Lawyers map
>80
experienced lawyers
Filter by
07 Sep, 2024 by Caitlin thorburn
Mary was able to guide us during a difficult time. I 100% trust her and her knowledge. Very honest and communicative. Thank you, Mary!
Read more
06 Apr, 2024 by Norman gregory
Kind, patient and understanding to my family's needs.
Read more
22 Nov, 2023 by Pat
Our attorney retired and referred us to Ms. MacLellan's firm to handle our estate should something happen to my wife and/or me. We are both am very pleased with her work. She is easy to talk to, and she explains complicated issues in an easy to understand manner. I'm extremely confident that we are in good hands moving forward. Last time we met, we asked her for some advice for our son who is starting the difficult walk through a divorce. She had some very good points for him to consider, and she was even willing to meet with him to give him advice for finding a good attorney where he lives.
My wife and I feel fortunate that we have her helping us set things up so our three sons know exactly how we want things to unfold should something happen to either one of us. I highly recommend Ms. MacLellan to anybody who is trying to plan for the future with someone well versed in the laws and able to make complex issues understandable.
Read more
10 May, 2024 by Vk moudgalya
Jennifer~ I am writing this note to express my sincere thanks for your professional representation in 2016, San Jose, CA. You have stuck by me through my tenure in dealing with this very stressful case. I admire your composure, work ethic, and most of all excellent representation.
Read more
27 Nov, 2023 by Anonymous
I learned about Jennifer from my work union and she is truly amazing. Even though I been working for over 20 years with the courts, her expertise was beyong average. I received so much unanswered questions in short period of time and Jennifer helped me to see these clearly based on her level of expertise and wisdom! Service can't be better.
Read more
07 Nov, 2023 by Harold
Ms. Ereno was very dependable, professional, knowledgeable, calm, and positive throughout the visitation and child support case. I definitely recommend using her for your family law troubles. I was very happy with the outcome of my case.
Read more
19 Apr, 2024 by Aj hart
Excellent review and suggested updates required ..
Read more
02 Apr, 2024 by Jokay bednar
27 Mar, 2024 by Joanna chou
It's a pleasure working with Tatiana Hadirca. She always responds quickly and she does everything she could to help. She is a treasure for any law firm.
Read more
18 Sep, 2024 by Dustin
Wow my experience with Rozy and her team was truly GREAT!
They are professional and know how to get things done.
Her ability to NEGOTIATE is EXCELLENT, and she knows how to look after her clients future.
I would recommend this office to ANYONE!
Read more
15 Apr, 2024 by Stephen
Finding a lawyer who is truly knowledgeable, experienced, and trustworthy felt overwhelming. After several tiring free consultations with other lawyers, talking to Rozy felt like a breath of fresh air. It was immediately obvious that she truly cared and her knowledge and expertise was apparent, despite her speaking in a way that was easy to understand without all of the legal jargon.
After hiring Rozy, she and her incredible team began working on my case immediately. Throughout the entire process, Rozy and her team took the time to understand my situation, explain my options clearly, and fought tirelessly on my behalf. No question was too small and every call and email was returned promptly. This alone made a world of difference during such a stressful time.
After helping me navigate the entire ordeal with confidence and clarity, Rozy secured a settlement that FAR exceeded my expectations. Honestly, I could not be happier.
If you're looking for a lawyer who is brilliant, compassionate, and gets results, your search has come to an end. I cannot recommend Rozy and her team highly enough.
Read more
04 Mar, 2024 by Chris
Rozy and her team helped me navigate through a challenging and sensitive insurance claim with finesse and reassurance. It isn’t always an easy decision to move forward with a claim, but I felt empowered by Rozy to seek out fair compensation for the damage done to me. Rozy exhibited professionalism, tact, clear communication, and a powerful understanding of the law. I strongly recommend her.
Read more
05 Apr, 2024 by Jonah
Camelia made the task of dealing with a loved ones passing the easiest possible for myself and my family. Communication was clear and concise for all tasks as personal representative and I never had to attend court myself. She made all the calls and met all the guidelines to complete the process. Thank you for guiding us through a tough process.
Read more
21 Jan, 2023 by Kathi
When I found myself in the daunting position of having to work my way through the legal ramifications of a loved one’s death in another state with no will or trust in place, I found and chose Attorney Camelia Mahmoudi based on her many positive online reviews. They did not steer me wrong. She explained what to expect throughout the probate process ,
patiently answered my many questions and reassured me when I felt overwhelmed and out of my depth. Her quick response to emails and phone calls was nothing short of amazing.
She responded at night and even on weekends. Her dedication and attention to her clients needs cannot be stressed enough. Her compassion and work ethic make her a true standout.
Read more
17 Feb, 2022 by Kamyar
Camelia helped us with establishing a living Trust, Will, and Advanced Health Directives. She guided us through every step of the way and was able to accomplish the whole thing remotely! We recently asked her to make some modifications to the Living Trust due to changes in our life and she completed the Amendment in the same professional manner as the first time. I highy recommend her for your legal needs.
Read more
26 Dec, 2024 by Rahrie g.
A family member was in need of a attorney for a felony charge. After interviewing several criminal defense attorney's we unanimously choose Maureen Baldwin. She guided us through the process with confidence and knowledge. We most appreciated Maureen's attention to detail of the case and work she had placed on our case. In the end Maureen was able to secure a favorable outcome for your family member.
Read more
18 Nov, 2024 by Nxt “nwa” w
Wonderful experience working with Vijay. He is good hearted and treats everyone with respect. We were extremely satisfied with his legal representation and he got the most favourable results for the case.
Read more
29 Jul, 2024 by Dayue tan
He is an exceptionally professional, compassionate, and kind lawyer! Thanks to his efforts, our case was ultimately dismissed. Throughout this time, he provided us with immense support. We are very grateful for his dedication!
Read more
27 Jan, 2025 by Alfredo sandoval
26 Dec, 2024 by Kenya gamez
She’s awesome she is a lawyer that actually cares about her clients!! She listens to my worries and questions always.
Read more
21 Nov, 2024 by Angela cearns
I have been doing research on estate lawyers, Jeannette is the most action oriented one I met. Let's face it, estate planning is not fun, and it's easy to put it off. While other estate law firms give me a lot more lawyering paper work before I start working with them. I went to her seminar during which she gave attendees a nice planning guide. Jeannette made the whole process painless and fast, yet with all the details and accuracy to address a myraids of possibilities in the post-death scenerio.
Read more
15 Oct, 2024 by Rsv confidential
Nicholas was so wonderful to work with, he was incredibly patient and informative during a stressful situation. He was responsive and kept things on track the entire way. This firm really helped us and the outcome was better than I could have imagined.
Read more
06 Aug, 2024 by Fernando zamudio
The Bravo firm was a pleasure to work with. Nicholas is very patient and informative and is helpful to explain everything every step of the way. He sets a standard and definitely works hard to exceed it. I highly recommend working with the Bravo Law Firm.
Read more
06 Aug, 2024 by Scott gephart
The Bravo Law Firm far exceeded my expectations for the settlement I received on my Lemon Law settlement. Very easy to work with and quick immediate response to any questions I had with the whole process. I would highly recommend.
Read more
28 Oct, 2023 by Mimi
I had the opportunity to work with Teresa on estate planning. Teresa did an exceptional job leading me through the process and making everything understandable and straight forward. Where there were choices to be made, she made sure I understood the options and the implications of my choices. Teresa responded promptly to questions and met every deadline she set. I enjoyed working with her and have no hesitation recommending her to my friends and family.
Read more
20 Aug, 2023 by Catherine
Teresa breaks setting up a trust into discrete chunks of work which makes the process less daunting. and easier to complete without stretching out the amount of it takes to finalize your trust.
More importantly, Teresa listened to me, learned how I live my life and, my distribution goals. In turn she made custom recommendations to create a trust which is personal to my life and memory.
Teresa guides you through some difficult decisions. I always felt that she was working for my benefit rather than pushing to finish up.
Another huge part of Teresa's service is to ensure that you understand how trusts work especially the changes that you can make to tweak it in the future. The real definition of a living trust.
Teresa/Caplan Wilkinson provides simple to use tools to document your assets, your plans and final chapter care. I'm happy knowing that my trust is not fixed but will continue to age gracefully with me.
Read more
14 Aug, 2023 by Lance
I highly recommend Teresa Wilkinson for any estate planning work like creating trusts and wills. She updated our family trust and will documents that were over 20 years old. There was a lot to update in the trust structure and wording and for me the new documents are much easier to understand.
What stands about working with Teresa are her trustworthiness and thoroughness. We've known Teresa for many years and trust her implicitly. Knowing she's an expert in estate planning and elder law gave us complete confidence in choosing her as our lawyer. Teresa was extremely thorough during our interviews to cover all aspects like advanced medical directives and a number of topics I hadn't considered.
Read more
31 Jan, 2025 by Nilathecat y
Overpriced.
Read more
10 Jan, 2025 by John maverick quinto
GJEL went above and beyond to help me with my case. They were compassionate, clear, and fought hard for a great outcome. I felt supported every step of the way. Thank you, GJEL!
Read more
07 Jan, 2025 by Eric nelson
I'm opening with the statement: INCREDIBLE service, attention to detail, and follow up! I sustained injuries in a car accident where the other driver was at fault, and for the first time in my life I realized that I was going to need more than my own auto insurance company's assistance. Fortunately for me, I was referred to the team at GJEL Accident Attorneys as a starting point, and I didn't need to seek any other guidance after that. I completed a very quick and efficient phone call to explain my circumstances to the firm, and before I could blink I had received an email with clear and simple steps to take to begin the process. I was treated with kindness and compassion during a time when I had a lot of worries about the accident. They made me feel so at ease by advising that they would essentially take over all of the difficult correspondence that was already starting - whether it was my insurance company, the other driver's insurance company, hospital bill inquiries, etc, they handled it all immediately. I was informed and advised at every step down the path to settlement, and their timeliness along the way was so impressive that it made me feel that somehow I was their only client. I wholeheartedly recommend GJEL Accident Attorneys should the need arise, as the entire team had incredible industry knowledge, and they were punctual and professional at every step.
Read more
26 Feb, 2025 by Yujin choi
26 Nov, 2024 by The goul
Mr. Cameron and his team were very easy to work with and always responded within a reasonable amount of time. All questions were answered in detail, was guided through the process for my case, and was taken care of in a timely manner. Highly recommend Mr. Cameron Bowman. He is a natural born fighter.
Read more
16 Oct, 2024 by Andrea fullmer
04 Jun, 2011 by Dr. stephanie
I am very impressed with the level of knowledge, detail and personal service I received from Marina Vinsky. She made the process painless and asked all of the questions that I did not even think of. She made great recommendations and really explained all of the options until I was comfortable and understood the result of my choices.
She also let me know when to contact her in the future and what else I needed to do so the trust would be complete.
I appreciate her knowledge of everything required in this area. She loves it and it shows.
Read more
23 May, 2011 by Elaine
My partner and I found Marina through our employer's EAP program. Marina worked with us to produce a Living Trust, and she made the experience a very easy and enjoyable one. Most importantly, she was very sensitive to our needs and ended up serving as a true coach for me. She guided me through some of the difficult decisions that had to be made and did so with a high degree of empathy and professionalism. What began as the fulfillment of a goal to secure my financial matters has morphed into a solid and ongoing relationship. I now proudly say 'my attorney.' I have had others in the past, but Marina is now my 'go to' person. We will be working on a pre-adoption process next, and I have every confidence that Marina will provide the same level of excellent service.
Read more
18 May, 2011 by Michelle
Whilst finalizing a divorce, I was referred to Marina Vinsky with regard to creating a Revocable Trust, Advance Health Care Directive, Power of Attorney and a Will. Marina is extremely knowledgeable in all of these areas and I would highly recommend her professional services to anyone in need of the above.
Read more
29 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
I have worked with Derryl Molina with numerous clients. All of them are very happy with her knowledge, patience, compassion and responsiveness. I have always found her to really care for her clients and will go the extra mile to make sure they are taken care of.
Read more
24 Oct, 2013 by Diane
Derryl is one of the most efficient and trustworthy lawyers out there. She asks great questions, is organized, is well-versed in her field, priced very reasonably, is thorough, is friendly and compassionate. If there is anything that Derryl was not sure of, she always researched it thoroughly instead of doing what other lawyers tended to do; "make up" the answer. I have worked with many lawyers over the years for various reasons and I have to say, honestly, she is one of the best! She handled my prenuptial agreement, my living trust, my health care directive, my power of attorney, my will etc. and I highly recommend her to people who need these type of services. I have had nothing but positive experiences with Derryl and I am grateful for her services and expertise.
Read more
24 Oct, 2013 by Anonymous
Derryl Molina did a terrific job preparing a living trust for our family. She explained complicated concepts and answered our questions thoroughly in terms we could understand. Derryl is extremely knowledgeable and truly cares about her clients. She is very dedicated to doing the best for her clients and is willing to go the extra mile for them. Our Family highly recommends Derrly Molina to anyone seeking help with wills and trusts.
Read more
19 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous
I had the pleasure of consulting with Mr. Park about an existing trust that I thought needed updating. Mr. Park was honest and kindly explained I did not need his services at this time and further explained what I could do to update our trust for now. I appreciated the fact he did not needlessly sell his services, and while I did not hire him, I will be retaining him when the time comes.
Read more
16 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous
I hired David for my estate planning. He was thoughtful, responsive and easy to work with. He was also flexible about where and when we could meet, and this was really helpful given I work long hours. If you have any questions or you're looking for an estate plan, I wouldn't hesitate to give David a call.
Read more
12 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous
I had the pleasure of retaining Mr. Park to prepare my estate plan. He was responsive, professional and provided an excellent service from start to finish. I highly recommend him for anyone considering an estate plan.
Read more
24 Jun, 2022 by Violet
Victoria was very thorough going through my trust and explaining it, out loud, what’s in the trust and I heard something I wasn’t aware of and didn’t want. She made the adjustments to my satisfaction and I am very please. She also put my binder back in order. Thank you Victoria!
Read more
24 Jun, 2020 by Doris
Victoria took us through the settlement of my parents trusts very efficiently and made the entire process, which could have been stressful, smooth and easy to understand. She also very efficiently reviewed our trust and made sure we were up to date. I highly recommend her.
Read more
23 Jun, 2020 by Cathryn
I needed a new attorney to handle my estate planning. Although not ultra complex, I needed someone who could handle multiple trusts, carry out specific objectives, udate provisions, and correct some issues created by a former attorney.
I was referred to Victoria Horvatich and Copenbarger and Cooenbarger. After an initial consultation I felt confident that she would be able to handle our families estate planning needs.
Working with her was very easy. She was both responsive and attentive to detail. Setting up appointments and completing documents was easy. She took time to explain everything and helped develop a plan for the tasks I needed to do. Unfortunately, before we were able to complete all of the tasks, the COVID-19 shelter in place went into affect. Government offices were closed yet Victoria continued to work on my case.
Estate planning is never fun, but Victoria was able to make the process manageable and helped me complete a process that I had too long postponed.
I would highly recommend retaining Victoria Horvatich and will be using her in the future.
Read more
30 Mar, 2016 by Anonymous
John Daley assisted me twice. Once with my mother's estate after the estate attorney who wrote her trust said she no longer took on new clients. Mr. Daley resolved the issues with one visit. I later used him to write a trust for my wife and I. It was very thorough and we were very satisfied.
Read more
24 Mar, 2016 by Bernie
He worked with me to make a trust for me as my previous trust was made in Idaho and did not work here in CA. He gave me as must time as I needed and make sure I understood all of the legalese terms and that my trust was exactly what I wanted.
I highly recommend Mr.John Daly.
Read more
01 Dec, 2015 by Anonymous
John took care of both my and my wife's living trusts. He was very thorough and took the time to explain everything to us as we went through the process. John is very knowledgable and it was great to have him to guide us through
Read more
01 Nov, 2021 by Vlade
I've been a client of Ms. Perreault in two cases--probate and civil. With her expertise and passion to fight for justice I’ve accomplished more in a shorter period of time than with my previous two lawyers. Hopefully, I won’t need legal services anymore but if I do I feel safe to have Ms. Perreault on my side!
Read more
01 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Ms. Perreault is highly knowledgeable and informative in the areas of Conservatorships, Estates and Trusts. She helped me to understand all the legal matters concerning my elderly parents, their assets and transfers to different trusts. Extremely helpful.
Read more
22 Apr, 2021 by Kam haghi
He is the best attorney I had. He will do the job right
And he will get you more than you expect.
It is a mistake not to hire him.
He is the best in Bay Area and I recommend him
To every one.
Read more
29 Sep, 2011 by Josephine
I contacted Mr. Scire because I needed a will, health care directive and power of attorney done. My job transferred me to Ireland, therefore I wanted to ensure that my affairs were in order. Domenico went out of his way to come to my home and explain every document in great detail.
He was timely, courteous and knowledgeable. His rates are extremely competitive also, which is something that appealed to me. I have since recommended his services to my friends and family.
Read more
20 Dec, 2023 by Gregorio
Few days ago my wife and I went to Timothy D henry office to ask for his help in preparing our living trust,from the first moment he inspired us great confidence ,we were able to see that he is a great human being,and an excellent attorney we are very pleased with his services,thank you so much Timothy ,
Read more
06 Oct, 2015 by Mike
Tim has been great I had a horrible situation with a family probate case. He has been competent professional and personal I would highly recommend him.
Read more
04 Aug, 2017 by Dianna ho
Mr. Ngo responses promptly on my call which I deeply appreciate on his sense of urgency especially on our urgent needs. Mr. Ngo is professional, sincere, understanding and authentic individual. Highly recommended to everyone!
Read more
08 Mar, 2019 by Anonymous
I and others I have referred have used Jennifer Scharre as a trust attorney. She is excellent! She is responsive, professional, goal-oriented, pragmatic, insightful, and made us feel at ease through the whole process. I know of others who have used her services and they feel the same! Thank you Jennifer!
Read more
23 Jun, 2015 by Denise
Working with David Bunger Law completely met my expectations. David was easy to communicate with, consistently kept me informed and up to date on progress, and was successful and competent in handling our legal needs. I felt confident throughout the entire process that I was in good hands as he was always responsive and on top of the necessary steps to be taken. I would recommend David without any reservations.
Read more
16 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
Ed helped me with several legal matters. He is an experienced trial attorney and financial adviser with an estate practice.
Read more
07 Feb, 2025 by Jim park
Gianni did a fabulous job with my car accident case. He is very professional and knows the car accident litigation process. He's very knowledgeable in all aspects of the insurance and legal process. Through him I gained back my confidence and feel very good with the settlement offer I received. Overall Habbas & Associates will take good care of you and help you recover your losses and will fight for your behalf on what is owed to you. I highly recommend Gianni and Habbas & Associates to handle your injury car accident case.
Read more
04 Feb, 2025 by Scott schroeder
They provided fast and accurate advice and always returned my calls promptly. Adrian Santana was very helpful with the process. He and the rest of the staff were very helpful.
Read more
31 Jan, 2025 by Ian gardere
25 Dec, 2024 by Joy garcia
We are so blessed & grateful to have you as my son’s Attorney. Thank you for your outstanding expertise and support during my son’s court case.
Thank you so much for your help.
May God Bless you and your family!
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Martin mccastle
Allie was incredibly helpful—she provided the guidance I needed to move forward with confidence and clarity.
Read more
25 Nov, 2024 by Samantha grundmann
10 Oct, 2024 by V.e.
It was a pleasure to work with Attorney Mousavi. She is the best and very knowledgable, honest, knows the details very well. She is kind and extremely supportive and the most important, She is always available to talk to you on the phone or in person as needed. She gets your job done in timely manner and tells you what to expect which was exactly true. She is also very patient with her clients. Her office fees are very reasonable, she is there to help you. I highly recommend her for your immigration matters. I cannot thank her enough.
Read more
04 Oct, 2024 by Sara mozafari
Sahar is one the exceptionally professional lawyers that i have seen, she is patient, knowledgeable, with the great sense of understanding, assessing your case carefully and giving you the best option possible, i highly recommend her to anyone who wants a reliable lawyer
Read more
14 Sep, 2024 by Yosra may
I highly recommend Sahar Mousavi for anyone in need of immigration services. She has been an incredible support throughout my entire process, always attentive, knowledgeable, and professional.
Her expertise and dedication made a stressful situation much easier to navigate, and I always felt confident knowing she was handling my case.
Sahar Mousavi was responsive to my questions and kept me updated every step of the way. Thanks to her hard work and guidance, I achieved the outcome I was hoping for.
If you’re looking for an immigration attorney who truly cares about her clients and delivers outstanding service, look no further than Mousavi Sahar .
Read more
24 Sep, 2018 by Tanya
She was excellent as my attorney for my chapter 7. She has a wonderful staff and she made a difficult situation easy. I highly recommend her!
Read more
14 Jan, 2018 by Edith
I consulted with and then hired Mrs. Victoria Li for my Estate Planning. From the very first contact to schedule an appointment to the last stages of the Estate Planning process, Mrs. Li and her team were highly organized, very knowledgeable, informative, time-efficient, cost-effective, and immediately responded to any questions that arose. I greatly and especially recommend her services because Mrs. Li walks you professionally and very patiently through all the stages of the process.
Read more
26 Aug, 2013 by Joy
Ms Lin setup our family trust in 2007. She helped us review the trust and gave valuable suggestions regarding our business asset and family asset.
Read more
21 Aug, 2024 by Inderjit khera
We were referred to Rob by Joel Bonjour regarding a life threatening injury.
Rob did an excellent job in getting us the best possible settlement. We loved our experience working with Rob.
Read more
20 Jun, 2024 by Ekkehard
From the first consultation to the final settlement the team at Golden State Lawyers was supportive and professional. They made a challenging time in my life much easier to handle..
Read more
11 Jun, 2024 by Peter sparke
Golden State Lawyers went above and beyond to ensure my case was handled efficiently. Their attention to detail and dedication was evident from start to finish...
Read more
25 Dec, 2024 by Joy garcia
We are so blessed & grateful to have you as my son’s Attorney. Thank you for your outstanding expertise and support during my son’s court case.
Thank you so much for your help.
May God Bless you and your family!
Read more
06 Dec, 2024 by Martin mccastle
Allie was incredibly helpful—she provided the guidance I needed to move forward with confidence and clarity.
Read more
25 Nov, 2024 by Samantha grundmann
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Probate Lawyer Can Do for You
A probate lawyer assists with the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate. This often involves guiding executors (if a will exists) or beneficiaries (if no will exists) through the probate process to settle the estate according to the deceased’s wishes or applicable laws. Probate lawyers can help validate the will, distribute assets, resolve disputes among heirs, handle outstanding debts or taxes, and ensure the estate is legally and efficiently administered.
Whether you’re an executor of an estate or an heir facing probate proceedings, a probate lawyer can help you navigate the often-complex legal process to ensure the estate is settled correctly.
When Should I Hire a Probate Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a probate lawyer when you are responsible for managing the estate of a deceased individual, especially in the following situations:
- The estate has substantial assets: If the estate includes significant assets like real estate, investments, or business interests, legal assistance is often necessary to handle the distribution properly.
- The will is being contested: If there are disputes among heirs regarding the validity of the will or the division of assets, a probate lawyer can help resolve the conflict.
- The estate includes complex or unclear provisions: If the will contains complicated instructions or there are no clear beneficiaries, a lawyer can ensure that the estate is administered according to legal requirements.
- There is no will (intestate estate): When a person dies without a will, the estate is subject to intestacy laws, which determine how assets are distributed. A probate lawyer can help navigate this process.
- Debt or tax issues exist: If the estate owes significant debts or is subject to estate taxes, a probate lawyer can help ensure debts are paid appropriately and taxes are minimized.
- Probate disputes: If family members or other parties are disputing the distribution of assets or challenging the executor's actions, legal representation is crucial to defending your rights and ensuring the estate is handled properly.
Hiring a probate lawyer early in the process can help avoid costly mistakes and ensure the estate is settled efficiently.
What Does a Probate Lawyer Do?
A probate lawyer provides a wide range of legal services to help manage and settle an estate. Their tasks can include:
- Validating the will: Filing the will with the probate court and ensuring its legal validity.
- Guiding executors or administrators: Advising the person responsible for managing the estate on their duties, including inventorying assets, notifying creditors, and paying debts.
- Filing necessary paperwork: Preparing and submitting the legal documents required to initiate and complete the probate process.
- Resolving disputes: Mediating or litigating disputes among heirs or between beneficiaries and executors, including challenges to the will or disagreements over asset distribution.
- Handling debt and tax matters: Ensuring that outstanding debts, taxes, and estate taxes are properly calculated and paid from the estate’s assets.
- Distributing assets: Ensuring that assets are distributed to the beneficiaries according to the will or intestacy laws, and that all legal requirements are fulfilled.
- Closing the estate: Completing the final steps of the probate process, including filing a final accounting with the court and formally closing the estate.
How Are Probate Lawyers Paid?
Probate lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the estate and the nature of the legal work involved. Common payment structures include:
- Hourly rate: Most probate lawyers charge by the hour, with rates depending on the lawyer’s experience and the complexity of the estate. Hourly rates can range from $150 to $500 or more.
- Flat fee: For simple estates or straightforward probate tasks, some lawyers may charge a flat fee that covers all of the necessary legal work.
- Percentage of the estate: In some states, probate lawyers are allowed to charge a percentage of the estate's value as their fee. This percentage typically ranges from 2% to 5%, depending on the size of the estate and state regulations.
- Retainer fee: Some lawyers may require an upfront retainer fee, which is billed against as the probate process progresses.
It’s important to clarify the fee structure during your initial consultation to understand how you will be charged and avoid unexpected costs.
How Much Does a Probate Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a probate lawyer depends on several factors, including the complexity of the estate, the type of legal issues involved, and the lawyer’s fee structure. General cost estimates include:
- Simple estates: For estates with straightforward assets and no disputes, probate legal fees can range from $2,500 to $10,000, depending on the lawyer's fees and the state's probate laws.
- Complex estates: For larger or more complicated estates with multiple properties, business interests, or disputes, probate costs can exceed $10,000 and may reach $20,000 or more.
- Hourly rates: If charged by the hour, expect rates between $150 and $500, depending on the lawyer’s expertise and geographic location.
- Percentage fees: In some cases, a probate lawyer may charge 2% to 5% of the estate’s value, particularly for larger estates or those involving complex legal matters.
Always ask for a clear estimate of fees during your initial consultation to understand the total cost of probate representation.
Top Questions to Ask a Probate Lawyer
Before hiring a probate lawyer, it’s essential to ask the right questions to ensure you’re hiring someone qualified to handle your estate needs. Key questions include:
-
What experience do you have with probate cases like mine?
Ensure the lawyer has experience with estates of similar complexity, especially if disputes or high-value assets are involved. -
How do you charge for your services?
Ask whether the lawyer charges an hourly rate, a flat fee, or a percentage of the estate, and request a cost estimate. -
What is the likely timeline for my probate case?
While it’s hard to predict exactly, an experienced lawyer can give you a general idea of how long the probate process may take based on the specifics of your estate. -
What steps will you take to manage and distribute the estate?
Ask about the lawyer’s approach to handling debts, taxes, and asset distribution. -
Will you be handling my case personally?
In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may handle some aspects of your case, so it’s important to know who will be working on your probate case. -
What are potential challenges we may face?
A good lawyer will be able to anticipate possible issues, such as will contests or creditor claims, and explain how they would handle them.
How to Check the Credibility of a Probate Lawyer
To ensure you’re hiring a reputable probate lawyer, follow these steps to check their credentials and experience:
- Verify their state bar status: Check with your state’s bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no history of disciplinary action.
- Look for probate experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in probate law and have experience handling estates of similar complexity.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for online reviews on platforms like Avvo or Martindale-Hubbell to see what past clients have said about the lawyer’s probate experience.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from past clients who can vouch for their professionalism and expertise in handling probate matters.
- Look for membership in professional organizations: Membership in organizations like the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA) or the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) can indicate a lawyer's commitment to estate and probate law.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most out of your first consultation with a probate lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- A copy of the will or trust (if applicable): Bring any estate planning documents left by the deceased, including wills, trusts, or powers of attorney.
- List of assets and debts: Prepare a detailed list of the deceased’s assets (e.g., real estate, bank accounts, investments) and outstanding debts (e.g., loans, mortgages, credit cards).
- Death certificate: Bring a certified copy of the deceased person’s death certificate.
- Contact information for heirs and beneficiaries: Have a list of all individuals or entities named in the will or who are entitled to inherit under intestacy laws.
- Questions about the probate process: Write down any questions you have about the process, costs, and potential issues you might face.
- Relevant financial records: If available, bring any relevant financial documents, such as bank statements, property deeds, and tax returns.
By coming prepared, you can ensure a productive consultation and allow the lawyer to provide the best advice for your situation.
