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10 May, 2023 by Roxanne bononcini
he's an incompetent ambulance chasing attorney, this man does not care about his clients, he's out to collect a check from the State, nothing more. He failed to do diligence in our case, never returned calls, or text messages and curses at you in the courthouse. This man should not be practicing law he's incompetent and negligent.
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03 Feb, 2016 by Nick
I've done all sorts of work with this man and I'm impressed. I'm a business owner and investor and I plan on bringing Anton Hajek plenty more work.
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13 Aug, 2014 by Toni
Mr. Hajek has helped my family several times in the last several years with cases. He has been a God send in so many ways. He's honest, reliable, knowledgeable, and helpful. He is straight forward in his determinations of how best to accomplish what you want. He defended my husband and his service dog in Court and helped to save her from being taken away. Without his help, my husband who is a disabled vet, would have been virtually homebound. But thanks to Mr. Hajek, my husband has his life back and he was able to keep his service dog.
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27 Jun, 2024 by Jason
I am deeply disappointed with the services provided by attorney Natasha Sherri in handling my divorce case. Despite paying her money for her services, she failed to assist me in any meaningful way throughout the process.
From the onset of our engagement back in 2020 during the challenging times of Covid-19, communication was already a struggle. Despite my attempts to reach out to her via email and phone calls, I faced difficulties in getting a response from her. Initially, she cited personal reasons such as the passing of her father for her unavailability, but eventually, she ceased all communication altogether.
Due to her lack of assistance and unresponsiveness, I was left with no choice but to file a grievance with the Texas State Bar to address this matter. I urge others to exercise caution when considering her services, as my experience with her has been highly unsatisfactory.
I am currently awaiting a response to the grievance I have filed and hope that this review serves as a warning to others who may be considering retaining Natasha Sherri as their legal counsel for any matter.
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08 Jan, 2024 by Anonymous
Natasha is very knowledgeable & you can tell that she truly cares about her clients. I would definitely recommend working with her.
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03 May, 2022 by Anonymous
Hired this lawyer through Legal Bundle. I paid her 1500 dollars and she ghosted me and refuses to return any of my phone calls. Hired her two years ago and still have had the other party served with any type of papers. So buyer beware.
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24 Aug, 2024 by Eric guerrero
Ms. Kelly K. Green worked on my case in 2007. She fought for me to get the less time and punishment. I’m thankful for her effort as being my attorney. One of the BEST attorneys out there, I promise u that! Matter of fact, I’m at her law firm as u read this knowing that something will be done hands down.
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12 Jun, 2024 by Ruth
No picture cause you will never see her or hear from her . She will send her husband who doesn't have a clue to what's going on, no phone call, no messages, no show, no Kelly, worse mistake
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06 Mar, 2023 by Anonymous
Ms Kelly ms hope and Mr Bob if you want good service I recommend the best keep up the good work
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11 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
...unless you want to spend thousands of dollars to NOT have your calls returned, texts replied or emails answered. Or if you wish to have your court dates reset numerous times or missed altogether then she is the lawyer for you. Most of the time I was advised of a court date through the opposing party via a text stating "see you in court (insert day/time)" after a bickering long text. OBVIOUSLY, the opposing party was well informed by their attorney. Valerie Alonzo will only reply or go above and beyond when it comes to asking for more money. Once that money is paid, you will not hear from her for weeks. When she finally gets in touch with you, she will justify her neglect with one personal reason or another. Why did I not fire her? I tried. But kept her out of ignorance. I assumed attorneys were hesitant to take a case that had already been started. My ignorance cost me a lot of money for an attorney that paid little attention to my questions, comments or concerns. Do not make the same MISTAKE. Find yourself another attorney. She is not someone trustworthy. She charges you after "final fees", she makes false claims of costs and motions and then tries to drags on your case for more money. Going through any type of legal case is not an easy thing and I am trying to save you from making the same mistake I did. It is not fair to entrust someone during such a difficult time just to have your money taken and your comments, questions or concerns ignored. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
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17 Jan, 2014 by Salomon
I chose Valerie to represent me in my Separation case which also involved the custody of my son. Valerie was not only very attentive to my "wants/wishes", she took the time to know the facts in my case and provided excellent guidance every step of the way! In the courtroom, she really took charge against then State Rep., Joaquin Castro. She painted a very elaborate picture to supprt the person that I am, which in the end, helped me (a father) be awarded primary conservatorship of my son. Thinking back on it all after 3 years, I could not be more happy with the outcome of Valerie's support! I feel extremely fortunate to have selected Valerie to represent me!
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23 Jun, 2011 by Anonymous
I was very pleased. He took care of everything, I didn't have to worry about much. Mostly, he won my case.
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28 Jan, 2010 by Anonymous
I wrote him checks-no reciepts, no client confidentionalliy contract. Never returned calls , did not send copies of briefs or filings. Neglected my case severily. Spent about 10k for services. He did not representmy case properly. Had to retain new council and may have cost me my case and several thousands of dollars on a case where the award should have been mine all the way to 5th Circuit Court of Appeals
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21 Nov, 2016 by Brian
My wife and I hired Mr. Lee to settle a property dispute with her ex husband. Mr. Lee took over $3500 from us and improperly filed a claim that was immediately thrown out of court. When we asked for another hearing he charged us more money. After giving him the money and over a year of time, Mr. Lee has been MIA. He will not return our calls. I feel that we were completely taken advantage of. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND DO NOT HIRE HIM!
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22 Jun, 2010 by Anonymous
Office is a comfortable atmosphere, polite people answering the phone.
Mr. Lee was professional and respectful to me and my family.
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04 Sep, 2024 by Larry
It's hard to imagine paying someone the fee he demands to be so unresponsive, uncaring and cavalier. A horrible decision, I'll be paying for...for years.
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09 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous
I can not believe some of the negative reviews for my attorney. I have hired him on several different occasions for several reasons and never have I had bad experience. I do know that he starts with a retainer and then they bill and you pay as you go. They work with you but at the end you must be paid in full. I think this last person whom posted a comment is just bitter. We dont know anything about these other peoples issues so we can judge this office nor the attorney for someone mad of a outcome that maybe the attorney nor staff had nothing to do with. I understand sometimes clients don't always listen to what we are told by our attorney. I am one but yet I learn the hard way. That's all it took. He has fought for me all the way and I am a single parent and both of them are very nice and kind people and have worked with me. When I first hired him I was surprised they wanted me to come in to meet with me before court because the attorney prior to hiring him in 2008 never met with me prior to my court date. I know for a fact they don't like to due phone appointment the attorney likes to meet in person. I am very happy with this attorney and his office staff.
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16 Jul, 2015 by Marie
I completely, and totally agree with every person that gave Mr. Appelt one star! I don't know where to begin... Okay I retained him back in January to help fight my ex husband for the very large amount of child arrears owed. So our case was moved to march during spring break. So I call to make sure everything was in order, and their rude secretary tells me they are on vacation!!! Waa? Like a day before our court case. So they move it again. This time in May. Court case comes around, and what do you know? A 'death in the family' so case got moved again. When he was finally able to show up, he was not prepared, he was late, had nothing prepared, barely even fought for me. And this was just the beginning of July. I ended up losing a lot of money because he did not spend any time on my case at all. He pretty much just winged it. Didn't fight for me at all. Plain and simple. His wife Gladys was very rude. Did not return call or messages, their secretary or whoever she is that answers the phones was rude as hell too! Very unprofessional. I would not recommend them. It's a big waste of money. I will get someone better and who actually cares the next time. I can say some other things, just don't feel like typing it all. Overall, he just didn't care and didn't spend any time on my case, like he had bigger and more important cases to think about, but had no problem taking my money.
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19 Sep, 2023 by Janie
He takes forever to return calls, text, and emails, office staff the same. I don’t even bother now to contact his office staff and I keep records of his lack of response so I can file a claim against him
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09 Jan, 2017 by Never again
Mr Robert Gier does not return calls or texts and the secretary is even worse.If you want to win a case and need a good aggressive lawyer,then turn away and run from this so called attorney!I lost my child because of his negligence.He turns in crucial paperwork to the courts late and makes it seem like its no big deal.trust me ,it is!!Please be warned..
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19 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous
Doesn't ever return calls. Or do anything by deadline takes weeks and weeks to get ahold of him and he acts like its no big deal. Constant excuses
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15 Mar, 2015 by Hans
Richard D Woods was hired by my parents for a drug related indiscretion. He was responsive only in the first few weeks, at the time responding within a few days.
THIS MAY BE IMPORTANT TO YOU: He did not notify me of a warrant for my arrest ahead of time, and I was escorted out of class.
As the intensity of my case decreased, his response time increase proportionally, until he had handed my case over to a more conveniently located lawyer altogether.
Richard woods, acting as a middleman for the local lawyer,accepted the original money, requested additional funds, and yet did not pay the upfront fee from the hired lawyer out of his funds.
THIS MAY BE IMPORTANT TO YOU: The local lawyer was running for office Against the judge which my case was taking place in. Rick Woods either didn't account for the bias, or was aware of it and did not feel that my case warrented proper time and effort.
The local lawyer did not push for any sort of renumeration or lessened intensity, and instead, influenced by personal ambition, made only novel attempts at allowing the record to be expunged in the future.
A year after this excapade, I recieve an itemized bill from the local lawyer, having already sent it to Rick Woods, without any contact attempt from him.
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30 Dec, 2021 by Jose
SHE PRESIDES OVER HER COURT WITH GOD LIKE COMPLEX NOT ALLOWING PLAINTIFF OR DEFEDANTS THAT AREN'T IN HER BRITISH ACCREDITTED COUNTRY CLUB THE SAME PRIVILIGES AND LIBERTIES AFFORDED BY THE CONSTITUTION AND TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHS ACT OF 1964. SHE SHOULD NEVER BE IN OFFICE. PERRIOD!!!!!!!!
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20 Jan, 2016 by Anonymous
I used Cynthia for my divorce and custody case, she was a little less expensive than the other consultation with another attorney... I got what I paid for. She didn't return my calls, emails or texts for months and when she finally did she claimed she never got my messages. I used a friends phone once and she answered right away but that didn't work after she had the number. She sat on paperwork, and then worded the decree incorrectly causing me to pay more money than I had to as well as having the attorney general put my child support payments on hold because of the verbiage being wrong on my decree so they couldn't send it to have the money taken from my ex husbands check. When I reached out to her I had to wait over a month to reach her and then she sat on the paperwork again and finally got to court several months later. She sent me a text saying the judged signed and she would send me the decree and my Q-Dro and I never received it nor was I able to reach her again. She was horrible!
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24 Oct, 2022 by Anonymous
Michael initially answered calls, in the event he didn’t he would return the call in a reasonable time frame. Not prompt but within reason. Within the first week he had already reneged on things he previously said he would do. Dates he guaranteed passed by. With no explanation or reason. He simply stopped communicating. Leaving us completely in the dark. On a matter he said was just a matter of presenting to the judge, no more than a simple interaction ll. After contacting the county clerk numerous times I was informed he never even went as he had assured he would. Now he will not answer anyones calls and has yet to return a single call. Is this guy actually committed to his clients. I don’t think so
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19 Feb, 2021 by Ann
My husband and I hired Mike Kreager after he was recommended by family. We met and explained our needs in late November, we received an engagement letter rapidly and by late December a draft of the llc and gift business. January 6 we received a fat unitemized invoice, then communication went dead... several/many calls and emails during January were unanswered. February 5 received a draft of a will that is a hot mess, and Mr. Kreager is too busy to meet or communicate until mid March. Great service.....not. We will be hiring someone else to clean up his mess. I do not recommend this firm.
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30 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
She robs people fgjkhffjjjgghkngfhmgfeegjngfhjhdgjndgjbfgjhfhjgdgjhfghkftjjggjkggjjfgjbswwduiikncsqrr we uoonbsejomvd
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22 May, 2023 by Rene
Bottom Line Upfront (BLUF): DO NOT Hire Mr. Lopez or Mrs. Acevedo. They will insist and demand a high retainer and provide inferior services. I will rate Mr. Lopez’s and Mrs. Acevedo’s competence in four professional skills and accepted legal categories. In addition to rating their professional and legal skills, I will write a final assessment based on their performance. I hired Mr. Lopez’s wife (Rochelle Acevedo) to help me modify a custody and child support court order in Bexar County. I paid Mrs. Acevedo 3500.00 upfront at 350 USD an hour. The agreement covered court fees, written modification to the order, and a court appearance. Upon completing these tasks, I will provide additional funding at $350 an hour for other services. I had one meeting with Mrs. Acevedo to review my evidence and conducted a mock cross-examination in preparation for the trial. She was not prepared for our appointment. I was disappointed at her lack of effort. After our meeting, Mr. Lopez contacted me and said, “Rochelle’s caseload is overloaded; I will handle your case.” A Bar certified lawyer; decided to change my legal counsel. She violated our contract; furthermore, without accepting a financial loss, I had no choice. At a minimum, Mrs. Acevedo would have charged me for services rendered, or Mrs. Acevedo and Mr. Lopez would have stolen my 3500 completely.
Categories are as follows:
Experience: both attorneys work in criminal, family, and civil law. Based on my family law case, their caseloads are overextended, and they need to develop expert knowledge in family law. They couldn’t coordinate a court date.
Communication: Mr. Lopez’s phone voicemail is full. You cannot leave a voice message. He will not respond to emails in a timely manner.
Professionalism: Mr. Lopez will not attend the 8:00 docket. He will schedule a meeting and will arrive late.
His office space is a run-down shack at a terrifying location.
Loyalty: Mr. Lopez is not loyal and only seeks his financial gain. After a full year of court delays, Mr. Lopez’s attempted to negotiate a modification. The modification did not favor my position. At this point, I was highly disappointed in Mr. Lopez’s poor legal representation. After his poor negotiation skills, I told him “ I could have negotiated an insufficient modification myself”. He then said,” You know your child custody could be supervised.” I immediately stop all communication with him!
Final assessment: No one is paid 350 an hour. If a lawyer is paid 350 an hour, I expect hard work, honesty, and loyal legal representation. Mr. Lopez will not look out for your best interest, and his work ethic could be better. Mr. Lopez has a poor google rating; his wife submitted a five star google review. Very sad. I do not recommend Mr. Lopez and Mrs. Acevedo’s services.
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19 Jul, 2012 by Eugene
Once Mr. Rossi found out I was a member of the Texas Legal Protection Plan he was no longer interested in representing me. He is listed on TLPP's website as a provider of legal services to their members.
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19 May, 2017 by Anonymous
We hired her to resolve an estate issue. She wrote 100s of emails, and changed us thousands of dollars. Her assistance was worthless. We waited years for her to help us. We finally hired another lawyer and they solved the problem in a few days.
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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.
