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12 Jun, 2024 by Ash james
Alasen Schell helped us adopt our son and she and Marci were wonderful to work with!
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14 Feb, 2024 by Nelson jacobsen (sonofnels)
Retain them for a friend in all of their communications has been so lacking. I don’t even know if they’re working on the case!
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05 Dec, 2023 by Ashleigh mayberry
12 Jun, 2024 by Ash james
Alasen Schell helped us adopt our son and she and Marci were wonderful to work with!
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14 Feb, 2024 by Nelson jacobsen (sonofnels)
Retain them for a friend in all of their communications has been so lacking. I don’t even know if they’re working on the case!
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05 Dec, 2023 by Ashleigh mayberry
27 May, 2024 by Nunovya biznis
Theyre awesomely professional, attentive, and genuinely care....
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26 May, 2024 by Paul vernon
13 May, 2024 by Everette moore
06 May, 2024 by Tiona
Cherish Hadley talks on the phone for hour to charge you $400 per hour. All what you will hear from her ( one of you will got out of the court happy or sad). I grantee you will be the sad one for hiring her.
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20 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
Cherish Hadley is after your money. She does not care you win or you lose. All what she cares about how she will take you money. Her review on google are fake she removes all the bad reviews somehow.
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25 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
If there zero star I will choose it. Ms. Hadley good in sending you invoice but not a good fighter. She charged me 61,000 in 8 months. Lost all my cases with her. The ironic thing that my ex sign a prenuptial contract to pay all the legal fees. When the judge saw the way she charges me he ordered that my ex pay 25000 only cause she changed me in ridiculous way my ex attorney send someone to retake a document from Hadley office she charged me 200 dollars. After all of this the judge give her one week to finish the divorce decree she is behind 4 weeks now. I had physical custody from the beginning then the ex file to have the custody 50/50 she could not keep the full custody for me and he wins. I have been I full time mother since my kids born my son is 10 years now. She could not help me to have full spouse support and the judge imputed my spouse support 17.50 per hour. I am asking her to give a hard copy from my orders her office refuses to help me and prepare this for me to pick up. After the judge ordered to close the case after one week from the trial she is behind 4 weeks and I called several times to set deadline with her to close the case and she does not want to give a deadline and he does not want to close the case. Every month she was charging me from 7 to 10 thousand dollars. I do not know how to say that but when she talks in the court judge does not consider her talk. Not strong fighter. Something also I did not like she charged me all this money and in the court she does not talk too much infront of the judge. Every time she was talking to the judge she talks about 5 minutes. The ex attorney was talking and reading from papers. The performance so weak, the invoices huge.
Update: now they decree is not entered yet, so Ms Hadley had 25000 to be paid by the ex. So, what they do Ms. Hadley and the other attorney of the ex black mail me that if I do not sign the deeds of the houses they will not enter the decree in the court and when I said I am not going to sign the deed till he refinance the house under my name they said ok we will enter the decree tomorrow. Consulting other attorney, they said it is black mail. Gathering with my ex against me so he pays her the balance. After I called her and I said to her you are black mail me you and the ex attorney, answer was you do not have to sign now the deeds. Really, I have been told if I do not sign the deeds they will not send the decree to the court and they will take me to the court. Too much money and poor service.
Update: the receptionist is the most disrespectful person you will meet in the Virginia beach law offices. She is discriminator. Second, after all of this experience and charges Ms. Hadley saying that she worked for free. Also, the decree that has been sent to the court to be signed was rejected by the the office of the judge cause it has a list of corrections that she has to correct so the judge has to sign it. This decree has to be finished in beginning of my now we are 30th of june.
Update: here is the result she does not want to finish the case and the divorce decree. The ex does not want to Pay the child support and spouse support and she does not do any thing for that. She does not care about me or my kids and I do not know why she wants to stay in my life. She just send invoices. I am telling ms. Hadley the ex did not pay the support, she answered back ( go find a job). Wow
Update: now we are about to be in August and Ms. Hadley does not want to finish up my divorce decree and she said that she will keep sending me invoices as long as the case opened and I want to close the case and have my decree. I think she keeps the case opened to keep charging me. I am asking here when she will finish the divorce decree her answer is she does not know
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17 Jun, 2024 by Elke namola
We utilized Lindsay Dugan and could not have had better representation! She will not disappoint.
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23 May, 2024 by Kristen roberts
I just finished a very long and unprofessional experience with this law firm. In the middle of our transaction, our lawyer and paralegal left the practice. The ball was dropped and I had to chase Mr.Owens to get some resolution. Not once did he accept responsibility for the numerous mishaps, or even apologize.Client satisfaction does not appear to be one of his specialties. Settling an estate is a stressful process in and of itself, they added more stress and aggravation.I would not recommend this firm to anyone.
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10 Jan, 2024 by Tracey mazzei
Amazing to work with, very informative, and willing to answer every question I had. Great communication, which can be very hard to find. Tami has made buying a house a whole lot easier and less stressful for us. I highly recommend.
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03 Oct, 2024 by Sameerah williams
She lost my case
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03 Jul, 2024 by Tim ortiz
Both Janet and Ms Kym were amazing, my case went just as I prayed it would and got what was best for my children accomplished. Thank you!
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15 Apr, 2024 by Ann pons
I would not recommend. There were many times I had to remind her she represented me and not the other party because she prioritized getting any information THEY requested over what I needed before court. I also had the exact same experience another client posted for their review, despite stressing that we needed to ask for child and spousal support she said, we can ask for that during your divorce case and waited until right before we were about to walk into court to run the paperwork up to the clerks office so not only did we not get that set but because paperwork had not been submitted until the last minute I was ordered to pay the other parties attorneys fees. The only time she was quick to make sure I recieved paperwork was when I went to sign off to end her representation as my lawyer. I was told I owed her thosands of dollars and because my retainer had been used up and when asked why this was the first time I was hearing about this was told "we've been emailing the bills to you" despite me repeatedly informing her I was having issues recieving emails. The multiple times I was in her office there was no mention that she was now billing me well after and that my retainer was used up. Instead I was handed a large envelope on the spot that was as thick as a book listing billed hours. You are better off handing your money directly to the other party and saving yourself the time and frustration.
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22 Aug, 2024 by Tyler
Sup
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18 Mar, 2024 by Lisa eaton
Teresa Cole achieved for me a fulfilling life post divorce by ensuring my financial stability in negotiations with my ex husband and his attorney. She was conscientious of how we spent our time so that I wasn’t wasting my funds on unnecessary talk and issues. She was professional, effective, and completed my complicated federal employee divorce in just 18 months. She knew the best mediators who helped get the job done. She helped in advising me for my future life plans. I highly recommend Teresa.
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10 Mar, 2024 by Christopher bennett
I highly recommend Bob Cox and the Team at Briglia Hundley. Bob went above and beyond every step of the way, in a case that went on for several years. His professionalism, attention to detail, kindness and support throughout the process was top-notch. I couldn't be more grateful to have been introduced by an attorney I trust to Bob Cox and Briglia Hundley.
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22 Aug, 2024 by Tyler
Sup
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18 Mar, 2024 by Lisa eaton
Teresa Cole achieved for me a fulfilling life post divorce by ensuring my financial stability in negotiations with my ex husband and his attorney. She was conscientious of how we spent our time so that I wasn’t wasting my funds on unnecessary talk and issues. She was professional, effective, and completed my complicated federal employee divorce in just 18 months. She knew the best mediators who helped get the job done. She helped in advising me for my future life plans. I highly recommend Teresa.
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10 Mar, 2024 by Christopher bennett
I highly recommend Bob Cox and the Team at Briglia Hundley. Bob went above and beyond every step of the way, in a case that went on for several years. His professionalism, attention to detail, kindness and support throughout the process was top-notch. I couldn't be more grateful to have been introduced by an attorney I trust to Bob Cox and Briglia Hundley.
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14 Aug, 2024 by Rebecca cockram
Courtney is the best, she listens to you as a person and is very understanding, She is awesome in the courtroom !
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30 Jul, 2024 by Joanie keesee
My experience working with the Armstrong Law Firm has been positive and productive. I highly recommend their team.
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17 May, 2024 by R ray
Around quarter one of 2024, my ex-wife got into a legal dispute with her Mom. Yes, this is dysfunctional family and that’s because they all struggle with bi-polar. Courtney was called upon and the case was explained to her. She was awarded a $5k retention fee from me to represent my ex-wife in family / juvenile court. At that time, Courtney explained that she charges a flat rate and the case could go on for a long while and go through 3-4 hearings before being resolved. She said that another fee could be imposed if it went beyond that. The first hearing arrives and the case was dismissed by the prosecution. My ex-stepmother asked the judge to drop the charges and the court accepted then fined her $150. Case completed. So… prior to the hearing, Courtney was asked if the case could be dismissed in this way and she said no but the judge saw otherwise. This is important to know because Courtney clearly did not contribute to the dismissal. Afterwards, Courtney was confronted and asked if any of the retainer was refundable since there was a fraction of the expected hours and labor put into the case. SHE SAID NO.
There’s the factual story folks. You decide… you want this firm representing you? Courtney met with the family involved and is very aware that they are poverty stricken with mental illness. Still makes me angry to think about it.
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25 May, 2018 by Christina
I came to Mr. Mettler with my child custody case. As a client of his and single mother of 2 small children, I highly recommend him. All good attorneys are very busy but he always came through as needed. Not only is he well knowledgeable about the law, he was always compassionate and empathetic to my situation. I never felt that Mr. Mettler was “out to take my money”. In fact I feel the opposite. Throughout my case I feel Mr. Mettler did everything he could to keep my case as cost effective as possible. Not to mention his awesome paralegal Tammy! All my calls with questions were answered promptly. I was always kept informed with any proceedings in my case. I am very pleased with the outcome of my case and will recommend him to anyone I know needing a good attorney to represent them in such an important matter as mine.
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04 Nov, 2013 by A client in virginia beach
When forced to face a difficult challenge, having the right attorney by one's side is critical, especially when what's at stake is of utmost importance. We do have a choice to "shop around" or interview at least 2 or 3 distinct professionals so we can make an informed decision for ourselves, and in this process for me, Mr. David Mettler stood out right away. The big difference: he took the time to listen, was honest and proficient, able to correctly assess what I was truly up against and enlist my options. He then probed my opponent's strengths, investigated the issue thoroughly, and planned the best course of action from the outset.
The result: A speedy conclusion with a settlement having a cumulative value in the 6 (almost 7) figures, totally exceeding my expectations.
It was clear who to hire for subsequent cases I needed expert guidance for, and have since referred close friends and business clients to Mr. Mettler. I've heard favorable outcome for their specific cases as well.
With his integrity and track record of success, I can confidently say: David Mettler truly sets the bar.
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21 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous
I would strongly suggest that anyone going thru a divorce to seek counsel ANYWHERE else than hiring David Mettler as your attorney. After over a year and close to ten thousand dollars later, no progress has been made. He is consistently at least 45 minutes late to every appointment as well as unable to ever call you at all when you've made a phone conference. He will and continued to go around your wishes to extend a case just to bill you more and rack up your legal fees. He is extremely arrogant for someone who clearly knows minimal in divorce cases. Do yourself a service and hire any other attorney other than David Mettler.
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09 Aug, 2015 by Ben
I hired Jonathan for tenant-landlord case. He took retainer amount and some documents for review. I emailed the remaining documents to him. After this he would not return phone calls. He only wanted to meet on day of hearing for few minutes. Meeting before trial date at court premises is not way to conduct legal business.
I would not recommend any one hire him.
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12 Apr, 2015 by Paul
Jonathan assisted me with a contract I needed reviewed dealing with a subcontractor. He was very timly and thorough. I will definitely use his services again.
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18 Jul, 2014 by Christine
I am an attorney but I do not do estate planning. Jonathan did an estate plan for my father which was very comprehensive. Jonathan was also very helpful in assisting my father to understand the plan.
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29 Dec, 2016 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Wilder to help me with a few legal things. He drafted a will for me and handled speeding tickets of mine. I am a high maintenance client & called Mr. Wilder a lot while he was my attorney. I was also very specific and sometimes couldn't make up my mind; however Mr. Wilder always remained extremely professional, he always answered my questions via phone calls and emails promptly. He was kind and really knew what he was doing. I couldn't be happier. I hope to never need at attorney again; but in the off chance that I do, I will definitely hire Mr. Wilder again. I recommend that if anyone is looking for an honest, hard working, caring, professional attorney they should look no further than him.
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23 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous
I hired Mr. Wilder for counsel in a civil matter. He failed to take any action against a company using virtual offices and other shady practices. I personally did research finding three different addresses for the company and providing evidence that none of these were legit addresses for the company. We agreed because of the amount of damages we would file in circuit court. He proceeded to file in general district without consulting me. Then he repeatedly asked for continuances without consulting me or advising me of the case status. I paid for process server and he sent the service to each of the 3 addresses I proved were illegitimate addresses. We agreed he would contact the federal agency overseeing the industry with the company's identifying information and ask for federal assistance in prosecuting the individuals at the company for fraud after they stole or broke over $10000 worth of my belongings and violated other industry standards and laws. He never did this and then, without discussing it with me, asked for the case to be dismissed because of an inability to serve the company for the year the case had been open. In summary, I paid good money for nothing. He assured me that the company could be held liable even though they were using virtual offices and he assured me that if proper service was attempted the case could be heard in absentia. Through out the year the case was open and my account was in good standing he rarely communicated with me despite my emails and phone messages asking for updates. At one point I contacted the state bar and they instructed him to contact me or they would be forced to open and ethics review. He contacted me on the last day allotted by the bar then did nothing of what we agreed to go forward with.
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15 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
I consulted with Mr. Wilder for a traffic matter and he explained all my options. He then obtained the best possible result for me. He was extremely helpful, he always returned my phone calls quickly. After appearing on behalf of me in court, he immediately called me to update me with the result. He also made sure to send me an email later that day. I was extremely happy and satisfied with Mr. Wilder's services and would definitely recommend and refer him to my friends and family should they face legal troubles in the future.
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27 Jul, 2022 by Elizabeth
I hired John Bedi to handle my bankruptcy. It was a very emotional thing for me to do and John was compassionate and answered my questions. Some answers were somewhat vague but were answered by him and staff as the process went through. He was relaxed and portrayed assurance. He was available as I needed. I had a smooth timely meeting with Mr. Bedi and the trustee. The staff and Mr. Bedi were extremely patient with me and that helped me tremendously. I mostly worked with staff like Maggie. She is a super star receptionist who does I’m sure, a lot more! She kept me on task when I tended to give too many details. Amanda has been helpful and knowledgeable in answering questions for me. Carolyn Bedi is the super star! She is very professional, knowledgeable, thorough, caring and helpful with the many questions I had. She also was super helpful is giving me sources for use in creating a budget and saving money for a better future. Having the resources for a better future to me has made this whole process a better experience. I don’t want to make the same mistakes of the past so I look forward to the future. Overall I am pleased with the service I received.
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17 Sep, 2019 by Stephanie
I will say that the people in the office are very caring. I believe they do WANT to help people, but they are careless in how they handle the information. I actually filed chapter 7 three years ago due to my ex-husband abruptly walking out and leaving me with all of the debt. I went to John Bedi and he was very kind and offered great advice in the office, which I followed to a T. When things got to the courtroom, however, is where things fell apart. The 1st time, he didn't even have all of the documentation there for my case so the trustee scheduled me to come back. I started wondering at that time because the trustee seemed all too familiar with his shenanigans and I started picking up on the fact that she thought he was a joke of an attorney. I came back the second time only for him to not be prepared again. So we, and by we, I mean I came back a third time as he never even showed up. The trustee wanted me to come back again, but I said that I couldn't keep taking off of work or I would lose my job. Thankfully, the trustee had a heart and discharged my case a couple of weeks later. All seemed good until a few months later I noticed that my mortgage wasn't reporting on my credit. I filed a dispute and received a response that my mortgage was included in my Chapter 7. I argued that it had not and that I had requested it to be reaffirmed. I contacted my mortgage company only for an investigation to take place and received yet another response that the mortgage had indeed been included in my Chapter 7. I immediately contacted John Bedi's office to let him know of the error. I sent multiple emails and made many calls that were never returned. Here I had been making on time payments on my home thinking I was rebuilding my credit, only to find out that, once again, John Bedi had dropped the ball. The worst part was that he would never contact me back. I had some health issues at the time so, other than contacting the state bar, decided to let the matter go since I would eventually refinance or sell the home out of my ex-husband's name. The bottom line is I paid a lot of money only to have been discarded by someone who proclaims to be a Christian. I trusted him and that he would take care of my family and me and he did the opposite. I would never recommend him to anyone. There is very little confidence in the follow through or professionalism of John Bedi.
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14 Feb, 2019 by Anonymous
Mr BEDI & his staff, Heather & Maggie were a Godsend in my life! He is the absolute kindest man to deal with, especially at such a stressful time! He took time to speak to & see me whenever there was something I needed HIM for! As for Maggie & Heather - I can’t say enough about them! Kind, caring, understanding are just the tip of the iceberg! They were ALWAYS willing & able to speak with & reassure me! They actually sent me a most beautiful card to tell me that they were praying for me! If that isn’t “above & beyond”, what is? God bless John BEDI & his entire staff!
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28 Jan, 2021 by Paul
Wrote to several people and only got a response after two weeks. I responded immediately asking for a meeting - and no response to that. Quite rude, no?
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03 Nov, 2014 by Michael
Ms. Morini was engaged by us to update a prior trust based on a recommendation we received from our former trust attorney and, independently, our financial advisor. Her knowledge of the evolution of elder law, estate planning, and the exigencies of trust crafting in an era of shifting tax laws and jurisdictional regulations is nothing short of superb. She is extraordinarily intelligent, professional, courteous, and "actively listens, hears, and understands" client needs--in our own case, impacting three generations of family. From a value perspective, Yahne's worth exceeds her billing rates/fees. From a trust perspective, it is difficult to quantify the credibility and comfort factor beyond saying that her integrity is unquestioned and greatly appreciated. Ms. Miorini's dynamism is evident in everything she does; which further translates into impressive results marked by "on time" performance, timely feedback and communications, and ultimately, complete confidence that we are in good hands and well-positioned for whatever legal matter eventuates in terms of our trusts.
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13 Apr, 2014 by Anonymous
Don't waste your money. I've gotten charged up the nose with no results. I would have liked to have been told that he couldn't do anything else if he knew he couldn't do. I feel completely let down, overcharged and not given good advise. A very sorry day for me. Do not hire this one if you have a fight on your hands. I'm devastated over what this lawyer has failed to do.
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30 May, 2013 by Robyn jones
I have been working with Mr. Johnson for a couple of months now and would like to say that he is professional, courteous, efficient, knowledgeable and very competent. He keeps me informed and communication with him is very good. He is well versed in Probate Law and gives me peace of mind in dealing with the estate case I have hired him for. I look forward to a speedy end to the administration of my case and feel that I came to the right man for the job. Thank you Mr. Johnson.
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20 Oct, 2023 by Sham wow
This attorney is absolute garbage represents the trash of Virginia Beach that are rich and don't pay Their bills
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18 Oct, 2023 by Duck duck goose
No help here. Will give you up to the lowest bidder. How can you even sit through him shaking to finish listening to him lie and try to convince you he has your best interests? Don't waste your finger strength dialing this number. If it's anything against the court you've automatically lost with him. The only reason I believe they allow him to still practice is because of the cases he loses as a court-appointed. Which violates the guidelines of indigent counseling for Virginia and several rules of the American Bar Association. This man wrote the court and told the people I said I wasn't coming to the court. That was his attempt to have himself removed instead of filing motions that benefited my case. Section 19.2-163.01(A)(4). Model Rules of Professional Conduct.
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27 Nov, 2022 by John harnois
Ashton is the finest most caring I’ve ever met. He is patient and kind and refuses to stop pressing until light exposes corruption. Moreover he is one of the finest human beings I’ve ever met. If anyone I knew ever knew needed an attorney I would refer Ashton over any other attorney available. I can’t speak highly enough of him and my family feels the same.
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12 Jun, 2024 by Monica beltran
I recently had the opportunity to work with Van Hooser & Aguirre, P.C, and I must say that the entire experience was seamless, well-executed, and thoroughly explained. Given the sensitive nature of divorce proceedings, I appreciated the staff's professionalism and dedication to making the process as smooth as possible.
From the initial consultation to the finalization of my divorce, the entire team was extremely helpful and responsive to my needs. They were always available to answer my questions and accommodate my scheduling requests. I found the retainer rate to be fair and competitive compared to other attorneys and law firms in the area.
I was particularly impressed with the level of communication and transparency throughout the process. The team kept me well informed every step of the way.
Overall, I am very pleased with the services rendered by Van Hooser & Aguirre, P.C. assistance and the supporting staff. While I hope to never have to go through a divorce again, I would not hesitate to recommend this firm to anyone in a similar situation. In fact, they would be my top choice if I ever needed legal assistance in the future.
Thank you again Kate.
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14 May, 2024 by Martin m
I signed up for a 30 minute consultation on the VA Bar website and chose this firm in order to have some help on a pending child support case. I must say this is the most unprofessional and unresponsive law firm I’ve ever used. I sent an he documents I have and they ignored it for a week only to call me and say we won’t talk to you until you go to the court and figure out every paper for this case and then send it. Last time I checked that is the lawyers job upon retaining. The purpose of my consultation was to get a better understanding of what to do and make a game plan and hopefully hire them to do more. They make you fill a form out and then will not even speak to you without all documents???? This is a consult. We can get in the weeds if I decide you’re worth my time as an attorney. A consult is for getting to know each other and seeing if we are a good fit for the case at hand. I would not recommend anyone using this firm. If they are this way on a consult they are probably worse after hired.
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27 Feb, 2024 by Jessica trivett
If you need help with your case, look no further. Kathryn is your go-to girl! She helped me out when I was in bind with my JDR case in Stafford, and she did fantastic! I will forever recommend her!
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12 May, 2019 by Anonymous
We discussed a probate situation where my brother had recently passed. He agreed to take my case and provide me with all the necessary paperwork to close the probate process. Unfortunately, after several attempts to contact to Sam, when he DID respond, he said he was only a coach, and that was it. So when I approached him with questions about my case, he kept responding vaguely, "I'm your coach." After several attempts to reach some understanding, I realized I needed to go with a real lawyer to remedy the situation in a timely manner. Best of luck.
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24 Jan, 2019 by John k
I use Sam as my "go-to" attorney. While I have only been with him a short time his counsel is excellent and his referrals were as well. Time will tell but so far I am happy with him.
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27 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
Sam wrote our wills, sent them to us, but then didn't answer calls or did not return calls when we wanted to sign and file them.
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01 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
Mr. Slate let me and my family down. He has made my life worse and has no idea of how my child wants to come home. My situation is true definition of legal malpractice. I'm sure he is a good person but not a good lawyer
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12 Apr, 2023 by Angela
Mr. Slate & Debra did a great job for me and my family. His plan for court went exactly as he said it would.
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13 Nov, 2019 by Scott
I hired Mr. Slate to keep my license after I got a serious traffic ticket because I have a CDL. He took care of everything and I never had to go to court.
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10 May, 2024 by Mary
My husband hired Mr. Dildy last year for a custody case. He got him to court quickly for the emergency case. After the first hearing my husband was granted temporary physical custody of the kids. After that first hearing was finished is when David began dragging his feet and making excuses for why we couldn’t press concerns and other issues. He would say on numerous occasions that he didn’t like to fight, he wasn’t going to throw stuff at the wall, and that he felt sorry for the other side (mother). He would tell us that by letting the children go visit her and having the bad stuff continue to happen it would only be better for court and would give us more to use against the mother (instead of finding ways to prevent them from going to the mother’s home and allowing the incidents to continue to happen). We had already NUMEROUS reasons why the kids were in danger! We didn’t need more reasons! He wouldn’t use those though! When we would call with concerns, he would tell us history stories and on numerous occasions the calls would end with him asking us to give information to the mother instead of protecting us and the children. We spent several thousands and thousands of dollars BEGGING David to help, defend, and guide us for the children’s sake. He lied about submitting documents that we found out once the case finished from our new attorney, which costs us thousands (and he had told us he had submitted after asking him multiple times). David works when you tell him you are going to seek another attorney but other than that he will not! He will manipulate you and smooth talk you. At one point he convinced people involved in the case that the children weren’t being abused, which was the entire case!! You would be better off not having an attorney, he is a nightmare! He literally works against you and takes all your money. He also urinates while speaking with you on the phone. Thank goodness we fired him! Thank goodness! Our new attorney literally cost a quarter of what David cost, worked 2x longer than him and actually finished the case with having us show up 1 time out of 3 court hearings. I would run from him and not look back. It is scary that David is in charge of helping people’s lives, especially children!
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19 Feb, 2023 by Tie
My husband and I hired Mr. Didly three years and every year we won. I hired Mr. Dildy again for the fourth time, due to the child's mom still not complying with the court order. That's when Mr. Dildy said we are going for custody, not knowing Mr. D’s strategy, we worrying, lordy I was. Once Mr. Dildy gets into the courtroom he is in a winning zone. We won our custody battle case, thanks to Mr. DILDY and the wonderful friendly staff at Weisberg & Weisberg law firm.
To anyone that may be reading this review be patient, comply with the court order, write down the evidence if the other parties not complying with the court order, and try to get along with the other parties that are involved. It helps the child in many ways. A custody case is a very sensitive, draining, and overwhelming case for everyone who’s involved especially the child. I know this was a long review but it was well worth writing and hoping I can help someone else make the right decision in finding the right lawyer to represent them well in the courtroom. Will I hire Mr. D again? Yessssss I WILL!
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03 Oct, 2022 by Ranea
Our daughter was talked into signing a document that gave the father the custody of our granddaughter. He did not tell my daughter she could appeal it within 10 days. He scared her into believing that she would never see her daughter again. He also told us a sad story about how he had foster kids taken away. I wouldn't recommend him for dog catcher.
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15 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
Out for himself incompetent unprofessional did not help over all horrible not communicative not classy
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04 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Hired to represent my brother. Took the money and can’t get a call back. Worst experience I’ve ever had with a lawyer.
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11 Jun, 2019 by Anonymous
I have hired Mr. Barlow twice now, and he has done a great job of communicating with me and got me some of the best deals possible with the prosecutor that he could have gotten.
He is always very nice when I go in to talk with him and has a calm demeanor. If I ever hear of anyone with legal problems, I give them his card.
I've hired 5 other lawyers in my life and none have been nearly as professional as Mr. Barlow.
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19 Apr, 2019 by Daniel
I hired Heather for a civil case. She gave great council before during and after the entire process. With her on our case, we were well informed of everything ahead of court. She answered all our questions and helped us choose the best paths to take to meet our goals. I highly recommend her. Her prices are very fair given the knowledge and determination she brings.
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05 Dec, 2018 by Ann-marie jewell
Heather Embrey is not only a good lawyer, she is a good person. She is fiesty and knows how to handle her clients as well as the opposing side. She is a professional that I would highly recommend.
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17 Oct, 2018 by Carolyn
Ms Embrey is currently working on a case for us and the developer of our subdivision. Verbal negotiations have been positively productive. Written agreement to follow. We have complete faith in Ms. Embrey's competence and integrity and will use her services again.
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12 Jan, 2024 by Miranda goolsby
17 May, 2020 by Laura
Joe is one of the best lawyers I have ever dealt with. Joe represented my case very well and drove the outcome of my matter to the most successful scenario and demonstrated not only professionalism and expertise but was a pleasure to deal with from start to finish during the entire process. I felt safe and well represented under Joe’s legal representation and will most certainly go to Joe for any legal needs and would highly recommend him to anyone. Joe also demonstrated a high level of commitment, integrity, professionalism and courtesy that is rarely seen in the legal arena. I very much appreciated and happy with Joe’s legal assistance and representation.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Debbie holroyd
I have had great experiences dealing with the attorneys in this firm. Very responsive and professional.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Youssef el asri
08 Jul, 2024 by George smith
They charge you 1 hours worth when you speak for only 15 mins. This company is not good
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12 Jun, 2022 by Nancy
Mr. Grossman wrote a trust to cover my own needs and a second Supplemental Needs Trust for the care of a family member. I knew very little about trusts in general and nothing at all about Supplemental Needs Trusts. He explained both to me in careful detail so that I know that my estate will be used as I intend. During the process there were several major changes in my family which necessitated multiple revisions of the Trust. He helped me look at the various ways to construct the trust so that I could make well informed decisions. He provided witnesses and a notary for the signing of both trusts.
A few weeks after my trust was completed I realized that I had made a mistake in some information that I had provided. It required a rewrite of one of the trusts and another witnessed signing and notarization. Again, he provided all persons required for this process.
He is a very pleasant person who made a complex process easy and comprehensible. I can recommend him without reservation.
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26 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
Mr. Grossman was hired to assist my family with trust and estate planning. When we were presented with the documents, neither of the witnesses information was correct. We had provided him this information on several instances, per his request, and we were extremely frustrated to find none of the information had been updated given we planned this meeting with out of town family specifically for this purpose. When asked about the incorrect information, he refused to acknowledge his error and was unapologetic. His competence is questionable at best and his arrogance is unparalleled—I would not recommend him to anyone as it was a complete waste of time and money.
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10 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
In my opinion I was not happy with the representation. I felt bad when I left.
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29 Feb, 2016 by Lauren
We were grateful to Misha for giving us the guidance and, more necessary, the assertive encouragement to pursue establishment of documents to protect our assets and secure our children's welfare. Misha was direct, clear, and timely in his communications with us. The final product is an impressive portfolio. Misha also followed up to make sure we knew of other websites and documents that will help our wishes be made clearly to family. His affordable rate was well-worth the peace of mind achieved.
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10 Mar, 2014 by Anonymous
Mrs. Jennings could not have been more helpful. She listened carefully during our first meeting, was caring but frank in explaining possible legal courses, helped me understand everything that was going on and was available when I needed her. I was very satisfied with how the case settled. The charges for services were reasonable and what I was told to expect. Highly recommended.
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18 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
If you have a lot of money to throw away she is your lawyer. If you need someone to fight for you and be above board with you on spending and billing. She is awful . I had to change lawyers because over 8 months the only thing she did to help me was. Spousal support and not much of that.ni would not recommend her to anyone. She has her own agenda and is very disrespectful to her client. Do not make this mistake please
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12 Sep, 2022 by Lilly harris
Patient, easy to work with and helped get my estate together.
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22 Oct, 2020 by Julie w.
21 Mar, 2022 by Angel
Mr. Elfenbein has been representing me in domestic cases involving marital property and child custody/child support. Mr. Elfenbein has shared his expert knowledge to help me understand my rights, the applicable laws related to my cases, and how the courts view/rule on cases similar to mine. He has advised me on strategy and timing. I have come out of court each time successful, achieving exactly what I wanted. Mr. Elfenbein has been timely in filing oppositions and motions on my behalf. He has consistently been available to answer my calls and questions. Very attentive to communications from the court sent via email and mail. I am appreciative for having teamed up with Mr. Elfenbein and highly recommend him as legal counsel.
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09 Aug, 2016 by Anonymous
THE VERY FIRST CALL TO THIS GUY, JUST FOR AN APPOINTMENT FOR AN INITIAL CONSULTATION, WAS SO RUSHED, HE BOMBARDED ME WITH QUESTIONS BUT COULDN'T ANSWER ANY OF MY QUESTIONS TO HIM SAYING "WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE LEASE".
I WANTED A CALM, CIVIL MEETING AND THE FIRST IMPRESSION OF THIS GUY WAS ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE.
THERE IS NO FREE CONSULTATION, AFTER HE BOMBARDS ME WITH QUESTIONS AND CANNOT ANSWER MINE, HE JUST SAYS "HOW ABOUT $100?"
THEN WHEN I QUOTED FREE CONSULTATION AND APPOINTMENT, HE HURRIEDLY TALKS OVER ME, MAKES UP SOME EXCUSE AND SAYS "THANK YOU VERY MUCH" AND HANGS UP WITHOUT ALLOWING ME TO SAY ANYTHING.
ABSOLUTELY UNPROFESSIONAL AND NOT HELPFUL TO THE CLIENT AT ALL WHATSOEVER. I DO NOT RECOMMEND HIM IN THE LEAST BIT. BETTER OFF ASKING A STRANGER IN THE STREET, LIKELY THEY WOULD BE MORE POLITE AND COUTH.
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25 Apr, 2021 by Simon
Ms. Baumgartner is amongst those attorneys that reads and writes plenty, but expends little effort, in my experience, to understand her client. My firm hired her to write a contract to purchase a franchisee and then subsequently to represent us in a dispute with a franchisor, but she was clearly ill-equipped to negotiate with another attorney. We ended up firing her because after four years of ownership of a franchise she had represented only her own billable hours. At hundreds of dollars for a single one of those hours you might reasonably expect an attorney to be able to negotiate verbally as well as in writing, but that is regrettably not the case with Ms. Baumgartner. She's average (and not poor) only because she can draft contracts, but even then be aware of - and wary of - her expensive verbosity.
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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.
