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17 Jun, 2024 by Brian cagney
Kate is the best!
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22 Apr, 2024 by Leah h
I have the privilege of working with Wendie Murstein as my attorney. From the beginning Wendie demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise. Wendie is knowledgeable, responsive, and straightforward. She cares about a fair outcome and is brilliant in court. I highly recommend Wendie for her legal expertise and dedication to her clients.
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21 Mar, 2024 by Michele mckenna
Kelly & Murstein Family Law handled a child support issue for me. Kate was very easy to work with. She returned calls and answered emails in a timely manner. She walked me through a tough situation and made it as stress free as possible. I would highly recommend Kelly & Murstein.
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14 Oct, 2023 by C. b.
Anton Reinert represented me in a long divorce process. He invariably responded to me in a timely manner with exactly the amount of information I needed to feel less worried and clear-minded. This ability to trust him and his guidance improved my quality of life during a difficult time. I appreciated his integrity in guiding me toward a solution that best matched my means and my interests. He is not a lawyer who wants to keep things going to make more money. I interviewed a number of attorneys before hiring him and believe he has a refreshing, efficient, approach in an aggressive arena. Anton has an air-tight understanding of the law and ethics that go along with the law. He also offers availability for communication at any inquiry and has a kind manner that isn't required, but that helps; especially at a difficult point in anyone's life. Working with Anton is easy. Anton's approach makes you want to rise to meet the situation, handle it well, and come out as a better person.
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17 Aug, 2021 by Kyle parker
For the first time in 3 attorneys Anton and his team understood the complexity of my case and got me exactly where I've been trying to be for years, in a few short months. I'm relieved, I'm confident and I'm very grateful for Anton and his team's expertise and wisdom. Thank you all.
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03 Jun, 2021 by Amir gholami
Anton is an excellent lawyer. He is very professional, compassionate and responsive. After my first divorce lawyer, he was a breath of fresh air. He achieved excellent results for me during my court case. I recommend him highly and without reservation to anyone who is looking for very strong representation during divorce proceedings.
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28 Feb, 2023 by Jeff
Deborah was wonderful! From the consultation call all the way through to the final judgement, Deborah was responsive and on top of all the intricacies needed for my case. Deborah’s sound legal advice saved a ton of unnecessary procedural headaches and got us to the finish line quickly. I highly recommend using the Katz Legal group and will do so again in the future.
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17 May, 2022 by Sergiy
As you can imagine, the legal matter comes with a huge frustration, a lot of stress and lots of unpleasant time. Sometimes, well most of the time, when we end up in this situation, we can be extremely rude and inpatient. Well, when it comes to hire someone to deal with your problems a lot of times lawyers just saying "ohh, well, don't be a silly jerk just sign it" however this approach is NOT acceptable, it is all about your life in a long time. I have been in that situation but i was lucky enough to find Deborah who isn't just helped me but also explained to me in very fine details all the implication of making one or other decision moving forward, she was so patient with me and helped me to make educated decision and not just a "whatever" approach. I'm so grateful that i have had such lawyer who helped me to deal with a craziness of our laws and next to nothing protection of me as a citizen. To conclude, if you are looking for a solution in your life, long term solution so Deborah A. Katz is your answer and great help. I would recommend her not just a 100% but 200% or even more.
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13 May, 2022 by John
She was calm and firm leading to a fair divorce. It was reassuring to have her experience and advice through this challenging process. I would highly recommend her.
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08 Aug, 2017 by Frederick kam
It was supposed to be an amicable divorce initiated by my ex-wife. It became clear that she wanted to set the financial terms based on what she thought was right. David was always calm and took some of the emotional elements out of the mix and focused me on the real terms. He was nonetheless a good listener and showed empathy while guiding me through the legal process.
He shared with me some of facts he would have presented to a judge had the amicable process gone awry. But all in all David worked hard at moving a difficult process through to its conclusion with minimal acrimony.
If you are looking to grind an axe I don't think he is the guy for you!
Otherwise I would highly recommend him to anyone going through the inherently difficult and emotional challenging process of ending a union while minimizing the collateral damages. He will make the tough journey that much easier. He is really a good guy and a good attorney!
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21 Mar, 2016 by Heidi davis
David helped make our mediation process as efficient and painless as possible and crafted a divorce settlement agreement fair to both parties and acceptable to the court.
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16 Mar, 2016 by Mark partridge
David is well-spoken and has a very strong presence in the courtroom. His preparation is outstanding and I would recommend him to anyone looking for legal representation due to his intelligence, experience, and knowledge of the court system.
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08 Aug, 2017 by Frederick kam
It was supposed to be an amicable divorce initiated by my ex-wife. It became clear that she wanted to set the financial terms based on what she thought was right. David was always calm and took some of the emotional elements out of the mix and focused me on the real terms. He was nonetheless a good listener and showed empathy while guiding me through the legal process.
He shared with me some of facts he would have presented to a judge had the amicable process gone awry. But all in all David worked hard at moving a difficult process through to its conclusion with minimal acrimony.
If you are looking to grind an axe I don't think he is the guy for you!
Otherwise I would highly recommend him to anyone going through the inherently difficult and emotional challenging process of ending a union while minimizing the collateral damages. He will make the tough journey that much easier. He is really a good guy and a good attorney!
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21 Mar, 2016 by Heidi davis
David helped make our mediation process as efficient and painless as possible and crafted a divorce settlement agreement fair to both parties and acceptable to the court.
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16 Mar, 2016 by Mark partridge
David is well-spoken and has a very strong presence in the courtroom. His preparation is outstanding and I would recommend him to anyone looking for legal representation due to his intelligence, experience, and knowledge of the court system.
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14 Feb, 2018 by Damon
I highly recommend Maria Vijil Davis. She handled the legal work for both the sale of our existing home and the purchase of our new home. While she certainly handled the legal matters with aplomb, her unique value add comes from her communication and people skills which were likely honed by her extensive and diverse background in a range of fields. I have found these to be rare skills among professional service providers. Any attorney can do your legal work, few can do it in a manner that makes the process and documents approachable and easy to understand. I highly recommend Maria and would certainly work with her again.
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13 Feb, 2018 by Robert
Maria has assisted me with multiple real estate transactions and has always been incredibly diligent, accessible, thorough, and a pleasure to work with. Her professionalism and subject matter expertise in the areas in which she advised me was incredibly valuable and I highly recommend her.
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24 May, 2014 by Karen
Maria helped me set up my limited liability company and negotiated my operating agreement. She was incredibly easy to work with and extremely responsive to all my questions. Since she speaks spanish, she was able to help me with some of my spanish-speaking clients. I also used Maria to negotiate my commercial lease. I recommend her highly to anyone in need of a business or real estate attorney.
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15 Jan, 2010 by June
Dorothy Bickford, an attorney with Badger Law Group in Boston, embodies the word professional in every possible way. Recommended to me by two of my lawyer friends who have great respect for her work, Dorothy has proved to be a treasured adviser, trusted confidante, and an exceptionally astute, knowledgeable, and effective attorney.
Faced with the daunting responsibility of managing my late husband’s estate after his death in June, Dorothy helped me to understand and navigate the duties, responsibilities, and complexities of my role as executrix. Extremely well-informed about her field, she has always been accessible and willing to address my endless stream of questions (she has an uncanny ability to make complicated matters eminently understandable to the lay-person), and to offer helpful suggestions for my legal needs---while calmly steering me through the many unexpected twists and turns of my husband’s estate issues.
Always with my best interest in mind, she has dealt firmly and authoritatively with the complicated and challenging problems that arose from the estate’s administration. With great attention to detail and endless energy, she has done a superb job of untangling a mass of challenging legal concerns, keeping me informed at every step of the process, soliciting my opinion and considering my wishes in all matters
of the estate. Dorothy’s equanimity and confident guidance proved welcome and invaluable during a time when I was going through a maelstrom of emotions, having just lost my husband. I intend to use Attorney Bickford for all my legal needs in the future, and recommend her, without reservation, to anyone looking for an outstanding lawyer in the Boston area.
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04 Jan, 2010 by Steve
I have worked with Attorney Bickford for more then ten years and our situation has been one in which we have had to navigate estate planning and good decision making for a family business. The generations involved, their personalities and the complexity of the business holdings have provided an ever changing challenge. Yet with Dorothy's knowledge and patience to understand and break down each segment we continue to update and modernize our situation.Very professionally done and her personality makes hard work a pleasure to do.
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01 Dec, 2009 by Andrew
I am in the unique position of being both a client of Dorothy, as well as an adjunct professional who has sent clients to her for legal work. Over several years I have found Dorothy to be extremely competent, thoughtful and professional in all of our dealings. Her ability to present concepts simply and communicate the impact to a client makes her highly effective. I would recommend her highly.
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04 Mar, 2023 by Michael
Our car broke down a few days before the closing and he drove out to us to get everything signed. Hard-working and knowledgeable attorney. Highly recommend.
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03 Mar, 2023 by Gail r.
We hired Attorney Tocci to help us purchase our first home in Boston. We were not very familiar with the process, so, admittedly, we probably called/emailed him more than any clients he's ever had. He was always extremely quick to respond and very helpful in guiding us through the process and calming us down at stressful times. Can't recommend him enough!
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16 Aug, 2011 by John
I've used Bert on a number of occasions now for employment and contractual matters, and have always found him to be extremely reliable as well as insightful on the key issues. I like that he provides not just the official legal opinion on things, but the real world reality check as well. Guess that comes from experience. I have complete trust in him and make my recommendation without hesitation.
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19 Aug, 2014 by Deborah
Not only do I consider Sheryl to be my divorce attorney, she is my everything attorney! Sheryl's knowledge of family law is outstanding. Due to Sheryl's superior negotiating skills, we were able to walk into court with an agreement in hand.
The people Sheryl has working with her are top of the line and my questions or concerns were always answered promptly either by Sheryl, if it were something serious, or her Paralegal if it were something I was working with her on.
Anytime a family member or friend mentions they are looking for an attorney, there is only one name that comes to mind...... Sheryl Dennis!!
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11 Jul, 2024 by Sean
I am incredibly grateful to have had Marc represent me in a highly contentious custody case that resulted in a life-changing outcome. What began as a custody case quickly evolved into a complex, multi-day trial with my ex-wife filing for permanent removal from Massachusetts and multiple states being involved.
With Marc’s representation, I was awarded full physical custody and final decision-making authority in legal matters concerning my Child. Prior to Marc taking my case, I had no custodial rights over my daughter and no guaranteed visitation schedule. My case was far from an easy one as I felt like my rights as a father had been completely given up.
Marc demonstrated unparalleled expertise in probate law throughout the entire process. He meticulously prepared my case, reviewed the history, and presented it compellingly in court. His knowledge of family law and probate procedures was evident in every strategy and argument presented. Marc’s intimate knowledge of the probate courts in Massachusetts and his focus on the legal facts were key to the outcome of my case.
Marc’s dedication and personal investment in my case were clearly evident from the beginning. He took the time to understand the nuances of my situation, showing genuine empathy and support. Marc was readily available throughout the process and always kept me informed and answered the multitude of questions I had throughout the case.
Marc’s communication was always clear and realistic throughout the process. Marc provides honest assessments of what can be hoped for in a case and appreciates the entirety of a situation. I never felt like Marc was exaggerating the prospects of a potential outcome; his immediate honesty surrounding the difficulty of my case was reassuring to hear as I understood what I was seeking for an outcome. His ability to break down the complex legal terminology into relevant ideas and the core components allowed me to better understand what was happening throughout the process. His communication was clear and reassuring, keeping me informed and involved at every stage of the proceedings.
Thanks to Marc’s representation and commitment, I now have the opportunity to provide a stable and loving environment for my daughter. I cannot recommend Marc highly enough to anyone facing similar challenges in probate court. He is not just a lawyer but a true advocate for his clients who displays a genuine care about you and your family.
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11 Feb, 2022 by Stan jones
Marc Schmelkin is an exceptional attorney. If your looking to be represented by a highly skilled and competent law office; I would recommend Karpenski & Schmelkin, LLC
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20 Sep, 2021 by Jeffrey tomaneng
05 Jul, 2024 by G
They handled a complex estate planning situation incredibly well. Without their expertise it would've been impossible to resolve. They were professional and caring, highly recommend
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11 Jan, 2024 by Anne saunders
My experience with
Margolis Bloom & D’Agostino was excellent from start to finish. I felt very comfortable. Due to unforeseen circumstances I had to postpone several appointments. They were most patient and helpful.
I would definitely recommend this firm( Patricia D’Agostino and team)
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26 Oct, 2023 by Ed gray
Several years ago I worked with Tricia D'Agostino on my mother's trust and estate matters and found her to be deeply knowledgeable, extremely well versed on changing regulations, and a caring, thoughtful person to work with. More recently I worked with Laura Goodman on trust and estate matters for my brother and I was equally happy working with her. My brother's situation presented a lot of unusual twists and turns. He was the kind of person who had a hard time doing paperwork or keeping his affairs in order. But no matter what new surprise I sprung on her, Laura was never fazed and always came up with good solutions to whatever problem came our way. Like Tricia, Laura is a caring, empathic person, and that makes such a difference when one is dealing with illness and disability, or grieving the loss of a loved one. I'm delighted to give them both my highest recommendation.
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05 Jul, 2024 by G
They handled a complex estate planning situation incredibly well. Without their expertise it would've been impossible to resolve. They were professional and caring, highly recommend
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11 Jan, 2024 by Anne saunders
My experience with
Margolis Bloom & D’Agostino was excellent from start to finish. I felt very comfortable. Due to unforeseen circumstances I had to postpone several appointments. They were most patient and helpful.
I would definitely recommend this firm( Patricia D’Agostino and team)
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26 Oct, 2023 by Ed gray
Several years ago I worked with Tricia D'Agostino on my mother's trust and estate matters and found her to be deeply knowledgeable, extremely well versed on changing regulations, and a caring, thoughtful person to work with. More recently I worked with Laura Goodman on trust and estate matters for my brother and I was equally happy working with her. My brother's situation presented a lot of unusual twists and turns. He was the kind of person who had a hard time doing paperwork or keeping his affairs in order. But no matter what new surprise I sprung on her, Laura was never fazed and always came up with good solutions to whatever problem came our way. Like Tricia, Laura is a caring, empathic person, and that makes such a difference when one is dealing with illness and disability, or grieving the loss of a loved one. I'm delighted to give them both my highest recommendation.
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05 Jul, 2024 by G
They handled a complex estate planning situation incredibly well. Without their expertise it would've been impossible to resolve. They were professional and caring, highly recommend
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11 Jan, 2024 by Anne saunders
My experience with
Margolis Bloom & D’Agostino was excellent from start to finish. I felt very comfortable. Due to unforeseen circumstances I had to postpone several appointments. They were most patient and helpful.
I would definitely recommend this firm( Patricia D’Agostino and team)
Read more
26 Oct, 2023 by Ed gray
Several years ago I worked with Tricia D'Agostino on my mother's trust and estate matters and found her to be deeply knowledgeable, extremely well versed on changing regulations, and a caring, thoughtful person to work with. More recently I worked with Laura Goodman on trust and estate matters for my brother and I was equally happy working with her. My brother's situation presented a lot of unusual twists and turns. He was the kind of person who had a hard time doing paperwork or keeping his affairs in order. But no matter what new surprise I sprung on her, Laura was never fazed and always came up with good solutions to whatever problem came our way. Like Tricia, Laura is a caring, empathic person, and that makes such a difference when one is dealing with illness and disability, or grieving the loss of a loved one. I'm delighted to give them both my highest recommendation.
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17 Apr, 2024 by Anonymous
She was hired by my ex and defended him, an abuser who threatened our children’s therapists over and over and blocked their ability to go when their mental health suffered.. all Sheila could think about was winning. Well she lost the trial, I had testimony from the therapists, and She lost most hearings .for that matter. I always got what I wanted but she had to put us through hearing after hearing. My kids suffered from the stress. Now My adult kids suffer emotionally. due to her defending an abuser and being denied therapy ,rather than refusing a client who is a child abuser. And enabling him. .For 25 hearings ,she defended his abuse. Over 15 years. Not sure how she sleeps at night. My adult kids emotional state have now been impacted by this. I imagine what my kids emotional state would be if she refused his multiple frivolous claims and had the professionalism and character to manage her client and do what was in the best interest of our kids. And she abused me as well ,so buyer beware of the emotional state of a person like this. Divorce doesn’t have to be war. With Sheila it will be.
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27 Oct, 2018 by Diane
Best decision I made was to hire Shelah Feiss as my divorce attorney. She guided me thru a tough legal mess and some very involved property division issues.
I never felt lost or uneasy in the court appearances and negotiations that occurred.
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30 Aug, 2017 by Bill
Shelah Feiss came highly recommended to me when I was looking for a divorce attorney and I was not disappointed. What I thought was going to be a simple divorce procedure, became complicated when my Ex’s lawyer started making pointless requests that drove her attorney’s fees through the roof. Through it all, Shelah provided excellent counsel, kept me grounded and helped negotiate a very fair settlement agreement all while keeping the legal fees realistic. In addition to her professionalism and legal expertise, Shelah is a great listener who helped me think through several issues with sensitivity and kindness. Bottom line is, I would hire her again in a heartbeat.
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09 Oct, 2015 by Murali
Howard is a terrific attorney. He takes a holistic approach in planning and executing comprehensive legal solutions for his clients with due considerations on both short and long term impacts. His knowledge of corporations and estate and tax planning is incredible. He was very effective in resolving our open issues and setting up our business entity. Additionally he provided excellent advise from tax and estate planning perspective.
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02 Aug, 2022 by Rosanna
Matt worked with me for the purchase of my home and sale of my condo. Matt was quick to respond and always looked out for my best interest as we went through probate. Everyone in the office was helpful and pleasant. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Matt again.
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07 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
We hired Matt Killeen for our home purchase. He charges the highest fee of all attorneys we contacted, and it was a colossal mistake to hire him. If we asked him detailed questions to, heaven forbid, actually understand our P&S contract, he fell apart and argued with us. Many of his answers benefitted the seller and not us, and didn't even try to work with the sellers to resolve our concerns. He essentially worked for the seller and failed to understand that it was our home purchase, not his, and that we had hired him. Instead of patiently answering questions, he pointed to "standard ways of doing things" that were not mentioned in the contract. He cites his "20 years of experience" to claim that he is right about everything and the client is dumb for asking a question he has never heard of. He didn't even seem to know that in some states, keys are handed to the buyer at closing and the deed might be recorded days later. Or that some buyers might have no experience in MA, and just maybe, he must explain some things to them. News flash, Matt - there other experiences and sets of knowledge other than your own. To top if off, he took vacation during the week of closing and never notified us. He just handed our case to an associate, and we found out from his auto reply. This, even though he said he would PERSONALLY deliver our deed to be recorded on the closing day. When I pointed this out to him, neither he nor his associate apologized or offered an explanation. Just go with someone else. No one deserves to pay top dollar to hire a total jerk.
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28 Jan, 2020 by Susan
Matthew Killeen handled a real estate refinance closing for me in 2012. After discovering a mortgage discharge registered incorrectly with the Registry of Deeds upon selling my home in 2020, I followed up with Mr. Killeen to find out what was done during the refinance as the improper discharge should have been discovered and fixed. He was going to get back to me with information and did not despite follow up. I had to incur additional cost to resolve. Very disappointed to have emails go unanswered.
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28 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
His billing practices are obscene and he is a condescending beady-eyed nutcase who thrives on attention, deception, and drama. I’d avoid the whole firm TBH. It takes them 9 hours to write a POA. .at least I can say the documents he created were pretty good.
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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.
