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10 Feb, 2021 by Gary jezorski
Years back, John helped me on a case and actually invested a lot of his personal time and effort to help me. He even referred me to another attorney that better fit my needs and never charged me for his time.
It's really hard to find this level of integrity and I should have posted this review sooner but better late than never.
I'll be selling some property soon and when I do, John is the only person I would consider to handle the real estate transactions.
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26 Jan, 2023 by Tom hanley
15 Mar, 2019 by Phil horn
26 Jan, 2023 by Tom hanley
15 Mar, 2019 by Phil horn
26 Jan, 2023 by Tom hanley
15 Mar, 2019 by Phil horn
26 Jan, 2023 by Tom hanley
15 Mar, 2019 by Phil horn
24 May, 2023 by John keenan
I have used Todd Stephens to help with various legal matters numerous times over the past 15 years, including real estate closings, contracts, and civil matters. He has consistently provided wise counsel and handled everything very professionally. I have been very pleased. As a result, I have confidently referred numerous friends to Todd for help with a variety of legal issues, and have always heard good things back. I would highly recommend his services.
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23 Nov, 2020 by Estelle fisher
Todd has handled numerous matters for my husband and I over the years, including real estate closings and estate planning.
Without exception, everything has been flawlessly executed in a timely fashion and for very reasonable fees.
And, to top that all off...He also happens to be a really nice guy, with a great witty sense of humor.
Highly recommended!
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28 May, 2020 by Diana grossman tantra butterfly
Posted by Diana May 28, 2020
I had a terrible experience with Todd Stephens while my mother was dying of cancer several years ago. My mother was born in Brazil and English was her second language so once my mother died I realized Todd had appointmented himself as Executor of my mother's estate while I was in my early 40's and my mentally incapacitated father was in a nursing home. The will placed the deed of my parent's home under my mother's legal name and Todd Stephens refused to pass the title of the home under my legal name because he stated that my mother owed him $3,000 so I ended up being forced to sell my parent's home to my renters because Cook county couldn't help me remove my renters from my family home the way the will was drawn up. There wasn't even a hard copy of the will to be found in his legal office or my mother's home once she died. Once he arrived at my mother's hospital I remember she gave him a check to help pay off the taxes to her home and he accepted the check and never paid taxes on the property even though he appointed himself as Executor of my mother's estate.
My mother didn't have a large estate and she died impoverished because she lost everything during the Enron crash. All she she left me were her belongings, a small sum of cash that was her retirement money and her home. Todd Stephens knew my parents were not wealthy people yet he encouraged my mother to state the home in Skokie would be called The Bertha Grossman trust and refused to pass the title of the home to me. I was unable to sell the home legally because it was still under my mother's name and when I put renters there they refused to leave the property so Cook County suggested I sell the home to my renters for far less than it's value. Todd Stephen's took $3000 from me after the sale of the home claiming that my mother owed him for his time and services yet my mother was an excellent accountant and never left bills unpaid.
This man was unprofessional and extremely rude to me and I truly do not recommend his services to anyone. He took complete advantage of my mother.
I will never forget or forgive how he treated me after my mother died. I am regretful that my mother chose to hire him to draw up her will because her intentions were never to create such misery for me yet this attorney was deeply disrespectful to me and I wasn't even able to find a hard copy of the will because he claimed it wasn't in his office. At the very end of my mother's life she suffered a stroke and some major memory loss. This entire period of my life was a complete nightmare because of his mismanagement of my mother's estate.
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24 May, 2023 by John keenan
I have used Todd Stephens to help with various legal matters numerous times over the past 15 years, including real estate closings, contracts, and civil matters. He has consistently provided wise counsel and handled everything very professionally. I have been very pleased. As a result, I have confidently referred numerous friends to Todd for help with a variety of legal issues, and have always heard good things back. I would highly recommend his services.
Read more
23 Nov, 2020 by Estelle fisher
Todd has handled numerous matters for my husband and I over the years, including real estate closings and estate planning.
Without exception, everything has been flawlessly executed in a timely fashion and for very reasonable fees.
And, to top that all off...He also happens to be a really nice guy, with a great witty sense of humor.
Highly recommended!
Read more
28 May, 2020 by Diana grossman tantra butterfly
Posted by Diana May 28, 2020
I had a terrible experience with Todd Stephens while my mother was dying of cancer several years ago. My mother was born in Brazil and English was her second language so once my mother died I realized Todd had appointmented himself as Executor of my mother's estate while I was in my early 40's and my mentally incapacitated father was in a nursing home. The will placed the deed of my parent's home under my mother's legal name and Todd Stephens refused to pass the title of the home under my legal name because he stated that my mother owed him $3,000 so I ended up being forced to sell my parent's home to my renters because Cook county couldn't help me remove my renters from my family home the way the will was drawn up. There wasn't even a hard copy of the will to be found in his legal office or my mother's home once she died. Once he arrived at my mother's hospital I remember she gave him a check to help pay off the taxes to her home and he accepted the check and never paid taxes on the property even though he appointed himself as Executor of my mother's estate.
My mother didn't have a large estate and she died impoverished because she lost everything during the Enron crash. All she she left me were her belongings, a small sum of cash that was her retirement money and her home. Todd Stephens knew my parents were not wealthy people yet he encouraged my mother to state the home in Skokie would be called The Bertha Grossman trust and refused to pass the title of the home to me. I was unable to sell the home legally because it was still under my mother's name and when I put renters there they refused to leave the property so Cook County suggested I sell the home to my renters for far less than it's value. Todd Stephen's took $3000 from me after the sale of the home claiming that my mother owed him for his time and services yet my mother was an excellent accountant and never left bills unpaid.
This man was unprofessional and extremely rude to me and I truly do not recommend his services to anyone. He took complete advantage of my mother.
I will never forget or forgive how he treated me after my mother died. I am regretful that my mother chose to hire him to draw up her will because her intentions were never to create such misery for me yet this attorney was deeply disrespectful to me and I wasn't even able to find a hard copy of the will because he claimed it wasn't in his office. At the very end of my mother's life she suffered a stroke and some major memory loss. This entire period of my life was a complete nightmare because of his mismanagement of my mother's estate.
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What an Estate Planning Lawyer Can Do for You
An estate planning lawyer helps individuals plan for the management and distribution of their assets after death or during incapacitation. Their services involve drafting important legal documents, such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Estate planning attorneys work to ensure that your assets are transferred according to your wishes, minimize tax liabilities, and avoid probate court. They also help clients plan for potential long-term care needs and protect their estate from being diminished by healthcare costs.
By working with an estate planning lawyer, you can have peace of mind knowing that your loved ones will be cared for and that your estate will be managed efficiently and according to your desires.
When Should I Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer?
Hiring an estate planning lawyer is beneficial in many situations, especially when you want to ensure that your assets are handled properly after death. Common reasons to hire an estate planning lawyer include:
- Drafting a will: If you want to clearly define how your assets will be distributed after death, an attorney can draft a legally sound will.
- Creating a trust: For those looking to avoid probate or provide for loved ones over time, setting up a trust can help manage the distribution of assets.
- Planning for incapacity: An estate lawyer can help draft powers of attorney and healthcare directives so that your financial and medical decisions are made by someone you trust if you become incapacitated.
- Minimizing estate taxes: If your estate is large, a lawyer can help create strategies to reduce or eliminate federal and state estate taxes.
- Special circumstances: If you have minor children, blended families, or complex assets like businesses, an estate planning lawyer can create tailored solutions.
- Guardianship or conservatorship: If you want to designate guardians for minor children or ensure proper care for incapacitated adults, an attorney can help.
Hiring an estate planning lawyer is especially important if your estate is complex or if you want to ensure that your wishes are properly followed.
What Does an Estate Planning Lawyer Do?
An estate planning lawyer provides a range of services designed to help you organize your affairs and ensure your estate is managed according to your wishes. They can:
- Draft wills and trusts: Creating legally binding documents that dictate how your assets will be distributed and managed.
- Create powers of attorney and healthcare directives: Appointing someone to make financial or medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated.
- Minimize taxes: Developing strategies to reduce estate taxes, gift taxes, and other financial liabilities for your heirs.
- Help avoid probate: Structuring your estate plan to avoid probate, which can save time and money for your beneficiaries.
- Advise on long-term care planning: Helping you plan for potential healthcare needs in the future, including Medicaid planning and protecting assets from being depleted by nursing home costs.
- Assist with beneficiary designations: Ensuring that life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other financial instruments are correctly designated.
- Handle probate and estate administration: If a loved one has passed away, an estate planning lawyer can help guide you through the probate process or act as an executor.
How Are Estate Planning Lawyers Paid?
Estate planning lawyers typically charge for their services in one of several ways, depending on the complexity of your estate and the type of services you need. Common payment structures include:
- Flat fee: Many estate planning services, such as drafting a will or trust, are charged on a flat-fee basis. The fee covers all work related to preparing the document.
- Hourly rate: For more complex planning, such as estate tax strategy or trust administration, lawyers may charge by the hour. Rates vary based on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Retainer: Some lawyers require a retainer for more complex cases, such as ongoing trust management or estate administration. The retainer is an upfront payment that covers future legal services.
It’s important to discuss fees with your lawyer upfront to avoid unexpected costs.
How Much Does an Estate Planning Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an estate planning lawyer depends on the complexity of your estate and the services you require. Here are some general guidelines:
- Simple wills or powers of attorney: A straightforward will or power of attorney may cost between $300 and $1,500, depending on your location and the lawyer’s experience.
- Trust creation: Establishing a trust, such as a living trust or revocable trust, can cost between $1,000 and $3,000 or more, depending on the complexity of your assets and estate planning needs.
- Comprehensive estate planning packages: Some lawyers offer packages that include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, which may range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the estate’s complexity.
- Hourly rates: For ongoing services like estate administration or tax planning, lawyers may charge hourly rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience.
Always get a clear estimate of costs during your initial consultation to ensure the services fit within your budget.
Top Questions to Ask an Estate Planning Lawyer
Before hiring an estate planning lawyer, it’s important to ask questions to ensure they are the right fit for your needs. Here are key questions to ask during your consultation:
-
What is your experience with estate planning?
Ensure the lawyer has substantial experience drafting wills, creating trusts, and handling other estate planning services. -
How will you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges a flat fee or by the hour and ask for a detailed estimate of costs. -
What strategies do you recommend for my estate?
A good lawyer should be able to explain the best strategies for minimizing taxes, avoiding probate, and ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes. -
How often should I update my estate plan?
Ask how frequently you should revisit your estate plan, especially if your financial situation or family dynamics change. -
Do you offer ongoing support or updates?
Some lawyers provide periodic reviews or updates to ensure your estate plan stays current with changes in your circumstances or the law. -
How will you help my beneficiaries if something happens to me?
Ensure the lawyer is willing to guide your heirs through the estate administration process or help manage your trust after you’re gone.
How to Check the Credibility of an Estate Planning Lawyer
To ensure you’re hiring a credible estate planning lawyer, follow these steps:
- Verify their state bar license: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing, with no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for estate planning certifications: Some lawyers are certified as estate planning specialists, which indicates they have extensive knowledge in this area of law.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Online reviews on sites like Avvo, Google, or Martindale-Hubbell can provide insight into the lawyer’s professionalism and client satisfaction.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from previous clients who can speak to their expertise and client service.
- Check for membership in professional organizations: Lawyers who are members of organizations like the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) or the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) often have a strong reputation in the field.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first meeting with an estate planning lawyer, it’s important to come prepared. Here’s what you should bring:
- List of assets and liabilities: Provide a detailed inventory of your assets, including real estate, bank accounts, retirement funds, investments, and personal property, as well as any debts you may have.
- List of beneficiaries: Be ready to discuss who you want to receive your assets and in what proportions. This includes naming guardians for minor children if applicable.
- Existing estate documents: Bring copies of any existing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, or other relevant estate planning documents.
- Questions about your estate goals: Write down your goals, such as avoiding probate, reducing taxes, or setting up charitable donations, so your lawyer can tailor a plan to meet your needs.
- Information on medical and financial decision-makers: Be prepared to discuss who you want to appoint for healthcare and financial decisions if you become incapacitated.
By being well-prepared, you can ensure a productive consultation and begin building a comprehensive estate plan that meets your needs and protects your loved ones.
