by Michele clow
Rand Pinsky is the most human lawyer I’ve ever spoken to. He was so helpful in providing me with the best information to help me with my issue. He’s as asset to his firm.
Read more
02 Oct, 2023 by Nana kankam
I would highly recommend you look elsewhere for your legal needs, if my experience is any indication of this law firm’s professionalism and competency.
I reached out to Donahue, Young & Williams after finding them via Google, reviewing Yelp reviews, and checking out their website. Everything seemed fine. I had an initial intake call where I explained my situation and what I was generally looking for. I promptly received a legal services agreement, signed it, sent over the agreed upon deposit, and also took the time to compile relevant documentation, as requested by Kaylee. By promptly, I mean within three days. Kaylee and Sherry nearly immediately confirmed receipt of payment and documents, and all seemed well - I was confident that I was dealing with a professional and attentive law firm, and looked forward to getting robust advice. I expected this in a relatively timely fashion, as discussed and confirmed during my initial call.
2+ weeks, and 5 calls/emails later, I emailed to ask if someone could take just a few minutes to write back and give me a sense of when I should expect any feedback/insight/etc. This was a relatively simple landlord/tenant issue, and I’d provided well organized information for their review. Taylor Williams-Moniz, the attorney assigned to my case, emailed me, claiming that her office had called me several times (they had not), and tersely stating that though I wanted an email (I actually just wanted a response rather than radio silence), she needed to have a phone call. I wrote back confirming my phone number and asking if she could ensure they’d been calling me as I had to record of said calls, and also suggested a five hour window of availability for the next business day. No response. I had to follow up again in order to get a response from her legal assistant.
To make a long and frustrating story short, Taylor Williams-Moniz was very nice when I spoke to her, but couldn’t adhere to deadlines she herself set. Melody Dosch was unfortunately not much more helpful than Taylor - and in general I found the law firm to be not extremely well versed on the law (in one instance, Melody told me she would have to get back to me as to whether my unit was covered under a common law that I was able to discover as a layperson, and which should be been considered in the legal advice granted prior to my question), then proceeded to go on vacation and refuse to put her perspective in writing until I followed up repeatedly and insistently. Mark Younger was also very nice, but also totally missed a call we had scheduled with no prior notice. I also never felt like they advocated for my position or were particularly proactive and believe they misrepresented my actions to my landlord’s counsel (to my detriment). And obviously, I really didn’t appreciate having to agitate for a response from them over and over again.
I’d strongly recommend you look elsewhere, as it seems they have a burgeoning habit of playing attentive to get clients to sign, and then deteriorate from there. I also have strong questions on their expertise (at least on landlord/tenant issues) and have some ethical questions about their willingness to give advice without a seemingly thorough understanding of applicable laws.
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05 Apr, 2024 by Matthew steen
21 Aug, 2022 by Tambry lee
For over 40 yrs, Steve's been our family law attorney for 5 generations, always providing xlnt services, both legal & financial. The office is never cold & impersonal, like most firms, & every member of the office provides personal attention. I'd highly recommend them for family law & financial issues.
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06 Apr, 2021 by Jennifer camberos
10 Feb, 2024 by Irma albaro
David Huffaker is very thorough and prompt in following through with his commitments to his clients. He has shown me fairness, competence, and integrity.
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19 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
Mormon. Uses church affiliation to scout for elderly patriarchs to shop his service to.
That's how he found my parents. Like many a modern man, my father was a lifelong atheist who found church just in time for his final reckoning. Convenient, no? Anyway...
As a beneficiary, i found huffaker to be a bit of ...haffuker, lol - unresponsive, disinterested and utterly shiftless when i was compelled to bring pertinent issues to his attention.
Just to speak with him, I'd first have to leave him voicemail - he would never take my call directly. I suppose he was just trying to appear busy & in- demand, but that appeared highly dubious.
U can Forget about catching him still office- bound after 4pm. Honestly, my heart goes out to his office girl for constantly covering for him. When i finally DID hear back, it always felt like it was taxing him or putting him out.
Worst of all, after going thru all the hassle simply to speak with him only to then feel like i was talking to a wall, he would prove I'd done just that by doing absolutely NIL about ANY of the valid legal concerns I'd explicitly brought to his attention! Inexcusable.
If that's the kind of lawyer ur looking for, no judgment. After all, crappy, out to lunch lawyers need clients to finance their cozy lifestyles, too.
I think if all u need is a simple will drafted and nothing more, & u have no more than a single heir, this guy will probably suffice.
Then again, in that case, u'd probably do just as well to file ur docs urself with an online attorney & not waste the money & time on an arrogant attorney who's just another average lazy lawyer under all the pretense.
In the end, I gave up on him & hired more professional counsel to have my concerns adequately addressed. He was just a waste of time and money. For these reasons, i DO NOT recommend him to anyone.
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16 May, 2019 by Laura gracia
David is a kind man and always very helpful, wish more people could be like him.
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12 May, 2024 by Christopher wright
I recently had the unfortunate experience of working with Michael Finley on a legal matter regarding visitation rights and child support with my daughter. Initially, I was hopeful as he appeared attentive during our initial interview. However, once he received the retainer fee, the level of service plummeted drastically.
Communication was virtually nonexistent after the initial meeting. I found myself unable to reach him when I had questions or concerns about my case. This lack of responsiveness resulted in a missed court date, which had serious consequences for my case.
Furthermore, Michael Finley failed to advise me adequately about potential legal ramifications, such as the possibility of being held responsible for the opposing party's attorney fees. I was blindsided by unexpected fees and expenses that were not disclosed upfront.
What's most egregious is that Michael Finley violated our agreement regarding the retainer fee. We had agreed that he would notify me if the retainer was about to run out, so I could make an informed decision about continuing his services. However, I was shocked to receive a bill for $25,000, far exceeding what we had initially discussed. The agreement that he had written had been worded to favor his interest. He took advantage of my lack of legalese.
Overall, my experience with Michael Finley was extremely disappointing and frustrating. I felt misled, ignored, and taken advantage of. I would strongly advise anyone considering his services to proceed with caution and ensure that all agreements are documented in writing.
While I cannot recommend Michael Finley based on my experience, I must emphasize that my intention is not to threaten or defame him in any way. Rather, I hope that my feedback serves as a cautionary tale for others and encourages Michael Finley to reconsider his practices and prioritize the needs of his clients in the future.
Sincerely,
Christopher Wright
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21 Dec, 2023 by Tina
This attorney is the most unprofessional attorney we have ever encountered. He yells and belittles his clients, not to mention he hangs up on you as a client if he feels you challenge him. We have been working with him for 6 months with no resolution to our case at all. He is non responsive and does not follow up. We have had to track him down to find out the status of our case. His behavior is very unprofessional and we have encountered this multiple times since we hired him.
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09 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous
I met with him for a free consultation as I was desperate, destitute and in great need of legal advice. He was so clear and neat on his advice and explanations but most of all it his generosity what amazed me the most as he spent all the necessary time to make sure I was clear about my situation. He spent over an hour of his time at no charge. There are no many attorneys left like him.
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08 May, 2019 by Anonymous
Ed Kent did a Living Trust for my wife and I. When we realized the Trust had some errors in it we tried to contact him to have them corrected. We have tries emails, phone calls even stopping by his office for a month and we have gotten no responses from him.
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01 Oct, 2018 by Marc
Family Living Trust, Ed Kent worked with my wife and I to protect our assets. His easy to understand methods and understanding of what we needed made the process very easy and took all the stress off our shoulders by filing all the needed documents. His personnel touch and communication throughout was outstanding. I would definitely refer Ed to friends and family which I have done.
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30 Oct, 2016 by Alicia
Ed handled all out estate planning while my husband was in the hospital. He was so caring and compassionate that it truly touched my heart. And he did a great job on all of our estate stuff. He was responsive - very responsive. So I high
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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.
