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01 Oct, 2022 by Erica
Julia is smart, hard working, reliable, trustworthy, pleasant to work with and extremely flexible with our challenging schedule changes. We feel fortunate to have found her and highly recommend her. We will continue to work with her for years to come.
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09 Jan, 2021 by Paul
Many years ago I had chosen SS&B to help establish the first estate plan for my wife and I. Recently at the passing of my wife, I needed to update all of these plans. Obviously having just lost my wife of almost 40 years and having to pull out all of those documents that we had created together added a bit of stress to a difficult time, added to the stress we had all been facing during the COVID pandemic of 2020. Attorney Abbott and her entire team not only helped direct me through all of the steps need to make my transition to this new estate plan, but also worked with me to be sure all of the questions were asked and answered thoughtfully knowing that my brain had difficulty focusing on almost anything, no less the redoing of my estate plans. Her calm and supporting presence though this made a difficult time bearable. She was working to support me not only to complete this new plan, but also as a person. She would take the time just to talk and not just dive into the needed work on the documents. She was the person, and they were the team that was needed for me to get through this most necessary process. I hope and doubt I may ever have to go through a situation like this in the future, but feel confident that I would immediately reach out to them if the need did arise.
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23 Oct, 2020 by Anonymous
Attorney Abbott was a pleasure to work with during the estate planning process including establishment of a trust. She was very accommodating during this unique time of COVID offering to conduct meetings via Zoom, at her office, or at our home and ensured safety measures were in place when it came time to execute the documents. She was thorough when we needed a deeper understanding of specific items, but did not belabor topics unnecessarily. She was very easy to talk to and offered advice and perspective based on her understanding of our wishes and circumstances. I would highly recommend her services.
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30 Jan, 2019 by Judy r.
Kate is an excellent attorney not only because she is smart, knowledgable and pays attention to the details, but because she makes the business of law (estate planning, etc.) personal. Even in business/practicing law, when one makes it personal - the level of care and feeling of comfort makes a difference. Kate's competence, professionalism and personal care makes a difference...Thank you Kate!
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22 May, 2018 by Erika
After putting it off longer than we should have, my husband and I finally decided to do our estate planning. We worked with Kate who did a fantastic job. She came to our home for the initial meeting and helped us think through all of the potential scenarios. She quickly sent us draft documents and a flow chart that made things easy to understand. After signing our wills and health care proxy forms, Kate’s office provided us with all of the necessary documents in an organized binder so that we or our loved ones could easily find the necessary information. She was so easy to work with and her advice gives me comfort that our assets are protected and our children will be well taken care of when the time comes. I can’t recommend Kate enough.
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15 Oct, 2017 by Ashley
Kate first helped us with estate planning/wills after the birth of our son. Our situation was a little complicated and she gave us good options for our needs and took the time to explain it all to us as well. She has since helped us with other legal matters beyond her core areas with as much professionalism and attention to detail. I'm glad that we have Kate taking care if our legal matters.
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10 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous
Attorney Golden gave outstanding advice. Promissory note wasn't silent and my mothers estate is not responsible for the loans. Can't thank you enough!
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24 Jun, 2015 by Mary anne
Your online answer, clear and concise, gave answer to my question: Will my children have to pay any debt I incur, after my death. I have bought the $5,000 hearing aids, taking on this debt at the age of 82
You were right. It is nice to hear well again, and, I can converse more intelligently with my family, thanks to your
turning my thinking in this direction, and, assuring me that my children will not bear the burden of any debt.
I cannot afford an Attorney right now, but, have an appointment with the Attorney who gives time at the local
Council on Aging. Like yourself and your colleagues, he is helping us old folks get over the hurdles of the present day. I thank you for being right here on Avvo. So Easy. Thank you Avvo for having Attorney Golden, and, her colleagues, who helped me out so much with their answers also. Mary
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30 May, 2012 by Ann
WOW! After contacting a Webster MA Attorney regarding the administration or lack thereof and final settlement of my mother's estate by the Executor (my brother), Attorney Golden was not only able to provide insightful advice, specific information and even follow-up that my hired Attorney has been unable to provide, she did it in less than 1 hour versus his 3+ weeks to date.
I would highly recommend her for anyone who needs an obviously caring, compassionate and experienced lawyer.
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10 Jan, 2018 by Joshua
Jon was professional, a lot more responsive than I had expected after working with other lawyers in the past, handled my legal matter to my satisfaction and was reasonably priced. I highly recommend his for any of your estate planning matters.
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01 Nov, 2017 by Brian
I was faced with a number of issues involving an elderly parent that required immediate action. Atty. Levin immediately understood the critical nature of my needs and initiated an action plan that enabled me to quickly move through a number of legal obstacles. His empathy, professional advice and guidance, willingness to meet at a care facility and vast knowledge on maneuvering through the legal system was greatly appreciated. I did not feel rushed or without a full understanding of the cause/effect of every decision that was necessary. Atty. Levin kept be updated as to where we were every step of the way. He made excellent recommendations and continues to "check-in" to see exactly what obstacles (if any continue) to present themselves. There are still a number of unfinished issues that require attention and I will certainly turn to Atty. Levin with great confidence as these issues require action. I find his knowledge to be vast, his mannerism to be aid-back and welcoming, and his professionalism to be superb. Without a doubt I can certainly recommend his services to family and friends.
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24 Aug, 2017 by Doug
I was referred to Jon by another attorney that I have known for years. Jon and I have never met personally but we communicated via the phone and emails as both of us reside in different states. I found Jon to be very easy to deal with. He always took the time to explain legal procedures and went over strategies as it related to my case. He assisted me with an Estate settlement involving real estate and probate of a very close relative that I contested. His expertise and experience showed as we settled the estate in a fair manner without having to go to court and pay legal fees that would have diminished the estate considerably. He also did not let the case drag on. Jon was not pushy or arrogant. He has a calm demeanor that demonstrates his ability to get the job done by allowing his knowledge and experience to stand out by his work product.
I am very pleased with Jon and would highly recommend him for Real Estate, Probate and Estate work, especially if it is contested. He was always straight forward, honest and willing to share his opinion on the best course of action to take. Jon, also like me, is a family man. He is properly grounded in his values. I highly recommend using him for legal services. Thank you.
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07 Feb, 2017 by Loretta
I was very fortunate to find Lynda Furash after my father passed away in March. Although my duties and responsibilities as personal representative of the estate were pretty clear, Lynda was able to clarify the finer points and help me navigate the process in an informed and thoughtful manner. Most importantly, since I was experiencing significant emotional stress due to a hostile family member, Lynda was able to handle many communications between us in a knowledgeable and professional way that actually defused tensions on both sides. Her ability to present facts, explain points of view and weigh pros and cons while maintaining my best interests at the forefront was comforting and confidence-inspiring.
Lynda's rates were reasonable and she was consistently and accurately able to let me know what to expect at each stage of the process. I am very grateful to her for making the estate process both manageable and stress-free. Moreover, Lynda's manner is pleasant, warm and caring. If working with an attorney can actually be enjoyable, then I believe Lynda achieved that end!
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03 Feb, 2017 by Natalie
Lynda Furash handled my mother's estate in support of me, the Personal Representative, and my siblings. Lynda was assigned to our case at a very, hectic, demanding emotional time of adjustment that follows family loss. Lynda's work is excellent! She and I are both very detailed and as such, we were able to establish a relationship and rapport that made accomplishing difficult, detailed objectives pleasant. Having experienced otherwise, I cannot emphasize enough the importance of working with an attorney whose capabilities I had full confidence in. I do not take this for granted.
I immensely enjoyed working with Lynda Furash to get to the point of complete closure of the estate. I would highly recommend Lynda to anyone who is in need of an attorney who get the job done with excellence.
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29 Jul, 2024 by Christopher donais
Provided excellent service and help during the creation of my prenup. He brought invaluable expertise and clearly laid out all my options. I would recommend him to anyone.
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23 Apr, 2024 by Ray
Horribly unprofessional & judgemental
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26 Mar, 2024 by Edouard jean-marie
I recently had the pleasure of working with the team at Infinity Law Group, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. From the outset, their professionalism, empathy, and unwavering dedication were evident. The process was undoubtedly challenging, and at times emotionally taxing, but their support made a significant difference in my experience.
The team's expertise and thorough approach led to a resolution that exceeded my expectations, bringing a significant and positive outcome. It's rare to find a firm that not only delivers exceptional results but also genuinely cares about its clients' well-being throughout the process.
I am beyond grateful for the work they've done for me and would highly recommend them to anyone in need of their services. Their commitment to excellence is evident in every interaction, and I am confident they will continue to make a profound impact on the lives of their clients.
Thank you, Gabriel, for your outstanding service and for playing such a pivotal role in my life. I look forward to seeing the continued success of your firm, knowing the incredible value you bring to your clients. Keep winning!
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29 Jul, 2024 by Christopher donais
Provided excellent service and help during the creation of my prenup. He brought invaluable expertise and clearly laid out all my options. I would recommend him to anyone.
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23 Apr, 2024 by Ray
Horribly unprofessional & judgemental
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26 Mar, 2024 by Edouard jean-marie
I recently had the pleasure of working with the team at Infinity Law Group, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. From the outset, their professionalism, empathy, and unwavering dedication were evident. The process was undoubtedly challenging, and at times emotionally taxing, but their support made a significant difference in my experience.
The team's expertise and thorough approach led to a resolution that exceeded my expectations, bringing a significant and positive outcome. It's rare to find a firm that not only delivers exceptional results but also genuinely cares about its clients' well-being throughout the process.
I am beyond grateful for the work they've done for me and would highly recommend them to anyone in need of their services. Their commitment to excellence is evident in every interaction, and I am confident they will continue to make a profound impact on the lives of their clients.
Thank you, Gabriel, for your outstanding service and for playing such a pivotal role in my life. I look forward to seeing the continued success of your firm, knowing the incredible value you bring to your clients. Keep winning!
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07 Dec, 2022 by Susan
Barry was my mother's estate attorney after my father died in 2010. My father wrote (yes, my father--not an attorney) a living trust and will for his estate (I was a trustee) and my father wrote a living trust and will for my mother's estate. Barry came on board and helped us navigate through ambiguities in my father's version of his trust and then rewrote (unambiguously) my mother's trust along with her will, POA, and living will and health proxy. Then when my mother died two years later, he helped considerably with selling the family home. His charges were very fair. Most of all, he was the kindest person to my mother and me and to my siblings. He did house calls! To this day (10 years later), I consider him to be a ray of sunshine in those dark days of losing my mother, father and family home of 50 years within a relatively short period of time.
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25 Nov, 2016 by Anonymous
I hired Barry to prepare legal documents to acquire a new property
I was purchasing. For 3 months I called him weekly to follow up why he hasn't prepared any paperwork for me. Barry used every possible childish excuse as to why I had not received any documents I hired tim to prepare. 2 times in those 3 months he even told me that he had mailed them out to me, which I did not receive. I was advised by another attorney to let him know that I had lost on collecting 3 months worth of rental income because of his incompetence. When I finally had enough, I informed Barry of all my rental loss because of his negligence, he miraculously produced all necessary documents I had hired him for that same afternoon. I also want to add that as you speak to Barry regarding your legal needs he has a habit of rolling his eyes back making you feel you are not of equal intelligence as him. I was not not impressed by his work ethics and will never recommend his services to anyone
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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.
