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05 Jul, 2023 by Anonymous
Court appointed. I've read nothing but negative reviews. My son is a first time offender in a federal case that he is not proud of, but ..life happens. Vincent is not good at returning calls/ text/ giving updates. I would have thought he has some sense in speaking to a woman with some kind of etiquette, but that's not the case. Being a single mother with her young adult child that has never been in trouble is beyond any words. I gave up on trying to speak with him (maybe I'm just being a mom and want to know every step. But can you bla.e me?) and pray that he will do what he.. as an attorney signed up to do which is to do all he possibly can to fight for the best deal and the best less time possible. Like I said, maybe I'm just too much in the mix and I whelming him as well with all my questions. So, I leave it in God's hands and pray that Vincent will come through. I will continue to update regarding his service.
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31 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
He is very unorganized, missed filing dates which are very important to any case and does not return calls or provide any sort of communication. We had to fire him and hire another attorney on a case that should have been a slam dunk. I hope this review benefits someone else from wasting money.
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07 Mar, 2017 by Michael morris
I admit I screwed up and found myself facing multiple criminal charges. The first attorney I talked to wanted 10 grand and I balked on that and eneded up with Vincent at a liitle more than a 1/3 that price.
What a huge mistake.
I thought things were ok until the end and then it was obvious Vincent felt as if he had done enough for the price paid and he simplt stopped responding to my texts and emails.
Not only that but if I didn't know any better I would assume this was his first criminal case.
He didn't tell many pertinent things and everything he did tell me was incorrect.
Two of those things did end up in my favor, I got 3 years probation instead of the 5 he told me I would probably get and the 200 hours of community service turned out to be 180.
Everything else was a negative for me.
The suspension of my license, the inability to reclaim my property from the police and time in jail and were just a few of the items I was mislead on.
At the end he just stopped responding to me and asked that I talk to his paralegal Irene.
She was one of the rudest most condesending human beings I have ever dealt with.
IMO Vincent should settle on one aspect of law and do it well, instead he spreads himself thin and does a poor job.
I don't think Vincent is a bad person, just a bad lawyer.
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08 Jun, 2022 by Nirita
I called this lady to see how to move forward with a custody situation and when I tell you the absolute rudeness I received on this phone call was astonishing! I couldn’t believe I’m calling someone to possibly retain and she acted condescending, talked at me, cursed at me, acted as if I was uninformed and it goes on and no!
I will say tho thank you for showing me your true colors so I wouldn’t retain you!
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26 May, 2018 by Newclient
Had a phone consultation and quite pleased. Ms. Sorrells asked detailed questions and gave idea of what the outcome might be. She is NOT confrontational, but proactive. She might have sounded a bit aggressive, but I liked that because I sensed she was testing out how I would handle an adversarial situation. She is quite OK. Very professional too.
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24 Apr, 2013 by Eric
I called Linda Sorrells for an over the phone consultation and she started asking me confrontational questions as though she was interrogating me. She was very rude and unprofessional. She told me that she would take my $1500 retainer fee but that I would lose. She never not once let me explain my situation and why I needed representation.
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05 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
We sat for hours going over my case and me uploading my documents. This included my witnesses, and my evidence. When we get to trial I did not have any witnesses to support my claims. She did not contact them nor advised me that I should have. The most important piece of evidence I had was not submitted to the courts on time. I later discovered she did not even request it till the day it was due. She charged me for obtaining and looking at a document that could not even be admitted as evidence. Many of the claims made in my case she did not rebutal.
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03 Jun, 2021 by Danielle
I have worked with several family law attorneys and Ms. Gradney will work strictly on your behalf and not with opposing council you can count on it! She will work hard for you!
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09 Aug, 2019 by Ashley
She filed several forms that were incorrect. I spent money and time going back and forth to court with no advancement in my case. She required me to spend HOURS creating documents to use to uphold my claim, that the judge said could not be used. I later used public information to verify the judge was correct. She is easily offended when questioned for understanding. I spent thousands of dollars only to have to secure another attorney to complete my case. I would have given her zero stars if that was an option.
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26 May, 2023 by Rex
In April 2022, Beth Ardanowski was paid a $5000 fee to update my will, create two trusts and provide legal advice. After eight months, she completed none of these tasks and has not replied to my last four emails requesting a settlement statement on my account. I'm not asserting that she is unqualified. I just feel it important to share my experience, which was poor.
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30 May, 2017 by Anonymous
Paid her retainer and did not return my emails or phone calls. Horrible representation and, in my opinion, is one of the worst attorneys I have worked with.
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22 Oct, 2015 by Lawrence
Beth is a great attorney to have on your side. She is very reasonable and cuts through all the nonsense that most attorneys enjoy getting wrapped up in. She represented my business in a divorce case and ended up doing a better job than my personal family attorney because she did not play the "family court games" that the other family attorneys did.
Since my divorce, I have turned to Beth for help with agreements, contracts, and other general business legal advice. Beth is not your typical attorney, she doesn't waste your time trying to keep the meter running, she has an eagle eye for details, and you will never get the attorney ego attitude with her. When you are tired of playing games with other attorneys, hire Beth so you can take care of business rather than getting lost in the legalese.
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09 May, 2022 by Anonymous
Someone recommended Jack Hales to me when I needed some deeds transferred. Mr. Hales did eventually get the transfers done, but the deeds he originally sent me to sign and have notarized did not even get grantor's name right -- as though they had been largely cut and pasted from unrelated deeds. In addition, an associated affidavit needed to be updated with recent events, but in doing so Mr. Hales also altered facts which were correct in the original affidavit and which had nothing to do with the needed updates. Once those issues were straightened out, Mr. Hales emailed me that he would let me know when he got the paperwork back from me, but he did not. A week or so after I got FedEx confirmation that he had signed for the paperwork, I checked with him and he said (emailed) that all the deeds had been filed, including one which was filed electronically and thus should have been recorded pretty much immediately. When 10 days passed without any word I called the county clerk's office for the county which took electronic submissions, and they denied having received anything, so I called Mr. Hales -- had to leave a voice message -- about my call to the clerk's office. Mr. Hales did not return my call. A couple of days later when I finally got in touch with him, he insisted everything had been filed and made excuses entirely blaming the various counties. Skipping ahead (this review has gone on long enough) when the deeds finally where recorded I spoke again to the county clerk's office and got some specifics which didn't seem to fit what Mr. Hales had told me. When I confronted Mr. Hales with those specifics he gave me a different explanation than he had originally given me -- maybe true this time, maybe not, I don't know.
So, yes, the work got done, but I am disappointed in Mr. Hales.
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05 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
We decided to hire her to handle my immigration case and it was the worst decision ever made. This lawyer is so unprofessional and extremely rude. She never answers the phone. Only on rare occasions she called me back, but with very unprofessional manners. I once simply ask her for a receipt of my payment for her service and she told me I didn't pay her in cash so she wouldn't have a receipt which was a big lie. I paid her cash and even offer some extra money right in her office just to rush the process and she denied it. And when USCIS sent notices about my case to her, she didn't even bother to notify or send the notices to me whatsoever. Only until I found out by checking my case status online, she then email me the notices with an unpleasant tone which caused me to respond to UCIS after the deadline. Which cause a delay for my case.
This lawyer is out of hand. All she wants is your money without providing the services you're paying for. She will never get anything done. So please do not consider hiring her because you will never get anything done.
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02 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
PA stated the case was too big for her to handle. Stated insurance company is a big company and the offer is too small. Questioned PA if she would like to drop the case. If we could have the case withdrawn from her. PA stated if we want to withdraw case, no problem. She will do so and hand over files. PA or attorney did not give us notice that she will be claiming a charging lien out of any settlement proceeds we may recover. No documents were signed by us in agreement to withdrawal of case. PA without our consent or documented agreement, notified Insurance company that they no longer represent us We received a call from insurance company, advising us that they have received a letter from attorney stating they no longer represent us. Attorney did not notify or inform us that they will contact the insurance company before or after sending a withdrawal letter. We had meeting at a local public location, PA handed over copy of file and stated she has withdrawn from case. Attorney never allowed us to meet her at her office. Even when we insisted to meet at office. PA still did not inform us that a lien is on the case until we asked and read documents handed over recently. No form of notification was done. No email, no letter, no call, nothing to let us know a lien will be placed on the case. What influenced us to suggest attorney to let go of case is due to the statement PA made, that the case is too hard for her, which drew a concern for us. Also, the check issued from the first case was disburse unethically. The check was written improperly which raised an alert. It took time to have the check reissued and PA became irate, disrespectful, and blamed everything on attorney. In During this time, attorney was out of town as told by the PA. PA stated she couldn't do nothing about the check till the attorney returns and hopefully she does. PA never notified us of the arrival of the attorney as she sated she would.
After discussed with PA recently at the same location, to go ahead with case, she stated she does not want to handle our case anymore and it is up the the attorney to make decision on what to do. PA called attorney over the phone. Attorney advised she will not discuss anything if she is on speaker phone. That we should all sit in the office to discuss or she will discuss with PA at a later time and get back with us later in the day. Attorney stated at the moment she cannot make any decisions now that is is currently handling a case and cannot think straight. Attorney stated she will contact us and make an appointment to meet and discuss with us to go over case. Later in the day till the end of day, attorney never reached out to us, PA never reached out to us. We reached out to attorney recently via text, and her reply was, "after discussing with her PA and what her PA had to say, she thinks its best that we find another attorney for the second case. We then asked, "does this mean you will release the lien from the case"? Attorney responded stated, "no, because you fired us a and called my PA a liar". Please I advise do not hire this lawyer for any services. She has a PA that pretend to be the lawyer. She deliberately wrote my check with scratches so I won't cash it. Then took long to reissue my check. Her PA even hung on me, spoke badly to me and attorney does not want to remove lien on my second case she dropped. They are disrespectful, greedy and do not keep to their words and what they initially say they will do.
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19 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
Tôi mướn luật sư Hạnh và rất hối hận về điều này. Luật sư không những không chân thành giúp đỡ, mà cách nói chuyện với khách hàng vô cùng không chuyên nghiệp. Tôi trả tiền nhưng case của tôi vượt thời hạn, trong khi đó tôi không liên lạc được luật sư. Luật sư Hạnh không cho tối biết tin tức về trường hợp của tôi, sau nhiều lần điện thoại được thì trở nên gắt gỏng. Những người tôi quen có mướn văn phòng này đều phàn nàn hệt như tôi và tìm người khác có khả năng hơn. Xin mọi người đừng tìm luật sư này vì cô ấy là người Việt. Người Việt không giúp nhau thì thôi,đằng này lại còn làm cho nhau thiêt thòi. Trường hợp của tôi suýt bị hủy vì tin lầm văn phòng này. Thành thật khuyên mọi người đừng tốn tiền và tốn thời gian vào nơi đây. Với tư cách là luật sư,là người hiểu biết và lấy tiền khách hàng, nhưng lại không làm được những gì hứa hẹn và còn lên tiếng với khách hàng. Tôi ở Mỹ lâu rồi mà lần đầu mới thấy một người làm trong môi trường chuyên nghiệp ứng xử như thế. Tôi rất thất vọng và bức xúc. Tôi viết những dòng này để bạn xem xét và tìm hiểu trước khi tốn tiền và thời gian vào nơi đây. Chúc may mắn.
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18 Jun, 2014 by Kathy
Mr Thomas was MIA after the initial probate. He did not file the proper papers and left me with a citation to appear in court to explain why I had not fulfilled my duties without proper representation. He also did not give proper information to the client before she died to file out the proper forms to have estate dispersed as she wanted. I would not recommend him to anyone.
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23 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
He may be good at other things he does like pushing paperwork, but as an advocate and as a defender he's not a good choice for an attorney. He was hired to defend me in a harassment suit and quit in the middle leaving me without representation and exposed legally. His reason for not continuing, "I don't want to be involved in a high profile case".
Beyond that, he never returned called, emailed me back, etc. in a timely manner and was quite unpleasant and near rude in some instances. I paid him in full but not without resentment for his shoddy work.
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30 Aug, 2012 by Anonymous
He does not return calls and many many times does not answer calls. He rarely answers emails and seems to always have excuses as to why he has not done this or that in a timely manner. It took him more than 5 months to file my suit and then we sat at square 1 for months and months while he procrastination and continued to not communicate. He continued to ask for more money and did not ever give me an invoice of any kind. My case had to be moved out of state and he was to find an attorney in that state, and he asked for even more money to pay the new attorney and for himself, yet after 2 months he still had done nothing about hiring the out of state attorney. Instead all I got was excuses that he had been ill, his wife had been ill , his computer was giving him problems and on and on. I fired him, asked for a return of the money I sent him for the out of state attorney and for the extra he wanted for himself. I had to fire him via phone message and email. I have not heard back from him. Save yourself grief and pass this attorney up. He wasted my time and charged me many thousands of dollars. I have never dealt with an attorney who drug his feet and was so hard to contact as this man.
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22 Dec, 2020 by Anonymous
I tried to contract Mr Marx to make some modifications to HOA documents originally written by Mr Marx a few years ago. Spoke to Mr Marx on the phone in May, it, due to Mr Marx slow responses and some research we had to do, it took until July to get the engagement letter signed. From then, it took until end of August (a month and a half) to get instructions to provide a retainer and another 2 weeks to remind Mr Marx what the needed edits to the document were. After not receiving any communication for another 2 months, neither to acknowledge receipt of the retainer nor any progress updates on the contracted work, I asked for the retainer back. Mr Marx acknowledged the request for the refund within 2 days. When The refund was not received 30 days later, I sent another email reminder. No response. Sent a 3rd reminder 2 weeks after that. Finally got a phone call from the office asking for my address, which they have from all the communication, and act all surprised why I'm not in the mood for friendly chit-chat after not getting any work done in 7 months.
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11 May, 2015 by Anonymous
Your first meeting will run smoothly with lots of promises, but after that beware. He charges a lot for no work. Seven months I waited for a conclusion of estate planning with no concrete plan in hand. Despite constant calls and emails (which he did not return) I finally had to find another attorney. After having the file sent to my new attorney it turned out that he did absolutely nothing on my estate plan. With the exception of the initial "chart" laying out the estate plan, which took him 4 months to generate, the rest of the file was empty. I should have asked for regular detailed documentation showing me what he had completed and what he was charging me for, but did not think an attorney would do what he did. When I was able to connect with him, usually by a phone call catching him at his desk, he was always reassuring me that he was working on everything. Then he up and left the company without finishing my estate plan or even informing me that he was leaving. He had plenty of time to finish the plan in the 7 months, even if I had continually gone back for changes. I now have to completely start the process all over again.
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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:
-
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.
