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02 Jan, 2019 by Edwin
First time filing and I must say, if you are in need of a competent bankruptcy attorney and team of professionals to help navigate you through the complexities of paperwork involved.
Brittany and her assistant Jayne have you covered! They were just amazing to say the least.
Being self employed with very unstable income would have been to confusing to fill out all the paperwork correctly and screw up on my part without their help, causing possible dismissal. It was worth every penny spent on making sure it didn't.
I filed at the end of Sept and had my debt discharged at the end of December. Now it's time for me to move on, rebuilt my credit and not make the same mistakes that I had done before.
Thanks again for everything!
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16 Jul, 2018 by Jennifer
We hired Brittany for our Chapter 13 bankruptcy a couple of years ago. She is very knowledgeable and thorough. She went above and beyond to help us and answer every question we had. Recently we requested to incur debt and purchase a house. Brittany gave us the same great advice, help and guidance that she gave with the initial filing and then some. We cannot recommend her enough. Thank you for everything Brittany!!!
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02 May, 2018 by Anonymous
We hired Brittany to handle our Ch. 13 bankruptcy. She knows the Kitsap BK landscape and was able to develop a strategy which saved our home and kept costs down. She's a great communicator and handled everything with high ethics and professionalism.
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12 Sep, 2018 by Ken
Maureen wrote our wills, power of attorney and health care directive. She did an excellent job of listening to our wishes and completing everything in the manner and time frame we requested.
I have already directed more people to her.
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27 Jul, 2018 by Brenda
Maureen was very thorough, thoughtful, and informative in all our dealings. She is easy to communicate with and takes the time to listen.
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02 Feb, 2018 by Leann
Maureen Ray did an excellent job of helping me with a reverse mortgage lawsuit against my brother and I after the death of my father. She stayed on top of it and got things done and kept me informed during the whole process. I will definitely use her again if the need ever arises again.
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21 Jan, 2020 by Leanne
We used Jennifer as a notary. Then we hired her for several documents to update our wills, power of attorneys, estate planning, medical directives. She was fabulous. Thorough and gave us peace of mind.
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02 May, 2013 by Timothy
I hired Mr. Treacy on behalf of my family to handle a complicated guardianship/estate/probate matter on behalf of our family. Mr. Treacy was not only extremely knowledgeable about the law, but he also was responsive and supportive during a challenging time. Our entire family appreciates his professionalism and attention to detail.
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23 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
Ten years ago Richard was just ok. Although recommending a Special Needs Trust for my parents' wills turned out to be an unnecessary and expensive proposition. In needing to dissolve this SNT following both of their passing, we sought a meeting with him, but had a Zoom meeting instead. He simply read our emailed questions back to us with out answering them. He was not helpful and seemed to be confused, just referring us to other associates for things we needed.
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15 Dec, 2012 by John
Two years ago my wife and I selected Richard on the strength of friends' recommendations. We very quickly realized we had chosen wisely. He prepared a complete estate planning package for us - trust, wills, durable powers of attorney for asset management and health care, and advance health directives. At first meeting he projected a quiet confidence that immediately set us at ease. From initial conference through document filing Richard was the consummate professional, knowledgeable, approachable, thoughtful, responsive, patient, and caring. His staff also exhibited those same fine attributes throughout. Together Richard and staff made our estate planning a most pleasant and productive experience.
Richard brings to his practice many strengths. The ones we most appreciated were his willingness to listen carefully to what we thought were our needs, his ability to clarify a complex subject and thereby help us better understand and refine our needs, and his calm, reassuring manner of gently guiding - never pushing - us toward the products most appropriate to meet those needs.
Three months ago we again had need of Richard's services. We received a panicked call from the escrow company handling the refinance of our home advising we needed to remove it from our trust 'right then' in order for the refinance to move forward to closing a few days away. I phoned Richard at 5:00 pm that day and the next morning at 10:00 am we were in his office signing the necessary documents. No muss, no fuss, just a great example of the exemplary service Richard and staff routinely provide.
Richard was an absolute delight to work with throughout the entire estate planning process and again during our recent need for his expertise and services. We've already recommended him to friends and will continue to do so. I don't suppose anyone looks forward to requiring legal services, but it's comforting to know that when that time inevitably comes again we'll be able to turn to Richard for support.
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12 Apr, 2012 by Carol
Mr. Tizzano helped us with my mother's estate and care planning before she began her journey into Alzheimer's. He helped us with everything we needed: wills, living wills, power of attorneys, etc. He even recommended good care facilities and answered the many questions we had. He is very informed, professional, and well-connected. We highly recommend him and will use him in the future.
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10 May, 2022 by Vita
Matt has assisted me with a pre-nuptial agreement. He has always taken his time to explain, kept true to his word, acted and responded to all matters in a timely manner and was able to translate the legal wording into something everyone can understand. Matt has been a pleasure to work with. A true gem in the legal field in this area.
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09 Mar, 2022 by Nancy
My family acquired some lakefront property and decided to form an Limited Liability Company to manage it as a business within our family. We really had minimal knowledge or experience in this area.
We hired Matt to steer us through this process, and found him very helpful.
He provided clear explanations of the formation of the LLC, offering us guidance and options along the way to fine tune it to meet our particular situation.
He answered our myriad questions in a knowledgeable, skilled fashion, meeting with us both in person and via Zoom and emails as often as we needed. The end result is a functioning LLC that is formulated to meet our family’s needs and specifications as well as fulfill all the the legal requirements of a licensed corporation.
This was not an easy process, but his expertise and calm demeanor got us effectively past many difficulties. I would highly recommend Matt Lind for your family’s legal/estate planning needs.
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23 Feb, 2022 by Anonymous
Matt was referred to us by one of his associates, Richard Tizzano. Matt is not responsive by phone and extremely slow with completing the most basic tasks. He took several months to complete setting up an LLC. He met with the prospective members numerous times answering questions about both the LLC and the Special Needs Trust from which the assets would come. Subsequently, he took on the case of dissolving the SNT, in which only some of the beneficiaries were involved in the LLC. He never met with both of the co-executors of the SNT, and was conflicted in his actions by favoring the members of the LLC over the other beneficiaries. He never took meeting requests or returned phone calls from the co-executor who was not part of the LLC! It was a definite conflict of interest on his part. He made numerous errors in his calculations and capital gains tax implications. He definitely should not be advertising himself as a Real Estate attorney.
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06 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
I went to Mr. Moran, even though his price was higher then most around our area. Pros: he was quick to get us in, and he was straight to the point. Cons: He got frustrated when we had additional questions about our case, and he did not explain certain things clearly like, our house and auto loans. I had a quick question about our bankruptcy a year and half after it was discharged, and he did not return our calls, I even offered to pay for the answer, and I actually had to consult another attorney for free because he never responded. My co-worker was doing bankruptcy same time we were, and found a cheaper lawyer in Silverdale, who accepted payments, and also made sure all questions were answered.
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07 Jul, 2014 by Gena
Mr Moran took care of my chapter 7 filing that came up in the middle of a very acrimonious divorce, he was quick, reassuring, understanding & never made me feel terrified the way the divorce process did.
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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.
