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13 May, 2020 by Anonymous
Rick, worked a very difficult probate case for me after my parent passed. I don't want to say too many details of my case, but I have to say he navigated us through this effectively, efficiently and with the up most professionalism during a difficult time. I would totally recommend him to a friend looking for an Estate lawyer. We will be back to have a will written in the future.
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20 Aug, 2009 by Jim
Alan is an excellent lawyer who has represented our extended family for years. He is a great lawyer, mentor and friend.
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21 Mar, 2018 by Carrie
My husband and I had the absolute pleasure in consulting with Katherine Rose as we discussed our estate planning needs. After talking to Katherine and reviewing her impressively detailed and organized estate planning process, we hired her. My husband and I both felt extremely comfortable with Katherine and enjoyed the entire process, which she explained every step of the way. Katherine is easy to work with and very professional as well as kind. Katherine is also very detailed oriented and executed our estate planning documents in a timely manner. We highly recommend Katherine Rose and will use her again.
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16 Dec, 2021 by Patsy
Robert helped my husband and I with estate planning, wills, etc. Very personable and understands even the most complicated situation.
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26 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
I was referred to Logan Odeneal by an attorney friend in Austin, TX. Logan Odeneal is a very direct, expeditious problem solver. Also, he is reasonably affordable. I've since referred my friends to Logan Odeneal, who are also very thankful! Contact Odeneal for Civil law, Family law, Estate law.
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23 Oct, 2016 by Karen
Michael handled a complicated, contested Will and Probate of my late husband’s estate. It took over a year and a half, and through it all, he was always on top of things, and usually a step ahead. He patiently helped me complete our Assets and Balance Sheet, promptly answered my questions (even on weekends), and very skillfully guided Probate to completion. We avoided litigation and ended with a Family Settlement Agreement that left all parties satisfied. He had to deal with courts in two cities, and parties in two states. Retaining Michael and Gardere was expensive, but I had the confidence that I was hiring the Best, and was not disappointed. He has excellent people working with him, and I would hire him again in a heartbeat. He is very professional, personable, smart, easy to work with, kind, and understanding. He does not waste time or charge unnecessarily.
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02 May, 2012 by Jennifer
I had brief contact with Mr. Johnson, who helped me with a small estate affidavit. I called many lawyers who wanted to charge a lot of money to complete something that I'd done a lot of leg work on. Randy Johnson was really helpful, and extremely reasonable. I found a real 'mensch' and I'm grateful to have found him.
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08 Dec, 2010 by Anonymous
Larry Flournoy is very knowledgeable, competent and caring. Keeps you informed every step of the way and is happy to explain and answer questions regarding your case. I would recommend him highly.
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23 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
I was off to a very ruff start with several big name law firms, and after squandering enough my money I could've purchased a small giraffe calf from northern Africa. I found myself fighting an uphill battle as father wanting primary custody of my 2 year old daughter. A friend referred The Law Office of La'Donna Harlan to me twice, This is where the MAGIC began to happen for me. Attorney Harlan took my case on short notice, we filed for an extension with my court date and prepared for battle. I was in complete disbelief the way she ascended and floated through the court room with a sense of calm and focus. She had accomplished in 2.5 hours in court, what I had had dreamed every night for the past 2 years.
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20 Jun, 2011 by Anonymous
During a difficult time in our lives, Kristina shepherded us through our Chapter 7 after explaining all of our options to us. She did a great job.
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28 Sep, 2020 by Stephen
Bruce is a genuinely good man. Most attorneys of the attorneys I've encountered have a very fluid code of ethics, but Bruce is different. He has always given me good advice and as long as he has worked with me, I have grown to truly respect him. I can count on him. My divorce has been very ugly, lengthy and expensive, but Bruce has been like a rock. If you meet him ask him about his jaguar speech on your first visit and that will tell all you really need to know about this man and his experience. I feel Bruce needs to be more aggressive sometimes, but I have learned to trust his experience more than my intuition. His paralegal Shelley is equally outstanding. I am honored to give him my highest recommendation.
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02 May, 2011 by Tina
I am currently working with Steve Thornton. Thus far I am extremely pleased! He agreed to handle a case that all the other attorneys I contacted in Texas refused to even consider. He did more work prior to me ever signing a contract with him than most attorneys do after you have paid them! Mr. Thornton keeps me updated continually about everything that takes place. He returns my calls quickly and listens to me thoroughly. Mr. Thornton goes the extra mile to win an uphill battle! He actually acts like he "likes" working on my case; and is not in it "just for the money"! He charges a legitimate fee; but is willing to work with you and does not make "money his objective." He is a "big time attorney" but still acts "down to earth"! I'm looking forward to working with him on a very hard lengthy case. Win or lose, I know we will have done our best!
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05 Nov, 2014 by Sherrie
I have known leland for many years. Leland has been through many things with me and now my family. All I can say is he is very good at what he does and just when you think hes not sure or think your gonna loose he pulls his ace out of the hole. He always tells me the truth even if I don't like it and is honest attorney even when I may not be.
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19 Jan, 2011 by Kim
Mr. Hofheinz did a great job taking care of my family's estate planning and probate needs. He sets things up to minimize any possible conflict or disagreement down the road.
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08 Jul, 2010 by Mike
Maxine Aaronson is an outstanding professional who combines her expertise along with support, care, and dedication. She is confident, amazingly knowledgeable, thorough, and understanding. Maxine is keenly able to analyze situations and form a clear and well thought out course of action. She listens carefully to details, and is able to form an overall solution that encompasses the whole picture. Maxine also shares many professional relationships with other highly qualified attorneys. These professional relationships allow Maxine to tap into resources as needed if there are any requirements that should fall outside of the realm of Maxine’s area of expertise. Care and compassion along with Maxine’s amazing knowledge gave me the ability to work through difficult issues with a high level of comfort and confidence.
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07 Nov, 2022 by Anonymous
1st lawyer who listened more than he talked. Did what he said, on time and at the agreed on fee.
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26 Jan, 2024 by Crystal gonzalez
She’s the best!
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20 Jan, 2018 by Charity
Ryan did an unbelievable job on my criminal case. I could not have asked for my case to go any better it was that good. I will be using him in the future for my family issues as well. If you want a lawyer who is cool extremely calm and collected and who really knows his stuff, hire Ryan.
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15 Feb, 2017 by Brandi marino
I've always had this idea in my head about what 'attorneys' were like....until I met Amy (and her partner Jeremy). For some reason attorneys intimidated me, so I avoided them at all costs. Amy and her incredible team not only got me through the franchise process, but I was able to use this firm for other my other needs as a small business owner. Thank you Amy and team for going BEYOND and giving me your personal attention and getting my franchise offering set up! Amy always responds to requests in a timely manner and really has shown the personal level services I expect as a client. Brandi Marino Founder & owner of BEYOND Studios
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25 Aug, 2024 by Windy wen
Not everything happens as we hope or plan. Sometimes, you need someone to care more about your needs than how things were not handled differently. When I called Masterly Legal Solutions, I was greeted by a person who listened and told me the next steps. Andrew Rhodes called me back within three hours. He listened to my urgent request. He cleared his booked schedule for the rest of the day to meet me and my family where we were and help us. He genuinely cared about what we were going through. You could tell by how he offered such quick turnaround times. I am so thankful companies and lawyers like Andrew are there for you, not just for a service to offer you.
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27 May, 2024 by Yueh shiu scarlett
I had a great experience hiring Attorney Andrew Phoden early this year My employer and I had some conflicts and I needed to hire an attorney to represent me. I was very nervous during that time. For my knowledge, some attorneys are great to help you solve the problems, but others may create more issues than you think. I did not know which lawyer would be suitable for me. I looked at online reviews and called ten attorneys. Finally, I found the best one, Att. Phoden. When I talked to him for the first time. He listened very carefully to the case and gave me excellent suggestions. At that moment, I felt very confident about the case. He has a thorough knowledge of the law and defended my case with determination. In the procedure, Attorney Phoden and his assistant Amber helped me dealing with this very stressful case. I admire his composure, work ethic and most of all excellent representation. Monica
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23 May, 2024 by Jet conard
This attorney should consider gaining more experience in a law firm before transitioning to his own practice. My experience with him was bad, very bad. Let me break down my experience with this man: - During our Zoom call, he didn’t even show his face. - Be cautious with this guy. He spent an hour going over scenarios with me on what to say to the district, only for me to find out that the district wouldn’t talk to me now that I had an attorney. It felt like he was just racking up a bill. - The district had me reporting in three times a day at the admin building just to sign in. When I shared my frustration with Andrew, his response was, "You gotta be happy with that; you still have a job." Given the circumstances, his remark was dismissive and trivializing. - I repeatedly asked for an itemized bill and never received one, despite following up via email and phone. I have receipts to prove this. - Then, out of nowhere, he called and told me my balance, asking if I could pay immediately even though the case was far from over. - His communication was abysmal. - I ended up having to hire another attorney for legal advice, because Andrew didn't know what he was doing. She provided me with a set of procedures and laws to tell Andrew how to handle the case. You might wonder why I didn’t just switch attorneys—it's because I had already paid Andrew a $2,000 deposit. - I emailed Andrew to inform him I would not be reporting for two days due to my mental health. Please relay the message. He failed to do so. - When I went to check in, the HR Director told me he was going to request that I be fired and that my license be revoked. - I remained calm and reiterated everything the other attorney had advised me. She said they couldn't fire me because it would create more problems for them. She advised me to tell them that I would resign once they complied with my demands. I did just that, and it worked. In summary, my experience with Andrew was a nightmare. He failed to communicate, didn't know how to handle my case, and left me in a worse position than before. PS: I have receipts and will post on every site. Because people should
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02 Oct, 2024 by Keily meza
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02 Oct, 2024 by Ana del carmen diaz
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01 Oct, 2024 by Iris perez
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02 Oct, 2024 by Keily meza
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02 Oct, 2024 by Ana del carmen diaz
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27 Oct, 2023 by Purdy basra
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06 Aug, 2019 by Pat mcneil
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21 Oct, 2018 by Marcus rabi
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27 Oct, 2023 by Purdy basra
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14 Aug, 2022 by Ali avi
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18 May, 2020 by The real
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12 Jul, 2018 by R. bruce lynn
I've probably know Jay for 20 years or more. Very thoughtful to cover all the angles. Super smart guy and very experienced attorney.
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28 Apr, 2014 by Joel black
I've worked with Jay for over 20 years. He did an excellent job setting up my company, Diamond Voice Messaging, as an LLC and has continued to be a resource for us. Very informative and easy to work with.
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31 Jul, 2018 by Joey moore
Far and away the best corporate law firm in Dallas!
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15 Aug, 2017 by Beverly seitzinger
Christopher is extremely responsive and helpful.
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02 Aug, 2021 by Michael carleo
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03 Nov, 2019 by Ron
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12 Jul, 2018 by R. bruce lynn
I've probably know Jay for 20 years or more. Very thoughtful to cover all the angles. Super smart guy and very experienced attorney.
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28 Apr, 2014 by Joel black
I've worked with Jay for over 20 years. He did an excellent job setting up my company, Diamond Voice Messaging, as an LLC and has continued to be a resource for us. Very informative and easy to work with.
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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. What steps will you take to manage and distribute the estate?
    Ask about the lawyer’s approach to handling debts, taxes, and asset distribution.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

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