Lawyers map
>3.1k
experienced lawyers
Filter by
13 Oct, 2020 by William
The best! I was involved in a car accident and got injured. After interviewing a few attorneys I decided to go with Joseph based on his knowledge, patience and responsiveness. He was great throughout the process and helped me within a few months to get the maximum that my policy allowed for (the other driver who hit me didn't have insurance). Knowing that he was handling everything himself made me feel much better throughout the process. Hopefully this will be my last accident but I won't hesitate to use him again in the future.
Read more
29 Aug, 2020 by Anonymous
Very professional, attentive and helpful! Always answered my calls or called back promptly, which is rare among lawyers. I was involved in a serious accident and Joseph was able to get me compensation for both the medical bill and the property damage. He made the best out of tough situation... 5 stars!
Read more
25 Aug, 2020 by Jasmine s
I was rear ended by a pickup truck pretty badly and was injured. I was recommended to attorney Joseph by a friend who used him in the past and gave him a call. Joseph was very patient from day one and throughout the process, who took about three-four months. After hiring him he sent me to his chiro and dealt directly with the insurnace. When the insurance wanted a recorded statement from me, which got me a little nervous he coached me through it and made it easy. We met face to face just once, when I came to pick up my check. He did a great job and I would highly recommend for someone who was involved in an accident.
Read more
17 Jul, 2016 by Will lipscombe
Mr. Anderson is VERY professional and polite and he definitely knows the law. I could not recommend a better attorney to have on your side and from my experience you are in VERY good hands with Mr. Anderson.
Read more
27 Jan, 2011 by Anonymous
A few weeks ago, we posted that Fred Anderson had quit our friends suit and was quite upset. Later we had found out that Fred Anderson had not quit and was proceeding with trial. My wife and I were there through the first two days of trial. Watching Mr. Anderson through the glass door, you could tell his passion for the truth and his total dedication to our friends situation, and at times could hear Mr. Anderson through the glass getting his point across to the courtroom and to the presiding judge. During this process, getting ready for trial, having to be here or there, Mr. Anderson always kept our friend informed and gave the facts of the case to him, without sugar coating it. His strength, courage and knowledge of this type of the law was beyond, what we would ever think was out there and saw a master of his craft working hard to prove that his client was wronged. To sit with Mr. Anderson you can tell his mind is working constantly, doing every sceneraio that he could imagine, thinking of what ever law he needed to be brought in on this case and kept looking at the trial steps ahead of time. While questioning myself and my wife, Mr. Anderson helped us with the questions, engaging us to relax and think about our answers and answer them clearly as we could recall. Mr. Anderson never made us feel inadequate while questioning us and thanked us several times for standing by our friends side. So to you Mr. Anderson, we sincerely apologize for "jumping the gun" our our last posting. We had been misinformed and just took that information as the truth. You are a man of a fine art and you have the wisdom beyond all others when it comes to the law and helping your client with delicate issues, was well done. Even though that day the court didn't decide in your favor, you still won this case in our minds. We have told several of our trucker friends that if they ever have an issue that requires an attorney, we have recommended you to them. You have a sincere passion for the truth and sought the truth to be told on that day, You didn't promise anything to our friend, except that you'd be there, do your best in representing him and to get the truth to be told once and for all. You are a true and honest man, which is extremely hard to find in these days. We again sincerely apologize to you, for assuming what we had been told was the truth. You taught two older people, not to jump until learning the facts.
Read more
26 Jan, 2011 by Anonymous
It's sad that they don't give 10s in this case, as watching Fred Anderson go from aggressive, to passive, to aggressive on this case, made me scratch my head at times. Watching him was a true art form while fighting for his client and keeping the composure through-out this trial was a rare site. Fred Anderson looked, acted, and dealt with the matters that were handed him in the ut-most professional design. We were a little worried as there were times he seemed out in a zone, but it was that he was searching for the law, the words, the fight, to win this case. He came across as posed and as professional as anyone we had ever witnessed before. He knew what he was up agaist yet, he bowled right through it as he had a job to do. He won this case in our minds, but the jury didn't see it that way, that day. I would reccommend Fred Anderson to anyone I know that has a legal problem. If he doesn't know what he could do to help, he'll help you find some one that will. I certainly am very happy and willing to eat my words on this case. Fred Anderson won this day.
Read more
04 Apr, 2017 by Rand
I highly recommend Selina Steele as a business consultant and Taxation Attorney. She is highly professional and very friendly to talk with.
Read more
22 Apr, 2013 by Eleanor
In all aspects of my interaction with Selina Steele, my concerns have always been addressed with knowledgeable information; I felt legally protected. She covers all possible angles a landlord could face. She is the only one I will go to with present and future tenant issues.
Read more
19 Jun, 2012 by Cindy
Ms. Steele is an excellent tax attorney. She offered strategies that no other tax attorney offered. She responds quickly and is the most knowledgeable of any I have talked to. I would recommend her to everyone. Thank you Ms. Steele!
Read more
20 Apr, 2016 by Jacques
My name is Jacques Delacroix. I am a retired professor of Management. I live in Santa Cruz, California with my wife, Krishna Delacroix who is an artist. Recently, we went to John D. Laughton, A Professional Law Corporation in Monterey, California for help to deal with the complex and forbidding business of making end-of-life legal preparations. We dealt entirely with Brandie Luis Esq. ,and with the pleasant office staff person (whose name escapes me right now because, well, I am writing a will am I not?)
Ms. Luis deployed incomparable patience and perseverance in dealing with our passivity (and perhaps, with our unconscious resistance). She guided us skillfully through the meanders of legal dispositions we did not even suspected to exist. As a result of her quiet efforts, my wife and I now think that we have done all the right things with respect to our offspring and with respect to the world at large. We believe that thanks to Ms Luis, our passing will not trouble much the peace of those we leave behind. We even think we will leave behind us a slight wake of benevolence. Those are satisfying and probably rare feelings.
Ms Luis ' disposition is so conscientious and so kind that once, she ever made a house call to us! (I hasten to add that this may not be a service the firm offer routinely and to all is customers. We may well have received favored treatment, on his occasion though I am sure we did nothing to deserve it.)
Obviously neither I nor my wife have any previous experience with this kind of endeavor. However, we suspect we stand more on the side of clients from Hell than on the side of angelic clients. Ms. Luis never lost her cool with us and she continued to direct us with a firm but friendly hand until the task was completed. If loving lawyers were not a human impossibility, we would say we have come to love Ms Luis!We could not recommend her personally and the John D. Laughton firm more highly.
Read more
20 May, 2015 by Scott
Brandie Luis, was able to help our family through some difficult legal challenges we had recovering funds that other firms had told us couldn't be done without going through a long and expensive legal process.
She was able to assess the situation quickly and worked with the State and the banking institutions on our behalf to resolve the issues we encountered all to a successful outcome.
Brandie was always prompt with her communications and updated us frequently through the whole process.
I especially appreciated her support and concern for us, we really felt that our situation was as important to her as it was to us, this is a rare commodity that you don't find very much these days.
I would highly recommend Brandie Luis to anyone looking for a Lawyer in her area of expertise.
Read more
09 Mar, 2015 by Tracy
Brandie both informed us on our options and helped educate us on what the different choices would mean for the estate. She was very knowledgeable, had clear explanations, and was responsive in her replies when we had further questions. She was very thorough in ensuring all our assets made it in to the trust which was very reassuring as I have heard other peoples horror stories when they found out too late their assets weren't actually in the trust. Brandie's thorough nature ensure we are in good hands and the estate will remain a legacy for generations to come!
I would highly recommend Brandie as an attorney that you can trust with your families future in mind.
Read more
05 Mar, 2020 by Terrence
Rob was referred to me and I very much appreciated his consultation on a real estate and estate planning matter. He has established expertise in these areas and provided reliable and thoughtful guidance based on the nuance of my situation. I highly recommend Rob and am glad to have him as a resource moving forward.
Read more
13 Dec, 2013 by Shaun sullivan
Mr. Dieringer is a true original. When I needed an estate planning attorney to assist me after the untimely passing of my father, I interviewed a number of attorneys in the field. Mr. Dieringer stood head and shoulders above the rest because of his intellect, zeal, and thoughtful consideration. More than any other attorney I've encountered, Mr. Dieringer internalizes the concerns of his clients and wrestles with them until reaching the soundest strategy. I know this based on nothing more than our discussions; but during all of them, he is so well-prepared and able to anticipate my ever concern, along with providing needed reassurances along the way, that I am confident in my gut instinct. Mr. Dieringer has heart to go with the brains. I won't refer an elder law case anywhere else.
Read more
03 Nov, 2010 by John
Mr. Printz handled our Estate Plan and Trust a few years ago. He was very patient with our questions and concerns and we found his rates very reasonable. We ended the experience with the peace of mind that if something unforseen happens to us, we know that all the "t's" have been crossed and the "i's" have been dotted with regard to our estate.
Read more
12 Aug, 2010 by Anonymous
I consulted Dan on the closing of my business. The decision was painful, and the process was tedious. Dan was thoughtful and professional throughout and gave me peace of mind about the paperwork.
Read more
29 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
Ms. Stoddard represented me in a complicated car accident case. The person that hit me was elderly and information was lacking. I was always well informed, well represented, and felt I was a person and not just a number. When I had trouble finding a medical specialist, Ms. Stoddard was always available to review any credentials and/or discuss any of my concerns. She is an excellent lawyer that looked at viable solutions, and she just helped me remain positive at a very challenge time in my life. I received a fair settlement, and I can not recommend her enough.
Read more
24 Apr, 2015 by Joe
My wife and I have had the pleasure of having Candice as our lawyer.
Trustworthy , Responsive and Knowledgeable are only a few of the words you could use to describe Candice.
She is over all an excellent and simply a terrific lawyer , we were happy to Candice representing us.
Thank you Candice
Read more
20 May, 2009 by Anonymous
Aaron is really helpful and reasonable. He lets you know right up front what to expect in terms of cost and a timeline for getting your work done. He explained things really well and when things took longer than expected (not his fault, the dept. of corporations) he let me know right away.
Read more
19 May, 2009 by Anonymous
Aaron has assisted me twice in reviewing and/or interpreting employment contract provisions. He has been thorough in his review and clear and direct in his questions, clarifications and advice. His counsel has been invaluable on both occasions.
Read more
17 Apr, 2019 by Vanessa
We reached out to Genoveva for her services of a will/trust for my Mother. She took time with my Mother and created a seamless process that now has my Mom feeling relief because her affairs are in order.
From start to finish, we felt Genoveva really cared about my Mother and her wishes.
I highly suggest Genoveva, you will not be disappointed.
Read more
02 Jan, 2019 by Cynthia
I consulted with her regarding a child custody case. She offered great advice and was able to help me prioritize what I really needed help with given my financial situation. She was professional and followed through with everything she said she would assist me with. I would of hired her to represent me if I was in a better financial situation and hope others will highly consider her services.
Read more
16 Sep, 2015 by Matthew
It is a true pleasure for me to write this recommendation for Susan J. Cooley. My brother and I came to Susan with several complex trust and probate concerns further complicated by family discord. Susan not only brought her over thirty years of experience as an attorney, but also the perfect temperament: a very effective combination of toughness and compassion. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
Read more
05 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
Susan J. Cooley was the best possible attorney I could have hired. She was sensitive to my painful lawsuit, but helped me understand the importance of treating the subsequent legal affairs as a business. Ms. Cooley worked very hard for me, was most communicate and always forthright with her explanations and the possibilities of outcomes. Without question, Susan skillfully helped me satisfactorily settle an emotional and difficult case. I will always be indebted to Ms. Cooley.
Read more
05 Oct, 2017 by Edwin haronian
This attorney is amazing. She is attentive and detailed. Accomplished the impossible.
Read more
26 May, 2015 by Daniel
Peta-Gay Gordon recently helped me with a probate contest matter and I could not be happier with her level of detail, attentiveness, and knowledge. Great work!
Read more
04 Mar, 2024 by Ontwanet
Gerald Kane is a very compassionate and professional lawyer. He has a ton of experience and knowledge and also makes the family that he is working with feel like they have a personal touch. His goal is to make sure every family is protected and understands what their options are.
Read more
25 Jul, 2013 by J. randy
I could not have had a better experience with the Law Offices of Gerald L. Kane. Gerry is a top-notch attorney who took all of the pressure off of me in putting together my will and trust, completely handling every detail in a totally responsible and professional manner. Also, his staff is A-plus, across the board. I could not be happier with the work Gerry has done for me and have already been recommending him to all of my colleagues.
Randy
Read more
31 Aug, 2017 by Doug
As a business attorney, I know many estate planning attorneys in San Francisco. But when it came time to do my own estate plan there was only one firm I spoke with - The Atashi Rang Law Firm. Amir and his team took the time to not only craft an estate plan that gave me and my family a great deal of piece of mind, but did a great job of explaining its key provisions to help make sure we understand our plan and that it matches our wishes. If you are looking for an exceptional estate planning law firm, give The Atashi Rang Law Firm a call. You will be very glad that you did.
Read more
18 May, 2010 by Audrey
Amir Atashirang, as my attorney, was excellent and comfortable to work with. He was accessible, understanding, and provided useful information and guidance. He even assisted me with other law-realated matters that was not related to the main reason that I was soliciting his services. He also referred me to other lawyers in my county for other personal issues I needed to deal with.
Amir is also concerned about his clients, professional, approachable, and make you feel at ease about everything. He was the first attorney I've worked with and it was a great experience.
Read more
31 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
My family has worked with JJ over the past 10 years spanning a complex probate with a variety of litigation matters to complex estate planning and trust administration. JJ has a unique approach to handling legal matters, and his knowledge of rental real estate ownership and taxation is a tremendous resource.
Read more
30 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
I have used Jean Claude (JJ) on another issue in the past so I contacted him about the issue I was having. JJ was very thorough in his explanation of the possible courses of action and provided a recommendation. After our initial consultation, I hired him to handle my case. All Trustee litigation cases can be difficult and time consuming. JJ took all the issues into account as well as the finances that our Trust didn't have and worked towards a speedy resolution. The case has been finalized in a beneficial manner for all parties. I highly recommend JJ Mallein. He is very professional and handles issues in a calm manner.
Read more
16 Mar, 2021 by Janet
We have been using Jan Copley's services for our own estate planning, as well as that of both sets of parents, since 2006. She provides easy-to-understand, thorough explanations to help us determine what works best for our needs. She is readily available and responsive for questions. Her detailed services have given us peace of mind for our family's estate planning; and we cannot recommend her highly enough. She is a delight to work with.
Read more
12 Sep, 2011 by Steven
Jan has been advising me regarding marketing recently. She is excellent is making suggestions and following up. The key to marketing is following up with your leads. She has taught me the advantage of organizing your marketing in this way. I recommend her very highly
Read more
11 Aug, 2018 by Bob and linda
Several years ago we hired Stephen Hall to write the documents for our estate. Since then we have retained him for counsel regarding gift-giving and other items throughout the years with the latest issue being the distribution of our father’s estate. When our father died with full blown dementia he left control of his sizable estate and a portion of his holdings to an unlicensed caregiver who had being living with him for a few years. Mr. Hall immediately petitioned the court to have the person removed as trustee. In the courtroom we found Stephen to be an experienced and well prepared negotiator, he sited where the State of California form to leave an inheritance to a caregiver had not been filled out and past cases where abuse occurred; he then met our objective to have the estate put safely in the hands of a fiduciary. Stephen was confident, authoritative and direct. When we met with the caregiver in mediation to resolve the issue of their inheritance Stephen sized up the possible outcomes as new information came to light and counseled us on our options. It came to the point where we had to make a pretty tough decision. Stephen was professional and supportive as he counseled us on the monetary, emotional and time costs to us if we went to trial. This was helpful in making our decision. Stephen Hall is a man who open and above board in every aspect of his dealings. His high moral fiber comes to surface as you work through a process with him. He is committed to giving his clients the best service from himself as well as from his staff.
Read more
26 Mar, 2017 by Randy
When my aging parents needed help with their estate planning I set out to interview attorneys for the job of reviewing and updating their existing trust. I gathered recommendations from other professionals in the community, and Stephen Hall was one of three that I met with for initial consultation. While the other two attorneys I met with were more than competent to handle the job, Mr. Hall stood head and shoulders above them both. Mr. Hall's in-depth knowledge of not only the law, but of estate tax issues as well, is a combination that I have not found with any other attorney. He asked questions none of the other attorneys asked, and provided ideas that none of the other attorneys offered either. It was a crystal clear decision to hire Mr. Hall. Since the initial work with my parent's trust, we have had him work on our own family trust, as well as my wife's parents. I have recommended him to anyone who asks, and without exception people have been profoundly pleased with the work of this office. Not only is Mr. Hall one of the most knowledgeable attorneys I've ever worked with, but his staff are all highly professional, competent, and responsive. I cannot recommend this team highly enough.
Read more
01 Nov, 2021 by Vlade
I've been a client of Ms. Perreault in two cases--probate and civil. With her expertise and passion to fight for justice I’ve accomplished more in a shorter period of time than with my previous two lawyers. Hopefully, I won’t need legal services anymore but if I do I feel safe to have Ms. Perreault on my side!
Read more
01 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Ms. Perreault is highly knowledgeable and informative in the areas of Conservatorships, Estates and Trusts. She helped me to understand all the legal matters concerning my elderly parents, their assets and transfers to different trusts. Extremely helpful.
Read more
19 Jan, 2018 by Leslea
Ms. Shoup was great at walking me through the process and answered all my questions. She was professional and very patient during all the steps. I would recommend her to everyone who hasn't established an estate plan for their family. I feel so much better now knowing my family will be taken care of after my passing.
Read more
19 Jan, 2018 by Priscilla daniels
Andrea and her team helped me and my husband with our Estate Planning. At first we felt the process would be very complicated since we both have our own businesses and a blended family with 4 kids. Andrea made the process simple and timely. We have a peace of mind and great confidence in the documents that were prepared, but mostly for the peace of mind and comfort that we have in knowing our family's future is protected.
Read more
23 Oct, 2010 by Lindsay
Stephanie Lord did an outstanding job handling our estate planning (and all of the related documents) both immediately before and following the birth of our son. I HIGHLY recommend her and her firm's legal staff. We were initially intimidated by what seemed like a complicated process to set up our will and trust and all of the healthcare directives, etc. before our son's birth. We wanted to make sure everything was in order in the event of an emergency during labor or an unforeseen event during our son's adolescence. Stephanie explained the complicated rules and documents in CLEAR terms and took care of everything for us. We had one brief meeting to sign documents before our son was born, and then another brief meeting to sign our will and trust documentation following his birth. Stephanie also provided information and simple instructions outside of those meetings to help us prepare. We were blown away by how smooth the process was once we arrived at Stephanie's office. ALL of the documents were prepared and ready for signature and a paralegal was standing by to make copies following our signatures. Stephanie was present at both meetings to explain everything we were signing. We left with a user-friendly binder containing copies of all documents, a very clear understanding of how our estate was set up according to our wishes, and simple steps for how to transfer our existing assets to the trust. Several months later, Stephanie also stepped in to handle the purchase of our home in the name of our trust. If you are looking for an easy process, quick and understandable responses to all of your questions, and the perfect estate plan for your needs, call Stephanie! The added bonus is that her rates are also very reasonable!
Read more
04 May, 2009 by Anonymous
I used Stephanie to prepare my will and trust. This was during an unusually stressful time of my life. Stephanie handled the preparation of my trust in the most professional manner with a sensitivity to my issues.She was always available for my questions and responed very quickly with any requests I had. I am extreemly happpy with my trust and would recommond her to anyone he needs a excellent lawyer
Read more
25 Jun, 2016 by Stephanie
We did our family trust before our boys were born. Once they were born we realized that some of the plans we had made if something happened to us needed to be changed. We were referred to Lucas to review our trust. He helped us amend our trust and do new documents. He was professional and knowledgeable. We are glad we met him and appreciate his help with our documents.
Read more
23 Oct, 2015 by Melissa
I was Attorney Woodward 's first client when he was fresh out of law school. He protected me, my inheritance and stopped opposing counsel harassment.
Read more
5.0
2 Reviews
01 Oct, 2012 by Karen
I hired Peter Bochnewich to assist me with a very difficult and complex legal issue that involved a family member. Peter was immediately responsive, and continued to aggressively fight for my interests for the duration of the litigation. We were ultimately successful, and I am grateful for the time and attention he gave to my case. Peter is very, very smart, extremely knowledgeable in his areas of expertise, and more than fair with his time and billable hours. Finally, I have to say that Peter is also an unusual attorney in that he is compassionate and has a sense of what is just and appropriate; he will be honest and forthright with his client, but will absolutely fight to right a perceived injustice. I can't say enough great things about this attorney.
Read more
01 Oct, 2012 by Paul
I would like to personally offer the highest possible recommendation for Attorney Peter Bochnewich.
In 2008, my sister and I were faced with a situation where the executor of our uncle’s estate had used what we believed to be deceitful practices to get my uncle to assign all of his financial holdings in joint accounts with rights of survivorship, he had then kept all virtually all of the financial assets of the estate for himself.
Our family lawyer told us that the situation was hopeless, that we could not win a legal challenge and we would only be wasting our money if we tried.
We were almost ready to give up when a lawyer in Palm Desert recommended Peter Bochnewich. We were told that he was one of the most experienced and effective trust and estate litigation attorneys in all of Southern California. After an initial, detailed consultation, Mr. Bochnewich was cautiously optimistic about the possibility of recovering some or all of the estate.
Throughout a long and sometimes difficult legal battle, my sister and I were constantly impressed by the depth of Mr. Bochnewich’s understanding of the law, his energy in applying it, and his intelligent and effective presence in court. We were also deeply appreciative of his warmth toward us and the deeply ethical behavior he exhibited both in and out of court.
In the end, Mr. Bochnewich’s skills were responsible for removing the executor from the estate, and in our receiving a seven-figure judgment. I would not hesitate to recommend Peter Bochnewich to anyone seeking highly skilled legal assistance with estate and inheritance issues.
Read more
21 Aug, 2012 by Paul
Organizing my family's legal affairs was badly overdue. We needed the full kit - a family trust, living wills, durable powers of attorney, advance health care directives, etc.. We found Lee on a recommendation, and the recommendation was well deserved.
Lee was great to work with. We know nothing about these things, and he led us through it step by step. He explained each legal document, why that document did (or did not) apply to our family, and how to gather the information to produce the final documentation. My wife and I feel much more comfortable now that we have this process behind us. It was quicker and easier than we expected.
I recommend that any family get their legal documents in order - it's a relief once it's done. And I highly recommend Lee Kaster to help guide you through the process.
Read more
31 Jul, 2012 by Rose
I had the pleasure of working with Lee to set up a living trust. I am not the most organised person but with his help and patience the task was completed efficiently. His direction and advice was so very helpful and I found him to be easy to talk to and attentive to detail. I would have no hesitation in recommending him.
Read more
06 Sep, 2013 by Jack
I had a difficult situation in getting a contract dispute settled. Attorney Pierson took my case and did a thorough job researching and finding the law that favorably applied to my case which he then used to convince the other attorney to have his client make a settlement offer. Attorney Pierson kept me up to date on what was going on and always called me back when I needed to talk with him. He always gave me a chance to say what was important to me and also gave advice on my options. I would recommend him!
Read more
05 Sep, 2013 by Arlo
I strongly recommend Michael Pierson- he thoroughly reviewed my personal injury case and was very responsive throughout the entire settlement process. After having switched from a less attentive lawyer I was relieved to receive such great service even while traveling abroad. He is professional, effective and we ended up receiving a settlement amount much higher than I originally anticipated. He is an excellent lawyer and I am very satisfied with my time as his client.
Read more
26 Jun, 2020 by Frances
I found Attorney Middleton and her office assistant to very professional yet easy to communicate with. All questions were answered and call backs were done in a timely manner. I found her to be very knowledgeable and extremely helpful in completing court documents and filings.
Read more
15 Nov, 2017 by Bridgette
Antoinette Middleton successfully guided me through a legal process that I was unfamiliar with. She was always prepared for meetings and court apprearances. I appreciated her professionalism, and compassion during times when I did not think I would make it through the difficulties of my case.
Antoinette informed me of resources that will help me fulfill my duties as trustee of my mother's estate. She also informed me of organizations that I should contact for support.
The case was determined in my favor and I will trust her in the future should any legal needs arise.
Read more
03 Aug, 2015 by Ryan
I consulted with Alex about a real estate deal I had in mind. He was very prompt and apprised me of different issues I hadn't thought of.
Alex has also helped me and my mother by explaining and interpreting a trust document in which my mom is successor trustee. We spoke over the phone and I appreciate his ability to cut through the legalese. He answered all of my questions and made sure that I understood his responses.
I feel good knowing I have someone to go to for my legal issues.
Read more
14 Jul, 2015 by Valerie
I called Alex Biddle as a referral from my nephew since my family was looking for an attorney to review of my parents Living Trust. At the time, we were very anxious to get this done as soon as possible. Alex was very prompt at returning my call and immediately set up a time to give him copies of the trust. However, the next day my family instructed me to hold off on the review. He was very understanding of my request even though he had already spent several hours of his time. Despite my willingness to pay him, he waived his fees and also spend time scanning the lengthy documents back. When my family decides to have the trust reviewed, I will not hesitate to use his services again. It was a pleasure to work with Alex even though it was short lived. He showed his promptness and professionalism to my needs. I will have no problem recommend his services to any of my family and friends that need estate planning assistance.
Read more
23 May, 2021 by Diana
We highly recommend Ashley Teague for estate planning. We found her based on her stellar reviews and after looking specifically for an estate planning specialist. We were impressed by her level of organization, knowledge, and attention to detail. She was patient and knew how to explain things very well, given this was the first time creating an estate plan. She made what could have been a stressful process as seamless as possible.
Read more
19 Apr, 2018 by Kelly
I went to Ashley with a business situation that had potential legal ramifications. In working with her, I found her extremely knowledgeable, professional and personable. She has the unique ability to relate to clients. She was thorough and able to review the situation from all angles. She offered sound legal advice that was easy to follow. These situations are often really stressful, but Ashley walked me through every step until I felt at ease. She's very skillful at breaking down complex legal concepts into layman's terms. I very highly recommend using her as an attorney.
Read more
23 Oct, 2019 by Anonymous
Or if you want more details... my husband and I were involved in a probate case several hours away from our home. We were able to scan anything relevant from our full filing cabinet of docs, and Jeanne selected just what we needed for our case, she did additional research at the local courthouse saving us several long trips, she worked well with the other probate attorney, filed the paperwork with the courts well in advance of our case, and when we traveled up for the hearing, our portion was settled in our favor in a matter of minutes. We're so appreciative of her careful and thorough work, how little time it cost us despite travel time, her rates are reasonable, she is incredibly responsive, and she's flexible and so pleasant to work with. And gave us a fabulous resto recommendation in Ukiah before our travels home. We can't recommend Jeanne highly enough!
Read more
27 May, 2017 by Joan
We were in need of a local attorney to create the will, advanced directives and trust documents for an older relative living in the area. We are from the east coast and just took a flying computer-generated chance with Ms. DeJong and we could not be happier. She is personable, patient, extremely knowledgeable and thorough. She was able to explain everything...not just to her client, our relative, but also to us. She was also able to help with some side issues and helped us to plan for some future eventualities.She took the time needed to get the job done and we never felt rushed or like we were "on the clock"
It is difficult to choose a professional from across the country with nothing to go on, but I would wholeheartedly recommend Ms Dejong to all near and far.
Read more
02 Sep, 2019 by R.a. - los angeles
I was in a contract dispute, and was referred to Kramar by one of his clients whose case he had previously won. I hired Kramar for a breach of contract issue I was having with a business I had hired. Kramar was always honest and never "sugarcoated" the realities of litigation. Kramar had the lien lifted from my home and fortunately, won my case. It's difficult to find an attorney you feel you can trust. His rates were competitive and I'll be using him in the future.
Read more
09 Dec, 2016 by Steve
Steven has always been there for me whenever I have a business or estate planning need. His staff is great. I couldn't recommend him more.
Read more
13 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
Hiring Yuen and Yuen and working with Erika and Frank Yuen to help us settle our parents’ complex estate was the best decision my brother and I made. We found Erika and Frank to be very knowledgeable, easy to work with and available to us for in-person meetings and phone consultants throughout every step of the process. We couldn’t have settled the trust without their help. Thank you Erika and Frank!
Read more
23 Jun, 2016 by Anonymous
We hired Erika in 2014 and the ongoing legal relationship has continued to this day. Our Probate was VERY complex and sensitive, involving interactions with additional litigators in different fields. As a former Assistant DA, Erika has experience and contacts outside the Probate arena, which proved helpful to our situation. She is professional and knowledgeable, along with the stamina to 'get the job done' for you. Most importantly, she is sincere about your personal well-being during this difficult process. Our highest recommendation.
Read more
04 May, 2021 by Jessie
I went to ask her some questions unannounced and she was more than happy to answer them for me and give me a piece of mind of what I'm going through and I left feeling not as upset when I got there she made me feel real comfortable and I like that. Thank you Elizabeth I would really highly recommend her sincerely Jessie
Read more
21 Jan, 2020 by Alex
I went to her to help filing documents after the passing of my grandparents. She was kind, listened,helpful, and got what I needed done.
Thank you Liz
Read more
Browse lawyers
Cities in California - Find a Lawyer Near Me
-
Los Angeles
-
San Francisco
-
San Diego
-
Sacramento
-
Irvine
-
Oakland
-
San Jose
-
Beverly Hills
-
Newport Beach
-
Palo Alto
-
Pasadena
-
Santa Monica
-
Santa Ana
-
Fresno
-
Walnut Creek
-
Long Beach
-
Glendale
-
Encino
-
Woodland Hills
-
Costa Mesa
-
Riverside
-
Redwood City
-
Santa Rosa
-
Menlo Park
-
Santa Barbara
-
Sherman Oaks
-
Orange
-
Torrance
-
Berkeley
-
Westlake Village
-
Burbank
-
Mountain View
-
Carlsbad
-
San Rafael
-
Bakersfield
-
San Mateo
-
Ventura
-
El Segundo
-
Roseville
-
Santa Clara
-
Calabasas
-
Tustin
-
Culver City
-
Stockton
-
La Jolla
-
Huntington Beach
-
Modesto
-
Pleasanton
-
Manhattan Beach
-
Anaheim
-
San Luis Obispo
-
Santa Cruz
-
Van Nuys
-
Sunnyvale
-
Burlingame
-
Fullerton
-
San Ramon
-
Rancho Cucamonga
-
Ontario
-
Salinas
-
San Bernardino
-
Encinitas
-
Napa
-
Monterey
-
Cupertino
-
Fremont
-
Thousand Oaks
-
West Hollywood
-
Los Gatos
-
Redding
-
Redondo Beach
-
Alameda
-
Monterey Park
-
Palm Desert
-
Cerritos
-
Folsom
-
Agoura Hills
-
Chico
-
Visalia
-
Mission Viejo
-
Marina Del Rey
-
Temecula
-
Oxnard
-
Aliso Viejo
-
Laguna Hills
-
Davis
-
Brea
-
Chula Vista
Browse lawyers
Practice Areas in California
-
Business
-
Litigation
-
Real Estate
-
Intellectual Property
-
Personal Injury
-
Estate Planning
-
Criminal Defense
-
Family Law
-
Tax
-
Workers Compensation
-
Civil Rights
-
Insurance
-
Consumer Protection
-
Immigration
-
Government
-
Appeals
-
Probate
-
Trusts
-
Car Accident
-
Mediation
-
Entertainment
-
Class Action
-
Child Custody
-
Lawsuit / Dispute
-
Domestic Violence
-
Wrongful Death
-
Bankruptcy
-
Medical Malpractice
-
Child Support
-
Elder Law
-
Discrimination
-
Financial Markets And Services
-
Wrongful Termination
-
Juvenile Law
-
Sexual Harassment
-
Debt Collection
-
Employment / Labor
-
Copyright Application
-
Divorce
-
Social Security & Disability
-
Federal Crime
-
Sex Crime
-
Foreclosure
-
Adoption
-
DUI / DWI
-
Debt Settlement
-
Landlord & Tenant
-
Drug Crime
-
Construction
-
Cannabis Law
-
Credit Repair
-
Life Insurance
-
Constitutional Law
-
Education Law
-
Environmental Law
-
Contracts
-
Admiralty / Maritime
-
Corporate
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Probate Lawyer Can Do for You
A probate lawyer assists with the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate. This often involves guiding executors (if a will exists) or beneficiaries (if no will exists) through the probate process to settle the estate according to the deceased’s wishes or applicable laws. Probate lawyers can help validate the will, distribute assets, resolve disputes among heirs, handle outstanding debts or taxes, and ensure the estate is legally and efficiently administered.
Whether you’re an executor of an estate or an heir facing probate proceedings, a probate lawyer can help you navigate the often-complex legal process to ensure the estate is settled correctly.
When Should I Hire a Probate Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a probate lawyer when you are responsible for managing the estate of a deceased individual, especially in the following situations:
- The estate has substantial assets: If the estate includes significant assets like real estate, investments, or business interests, legal assistance is often necessary to handle the distribution properly.
- The will is being contested: If there are disputes among heirs regarding the validity of the will or the division of assets, a probate lawyer can help resolve the conflict.
- The estate includes complex or unclear provisions: If the will contains complicated instructions or there are no clear beneficiaries, a lawyer can ensure that the estate is administered according to legal requirements.
- There is no will (intestate estate): When a person dies without a will, the estate is subject to intestacy laws, which determine how assets are distributed. A probate lawyer can help navigate this process.
- Debt or tax issues exist: If the estate owes significant debts or is subject to estate taxes, a probate lawyer can help ensure debts are paid appropriately and taxes are minimized.
- Probate disputes: If family members or other parties are disputing the distribution of assets or challenging the executor's actions, legal representation is crucial to defending your rights and ensuring the estate is handled properly.
Hiring a probate lawyer early in the process can help avoid costly mistakes and ensure the estate is settled efficiently.
What Does a Probate Lawyer Do?
A probate lawyer provides a wide range of legal services to help manage and settle an estate. Their tasks can include:
- Validating the will: Filing the will with the probate court and ensuring its legal validity.
- Guiding executors or administrators: Advising the person responsible for managing the estate on their duties, including inventorying assets, notifying creditors, and paying debts.
- Filing necessary paperwork: Preparing and submitting the legal documents required to initiate and complete the probate process.
- Resolving disputes: Mediating or litigating disputes among heirs or between beneficiaries and executors, including challenges to the will or disagreements over asset distribution.
- Handling debt and tax matters: Ensuring that outstanding debts, taxes, and estate taxes are properly calculated and paid from the estate’s assets.
- Distributing assets: Ensuring that assets are distributed to the beneficiaries according to the will or intestacy laws, and that all legal requirements are fulfilled.
- Closing the estate: Completing the final steps of the probate process, including filing a final accounting with the court and formally closing the estate.
How Are Probate Lawyers Paid?
Probate lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the estate and the nature of the legal work involved. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rate: Most probate lawyers charge by the hour, with rates depending on the lawyer’s experience and the complexity of the estate. Hourly rates can range from $150 to $500 or more.
- Flat fee: For simple estates or straightforward probate tasks, some lawyers may charge a flat fee that covers all of the necessary legal work.
- Percentage of the estate: In some states, probate lawyers are allowed to charge a percentage of the estate's value as their fee. This percentage typically ranges from 2% to 5%, depending on the size of the estate and state regulations.
- Retainer fee: Some lawyers may require an upfront retainer fee, which is billed against as the probate process progresses.
It’s important to clarify the fee structure during your initial consultation to understand how you will be charged and avoid unexpected costs.
How Much Does a Probate Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a probate lawyer depends on several factors, including the complexity of the estate, the type of legal issues involved, and the lawyer’s fee structure. General cost estimates include:
- Simple estates: For estates with straightforward assets and no disputes, probate legal fees can range from $2,500 to $10,000, depending on the lawyer's fees and the state's probate laws.
- Complex estates: For larger or more complicated estates with multiple properties, business interests, or disputes, probate costs can exceed $10,000 and may reach $20,000 or more.
- Hourly rates: If charged by the hour, expect rates between $150 and $500, depending on the lawyer’s expertise and geographic location.
- Percentage fees: In some cases, a probate lawyer may charge 2% to 5% of the estate’s value, particularly for larger estates or those involving complex legal matters.
Always ask for a clear estimate of fees during your initial consultation to understand the total cost of probate representation.
Top Questions to Ask a Probate Lawyer
Before hiring a probate lawyer, it’s essential to ask the right questions to ensure you’re hiring someone qualified to handle your estate needs. Key questions include:
-
What experience do you have with probate cases like mine?
Ensure the lawyer has experience with estates of similar complexity, especially if disputes or high-value assets are involved. -
How do you charge for your services?
Ask whether the lawyer charges an hourly rate, a flat fee, or a percentage of the estate, and request a cost estimate. -
What is the likely timeline for my probate case?
While it’s hard to predict exactly, an experienced lawyer can give you a general idea of how long the probate process may take based on the specifics of your estate. -
What steps will you take to manage and distribute the estate?
Ask about the lawyer’s approach to handling debts, taxes, and asset distribution. -
Will you be handling my case personally?
In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may handle some aspects of your case, so it’s important to know who will be working on your probate case. -
What are potential challenges we may face?
A good lawyer will be able to anticipate possible issues, such as will contests or creditor claims, and explain how they would handle them.
How to Check the Credibility of a Probate Lawyer
To ensure you’re hiring a reputable probate lawyer, follow these steps to check their credentials and experience:
- Verify their state bar status: Check with your state’s bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no history of disciplinary action.
- Look for probate experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in probate law and have experience handling estates of similar complexity.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for online reviews on platforms like Avvo or Martindale-Hubbell to see what past clients have said about the lawyer’s probate experience.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who can vouch for their professionalism and expertise in handling probate matters.
- Look for membership in professional organizations: Membership in organizations like the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA) or the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) can indicate a lawyer's commitment to estate and probate law.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most out of your first consultation with a probate lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- A copy of the will or trust (if applicable): Bring any estate planning documents left by the deceased, including wills, trusts, or powers of attorney.
- List of assets and debts: Prepare a detailed list of the deceased’s assets (e.g., real estate, bank accounts, investments) and outstanding debts (e.g., loans, mortgages, credit cards).
- Death certificate: Bring a certified copy of the deceased person’s death certificate.
- Contact information for heirs and beneficiaries: Have a list of all individuals or entities named in the will or who are entitled to inherit under intestacy laws.
- Questions about the probate process: Write down any questions you have about the process, costs, and potential issues you might face.
- Relevant financial records: If available, bring any relevant financial documents, such as bank statements, property deeds, and tax returns.
By coming prepared, you can ensure a productive consultation and allow the lawyer to provide the best advice for your situation.
