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08 Aug, 2024 by Joshua
Norma and her team did a fantastic job of helping me navigate through my bankruptcy. Her expertise and professionalism were both top notch. If you're looking for a great, honesty bk attorney in So Cal, look no further than Nora and her team!
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21 Dec, 2023 by Elizabeth
I highly recommend The Attorney Norma Duenas and her team. They were very helpful and patient with me, as I was not only going through financial difficulties but also emotional and health. They helped me get through this process very smoothly, and professionally.
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06 Oct, 2023 by Raymond
Title: Exceptional Legal Service with a Personal Touch
Review:
I am incredibly grateful to have found Southern California Law Advocates for my bankruptcy case. Their professionalism, coupled with an unwavering dedication to their clients, is truly commendable.
From the moment I contacted their office, I encountered kindness and a genuine willingness to help. The complexity of bankruptcy laws can be overwhelming, but Norma, the lead attorney, and Julie, her talented and patient paralegal were adept at simplifying these intricacies. They provided me with clear, concise explanations, ensuring I understood every aspect of my case.
The entire process was handled meticulously, and I was kept informed at every step. The communication was flawless - they were always prompt in responding to my queries and provided timely updates on my case. Their proactive approach left no room for confusion or anxiety.
What sets Southern California Law Advocates apart is their personal touch. They not only represented me legally but also supported me emotionally throughout this challenging phase. They acknowledged my concerns, validated my feelings, and reassured me, making me feel seen and heard.
The outcome of my bankruptcy case has been overwhelmingly positive, thanks to their exceptional legal insight and expertise. The relief I feel now is indescribable. My financial burdens have been alleviated, allowing me to start afresh, all thanks to the tireless efforts of Norma and Julie.
In conclusion, I cannot recommend Southern California Law Advocates enough. Their comprehensive knowledge of bankruptcy laws, combined with their empathetic approach, makes them the ideal choice for anyone navigating the murky waters of bankruptcy. Their services are worth every penny, and I am confident that anyone who chooses them for their legal needs will be as satisfied as I am.
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24 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous
We hired Sharon to obtain a guardianship over our grandchildren. Sharon explained the process to us in a straightforward manner, prepared all documents promptly and we were able to obtain our guardianship. She answered our numerous questions promptly and thoroughly. We would definitely recommend her to others. Her kindness and compassion for her clients in unheard of in the legal field.
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04 May, 2016 by Anonymous
Sharon filed a Heggstad Petition to obtain order transferring Grandparents house back into name of trust. Their home was removed from trust to process reverse mortgage and lender/bank was supposed to record deed back into trust but failed to do so. Sharon obtained order and our family was able to purchase family home instead of it going into foreclosure and sold at auction. She was very kind, attentive, and walked us through the entire process. Our family learned a lot through this process and we are so thankful Sharon was there to help us.
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15 Dec, 2015 by Joanie
Sharon assisted my sister when her son passed unexpectedly at only 50 years old. It was tragic and very emotional for us and Sharon was very empathetic with our situation and sincerely cared... that meant the world to us.
On the legal side, she walked us through the options and made the process as simple and seamless as it could have possibly been.
Would I recommend her services again? Without question and in fact I am going to be seeing her for my personal estate planning. Sharon is simply amazing.
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18 Jun, 2019 by Jessica
I hired Shaan to help me with my grandmothers trust. He is very trustworthy and made it very easy for me. He is very knowledgeable and did his diligence. He was always there to answer all of my questions and concerns. I knew I was in good hands. I am very thankful for all he did for me.
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23 Feb, 2019 by Irma rosas
I hired Mr. Ansari help me write my Living Trust. Mr. Ansari explained the procedure and answered all of my question. He is very helpful, efficient, and professional. He is EXCELLENT!! I highly recommend him.
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09 Feb, 2019 by Tara
I hired Mr. Anasari to help me administrate/probate a complicated estate. There were many usual aspects to my case that invlolved tremendous case study and accuracy. He had to deal with and prepare for very difficult circumstances and individuals. At all times I felt confident in and heard by Mr. Anasari. He is an attorney that takes his time getting to know the client as well as the circumstance and reality. I highly recommend him to anyone planning an estate/living trust and anyone who’s family memeber did not. He is a good resource to have in your corner. I’m thankful for the work/time he provided and grateful to have hired him for such a delicate matter.
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20 May, 2022 by Randi
Coming from a family of attorneys who died with elder abuse and fraud connected to their deaths and estates, I have been beside myself dealing with corrupt and incompetent lawyers in the last several years. Out of the hundreds that I have connected with, I can usually tell in a matter of minutes what they are about, especially since I have a degree in psychology which helps me read people a little bit better. Joel has given me endless hours of free help and is the most compassionate, competent, caring attorney I have found since dealing with the probate nightmare you hear about too often with lawyers contributing to the abuse of seniors out of greed. Joel is the exact opposite and has so much compassion that even though he's on overload usually with trials and pending litigation, he picks up his phone and takes the time to listen and help. If he were like most lawyers out there he could have charged me thousands of dollars for his time yet did not. We need more attorneys like him out there to make up for the rest. If his time is open and he can help you, I cannot express enough how I would jump on having him represent you.
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06 Jun, 2021 by Frank
I was very lucky to find Mr Pipes. He helped me to successfully resolve a trust issue with my sister. I would highly recommend him. I spoke to virtually all the probate/trust attorneys in Orange County, and he was easily the best.
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12 May, 2016 by Lisa tagliaferri
Joel Pipes is an awesome attorney. He is very knowledgeable and experienced, and he always responds to calls and emails in a timely fashion. He is a very patient, caring and compassionate person with the highest integrity, even with our difficult probate. I would highly recommend him to anyone in a need of a probate litigation lawyer. He went way above and beyond to help our family, by making weekend visits to the house, and talking my sister through the whole probate process.
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10 May, 2023 by David
James is a genuine person who has worked hard to become a trustworthy professional in the legal field. Our personal interactions have been satisfactory, informative, and pleasant. A person of faith who lives it! Thanks James.
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11 Jul, 2022 by Rich
My wife and I absolutley love the care and committment your firm has given us while we have gone through the process of administering my mother's trust and will. We have been associated with the firm for many years and have always had not only positive interactions when needed, but have felt that we are cared for as people, not just clients! Thank you, James, and your amazing assistants for giving us the care needed during this time!
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26 Oct, 2021 by Sergio p.
I have had the pleasure of having James as my attorney for the past 20 years.
James is a brilliant Attorney, I am grateful for his passion,dedication,professionalism and the personal relationship that we have stablished.
It is always a pleasure in meeting with him, he is always willing to listen, and have the compassion to take the time to answer all of my questions, he always offers me different ideas and suggestions to look at my questions no matter how trivial or important they might be.
I sincerely value his expertise and opinion, he is a person of high integrity and concern for his clients.
I highly recommend James, you will not be disappointed.
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29 Jun, 2017 by Andrew
I can spare you some search time. Pick up the phone and call Jeff(rey) in the next five minutes and you'll better understand my feedback below for yourself;
We utilized Jeff for services regarding a very important family matter where trust, integrity, and sage counsel were our top priorities, and Jeff did not disappoint. He made sure to work with our schedule, made sure to follow up with us when we lost track of things, and he was always available to help reassure us in any doubts or concerns as they arose. He is patient, a true professional, and his working knowledge of the law makes us call him Jeffpedia! A natural curious mind coupled with an authentic demeanor made us look no further. We will continue to look to Jeff for future counsel and recommend him to all our friends and family.
My wife and I strongly recommend Jeff for any applicable legal counsel.
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27 Apr, 2017 by James
Jeff delivered excellent work while setting up corporate and trust documents for my family and I. He is extremely detailed, very professional and a joy to work with!
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27 Apr, 2017 by Kate
Jeff has done a great job helping with our family business needs. He's assisted with our family trusts and also thoroughly explained a buy/sell agreement. He is cordial and casual in a way that makes you feel comfortable and was easy for our family to relate to.
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17 Jul, 2016 by Will lipscombe
Mr. Anderson is VERY professional and polite and he definitely knows the law. I could not recommend a better attorney to have on your side and from my experience you are in VERY good hands with Mr. Anderson.
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27 Jan, 2011 by Anonymous
A few weeks ago, we posted that Fred Anderson had quit our friends suit and was quite upset. Later we had found out that Fred Anderson had not quit and was proceeding with trial. My wife and I were there through the first two days of trial. Watching Mr. Anderson through the glass door, you could tell his passion for the truth and his total dedication to our friends situation, and at times could hear Mr. Anderson through the glass getting his point across to the courtroom and to the presiding judge. During this process, getting ready for trial, having to be here or there, Mr. Anderson always kept our friend informed and gave the facts of the case to him, without sugar coating it. His strength, courage and knowledge of this type of the law was beyond, what we would ever think was out there and saw a master of his craft working hard to prove that his client was wronged. To sit with Mr. Anderson you can tell his mind is working constantly, doing every sceneraio that he could imagine, thinking of what ever law he needed to be brought in on this case and kept looking at the trial steps ahead of time. While questioning myself and my wife, Mr. Anderson helped us with the questions, engaging us to relax and think about our answers and answer them clearly as we could recall. Mr. Anderson never made us feel inadequate while questioning us and thanked us several times for standing by our friends side. So to you Mr. Anderson, we sincerely apologize for "jumping the gun" our our last posting. We had been misinformed and just took that information as the truth. You are a man of a fine art and you have the wisdom beyond all others when it comes to the law and helping your client with delicate issues, was well done. Even though that day the court didn't decide in your favor, you still won this case in our minds. We have told several of our trucker friends that if they ever have an issue that requires an attorney, we have recommended you to them. You have a sincere passion for the truth and sought the truth to be told on that day, You didn't promise anything to our friend, except that you'd be there, do your best in representing him and to get the truth to be told once and for all. You are a true and honest man, which is extremely hard to find in these days. We again sincerely apologize to you, for assuming what we had been told was the truth. You taught two older people, not to jump until learning the facts.
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26 Jan, 2011 by Anonymous
It's sad that they don't give 10s in this case, as watching Fred Anderson go from aggressive, to passive, to aggressive on this case, made me scratch my head at times. Watching him was a true art form while fighting for his client and keeping the composure through-out this trial was a rare site. Fred Anderson looked, acted, and dealt with the matters that were handed him in the ut-most professional design. We were a little worried as there were times he seemed out in a zone, but it was that he was searching for the law, the words, the fight, to win this case. He came across as posed and as professional as anyone we had ever witnessed before. He knew what he was up agaist yet, he bowled right through it as he had a job to do. He won this case in our minds, but the jury didn't see it that way, that day. I would reccommend Fred Anderson to anyone I know that has a legal problem. If he doesn't know what he could do to help, he'll help you find some one that will. I certainly am very happy and willing to eat my words on this case. Fred Anderson won this day.
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29 Apr, 2017 by Karen
Mr Bosse and his staff are OUTSTANDING ! I never had a doubt that he was the attorney for me. Mr Bosse listened intently to my stressful case. Through careful preparation, attention to detail and Mr Bosse's skill of managing the entire process he won the case for me. Mr Bosse is very adept at handling opposing attorneys with ease. Mr Bosse, thank you for your compassion, attention to detail and taking the time to address all my over zealous concerns. You are a credit to the legal profession.
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09 Sep, 2009 by Robin
I have known Danny professionally and personally for 10+ years. Danny is a brilliant, creative, patient and understanding lawyer. He takes the time to make certain my clients understand, are comfortable and are confident with the decisions being made. Besides his excellent professional qualifications, Danny has an uncanny ability to recall baseball statistics that will leave you wondering! Working with Danny is always a pleasurable, learning experience. I highly recommend him.
Robin K. Hall, CPA
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14 Sep, 2009 by Kenneth
I had a very complex IRS Tax problem of my own creation. Sylvia went line by line through the issues. She presented evidence to support my actions to a youthful and overly zealous IRS Auditor. The settlement that she negotiated was fair. Sylvia also presented sufficient information to the IRS Auditor's Supervisor to get the quite sizeable 20% Tax Penalty waived.
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09 Oct, 2024 by Hamilton wall
The Law Offices of Bryan Kazarian have been a huge help to me during this odd time of my life. They are all incredibly communicative and they do an amazing job to help people out regardless of their situation. I would highly recommend them to anyone in need of help. Thank you again!
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24 Sep, 2024 by Alison heermance
Mr. Kazarian is an amazing attorney! I had an outstanding felony warrant from 1998. I wasn't able to appear in court because I live in a different state now. Not only did Mr. Kazarian appear in court on my behalf, he got my warrant recalled, he got the felony charge dropped to a misdemeanor, but most important, he was able to have my case completely dismissed! If you, or someone you know is needing to hire a criminal attorney, Mr. Kazarian, without a doubt, is the best choice to make! ☆☆☆☆☆
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20 Sep, 2024 by Scott kibler
Great work and clear explanations of the process.
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19 Jul, 2024 by Maj jacob thomas shillig, esq.
As an immigration lawyer I do not handle criminal cases, so when one of my clients got arrested in Orange County, California I needed to help my client to find the very best criminal defense attorney.
I reached out to the people I trust in the area and they recommended Attorney Thomas. Scott Thomas is a force to be reckoned with, shortly after my client hired him, the case was dismissed!!
In other words, the best possible results! I strongly recommend this lawyer to my fellow attorneys as well as anyone in Southern California looking for a lawyer that gets results.
I have been practicing law for about 10 years so it is difficult to impress me but the Law Office of Scott C. Thomas gets a 10/10 and I will definitely be recommending them to all my California clients!!
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31 Mar, 2024 by Taylor gomes
Scott is the perfect blend of having your buddy help you through a tough time and a cutthroat attorney who gets results. Scott not only delivered a dismissal from a previous DUI case, he outdid himself once again and battled with the DA for nearly 18 months to get a pretty obvious DUI reduced to a wet and reckless. This man has saved my career twice, and I won't take the wake-up call for granted. Thank you, Scott!
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30 Dec, 2023 by 420 life
Scott is an excellent attorney. I’m very thankful I found him and hired him.
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31 Oct, 2024 by Alberto camacho
Douglas is a very professional attorney representing my son, I’ll recommend to anyone who needs a good lawyer! Thank you Douglas.
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31 May, 2024 by Alvaro vidaurre
All my documents was done with care, It is a firm we can trust thanks so much for all the the help Chris Langley .
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18 May, 2024 by Fahad abuhussein
29 Oct, 2024 by Saul mendoza
El mejor abogado que puede haber encontrado me ayudo con mi caso de DUI logro desestimar mi caso aparte de que es muy amable honesto y no te deja solo en ningún momento lo recomiendo 100%
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14 Oct, 2024 by Carl mcmanus
Mr. Gutierrez has been extremely helpful in handling my case through final verdict and afterwards.
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12 Oct, 2024 by Roberto álvarez
Yo en lo personal les re omiendo este servicio ya que es muy bueno y eficiente no cobra caro ademas es muy rapido en solucionar tus problemas yo le doy un 10 de 10
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20 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
Annemarie has been my attorney for more than a year now and she has been great to me and my case. I have been in a nasty custody battle since my child was a year old. During this time Annemarie has been very sensitive and understanding towards me and the matters in my case, relieving my stress levels and bringing me comfort during this difficult and confusing time. She is a very strong and aggressive attorney, Annemarie will push to get you what you want but keep you grounded and let you know what is fair and what is realistically attainable. There were times that i did not like her decisions (from a mother's point of view) but glad i trusted her decisions based on her knowledge and experience. I am very happy with her as my attorney and the progress of my case. I will continue to go through battles in my case but very happy to know i will have Annemarie on my side.
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22 Oct, 2013 by Rosy
Anne Marie helped me with a case a few years back. Thanks to her, I got all my money back (from a scam). Anne Marie is very professional, trustworthy, caring, and overall a genuine and nice person. I would highly recommend her service to anyone.
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18 Oct, 2013 by Carol
Anne Marie is a very competent and enthusiastic attorney. She is assertive, without being condescendingly agressive. She works quickly to the point, resolving the issue at hand, whether it be a custody issue, financial issue or safety issue. Additionally, Anne Marie is a great negotiator; she makes sure her clients are treated fairly and are well protected. I highly recommend Anne Marie Healy.
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05 Nov, 2024 by Monica bayarri
This will be the second time I hire the Fontes Law Group in Santa Ana. I live in Miami, work in Spain, and I’m from Houston and researched intensely on many immigration law firms and hands down they are the best. I’m incredibly grateful for the attention to detail and diligence. I’m also grateful to Veronica Levya for her patience and professionalism. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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29 Oct, 2024 by Manuel orozco
I closed my case with the Law Offices of Dennis Dascanio and I highly recommend him Mariella was very helpful and was able to answer all my questions the communication for them is number one and you can talk to the attorney whenever you request an appointment no hassle at all
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12 Oct, 2024 by Luis hernandez solis
Quiero recomendar a la abogada Navarro y la firma Fontes. Yo llegue a ella gracias a recomendación de mi sobrina a quien le ayudo a ganar un caso de custodia.
Yo estaba atravesando un proceso complicado de divorcio en el cuál había muchas implicaciones/agresiones por parte de mi ex esposa el cual se estaba alargando más de lo deseado. Yo comencé el proceso con un paralegal por "barato" sin saber que lo barato me saldría más caro.
En cuanto llegue con la abogada Navarro se notó su experiencia, profesionalidad y educación. Ella y su equipo me guiaron paso a paso durante el proceso, me mantuvieron informado de cada avance en el caso y contestaban mis dudas. Cabe destacar que la srita Gali fue quien estuvo en contacto conmigo y me escucho y resolvia todas mis dudas y me guio, cuándo la abogada no podía hacerlo directamente y siempre lo hizo de una manera profesional y amistosa.
El día de la audiencia me sentí ampliamente representado por la abogada y gracias a ella, su experiencia y su guía legal pudimos llegar a un acuerdo en mediación y finalizar el divorcio.
Estoy sumamente agradecido con la abogada y su equipo. 100% recomiendo a la Abogada Navarro y su gran equipo para quien este pasando por un caso legal difícil.
Quiero recalcar que si estas en un proceso de divorcio no acudas a lugares baratos, solo te hacen perder tiempo y dinero y esas personas no te asesoran en absolutamente nada legal.
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11 Sep, 2015 by Anonymous
I had the unfortunate experience of using this attorney for my divorce. Divorce is hard enough, but this attorney was unorganized, documents not filed in timely manner and rude. I wish I would have done more research on her.
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30 Apr, 2013 by Henryetta
Ms. Ceron was attentive and knowleadgeable about the laws that would help my case. She has no-nonsense attitude and will be truthful about your case. She allowed me to see the bright side of what initially began as a doomed beginning. I am currently utilizing her services and will continue to refer her services to others in need of an excellent attorney.
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16 Apr, 2013 by Rosie williams
I went through what woud have been a really nasty divorce if it wasn't for Patricia. Recommended to me through my employer, she sat me down and listened to what was happening with me, took notes and then came up a fair agreement. She was straight forward and to the point on all aspects of my divorce and worked out a very resonable agreement which made our split clean and without a lot of drama. She kept me in the loop every step of the way and made this difficult time much easier to bare, without stress. Patricia is professional, organized, honest and let me know exactly what to expect. I would highly recommend her. Save yourself from the grief, hire her! She will be there for you and you will not regret it!
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22 Jul, 2024 by Ersi medina
Receptionist was rude and didn’t really offer any help outside of what you can find on google. Phone call took a total of 3 minutes if not less and it felt like I was taking her time. Cut me off a couple times while speaking.
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03 Feb, 2024 by Connie wheeler
Ms. Hadjian was a delight to work with. We were under an important time constraint, we were from out of state and Ms. Hadjian was very professional and solved a very difficult Guardianship problem for us. Anyone that works with Ms. Hadjian will be very pleased to have her handling your case.
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01 Feb, 2024 by Esther jaryenneh
22 Jul, 2024 by Ersi medina
Receptionist was rude and didn’t really offer any help outside of what you can find on google. Phone call took a total of 3 minutes if not less and it felt like I was taking her time. Cut me off a couple times while speaking.
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03 Feb, 2024 by Connie wheeler
Ms. Hadjian was a delight to work with. We were under an important time constraint, we were from out of state and Ms. Hadjian was very professional and solved a very difficult Guardianship problem for us. Anyone that works with Ms. Hadjian will be very pleased to have her handling your case.
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01 Feb, 2024 by Esther jaryenneh
24 Feb, 2012 by Dawnpatrolatchurch
Nick,
I want you to know that I am very pleased with the quality of service Mark Shafer and Associates provides. I sincerely appreciate your responsiveness and the way you conduct business. In fact, I have recommended your company to others because of our satisfaction with your service.
Steven Robertson
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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.
