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20 May, 2022 by Pat turner
We recently updated our estate documents with Laury Macauley, Esq. We have had trusts for over four decades and have worked with a number of attorneys over the years. After moving to Reno Nevada, a community property state, we needed an update. We contacted a number of estate attorneys. Almost all had 60+ page boiler plate trust templates into which they inserted relevant individualized information but most of these bloated documents had information that does not and never will be relevant to us. Such large trusts are cumbersome and inefficient since during settlement, parties must read everything to be sure something important is not missed. We wanted a more personalized straightforward trust which eliminated all the bloat, unnecessary legal jargon, generation skipping wording, minor dependents, dependent trusts, etc. etc.
Laury agreed to work with us to accomplish what we wanted…estate documents relevant to our situation written in a straightforward manner. In the end our very comprehensive trust is 22 pages long. We found her to be bright, helpful, knowledgeable and ethical. She was among a very few lawyers willing to help us create what WE wanted rather than something off the shelf. This took extra time so the process did extend over 2 months but we are extremely pleased. We would definitely recommend Ms. Macauley without reservation to others.
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14 Jan, 2022 by Ronald
I have nothing but glowing results for using this law firm on multiple occasions. Not only is Gloria well qualified and insightful she is backed up by excepting support personnel. In my most recent experience, I received results because of her advice far better than I hoped to achieve.
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05 Sep, 2019 by Julie miescke
Macauley law group is the best for estate planning . Laury Macauley set up our family trust . What a blessing to have peace of mind!!
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20 Sep, 2024 by Ted parker
I hired Ms. Amato to prepare my new Estate Plan shortly after moving to Reno, NV. She created a complete Estate Plan, including will, trust, power of attorney, living will and even forms protect my homestead.
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29 May, 2024 by Cheryl
Samantha was amazing, we had her do an amendment to our trust and anything we asked of her she was able to do and help us so glad we hired her
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20 May, 2022 by Pat turner
We recently updated our estate documents with Laury Macauley, Esq. We have had trusts for over four decades and have worked with a number of attorneys over the years. After moving to Reno Nevada, a community property state, we needed an update. We contacted a number of estate attorneys. Almost all had 60+ page boiler plate trust templates into which they inserted relevant individualized information but most of these bloated documents had information that does not and never will be relevant to us. Such large trusts are cumbersome and inefficient since during settlement, parties must read everything to be sure something important is not missed. We wanted a more personalized straightforward trust which eliminated all the bloat, unnecessary legal jargon, generation skipping wording, minor dependents, dependent trusts, etc. etc.
Laury agreed to work with us to accomplish what we wanted…estate documents relevant to our situation written in a straightforward manner. In the end our very comprehensive trust is 22 pages long. We found her to be bright, helpful, knowledgeable and ethical. She was among a very few lawyers willing to help us create what WE wanted rather than something off the shelf. This took extra time so the process did extend over 2 months but we are extremely pleased. We would definitely recommend Ms. Macauley without reservation to others.
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07 Oct, 2022 by Rhonda collins
I had eviction removed from my credit report, and I still can’t believe PINNACLE CREDIT SPECIALIST raise my credit score to 804 excellent score within few days. He also helps me apply for PPP loan with the sum of $35k which reflect in my bank account with a low interest rate. I saw a lot of good reviews about his works and he would respond swiftly. Hire him:
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22 Feb, 2018 by Dustin
Tyson was always the one I spoke to. He worked diligently to get our case closed and with the best possible outcome. After a long process he and his staff worked with every issue we had. They resolved our estate issues and we received everything we were supposed to thanks to their hard work and dedication. We would highly recommend Tyson Cross and Cross Law.
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26 Oct, 2016 by Michael
Last year, my wife and I had our first child and we were starting to get that uneasy feeling about not having a trust set up for our newly expanded family. Shortly thereafter I had the pleasure of meeting Tyson at a networking function. Some call it fate. I call it destiny. Not long after meeting Tyson and getting to know him better over the coming months, it became very apparent that he was the man for the job.
We set up an appointment with him to go over our options and to set up a plan of action that worked best for our family. He was extremely thorough and made sure we understood everything throughout the entire process.
Tyson is eager to help, highly professional, and an all around great guy. I highly recommend him. Thanks Tyson!
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01 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
Bob was able to grasp my problems and concerns. He raised other considerations. He worked for the best possible outcomes for me, He is friendly and easy to talk to. When something wasn't his specialty he had excellent referrals
His rates are reasonable.
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17 Feb, 2016 by Stephen
Mr. Broili is an outstanding attorney.
His ethics and professionalism are
exactly what I was looking for
in counsel to represent me.
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12 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Bob handled a family law matter for me to a successful conclusion. He also did other legal work for me. He did an excellent job, especially when considering the complexities. I found him to be honest with the high degree of integrity. I recommend Bob Broli with confidence.
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30 Dec, 2019 by Frank
Morning Bryce,
I just wanted to take a moment and let you know how much I appreciate your input. Without exception, after each session with you, I come away impressed with much to think about.
Now after a number of meetings and calls with you, I have concluded you are always prepared and very thoughtful in your dealings with my mom and myself. You carefully listen and respond with some rather creative ideas for my mom to consider and in general give her piece of mind.
Thought you should know.
Frank
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20 Apr, 2018 by Richard k
I would like to thank you for your friendly and professional services. You’re my best experience with a lawyer to date. I would recommend you and your company to anyone. I really appreciated how you treated me. Pass my thanks along to Julie, as well. Enclosed is the final check for your services. Blessing on you and yours.
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27 Oct, 2016 by Deborah
I have been with Bryce Radar and his firm for a significant number of years. I find Bryce to be extremely knowledgeable in his field of Estate Planning and Trust Administration. It is very evident that he has your best interest at heart, whether it is developing your Estate Plan or setting up your Trust for Administration. Estate Planning will focus on something that works for your family's needs, while at the same time protecting your assets, and minimizing estate income tax for your family in the future. Trust Administration sets up your wishes , and again looks at the current way to minimize taxes while continuing to preserve and protect your Estate. All the necessary paper work, including IRS Tax Documents are filed for you. Frequent reviews with Bryce will keep your plans up to date with the most current options as laws change. Bryce is exceptional in being able to explain very complex issues and developing the best program for you in terms that are very simple to understand. He is very responsive, you never feel like a burden and during difficult times of Trust Administration he makes things that much easier. It is apparent that Bryce receives real satisfaction out of helping people. If you are not using Bryce Radar, or this firm, you should consider a consultation.
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21 May, 2019 by William
I reached out to Wyatt to help with a Living Will and he was phenomenal to work with during the whole process! I plan on using him for all of my Will/Trust and personal injury needs in the future.
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02 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
I was in a tough situation.. From the beginning there was strait forward communication about what was going on the entire process. The end result was the best result I could have ever hoped for!
No matter how difficult your situation I would recommend no matter what!!
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08 Sep, 2016 by Daniel
Being in real estate, im posed with legal questions inevitably every day. Now, i can't answer these questions effectively nor with legal power, but i know who i can count on every time i need to obtain legal consultation.
Wyatt Herbst is always available to take care of my questions and often legal concerns. His services are quick, efficient and always opens my eyes to why i'm glad to have him in my corner as my Attorney.
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07 Jan, 2020 by Barbara h
Mr. Dorn was very professional, he explained everything in detail & was patient, w/ us.
Sara Lee was very thorough, she explained the trust docs; enjoyed working with her. Paula is a jewel.
She is knowledgeable, funny & a real delight to work with.
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27 Sep, 2011 by Anonymous
I would highly recommend Jerry for estate and trust work. He has been working with me on a difficult settlement where he has been a strong, responsive and level headed advocate.
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23 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
Aaron is a dedicated, experienced tax attorney. He sets out a well-defined strategy for the case and thoroughly research and analyzes every stage of the case. His knowledge of the rights and responsibilities that attach to foreign account holders in the U.S. is superb.
I wholeheartedly recommend Aaron for federal, state, loca, and international tax issues.
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10 Dec, 2015 by Anonymous
On finding out I was not compliant with my FBAR filing requirements, I hired Aaron to help me go through the FBAR filing and better understand which steps were necessary to become compliant based on FACTA-FBAR regulations. As painful as the experience was, Aaron led me calmly through the process, ensuring all the details were collected and putting himself between myself and the IRS on communications and within the expected length of time my case was completed and I regained compliancy and peace of mind. I continue to use Aaron as my accountant and advisor regarding international investment requirements. In comparison to many companies I contacted, his consulting fees are extremely competitive. One of the biggest positives for me, is his personal approach and interaction, which many corporate accountants office do not offer.
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07 Apr, 2015 by Larry
Mr Humphrey has left a remarkable impression with us. His exceeds in excellence, professionalism, and thorough research. His reply proved he researched our questions and even through he couldn't take our case, he answered us to the best of his ability. Thank you again, Mr Humphrey!
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17 Oct, 2013 by Paul
Last year my Dad passed away and there were problems with his estate. Before Joe, I hired two attorneys to help me. The first one charged me $2,500 for two letters. The second charged me $10,000, never answered any questions,never sent me an invoice, withdrew from the case and left me high and dry.
Joe cleaned up the mess. He ALWAYS returned my calls and e mails. The best $100 I ever spent in my life was for the one hour preview of my case. Joe DID exactly what he said he would do. Joe Gorman is a honest, caring professional attorney. What else would you want in your lawyer? Thank you, Joe.
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15 Sep, 2019 by John powers
Excellent attorney and litigator. Highly recommend him!
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14 Sep, 2019 by Elizabeth rayburn
I have been fortunate enough to have Mike Sullivan represent me for legal services for the last 14 years for both personal and business reasons. He is always honest, to the point and got the job done. He kept me informed every step of the way and we always prevailed! I could not imagine using anyone other than Mike Sullivan. Thank you Mike!
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09 Sep, 2019 by Swope rumors
23 Oct, 2024 by Kevin
Sean and his team are the best . They took what was a very stressful time for me. And made it as easy as possible. I can't thank them enough.
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15 Oct, 2024 by Tucker ugalde
Sean and his team are incredible. My journey with Sean began with a referral that lead me to his website. I used the contact us feature to ask a couple basic questions and much to my surprise, not only was I contacted almost immediately but it was by Sean himself!
Right from the start and throughout the entire process, Sean was always polite, professional and seemingly eager to help. As time went on, he never once made me feel like I was just another case or a burden no matter how hard I tried to be one... That became even more impressive once I got to know Sean and saw just how busy he actually is. Somehow, he not only made time for all my pestering questions but he was able to make an incredibly stressful and difficult situation seem simple and 'normal'.
Sean's expert guidance and caring approach will always be much appreciated and I will happily refer his services to anyone that could use his help.
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12 Oct, 2024 by Juan gonzalez
Sean Peterson is the best bankruptcy attorney in the country. Believe me you will need a relentless attorney to guide you through this complex process. If you need proven results look no further than Sean Peterson & his team!
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28 Jun, 2023 by Hope backman
Andrea is a rockstar and one of the kindest person I've ever met, she goes above and beyond, and I believe really cares about people.
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20 Apr, 2023 by Ken kurtz
Family Law is full of "lawyers". Finding the right one can be more then a challenge. Don't look any further then Jamie.
I had a very complicated divorce due to the other party, despite every effort on the other parties part to drag out and fight to get more than was fair at every step, the process was smooth with Jamie, and in almost every instance of the legal games the other lawyer played, things always went in my favor.
As a father/male you almost always judged the wrongdoer, and kids usually end up with mom. When I saw my kids were suffering we got one of the best children's/teen Psychiatrists in Reno to see my youngest who was having exception trouble. Jame knew who to turn to at every step to help my girls.
In my case the kids wanted to live with me, and that's just what happened.
Divorces can be very difficult or they can be nice and smooth, but in my case, what was both difficult, was also smooth with Jamie. I had very difficult divorce, yet it was an absolutely smooth process. In the end we did better then what we had initially offered at the onset of the proceedings.
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20 Apr, 2023 by Melanie mariani
Jamie is a caring and conscientious attorney who puts her clients first! She is readily available and extremely communicative.
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15 Apr, 2024 by Jim & brenda
My wife and I recently moved to Nevada; we needed our estate documents redone. Sharon Jannuzzi was recommended by a neighborhood group online. She was very helpful in working through some options we could use. Sharon blended professionalism and informality in just the right mix. She is a delight to work with.
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12 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
I recently worked with Sharon on revising a trust after divorce. Getting a new one is place was relatively time critical. The office staff and Sharon are easy to work with, timely in communication and do a great job. I highly recommend her.
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17 Dec, 2021 by Isabella
I hired Sharon Jannuzzi to serve as my representative in a probate case. Due to the death of my sister, the lack of a will, and my being an out-of-state resident from where she lived, I was in a particularly vulnerable position in dealing with her estate. I chose Sharon based on a friend’s recommendation and didn’t meet her in person until well into probate. I could not be more pleased with her and her assistant during every aspect of the process. They were thorough and prompt in their communications, made every effort to keep the costs of representation reasonable, and maintained a high level of integrity and professionalism. Perhaps most significantly, and not particularly commonplace for co-administrators in such cases, Sharon offered a welcomed level of personalism and proved to be both compassionate and kind throughout the many months we worked together.
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17 Jul, 2024 by Juan calderon
Thanks to Mr. Cotter C. Conway for all his help in solving my traffic ticket case,also to his legal secretary Summer Mather; they both are such a great people.
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16 Apr, 2024 by Manny hdez
They said that they couldn't help me with my case.... well.... pretty sure someone will.
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01 Oct, 2023 by Jeremy moose
The Carpenter law firm has not only guided me through a tuff time but also been very clear and transparent in all they've done. The legal system is complicated and it takes true professionals to make a very difficult time less stress on my family.
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07 Dec, 2023 by Glen thurston
Nathan was great, helped me complete the process quickly and efficiently. Highly recommend!
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25 Oct, 2023 by Jodi bybee
My husband and I hired Nathan Zeltzer for legal services and we're so glad we did! He's very nice, knowledgeable, professional, and really fast. We couldn't have hired a better lawyer! His assistant, Mary, does a great job, too. Give Nathan a try, you'll be so glad that you did!
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21 Jul, 2023 by Leah baker
Nathan and his team have been nothing but wonderful to me before, during and even after filling bankruptcy - they are thorough, fast paced and great with communication. They have the answers to all of my questions and always call back within a timely manor. I highly recommend Nathan and his staff for your attorney needs! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 👍🏼
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02 Nov, 2023 by Kim mead
Complete joke!!!!!
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23 Aug, 2023 by Anthonie weyland
Fantastic professionalism and very informative, I'd reccomend his services to anyone !
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16 Sep, 2022 by Sharon hill
After an injury at work, I mistakenly thought the doctors that workmen’s comp sent me to would help me recover. Instead, I found that their loyalty was to the insurance company paying the tab.R. Trent McAuliffe helped me get the medical treatment I needed when workmen’s comp kept trying to close my case. It took a few years to go through the process, and I am grateful that I got the surgery I needed. I’m very satisfied with the results of Trent advocating for me. I wish I had consulted him when I first got injured, instead of several months later. Get a consultation with him as soon as possible, it’s in your best interest!
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04 Mar, 2023 by Misty autum
27 Jul, 2022 by Tim slater
I've worked with Soraya and Tamara for several years now for estate planning. They're very knowledgeable, quick to respond and diligent in their work. Great lawyers!
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14 Aug, 2020 by Jonathan hodges
Tim Riley and his firm have been an incredible asset to my business as well as personal legal needs. Tim is intelligent, competent, and personable and creates a genuine sense of collaboration towards my goals. I have used many attorneys over the years and this firm is the best.
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03 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Mr Morris represented me for a short time and it was very costly and I got nothing in return.I was assured he was behind me and the case was a very good one but he dropped me like a rock after the other party lawyer-ed up .
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16 Sep, 2012 by Jeff
Mr. Morris is truly a professional in all aspects of the word. My wife and I felt that he provided such a great service to us, and he did so in a way that made us feel comfortable and at ease with such a critical decision in our lives. We would recommend his services to all our family and friends!
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08 Sep, 2012 by Anonymous
Mr. Morris thoroughly explained all options to us as we planned and set up a family trust. He was always available if we had questions, and he was very responsive to our schedule. Meeting with him, we were impressed with his professional, yet friendly manner. I would highly recommend him to anyone who needs information on setting up a family trust. He responded to us in a timely manner and we are extremely pleased with the final document.
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24 May, 2024 by Lori peterson
Avoid!!! This company violates the law and engages in harassment. Avoid them at all costs.
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23 May, 2024 by Haleigh miller
I would never work with this company based on their lack of morals, rude employees, sheer lack of professionalism, and because of their abusive and harassing behaviors. They have been calling my place of employment for over TWO YEARS trying to convince us to sign up for their service. We have politely declined each time, and have now spoken to 4 separate "supervisors" who assured us that we would be placed on their do not call list. To date, I have had Legalmatch employees curse at me, insult me individually, and repeatedly call back (5+ times) after I ended calls where they were behaving abusively. They have even spoken directly with my boss, the attorney, who has said in no uncertain terms that the firm will NEVER work with or take client referrals from them due to their behavior, yet they continue to endlessly call and harass all of us at the office. If anyone from your company is reading this, your employee identifying himself as "Ty Jones" was one of the worst offenders. He used some of the most vulgar language I have ever been on the receiving end of when calling and was a repeated caller as well.
My review is my own and the opinions contained herein are not a reflection of, or in any way representative of, my employer's (or anyone else's) views or opinions.
Edit: I'm positive I have the correct company, considering every single representative who has identified where they're calling from has clearly said "LegalMatch" and I have also asked multiple of them to spell out letter for letter both the company name and the company website.
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23 May, 2024 by Heather fox
Updating to respond to the owner's comment: Yes I am quite sure I have the right company. Their response is a perfect example of the gaslighting and lies they will use to scam you.
This company is a scam. I am an attorney and I would rather go out of business than work with these people. Once they find your business, they will call your office nonstop pretending to be an attorney who is looking for another attorney to take over their caseload. By the way, their "leads" are garbage. Most of the time, the lead isn't even a real person; it's a made-up scenario to scam you into paying for their referral service. They've never gotten a penny out of me, which I assume is why they won't leave me alone. I've blocked so many numbers, but they always have more. It's gotten so bad I am actually looking to bring a harassment suit against them.
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11 Mar, 2018 by Tom
I hired Tom Burton to review a contract for the sale of my business because the lawyer representing my partner buying me out felt it would be a conflict of interest if she advised me. She drafted and composed the contract, and revised it after Mr Burton read it and suggested some revisions. Mr Burton charged me over twice as much as she did and she did most of the work. I will never hire Mr Burton again and would certainly not recommend him to any one unless you have ALOT of money you don't need and want to pay to him.
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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.
