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15 Jan, 2019 by Karla samaripa
Mr. Leffingwell assisted our firm in converting from an S-Corporation to an LLC. In addition provided a comprehensive Buy/Sell Agreement for our owners and provided legal counsel on other corporate documentation. He was very knowledgeable, professional, and experienced. His staff was very helpful and accurate in followup documentation.
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03 Jan, 2017 by L. william perrin, cpa
Frank Leffingwell's office prepared an employment agreement for me so that I could have all my current employees to sign it. I had not done this previously because another attorney had informed me many years ago that such agreements are not enforceable unless my practice has trade secrets I wanted to protect. And I did not think that we had any such trade secrets. Frank explained to me that such agreements are enforceable for a couple of years even without our practice having trade secrets. And that this is long enough to provide me the protection that I desired. His firm also prepared an excellent employment agreement for me within a couple of weeks and all of my current employees have signed it. Now I can rest easier about the future.
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03 Jan, 2017 by Elizabeth
Frank Leffingwell and his team are the perfect example of what corporate counselors ought to be--they're wise, fast and attentive. They've really helped build our business.
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16 Jul, 2019 by Ryan
I will never regret walking through the doors of this office for help! Dawn Korman and her team were outstanding! I had a lot of concerns and during the initial consultation Dawn laid out what to expect throughout the legal process and educated me on what steps should be taken. It's hard to understand everything sometimes as the arduous process is going along, but as everything came together towards the end, I realized that I had chosen the right team to represent my family. Custody issues can be extremely hard on everyone and having this law office in our corner was amazing. We will always be grateful for the great job they did!
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17 Apr, 2019 by Justin boothe
Excellent experience. The team walked me through every step of the process from the beginning so there were no surprises. They answered my countless questions when problems arose through the process and gave me all the options to make an informed decision. They were also instrumental in protecting my rights as the petitioner for the short and long term.
I highly recommend them.
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18 Feb, 2018 by David
Having had some experience with law firms, I can say without hesitation that Jim Jarvis Law is a wholly fine family law office. Jim Jarvis, himself, is a lawyer of unquestionable integrity and ability. He is always focused on his clients and their needs. The channels of communication with him and his staff are always open, and client questions readily answered. Professional time is put to good use, and the firm is fair and reasonable in its charges. I wholeheartedly to recommend Jim Jarvis Law.
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25 Jan, 2021 by Kris
My experience with Sandra Lefler and her staff has been exceptional. Ms. Lefler has deep experience in complex legal issues which is invaluable in bringing creative solutions to unique legal challenges. In additional to her technical skills, she is a good listener, very collaborative and has the ability to manage circumstances that could become volatile with grace and integrity.
As one who has very high standards, I have been extremely pleased with the quality of her work and her engaging manner. Rest assured, you will receive a high level of legal competence, professionalism and personal care about your case when you engage the services of this law firm.
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19 Dec, 2020 by Pamela
Sandy told me I was more involved in the drafting of my Trust than anyone she ever before worked with, yet I never sensed a second of resentment as we completed the project. Her lightening quick absorbing of nuance, instant recall of various provisions, and erudite additions were exactly on target - and beyond - with my goals and comments. The hours it took to complete the Trust were well beyond both of our initial estimates, yet her generously and selflessness in final billing should win an award for her industry. Do not hesitate to use Lefler Law.
Maintaining offices in California, as well as Texas, seems to be done seamlessly and all in stride. Our work was delayed due to a 2 week out of area trial, and then over Thanksgiving, but Sandy still managed to meet my legal deadline to have the documents filed. She even sent me a pic and menu from an outdoor restaurant she visited, via bicycle, during our project. This was a very satisfying experience, with a personable woman whom you feel you would love to become a personal friend of - all via Zoom, phone and emails.
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16 Jan, 2013 by Jeff
I contacted Sandra shortly after my father passed away in 2012 and wanted to make sure that: 1) My father's name is removed from their home title, and 2) to make sure my mother's will is up-to-date and we had all the necessary powers-of-attorney/living will/et al in place. We had these done several years ago in Georgia, but wanted to make them current for Texas.
Sandra was very responsive and helpful with advice on what the next steps were for both issues. She made it very clear, simple, and straightforward for us and her fees were very reasonable in comparison to others we had contacted.
I will using her for my own will and estate plan. She doesn't try to impress you with legal mumbo-jumbo to make it look as though she knows what she's doing...she takes the time to take you thru the steps and is happy to explain any questions that come to mind during the meeting.
Very professional, and has a great attitude about customer service.
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17 Sep, 2018 by Gina
My husband and I made an appointment for Les to review a will we constructed from an online form we googled. We thought all our bases were covered but weren't completely confident. Les didn't fault us for constructing a homemade will and asked the right questions to help us understand the constructs of a will verses a trust, the pros and cons of each and recent Texas family law changes. This information provided a much bigger picture. With his guidance we were able to make informed decisions in how to appropriate last wishes and amend our will. We found Les to be very down to earth, knowledgeable, and professional throughout the entire process.
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13 Sep, 2018 by Steve
Les has handled all of our real estate transactions here in Georgetown. He provides exactly what we need very promptly. Les took care of the trust needs of our family. He was very attentive to our needs and fairly priced. Most recently he handled various power of attorney documents for us. All of our work with Les has been very professional and a pleasure to work with each time.
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22 Jul, 2013 by Jimmy
I've had the opportunity to work with Wendi on several occasions. Everything from Real Estate, Personal injury, Divorce Cases and Will's and Probate. She graduated top of her class at Baylor University and is probably one of the most caring and trustworthy attorneys I've ever had the pleasure of working with. She goes above and beyond to get your case settled and is very meticulous about her work. I refer all my friends, family and clients to her. If you're looking for the best attorney! Call Wendi!
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27 Jul, 2016 by Penny
I've used used both Layne and his wife Christina for my legal needs for many years. They are always honest, responsive and upfront with me and have gone above and beyond to help me. I would recommend either of them without reservation.
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22 Jun, 2017 by Roxann
my daughter was going through an issue with child custody and when i saw his action in court and he was able to get my granddaughter back, very impressed. i am hiring him now for another issue we have with a divorce.
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16 Apr, 2015 by Alanna
I have known Mr. Stump for over 10 years and have worked with him professionally and personally. This is a man of integrity first and foremost and he is an incredible advocate for his clients! I have every confidence referring people to his practice knowing they will be treated with respect and genuine care. Our community is fortunate to have a professional like this.
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5.0
4 Reviews
4.0
11 Reviews
09 May, 2024 by Tonya martinez
The law firm prepared my estate planning documents. A couple of meetings and I was done. Documents were put into a nice binder for me to keep. It has all of the originals and 1 copy for your convenience.
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16 Apr, 2024 by Duane grimme
We met with Keely Freund to review wills, completed a few years ago. She was considerate, thoughtful, and articulate. In determining the present validity of the document in hand, Keely represented Lefler Law Firm professionally, while articulating anything questionable, keeping our interests up front. We left feeling well served and will use this law firm again.
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14 Apr, 2022 by Benjamin carr
Might be closed - hasn't replied to contacts after a month.
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01 Jul, 2024 by Todd white
Great team to work with. Worked with Josh to set up some estate planning docs - will, POA..etc.
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08 Nov, 2023 by Erwin cuellar
Great experience and great lawyers
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05 Apr, 2023 by John pack
23 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
I followed up when Ken after needing assistance. His pricing stated that the services would be a flat fee. When meeting with him, rather than speaking to me about my case, he frequently went off topic to speak about his campaign for District Attorney. After asking for a follow up on my case, he would persistently be rude and hostile to me. Not once was he proactive. I actually sought a second opinion for my case and realized I had made a poor choice. At the conclusion of my case, Ken said directly to my face, "I will never price these services at a flat rate again. It is just too much work with no payoff." I did not feel like he was an appropriate, empathetic counselor I was looking for.
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02 Oct, 2024 by Orlando
He may call himself an attorney but he is far from being one. After initially taking my case and speaking with great confidence that the issue would be resolved in less than 6 months, things quick dragged out to over 3 years and through this time, the only time jerel showed any a enthusiasm towards the case was when funds in the "Trust" were running low, after then I rarely heard from him until it was that time again to "Top Up" the account. jerel did nothing but take my money and waste my time, and he did it well because in the beginning he would string me along with good news to then getting billed again which became a vicious cycle. Many of the documentation that was sent out on his behalf always contained grammatical errors which I corrected and had resent so the defendants could actually take him serious. A lot of the research involving the case I did myself, no initiative was ever taken on this guy's behalf. Since I've made my case of not topping off my account he has yet to fulfill his word on getting the motion to dismiss signed by the courts, another simple task that was screwed up multiple times (confirmed by the court's county clerk and they even told me I should find another attorney, because a good attorney doesn't make mistakes like this, their words, Amy was her name.) jerel is not a man of his word, don't waste your time or money on this guy or his "firm", completely incompetent and unprofessional, take your hard earned money to a real attorney that will fight for you, not his checking account.
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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.
