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19 Jul, 2017 by Katherine
In August of 2016 I hired Mark to handle updating my Trust and ensuring it more adequately reflected my wishes. Mark and his team did a solid job of not only meeting my needs, but ensured that it was far more robust than what the previous two attorneys at another Milwaukee firm had done. Mark is professional, thorough and knowledgeable on Trusts and provided me with a great sense of peace knowing that I now have a sound Trust. I have already recommended Mark to a few friends.
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04 Apr, 2017 by Sue s
My husband and I met with Mark and his staff 3 weeks prior to going out of the country on vacation. We did not have a will in place. Mark explained all our options very thoroughly and how a trust would protect our assets. We were very happy with Mark and his staff. We now have peace of mind that our daughter and grandchildren will be taken care of in the future.
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30 Mar, 2017 by Peggy
My husband and I talked for some time about changing our will to a trust. The process seemed overwhelming so we procrastinated. Our friends referred us to Mark Rogers and we are glad they did! Our initial meeting was about 3 hours. Mark, Troy and Stacy took their time explaining and diagramming the details of our trust. They made it easy to understand and were very patient with our endless number of questions. We were leaving on a trip in 3 weeks and hoped our trust could be completed before we left. Mark was able to accommodate our request and paperwork was signed days before our departure. Mark and his team were extremely responsive. Our phone calls were always returned the same day often within an hour. We highly recommend Mark Rogers.
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14 Apr, 2019 by Jennifer
I have used Michael Pierski to resolve several issues from personal problems to real estate transfer for both my husband and myself. He is professional and his prices are fair. I would recommend him to all my friends because he cared about me and the struggles we were going through.
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19 Mar, 2013 by Roderick
I live outside Wisconsin. I contacted him to perform a legal matter. He was very responsive, got the job done quickly, and was reasonably proced.
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09 Nov, 2012 by Ben
I've worked with Michael the last 4 years. Michael has assisted many of my clients in legal matters whether it be establishing a new business entity, real estate transactions, drafting trusts, etc. Michael has handled each client with the upmost professionalism. He is a hard worker and very astute in his understanding of the law. Every client I've referred has always come back with positive feedback and thanked me for introducing them to Michael.
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08 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
Franklin had probably one of his simplest divorces ever with mine. He was easy to talk to from the first meeting till the last. Always returned my calls. He got everything done that needed to be done. In a timely manner. Franklin done it the right way. I feel outside of work he is a great guy. I would highly recommend him to handle whatever you need legally done.
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05 Nov, 2013 by Jason
Franklin did an excellent job with our custody battle. He understood the court system and what was needed. We hired Franklin in the during the summer and he made a point to hold a hearing in Aug so my daughter could be enrolled in our school system. We were able to show the courts how well she did during the year at our house and in school. During this time, Franklin had instructed us as to what documents we needed to obtain. I would recommend Franklin Kirk for child custody lawyer.
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27 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
Always kept us informed of what he was doing, returned calls and emails promptly and when asked questions always answered us with respect. Did not treat us like we were asking dumb questions and explained things so we could understand them.
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20 Mar, 2024 by Chris eiden
Great lawyer
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21 Oct, 2023 by Ann quaschnick
Very knowledgeable
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18 Apr, 2023 by Sîlky lyñx
We were more than pleased with the professional assistance of Patrick and his staff. We came in with questions and rec'd advice and help with forms. Over and above our expectations!
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01 Jan, 2020 by Jennifer massart
09 Dec, 2019 by Iremodel bathrooms 608-799-8838
29 Sep, 2019 by John smith
Hes the man. Only person in town worth spending money on. For family cases call Sean oniel
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03 Jul, 2019 by Anonymous
Attorney Linn asked me to comment on his recent assistance with my real estate. I needed to remove my spouse from the deed on our home after her death. The services Attorney Linn provided were affordable and the attention I received was extraordinary. I highly recommend his services and the services of his firm. Everyone I spoke with was helpful and pleasant to work with.
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10 Jun, 2019 by Meggan
Attorney Linn helped me through my divorce. I am grateful for the guidance he provided and appreciated that he was always prompt in communicating with me. I highly recommend him to anyone needing legal assistance in the area.
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23 Jan, 2019 by Gene
Matthew was great. He resolved our contractual issues and put us on the road to success.
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24 Oct, 2016 by W.w.
My lawyer was very candid about my case and the expectations. The defendant, however, was extremely hostile and my attorney remained professional, empathetic and compassionate.
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10 Oct, 2016 by Yowhannes
Attorney Philip A Arieff was following my case for almost a year it was a complicated case and much stress on it but he did it he helped me and he advices me a lot what to do and knows how to take care of complicated cases so am happy what he did for me
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30 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous
Phil Arieff helped me through a case regarding my minor son, it was very thorough and explained everything along the way, it was too much for me to even begin to tackle and understand on my own. It was such a pleasure to work with a lawyer who was so knowledgeable and kind hearted!
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05 Sep, 2022 by Vanessa pillat`
23 Jul, 2020 by Nick belanger
23 Apr, 2019 by Krista beaudry
Patrick was extremely helpful when selling our home and when preparing our wills, trusts, POA's etc. Very responsive, professional and reasonably priced. I strongly recommend Hessling Law Office.
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05 Jul, 2022 by Sandra bahler
He was very good at talking through what we wanted...identifying the pros and cons. Very patient and understanding. Will continue working with him.
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07 Mar, 2022 by Terry tuschen
Fantastic experience with Roy. Great office, everyone was very nice. Will definitely use them again.
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26 Sep, 2020 by Jen soderholm
Our experience working with Mark Johnson has been excellent. He is very professional, knowledgeable and very nice to work with. We have gone to Mark for several issues and he really goes above and beyond helping us.
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26 Feb, 2021 by Joan peelen
Very informative, very professional!!!
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22 Jan, 2020 by Luz ojeda
He is a great person.
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26 Apr, 2018 by R f
Attorney Poulson, was recommended by another attorney.... I will say he is very knowledgeable and very aggressive in court, years, experience do matter.
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24 Oct, 2020 by Debbie
My aunt passed away unexpectedly leaving a complex and sizable estate without a will or trust. We found ourselves trying to find an attorney in her area. I am so very thankful we found Julia Walsh and Bob Nennig. Their knowledge and professionalism is outstanding. They were instrumental in guiding us through the probate process and helped us coordinate communications of this process to all family members living out of state. They were patient and kind, answering every single question, during a very difficult and emotional time. They even helped us resolve an uncompleted real estate transaction, as my aunt died in the middle of buying a second home. Bob and Julia are remarkable and expert attorneys. My family can’t thank them enough.
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06 Oct, 2016 by Michael r. luttig
Bob Nennig is an Estate Planning attorney. He helps people prepare their lives and finances for their death or disability. This sounds simple enough. Everybody dies, and it should not be that difficult to figure out what we have. So, all we have to do is figure out where we want things to go and put it in writing.
But there is a lot going on here. It is one thing to acknowledge that everyone is going to die at some point. This is very clinical in a sense. We are talking about other people and of course they will. Now, say that about yourself. This is not so easy. And to sit with someone and talk about his or her eventual death is a conversation most people do not want to have. Facing our own mortality is about the hardest thing most people will have to do. There is a finality about it that is difficult to grasp.
Next, in most cases, we are talking about family. If it only involves spouse and one or two children, it may be simple enough. But often there are complications, such as a second marriage, step-children, and children with special needs, children who need financial assistance or protection and many variations of the above.
Combine the above and it gets to be complicated. Guiding a conversation through this and coming up with a workable plan requires a very specific ability and skill set.
There is a basic knowledge of the basic vehicles based on a certain set of circumstances, and of course, the ability to apply them to the matter at hand is certainly a necessary skill. Many lawyers have or can get these tools. Those alone, however, do not make for a great Estate Planning attorney.
In addition to the technical and legal skills, there are two critical things that take it from competent to great. These are the ability to listen, and compassion. It is easy to gather the basic facts, suggest a course of action, and then set out to explain why it is the best way to go. But this just gets a will, or perhaps a trust. What takes it to the next level is being able to listen to the concerns of the person doing the planning. In most cases, they do not speak legal-ese. But they do speak from their heart. And it is what they say that permits the great Estate Planning attorney to go above and beyond a simple plan that puts a will or trust into place.
And finally, there is compassion. This is the ability to empathize with the client and let them know you understand what they are going through. This is the ability to let them know that what they are experiencing is normal and that they need not feel bad. In fact, if they did not need something special, that they would be unusual.
Bob Nennig has the technical skill set. But Bob has that next level of skills. Bob listens and does so with compassion. I have sent many people to Bob, and do so without hesitation, knowing my clients will get a great experience.
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20 Aug, 2016 by Daniel
My wife and I hired Bob Nennig to develop a will and a living trust for our estate planning. He was recommended to us by our financial advisors and proved to be what we needed to complete our financial security package.
Bob was very professional and courteous throughout the creation of our will and trust, which took about three weeks from start to finish. We were very impressed with his thoroughness in gathering information from different sources, i.e. banks, investment institutions, mortgage companies, etc., and then preparing the necessary documents and compiling them all into one comprehensive Estate Planning Portfolio.
He also helped us true up our estate documents when we retired and sold our home in the U.S. and gave us references for estate planners here in Ireland when we bought a new home and other assets.
It has been our privilege to know Bob Nennig who is a true gentleman and a fine attorney. We highly recommend him.
Dan and Ruth
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27 Mar, 2024 by Shelly stowell
01 Dec, 2023 by Jennifer marie bond reichert evans
Good
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08 Oct, 2023 by Troy dere
15 May, 2019 by Maggie
We’ve had the pleasure of working with Michael for a couple of years now not only on our own estate planning but a parent’s who has special planning needs due to being on disability. He has always gone above and beyond, meeting us on days and times outside of normal business hours when we couldn’t make anything else work and needed to get something important finalized quickly and even taking it upon himself to take some classes to learn more about a topic that pertained to our planning to increase his knowledge about it. He’s professional, easy to work with and available. Highly recommend Cornerstone Law!
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16 Dec, 2016 by Asa
Attorney Kilkenny represented me in a landlord/tenant dispute. He was recommended by another attorney. At first I was a bit apprehensive about hiring such a young attorney but Attorney Kilkenny has proven that honesty, intelligence, and a strong work ethic can provide excellent results. I was originally planning to spend $4,000 on attorney fees but he was able to negotiate a deal with the landlord and reduce it to about $1,000. He's willing to do what is in the client's best interest rather than what is more profitable for himself. His hourly rate is also very low for the caliber of his skills. I've used attorneys at large law firms in the past and have found that they sometimes don't have enough time to dedicate to my case. Attorney Kilkenny, however, promptly responded to all my calls and emails and I can't recommend him enough.
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11 Sep, 2016 by Concerned
Upon a short consultation with Michael I became confidant in his ability to understand and comprehend my situation. I have interviewed many attorney's regarding my case and Michael is my first choice to represent me.
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16 Feb, 2023 by Anonymous
I recently met with Atty. Jane Walker in order to discuss estate planning. She was very knowledgable, thorough, professional and personable. I would highly recommend her to family and friends.
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26 Oct, 2019 by Todd
Jane did an amazing job dealing with my mom's Title 19 nursing home needs and her estate. I can't recommend her highly enough . Her and her staff were the perfect combination of expertise, experience and compassion!
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11 Oct, 2015 by Ann
My aunt passed away, and I was named the personal representative of her estate. It was a grieving period for me, I work ten hour days, the estate needed to be filed in another county, and I knew I didn't want to attempt to navigate this process by myself. From my first visit with Attorney Walker, I knew I could trust Jane and her staff to help me through a difficult time. My life continued on with little disruption from the probate process, because this law office handled it all. Thanks, Jane (and staff)!
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30 May, 2023 by Renee
Jill is an amazing person with genuine concern for my issues regarding my mother - I consulted with her with regarding my brother petitioning for guardianship. Attorney Jill has helped me several times now, each time I have reached out to attorney Jill she contacted me back quickly and communicated the information in simple terms to help me understand. She is knowledgeable, confident, and genuinely concerned about doing good for others. She even took more time to email me several Attourney’s I could call in the state my Mom lives in. Thank you Attourney Jill Johnson!
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09 Jul, 2022 by Christine
I was referred to Atty. Lendu Johnson by a pro bono UI lawyer in Madison. She took my case last minute, and she did a great job. I was accused of concealment and was looking at having to pay 17K including 40% fees back to UI and a possible felony charge. I was terrified, but Jill has the most calming and optimistic personality. She coached me the weekend before my appeal and it helped me to feel confident, know what to expect from the process, and how to answer the judge’s questions honestly and competently. She also helped me understand that I had other options (appealing to LIRC) in case we lost. We’ll we didn’t! No concealment, and I ended having to pay back 3K instead of 17K. She is not expensive for what she does, and her help was worth every penny. If you have a UI issue, I highly recommend Atty. Jill Lendu Johnson. She’s wonderful! You won’t regret it.
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13 Jun, 2022 by Rena
Jill Johnson took my case on pro bono to help me with my unemployment case. Let me tell you how hard she worked, as though I paid her top dollar. She gave up her time on the weekends to prepare exhibits on my behalf and was always a phone call away. I have never met an attorney like her who treated me with respect and made me feel hear, comfortable, and most importantly, that she believed in me. I am so thankful for all of her hard work, which ultimately landed us a win! Highly recommend Jill Johnson. Professional and personable.
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17 Apr, 2019 by Justin
I've worked with Dan four times over the past ten years to create and adjust my estate plan. Each time, he's been attentive to my detailed requests, and always takes the time to explain my options and answer any questions I have about them.
One of these adjustments happened just before my (unexpected to me) divorce, and Dan was especially helpful and accommodating in making additional changes to my estate plan that reflected my new circumstances. He really went above and beyond during that time and it meant a lot to me.
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10 Mar, 2019 by Victoria
My husband and I went to Dan to help plan our estate. He and the folks at Krause Donovan were very professional, friendly, and efficient. Dan is fluent in what he practices. He was able to guide us through this process with a thorough understanding of what decisions we needed to make to create clear directives for our family to follow if needed.
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05 Feb, 2019 by Kris
My husband and I needed a will and turned to Krause Donovan for their help after the firm had invited us to a "what is estate planning all" about dinner/meeting. Having a will was something we knew we needed, but kept putting it off. Krause Donovan was wonderful...they asked all the right questions, were patient with our back and forth, and everything was wrapped up successfully. We are relieved that there is a plan in place. That gives us peace of mind.
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12 Aug, 2019 by Kathy
We hired Attorney Hiller to update our will. She was very helpful in advising us as to what needed to be done to be current with the law. She helped us to set up documents that were very specific to the needs of our family. She is very thorough and knowledgeable. Attorney Hiller is very friendly and yet very professional. I would not hesitate to contact her in the future.
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19 Mar, 2019 by David
Attorney Hiller completed our estate planning, including our wills, POA’s for finance and healthcare as well as declarations to physicians and HIPAA documents. She is very personable, she answered our questions and explained changes in laws in terms we understood. She identified a problem with our homestead deed and made the changes necessary to prevent future probate problems.
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07 Oct, 2017 by Ron
We found Kayla to be very easy to work with. She is very knowledgeable for updating our family trust, plus other necessary documents. I would highly recommend her for any estate planning or updating that you need.
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06 Sep, 2023 by Brian formella
Professional and knowledgeable estate planning services in Southeast Wisconsin for the need that we presented to them!
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21 Aug, 2020 by Donald kite
After moving from Michigan to Wisconsin in late 2019, one of my top priorities was to revisit my Estate Planning Documents that were completed in Michigan with my family attorney there. My goal was to ensure that my documents complied with Wisconsin law.
This project was a special priority for me since my wife had passed away in March of 2019, and my intent was to locate a competent attorney who specialized in Estate Planning. So I started making telephone calls to numerous attorneys in this area listed in the Yellow Pages. I had many questions for them. Finally, I found the Frozena Law Firm. After asking the receptionist several questions, I made an appointment.
After my first appointment and having a very informative and productive meeting with Angela Frozena, who was very congenial and very knowledgeable. She briefed me regarding what additional information I must provide her, so we setup a future appointment for after I returned from vacation in Europe in three weeks.
Upon returning from Europe, I returned to Frozena Law Firm for my second appointment. At this appointment, Angela had already received the documents from my former attorney in Michigan, and had the draft of my new estate plan prepared, and sent the documents via encrypted email to my home in Racine. After reviewing the draft documents, I returned them to the firm for finalization.
At my final appointment, everything was organized and Angela had already made arrangements for the witnesses to be present. Everything went so smoothly, and I was impressed with Angela's knowledge, efficiency, sincerity and her positive attitude. Her professionalism is second to none. And along the way, Angela and I communicated via telephone and email.
I was so impressed with the courtesy and respect shown to me, that I am happy to share my experiences with Angela, and to highly recommend the Frozena Law Firm to anyone in need of competent, efficient estate planning services.
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01 Oct, 2019 by Sue o'donnell
The best decision we ever have made-- selecting Angela Frozena as our legal counsel. She listens. She advises. Is highly responsive, intelligent and professional. A genuinely nice & caring person. Impeccable attention to detail. She has all the characteristics of a “dream team” type of attorney you’de want guiding the way through a legal matter.
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15 Feb, 2016 by Dwaine and barb
Att Curtis was very helpful in helping us set up what we needed for our will and trusts. He was responsive to OUR needs, throrough,, worked within our timeframe and not over priced. We have recommended him to others.
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08 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Scott was great in answering questions and preparing the documents for our family. He was especially good at working with my elderly parents.
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08 Feb, 2016 by Jacob
Scott Curtis is very capable lawyer who has helped me immensely. He helped me file a small claims suit and arrange a settlement. Without him, I would have been completely at a loss for legal advice and guidance during a tumultuous time in my life. I highly recommend him. He's very honest, open, forthright, and he has a high degree of expertise in his field. I honestly wouldn't have preferred to have my case handled by anyone else. I can fully recommend him as a competent and reliable attorney to guide you through your legal troubles and fight for you and what you are justly entitled to under the law.
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12 Jan, 2018 by Angela
Ashley was recommended by our banker for a land contract. She made the process very easy and would use her again if we have the need.
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17 Oct, 2017 by Irene
We hired Ashley to help with my father's estate. We had worked with a different attourney who kept dragging things out and charges were getting quite large. It turns out after hiring Ashley the former attourney never even filed the trust with the court. Ashley did in a few months what the prior attourney did not do over several years. She is wonderful to work with and very efficient. She made a horrible situation much less stressful. Will work with her on any future needs. I highly recommend her.
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09 Sep, 2014 by Natalie
Over the past several months I have gotten to know attorney Hawley very well. She has proven herself trustworthy, responsive, knowledgeable, pleasant and down to earth. She is the real deal and not out to "make a buck" on my family. I trust her completely. And that is not easy for me to say after being taken to the cleaners by a different attorney. She had to work hard to convince me of her ethics. But, she did!
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12 Dec, 2023 by Parisa
Amazing attorney! Mr. Phillips took the time to understand every detail of our case and concerns, ensuring nothing was overlooked. Extremely hard-working and kept us in the loop. It made us feel valued and respected. I would definitely recommend and thank you for your strategic, thorough, and dedication to the positive outcome of our case.
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16 Apr, 2022 by Marvell smith
Great Family Attorney
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19 Oct, 2019 by Annabelle kallas
Mr. Scott Phillips is a good man and an amazing attorney. He is an advocate for parents. I can’t say enough about how wonderful he is at what he does. I would highly recommend him.
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12 Nov, 2009 by Anonymous
Michelle truely has her clients best interests at heart. Her professional demeanor, enveloped in care and consideration, allows for clear navigation through difficult conversations and life decisions. Michelle graciously walked us through the legal processes ensuring all of our questions were addressed and understood; meeting our needs on both a professional and humanitarian level.
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28 Oct, 2009 by Anonymous
I worked with Michelle both when purchasing my home, as well as having her handle my premarital agreement. In both issues, she was thorough and professional. She came up with several issues/solutions which looked out for my best interests, while keeping costs reasonable. She was easy to contact and a pleasure to work with.
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28 Oct, 2009 by Anonymous
All we can say is that you can never go wrong by having M.TL. Hernandez handle your legal work.
Thank you!
Respectfully
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23 Sep, 2016 by Anonymous
We are so very grateful for the excellent services of Collin Ritzinger. His ability to clearly frame our needs (and even needs we had not thought of) in the estate documents was invaluable. We also greatly appreciated his warmth and the way he put things in understandable language when he spoke with us.
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12 Jul, 2016 by James
I was looking to setup a special needs trust for my brother and I know very little about what I needed to do. Attorney Ritzinger was able to provide me with the knowledge I needed in order to determine what is best for my brother. Thank you!
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12 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
Our non-profit organization worked with Collin to establish a Special Needs Trust for a gentleman who was deemed incompetent. Collin took care of all the notices and paperwork, making the process seamless and efficient.
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30 Nov, 2017 by Tony
I have consulted with Patrick on many legal issues in the past and he has been great to work with. He is a great listener and spends the time needed to come up with a solution that benefits his clients. He is very experienced and I trust his judgement. I highly recommend Patrick for any estate planning needs.
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15 May, 2017 by Matt
Pat Hessling provided counsel for our first real estate purchase. As first-time home buyers, he patiently walked us through each stage of the home buying process. He answered all our questions promptly & thoroughly. We will absolutely recommend Pat to friends and family in the future for real estate services.
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02 Mar, 2014 by Michelle
Mr. Hessling was very knowledgeable and walked me through the estate planning process with ease. He responded quickly to all my questions. I have no hesitation giving him the highest recommendation.
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04 Feb, 2016 by Kendle
My wife and I were referred to Juscha by a local real estate firm. Juscha's knowledge and experience were quite evident; we felt we were in good hands throughout the selling process. She was easy to contact and always responded to us promptly. We highly recommend Juscha.
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30 Oct, 2014 by Kevin
Juscha was a referral from our corporate counsel in Chicago when my wife and I entered into a real estate contract for a vacation property in the Wisconsin Dells. The purchase was very complicated due to multiple mortgages, liens, judgments, encroachments, HOA delinquencies, and other "surprises". We were skillfully guided through the whole process and eventually found safe passage. She had our back at all times, explained the relevant law clearly and concisely, and helped us finally close on our dream property. I cannot imagine this process without her expert help and guidance.
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31 Mar, 2014 by Jean
I was referred to Juscha by a member of a different firm in Madison, WI who could not handle my matter due to a conflict. The attorney himself felt she was outstanding and that I would be happy with her service. She exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend her.
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18 Oct, 2017 by Anonymous
James clearly walked us through each decision in the process and earned our complete confidence and trust. He is very knowledgeable and paid careful attention to any concerns we had. I would recommend James to anyone who needs estate planning.
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17 Oct, 2017 by Bonnie
Attorney Ledvina established a trust for my husband and myself and we are extremely pleased with it. He is very knowledgeable about these matters and I will no longer need to worry about what happens to our assets once we are no longer able to manage them.
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16 Oct, 2017 by Anonymous
James was an excellent attorney to work with; we are now all set up with a great estate plan to protect our family and assets if something were to happen to us! Peace of mind is worth a visit with Atty. Ledvina.
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30 Jul, 2017 by Harlan
My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and I knew that at some point in time I'd need financial assistance so my retirement savings won't be totally depleted. With our health care support changing rapidly and minimal support from our county ADRC, I needed somebody that has the knowledge of the Medicaid regulations. Carol Wessels presented several classes to an Alzheimer's Support Group and gave me enough information to think that we might be approved for Medicaid assistance. She gave me the guidance I needed to gather the information for her office to complete the application and respond back to many additional questions that came back from this application. What a relief to have her support and eventually accepted for Medicaid assistance.
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28 Jul, 2017 by Julie
Carol is very knowledgeable and empathetic. She has the ability to look at the whole picture and give the family a plan.
I met with Carol when I was overwhelmed with the changes in my husband, due to dementia. Her calm demeanor and kindness to my husband touched my heart. She knows how to relate well to those with Alzheimer's. Without her, the Medicaid application and process would have been daunting. I highly recommend her!
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12 May, 2012 by Julie
Ms. Wessels has done an exemplary job handling my mother's legal affairs. Her case was difficult and at times frustrating, but Carol managed all with incredible patience, competence, and compassion. I would highly recommend her.
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08 Apr, 2016 by Megan
Attorney Sullivan was able to help us through the entire estate planning process. The piece of mind we now have is priceless, and we were so fortunate to have such a knowledgeable and trustworthy expert guiding us every step of the way. I've already passed her information onto others looking for these services. In my opinion, she is one of the best in the area.
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24 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
Attorney Sullivan helped me with some credit issues that I needed taken care of. She was professional, informative and explained my options to me so I could make a smart decision. She was great during a stressful overwhelming time in my life.
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07 Jun, 2013 by Dawn
I met Attorney Sullivan at a community speaking engagement. I was highly impressed with her knowledge and expertise on Estate, Will & Trust Planning. She can handle all the legal aspects and circumstances that a family may have, to make sure all of your affairs are in order to protect Financial & Health Care Decisions. I was put at ease knowing my affairs are in order.
Pinkert Law Firm is very fortunate to have such an outstanding lawyer with their firm for our community. I would highly recommend Attorney Sullivan for her work ethic, professionalism, and for making a client comfortable by answering all questions and concerns for all the decisions needed to be put in place for our personal affairs for all family members.
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03 Jun, 2015 by Clare
I am happy to recomend Erin Fay to any one that needs legal help. Erin is an amazing Woman, Lawyer, Mother, Daughter and Friend. I always felt important to her and she kept me informed on what to expect and when to expect it. She is very smart and negotiates with all parties involved so every one ends up pleased with the outcome. I was in a car accident and sustained injuries that left me unable to work for a short time and with many medical bills. Erin helped my family through the most difficult time of my life and I was compensated beyond my expectation. If any one gets the honor of working with Erin I am sure they will be pleased.
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21 May, 2015 by Alexia
Erin Fay has handled various legal matters for me over the years, from the simple to the far more complex, and has never failed to do an excellent job, whatever the circumstances.
I've always felt comfortable with her expertise and never doubted her abilities to get the best possible results. She's truly a lawyer you can trust to "have your back" for lack of a better word.
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25 Oct, 2022 by Mary j
My husband needed to sign paperwork, but he could not go to Melissa's office. She came to our home. I am so grateful for that. On top of that my husband is suffering from dementia. Melissa was so attentive and compassionate with him. He even enjoyed sharing about his favorite custard place. I had been concerned how he would respond to what was being asked. It turned out wonderful. Thank you, Melissa!
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11 Aug, 2015 by Jeanette
Melissa explained everything to us in language that we could understand, laid out all of our options, helped us understand the pros and cons of each option, and helped us make an informed decision. I am very confidant that we have made sound decisions about our estate planning. Melissa is very approachable and professional and took the time to answer all of my questions,
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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.
