Lawyers map
>18
experienced lawyers
Filter by
31 Mar, 2022 by Paige
I contacted Wade Law Group for assistance with a small claims suit. I have worked with Brett and Dave McGraw, both have been dedicated, helpful, and have gone above and beyond to meet my expectations. Dave has provided effective legal advice and detailed explanations about the process as well as developed a plan for my hearing. Dave has gave me confidence in my abilities and quelled my anxiety. If I ever need representation or consultations again in the future, Wade Law Group will always be my first and only choice.
Read more
10 Jan, 2022 by Dave
A leader, innovator and most importantly, a terrific lawyer. No one wants to need an attorney, but when you do need one, Amiel Wade is the one to call.
Read more
27 Jun, 2021 by Patricia cent
I hired Mr. Wade to expedite my divorce after being with an ill-prepared attorney for 1 1/2 years in which I didn't get past the discovery stage. I got quick results with Mr. Wade and my divorce was finalized after 4 months. His support staff quickly responded to all my emails and returned my calls. Mr. Wade is very experienced and knowledgeable and found an error in a filing by my ex-spouse's attorney and took immediate action on her behalf which saved me money and didn't prolong the divorce proceedings. He is involved in all the cases in his firm. Every Wednesday he conducts a meeting with his associate attorneys to consult and monitor their progress and provides them with his expert advice when necessary. Hopefully, I won't need Mr. Wade in the future but if I do, I would retain his services again because I was very pleased with his work and professionalism.
Patricia Cent
Read more
13 Aug, 2012 by Sean
I am a CFP and besides using him personally I have also recommended Pat to clients for core estate planning documents. He work ethic, attention to detail and reponsiveness really set him apart.
Read more
07 Jul, 2012 by Frances
Patrick walked us through all our options and helped us best manage our estate planning. He made himself available by email, phone, and in-person contact.
Read more
04 Jul, 2012 by Matthew
Patrick did an excellent job for me. He was very knowledgable and efficient with my matter. I highly recommend him
Read more
30 May, 2022 by Blue
Laurel has been an exceptional attorney for my family and for my corporation. She has helped me start and complete a living trust for my wife and kids which meant the world to us! Several years later she helped me form a corporation and has helped me write successful contracts for 5 years now! She has a basic approach and yet extensive knowledge in multiple areas of law. I highly recommend her!!
Read more
12 Aug, 2016 by Anonymous
I used Laurel for my trust & will documents. I was very happy with my experience. She is clearly smart, knowledgable, & a real go getter. I felt confident in her abilities & would definitely recommend her to a friend.
Read more
16 Sep, 2024 by A l
I had the pleasure of working with Callan Olsen earlier this year. I reached out to a few attorneys in the area, and ultimately decided to go with her. She was prompt in her response to my request, and we set up the the initial phone call where she advised me of a few different strategies she recommended. She made sure our approach was cost-effective, and at the same time could guarantee the best outcome. I appreciate the upfront approach as other attorneys either wanted to charge me for the initial consultation, or just did not get back to me promptly. I signed the retainer with her right away and forego meeting with anyone else :)
We communicated mainly through email during the process, but Callan had always been prompt in her response. We were able to wrap up the case pretty quickly and seamlessly. Thank you again, Callan!
Read more
10 Aug, 2024 by Dan romo
Judy Douglass was great to work with. She helped me navigate the ins and outs of probate and she made a difficult time a bit easier. Judy was informative, helpful and compassionate. I highly recommend Judy Douglass to establish a trust, health directives and probate needs.
Read more
10 Aug, 2024 by E o
Judy recently provided legal services to my family and we are extremely satisfied with the entire experience. Her work product is of the highest quality. When selecting an estate planning attorney, experience was a top priority for us, and Judy has been in practice for decades. We value and trust Judy's expert legal guidance -- and her kind, friendly personality is a bonus. It was a joy to work with Judy.
Read more
28 Aug, 2024 by Levi davis
Wade Law Group’s handling of my business partnership dispute was a disaster from start to finish. I sought their help when I was being pushed out and needed to recover my equity. Despite providing all the necessary documentation upfront, including the operating agreement and financial statements, their incompetence quickly became apparent.
For seven weeks, my attorney at Wade Law Group engaged in fruitless exchanges, sending threatening letters based on California law and drafting a lawsuit complaint. Only after all this time did I discover that my attorney hadn’t even read the operating agreement—a crucial document in any partnership dispute. This neglect led us to almost violate the agreement by bypassing mandatory mediation and filing the lawsuit in the wrong state. Predictably, my former business partner exploited these errors, leaving me with a much weakened case and a significant financial loss.
After incurring over five figures in legal fees, I made the decision to terminate our relationship. I requested a meeting to discuss the situation, but my attorney not only ignored my request but also responded rudely when I followed up. Eventually, the firm’s owner reached out and offered a partial refund for drafting the complaint in the wrong state. However, the amount he offered was far less than what I had actually been billed, forcing me to go line by line through the invoices and finding the correct amount was five times higher than what he claimed.
I then posted a review of my experience on Yelp, and the owner reached out and offered me a full refund of over $8K in exchange for removing the review and signing a contract agreeing not to post additional reviews about my experience with the firm. When I pointed out that this felt unethical and possibly illegal and proposed that I edit the review to give credit for the refund, he withdrew the offer, falsely claiming that I had rejected it.
Read more
26 Aug, 2024 by Daniel feldman (daniel j feldman, phd)
These people are rude. And they can't read. I set up a consultation with them, but they canceled before even talking to me and told me that my trial is in three weeks when it's not. They didn't read anything about it, have the nerve to not even meet with me or have a discussion, followed with "best of luck on everything" which is just more insulting, absolutely insulting. i am sorry I called.
Read more
20 Aug, 2024 by Mark shen
They provided services so poor that they even mixed up my name with the person I’m trying to sue in the demand letter, and their justification for that was “oops, but pay us”
Read more
04 Jul, 2024 by Bobbie chavarria
Carol is great. For myself as well as my older mother. Very friendly and approachable. She made my senior mother feel at home. I highly recommend
Read more
25 Feb, 2024 by Judi brown
Tom just helped me through a difficult negotiation. Throughout the process he took the time to explain everything in a straightforward language that made sense. Many requests were being made, and Tom took the time to point out the positives and negatives as they were presented. In the end the outcome was satisfactory and met my expectations. I will highly recommend Tom to my friends and family.
Read more
19 Feb, 2024 by Tracey david
I retained Tom to draft my will and set up a living trust, and he was always prepared, and provided strong counsel, which I think made the process quite easy. I then retained him to help me work through an unrelated beneficiary matter where we had little information to go on. He was able to quickly understand both the legal and the emotional issues, and was a strong but calm advocate with the number of parties involved. Things resolved in a very positive manner. He is personable, highly ethical and mindful of goals and time. He communicated frequently, something that I highly value. I recommend him without reservation.
Read more
04 Jul, 2024 by Bobbie chavarria
Carol is great. For myself as well as my older mother. Very friendly and approachable. She made my senior mother feel at home. I highly recommend
Read more
25 Feb, 2024 by Judi brown
Tom just helped me through a difficult negotiation. Throughout the process he took the time to explain everything in a straightforward language that made sense. Many requests were being made, and Tom took the time to point out the positives and negatives as they were presented. In the end the outcome was satisfactory and met my expectations. I will highly recommend Tom to my friends and family.
Read more
19 Feb, 2024 by Tracey david
I retained Tom to draft my will and set up a living trust, and he was always prepared, and provided strong counsel, which I think made the process quite easy. I then retained him to help me work through an unrelated beneficiary matter where we had little information to go on. He was able to quickly understand both the legal and the emotional issues, and was a strong but calm advocate with the number of parties involved. Things resolved in a very positive manner. He is personable, highly ethical and mindful of goals and time. He communicated frequently, something that I highly value. I recommend him without reservation.
Read more
28 Aug, 2024 by Levi davis
Wade Law Group’s handling of my business partnership dispute was a disaster from start to finish. I sought their help when I was being pushed out and needed to recover my equity. Despite providing all the necessary documentation upfront, including the operating agreement and financial statements, their incompetence quickly became apparent.
For seven weeks, my attorney at Wade Law Group engaged in fruitless exchanges, sending threatening letters based on California law and drafting a lawsuit complaint. Only after all this time did I discover that my attorney hadn’t even read the operating agreement—a crucial document in any partnership dispute. This neglect led us to almost violate the agreement by bypassing mandatory mediation and filing the lawsuit in the wrong state. Predictably, my former business partner exploited these errors, leaving me with a much weakened case and a significant financial loss.
After incurring over five figures in legal fees, I made the decision to terminate our relationship. I requested a meeting to discuss the situation, but my attorney not only ignored my request but also responded rudely when I followed up. Eventually, the firm’s owner reached out and offered a partial refund for drafting the complaint in the wrong state. However, the amount he offered was far less than what I had actually been billed, forcing me to go line by line through the invoices and finding the correct amount was five times higher than what he claimed.
I then posted a review of my experience on Yelp, and the owner reached out and offered me a full refund of over $8K in exchange for removing the review and signing a contract agreeing not to post additional reviews about my experience with the firm. When I pointed out that this felt unethical and possibly illegal and proposed that I edit the review to give credit for the refund, he withdrew the offer, falsely claiming that I had rejected it.
Read more
26 Aug, 2024 by Daniel feldman (daniel j feldman, phd)
These people are rude. And they can't read. I set up a consultation with them, but they canceled before even talking to me and told me that my trial is in three weeks when it's not. They didn't read anything about it, have the nerve to not even meet with me or have a discussion, followed with "best of luck on everything" which is just more insulting, absolutely insulting. i am sorry I called.
Read more
20 Aug, 2024 by Mark shen
They provided services so poor that they even mixed up my name with the person I’m trying to sue in the demand letter, and their justification for that was “oops, but pay us”
Read more
17 Sep, 2023 by Nancy eiger
We did not have a good experience with Ms. Carney. It is as difficult to even speak with her. She hired another attorney to assist with my mother’s estate who was horrid. This attorney was hostile to my sister and myself and wracked up charges. I would not recommend this law firm.
Read more
18 Jun, 2022 by Edward katz
19 Oct, 2018 by Michael
I was really in a rough situation with my Uncle. Unfortunately, he was quickly passing away and only had a few days to live. I called an attorney that the hospital case managers suggested in order to set up a trust. That attorney was not in. I asked the hospital case mgr for the name of another attorney and they gave me Janis A. Carney. Janis was in and took my call. I explained the situation to Janis over the phone. She told me she would be at my Uncles bedside with us in an hour. In approx one hour from hanging up the phone Janis came into the hospital room at Kaiser Permanente introduced herself to all family that was present and told us all to leave the room and come back in an hour. We did just that and 75 minutes later the doors to my Uncles room opened. Janis told us she had what she needed and told us she’d be back in a few hours for my Uncle to sign trust documents. She was back in a few hours and my Uncle did sign the documents. Because of Janis doing this, most of his assets will go where he wanted it to go and will not end up in probate or with people my Uncle didn’t want to have it. This gave him peace of mind and made his last 3 days with us much more bearable. We can’t thank Janis enough for making his last hours worry free. Our case is still ongoing after almost 14 months and will go on for another few months before it’s finished due to complications with other family members. However, we are confident with Janis’s help we will overcome these last hurdles and completely settle my Uncles trust as he wanted.
Read more
5.0
1 Reviews
4.0
4 Reviews
17 Sep, 2023 by Nancy eiger
We did not have a good experience with Ms. Carney. It is as difficult to even speak with her. She hired another attorney to assist with my mother’s estate who was horrid. This attorney was hostile to my sister and myself and wracked up charges. I would not recommend this law firm.
Read more
18 Jun, 2022 by Edward katz
04 Jan, 2019 by Delia
Elizabeth is very professional and detail oriented attorney. She helped us create estate planning for our family. During the process she was very professional, cooperative, flexible and wonderful! We cant be any happier with her amazing services! Thank you very much, Elizabeth!
Read more
16 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
We recently consulted with Dawson to draft a trust in which to put our home. We reached out to him and he provided a date and time for us to do a video conference call since we couldn't meet in person due to COVID. In preparation for the call, he also provided a cloud-based google document that asked for a tremendous amount of information about our accounts, last 4 digits of our account numbers (a bit unnerving to be asked to provide this for a consult?), children's names, who we wished to leave items to, who our POA would be for our health care directives, etc. It was a lot of information to provide for a mere consultation, but we provided it.
During the actual consultation, we discussed doing POAs and wills for each of us. He also discussed what we felt was a rather complex design of creating two separate trusts, one for each of us, to cover our situation. Mind you, this was his take on the best approach for our situation. It was more complex than we had envisioned, but we are not legal professionals and can't comment if this is normal and customary.
After our consultation, Dawson said he'd get back in touch with us when he had something for us to review. A few weeks went by. Then we received the following email:
"Thank you for meeting with me via Zoom for a free estate planning consultation. It was a pleasure meeting you
After reviewing your submitted documentation, my notes from our discussion, some research, and careful consideration, your matter is not one in which I believe I can be of assistance at this time. There are many variables involved in my decision process to take on a new client, most of which are considerations of what is in the best interests of the potential client. This includes, but is not limited to, areas of laws that may fall outside my expertise, as well as overly complex legal and/or factual issues.
Good luck."
As Dawson himself was the one who had suggested the complex trust solution, we were surprised. We wrote back and said that we weren't aware of legal or factual issues on our end and asked, directly, if he had a conflict in representing us. To date he hasn't replied to this inquiry. We presume it must be the latter: a conflict.
It was and is very unnerving to be ghosted like this, without further explanation, after having shared private information with him regarding the entirety of our financial accounts and partial account numbers.
Dawson was very pleasant. However, if you hire him for your estate planning, we'd recommend sharing nothing until a business relationship is established and it is confirmed that he doesn't have a conflict in representing you or your interests.
Read more
20 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
Dawson Crawford is a fantastic lawyer. He will take the time to listen to your concerns and explain all your options. You will walk out of his office feeling well informed and that the matter at hand will be handled professionaly.
We have used him for a lawsuit and to set up our trust estate. He is always fully prepared.I have referred him to two other friends and they have been happy with his service. We feel like he is a trusted family member.
We will continue to use him for all our legal needs and refer him to friends and family members.
Read more
06 May, 2018 by Erin g.
We can NOT say enough GREAT things about Douglas Barnes as a TRUST Attorney. Mr Barnes took care of our family TRUST and gave us ideas and things to think about. We had saved a "dime" YEARS ago and had some "good deal bafoon" write up a so called "Trust" that ended up not worth the paper it was written on and Attorney Douglas Barnes was able to fix this wrong, make it CORRECT, and he was worth EVERY SINGLE PENNY! Attorney Douglas Barnes is also an attorney who can go to court if our family Trust is ever questioned and he can defend our wishes, where OTHER Trust Attorneys can not always do. Something to think about when planning your Estate and wishes for after you are no longer here! GREAT GREAT GREAT hands to be in at the Offices of Douglas Barnes!
Read more
25 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
I had an unsatisfactory experience in estate planning with Mr. Barnes and his office. I don't feel he invested effort enough to understand my circumstances, but responded in a "cookie cutter" way with generic advice that turned out to be inappropriate for me. The estate package he crafted was far too complicated and not only failed to achieve my goals but in part contradicted and undercut them. Quality of staff work was very poor: copy and paste errors in estate documents; spelled my name wrong in documents. I found him to be unresponsive to questions either by phone or email - until my new lawyer contacted him, which received immediate response. Please note that I don't question Mr. Barnes' integrity or knowledge. Rather that he didn't work hard enough to understand what I wanted; communicated poorly; and at the time his office staff were really a problem (maybe this has been fixed since then, I can't say). By contrast I'm profoundly happy with the attorney I replaced him with.
Read more
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.
