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17 Sep, 2024 by The prince
We had an extremely great experience with Mr Fredrick G. Voigtmann. My girlfriend was having so much trouble with her ESTA and Mr. Voigtmann came in and saved the day. Not only did he help us extremely quickly with our issue, he was a very pleasant man. Very experienced and helpful. Thank you again! Definitely will contact again for future cases!
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12 Sep, 2024 by Issac castro
This law office has been the biggest breath of fresh air for my partner and I. I seriously do not know where we would be without them. Immigration law can be a very complex and nerve-wrecking thing. But from the moment I first talked with Fred and his team they were incredibly understanding to my situation.
This review alone does not justify how helpful and amazing they have been but I hope it shines a light on how amazing they are. We are very fortunate to have people like them specializing in such a complicated profession and do it in a way that feels less stressful through thorough detail, and kindness/friendliness.
One of my biggest worries when finding a law office to help us was that they would not listen to me in detail and just want the 'shortened' version of things rather than understanding the full range of the situation and what led to our nail-biting situations.
Fred and Stephany carefully listened to every single thing I had to say, and I honestly felt as if they cared for my partner and I as if we were their close-family. I genuinely felt a connection with them and felt that they wanted the best for us.
It's hard to explain that connection over a review, but your best bet is to find out for yourself. I highly suggest that if you are seeking for legal advice to please consider their office and find out for yourself why the office is so highly reputable. I stand by my word when I say you will not regret it one bit.
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10 Sep, 2024 by Lauren clayton
This entire office was a pleasure to work with! My wife and I are a queer couple and the entire office was so kind, respectful and really spent the time with us at each step. The entire process was sooo quick! Extra special shout out to Stephanie, as she put our anxieties at ease and really took care of our concerns and our case as a whole. They were quick to file, quick with email correspondence. I highly recommend this firm esp if you happen to be LGBTQ+.
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28 Dec, 2014 by Mike
My mom wanted a will and trust created for her but she didn't know where to get started as far as finding an attorney to do the work. I'm a do-it-yourself kind of son, but for this I knew that wouldn't be wise because I didn't have any experience in such matters and I've learned the hard way about the hazards when overlooking details. On top of all that, I don't live in Los Angeles, so I had to ask around among attorneys in my professional network in my locale for a reference. KC's firm was offered up as a good place to give a first try. Well, I didn't need to go any further! Wow, KC is a great attorney and what a great team. The legal processes and requirements were laid out in a very logical fashion with plenty of time for questions from day one. The options were made clear and helpful recommendations and suggestions were offered. Everything about her is so very good. She was timely, courteous, patient, knowledgeable, and thorough. When she wasn't available for a question when I called without notice, a well-qualified team member provided the help I needed. They set a very high standard for the entire legal profession. We are very pleased customers.
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25 Nov, 2014 by William
Kc Marie Knox helped my sister & I handle my father's estate & various affairs after he passed away. It was a lengthy case filled with unusual circumstances. Kc Marie helped us figure out how best to handle all legal issues and hung in there with us to the end, almost 2 years later. In addition, Kc Marie went above & beyond to help guide us with other unique situations & decision making. We highly recommend Kc Marie Knox for any legal counsel.
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17 Nov, 2014 by Julie
KC got us started with our Estate Planning. What a great job she did! She knew exactly what information she needed to get from us and all the documents that were necessary. KC was thorough and prompt in preparing and getting the drafts to us. The final documents were done equally as well. All that and she's pleasant to work with! KC answered all of our questions in plain language and made sure we understood everything we were signing. We couldn't have asked for a better attorney for our Estate Planning.
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27 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
Ali, is a great attorney very assertive and great attention to detail. If you want it done right and professionally he is your guy!
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15 Sep, 2017 by Shadi
Ali is diligent with great attention to detail. He delivered the documents on a timely manner and accommodated by busy schedule. Very thorough.
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09 Jul, 2015 by Michael
I had always heard derogatory and negative comments about attorneys, but Mr. Talai sure made me think differently. All I have to say is that he is an excellent lawyer with great personal skills. So if you would ask me if you should hire him to represent your case, I would say YES
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21 Nov, 2015 by Kris
Richard Lewis is an excellent lawyer who is a true advocate for his clients. He handled our case with grace, ease, and consistent contact. Whether through email or a personal phone call, Richard always kept us up to date with the progress of our case. He's always very courteous and very patient. He is excellent at communicating with us in simple, common language and was always willing to assist us in understanding every element of our case. He was always willing to assist us in determining our next move and would openly give honest, direct suggestions. Richard Lewis is an outstanding lawyer. I would absolutely recommend him and his services.
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20 Nov, 2015 by Rosanne
We have been clients of Richard Lewis since 2011. We are very pleased with him being our representative in court and we have also trusted him with other legal matters. Because of Richard Lewis, we were successful in our petition for Removal of Conservatorship, and we will continue to rely on his knowledge as an attorney to help in the future.
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12 Nov, 2015 by Francine
Mr. Lewis has been my and my family's attorney for 26 years. He has handled a wide variety of issues, always with honesty and integrity. I would not hesitate to recommend him.
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02 May, 2017 by George
His bills were a fraction of my old Century City law firm's and he was much more responsive then they ever were.
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18 Mar, 2017 by Thomas "alan" schwartzkopf, us army, retired
He is detailed, friendly and seems to know the rules, etc. He rates are fair. I will continue to use him and refer business to him.
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11 Mar, 2017 by Nick
Competent, knowledgeable, concerned with what is actually the case rather than interpretations of or reactions to it and assertive without being pushy.
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30 Apr, 2018 by Sabina
If there were 10 stars I would absolutely give her the full 10. I found Mina on Google and it was our lucky break because we worked with 5 attorneys that charged a fortune and were completely negligent with all of our legal needs. We worked with her for the last 2 years on a family estate case and she was effective, worked hard, and was aggressive to get to the finish line. She is the most honest attorney that we've worked with and I would highly recommend her and could write a novel about Ms. Sirkin's excellence.
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24 Jun, 2013 by Yolanda
I found Mina to be top notch. She is extremely knowledgeable and clearly goes the extra mile for her client. She is aggressive, responsive and forward thinking. I would highly recommend Mina and wish her continued success.
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24 Jul, 2012 by Charles
Ms. Sirkin did excellent work for me in a very difficult (for me, not so much for her) probate situation. She got all the specifics handled without rework. Her staff was there for me 100% of the time. My case involved a trial and I was still trading emails with her at midnight -- on Saturday, before the trial - WOW! She (we) prevailed. I attribute success to her diligence, hard work, and leaving no stone unturned.
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13 Oct, 2020 by William
The best! I was involved in a car accident and got injured. After interviewing a few attorneys I decided to go with Joseph based on his knowledge, patience and responsiveness. He was great throughout the process and helped me within a few months to get the maximum that my policy allowed for (the other driver who hit me didn't have insurance). Knowing that he was handling everything himself made me feel much better throughout the process. Hopefully this will be my last accident but I won't hesitate to use him again in the future.
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29 Aug, 2020 by Anonymous
Very professional, attentive and helpful! Always answered my calls or called back promptly, which is rare among lawyers. I was involved in a serious accident and Joseph was able to get me compensation for both the medical bill and the property damage. He made the best out of tough situation... 5 stars!
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25 Aug, 2020 by Jasmine s
I was rear ended by a pickup truck pretty badly and was injured. I was recommended to attorney Joseph by a friend who used him in the past and gave him a call. Joseph was very patient from day one and throughout the process, who took about three-four months. After hiring him he sent me to his chiro and dealt directly with the insurnace. When the insurance wanted a recorded statement from me, which got me a little nervous he coached me through it and made it easy. We met face to face just once, when I came to pick up my check. He did a great job and I would highly recommend for someone who was involved in an accident.
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29 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
Mr. Khoukaz helped my family during a difficult time. We have several siblings and he helped ensure our trust was fairly decided.
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02 Oct, 2014 by Jennifer
John has the perfect blend of people skills with depth of knowledge on estate planning, creating and administering trusts and wills, and doing what it takes to avoid a probate situation. I have referred a number of family members to him, and all have been extremely happy with their results.
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20 Feb, 2019 by Bryant
I hired Ryan McEachern and his partner Navid Noorparvar 2 years ago for a difficult custody issue. They were honest with me about the difficulty in winning our case but still had a strategy for maximizing my chances. They were responsive, intelligent, prepared, knowledgeable, and the advocates I needed to protect my rights.
They helped me achieve the positive result I desired despite the odds against me. I have worked with them multiple times now and EVERY time we’ve been to court they have achieved positive results and will continue to utilize their services again should the situation arise. They truly care about their clients and their cases. I am truly grateful for their expertise as they have enabled me to protect the most important person in my life, my son.
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08 Jun, 2012 by Rubi
After 3 years of being left in the dark by other attorneys, I finally found a trustworthy one. Ryan kept me informed and up to date on everything regarding my case and was able to provide me with the peace of mind I needed. Completely professional and thorough, I would definitely recommend Ryan and his staff to anyone in need of a good lawyer.
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03 Apr, 2022 by Anonymous
I was looking for my living trust lawyer on the internet and the profile of Robert Howell met my needs. I contacted him for consultation and decided to hire him. Because, not only did he know everything about law, but he also listened to my needs carefully when I had many questions where he explained to me until I understand very patiently. He processed the living trust perfectly in a timely manner and I am very satisfied with his service, I definitely recommend Robert Howell as your lawyer!
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30 May, 2014 by Jo ann
We originally met with Gerald Stauffer who set up our family trust. Mr. Stauffer has retired, and we now meet with his partner, Robert Howell, who has made sure we are current with everything in our family trust. We consider him to be honest and worthy of our trust.
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5.0
1 Reviews
02 Apr, 2019 by Debbie
I have known Robert Miles for several years and am always impressed with his vast knowledge of estate planning, but most importantly I am impressed by how he treats each and every person he sees. Robert gives each client the most personal attention, he digs deep into what they need to properly plan and is honest, smart and the most decent lawyer that I have met in many years. If you are ever in need of an amazing estate attorney, you must contact Robert Miles, you will not be disappointed.
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16 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
My grandfather passed away a couple of years ago. Half of my family ended up with the entire trust, leaving me and two other members with nothing. We contacted other lawyers initially that wouldn't take our case, but Mr. Santiago decided to take us on. After a couple of years of the other parties refusing to even acknowledge us, eventually Mr. Santiago was able to secure us a sizeable settlement. We're incredibly fortunate to have found him, and we're all now getting our fair share of the estate. If you're having any issues with a trust, amd need an attorney, do your self a favor and hire Mr. Santiago.
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03 Sep, 2019 by Avi
Super reliable and gets the job done. I wouldnt suggest anyone else. Communication was clear and overall it was a very pleasant experience. If you want to be in the right hands it's a no brainers to choose Kenneth.
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22 Dec, 2007 by Anonymous
Mr. Sirkin is a breath of fresh air among lawyers. I have recommended several of my friends to him and they are all pleased with his performance.
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08 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
I have hired Mark three separate times; once to assist me in a complex Conservatorship with several Court appearances, and in a separate instance when I served as Trustee. In addition, he is doing my personal Trust. Mark is not only extremely skilled, smart and experienced, he is a compassionate and decent person; easy to communicate with and respectful. A very rare combination in attorneys! His creativity and resourcefulness are unmatched, as is his integrity. Also an incisive writer, I couldn't recommend anyone more highly than Mark Boykin. I'm very grateful to him.
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27 May, 2022 by Anonymous
Steve and his staff are so caring and understanding. They took the time with us to make sure all our needs were met and to answer all of our questions. They took our calls and were always quick to respond, and every meeting brought me so much peace of mind. I have since referred several friends who have had the same experience and felt very heard and assisted by this office.
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04 Oct, 2024 by Artiesha jones
I am beyond grateful for the incredible service provided by Rafayel Law Firm. From the moment we began working together, they consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism, clarity, and precision. I always felt informed and reassured during every step of the legal process.
Thanks to Rafayel’s Law Firm’s tireless efforts and commitment, we achieved a settlement that far surpassed what I could have hoped for. Their dedication and attention to detail were nothing short of remarkable. I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome, and it’s all thanks to their expertise and hard work.
I will forever be thankful for Rafayel Law Firm’s guidance, support, and care throughout this journey. If you’re in need of a lawyer who will truly go the extra mile for you, I wholeheartedly recommend them. Thank you again for everything!
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03 Aug, 2024 by Kimme p
Very helpful and professional.
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19 Jul, 2024 by Anthony moreno
I couldn't be happier with the way my Lemon Law case was handled. From the start, Rafy was super hospitable and really easy to talk to, which made everything way less stressful. He always answered my calls,never ignored me once, and was always there to answer my questions, no matter how small.
He was super professional too, especially when dealing with the other lawyers. You could tell he knew his stuff and had my back the whole time. He worked really hard to make sure I got the most money possible, and he was extremely helpful every step of the way.
Honestly, I felt like I had a friend on my side who just happened to be a lawyer. Good to know there’s people who still care out there. 10/10 would recommend and definitely returning for any automotive law related matters!
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15 Jul, 2024 by Dagher elie
I had the pleasure of working with Shant, and i could not recommend him and his law firm enough!!
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20 Jun, 2024 by Pop alot
So glad I came to Goorjian Law for my legal needs. Very professional and knowledgeable. Made the process so smooth. Thank you again
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10 Apr, 2024 by B. k.
I was involved in a car accident early last year. A friend, who had previously chosen Shant Goorjian to represent her with her accident case, gave me his office number. I was so impressed by his knowledge. He was very communicative and on top of my case till the very end. Highly recommended!
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17 Sep, 2024 by The prince
We had an extremely great experience with Mr Fredrick G. Voigtmann. My girlfriend was having so much trouble with her ESTA and Mr. Voigtmann came in and saved the day. Not only did he help us extremely quickly with our issue, he was a very pleasant man. Very experienced and helpful. Thank you again! Definitely will contact again for future cases!
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12 Sep, 2024 by Issac castro
This law office has been the biggest breath of fresh air for my partner and I. I seriously do not know where we would be without them. Immigration law can be a very complex and nerve-wrecking thing. But from the moment I first talked with Fred and his team they were incredibly understanding to my situation.
This review alone does not justify how helpful and amazing they have been but I hope it shines a light on how amazing they are. We are very fortunate to have people like them specializing in such a complicated profession and do it in a way that feels less stressful through thorough detail, and kindness/friendliness.
One of my biggest worries when finding a law office to help us was that they would not listen to me in detail and just want the 'shortened' version of things rather than understanding the full range of the situation and what led to our nail-biting situations.
Fred and Stephany carefully listened to every single thing I had to say, and I honestly felt as if they cared for my partner and I as if we were their close-family. I genuinely felt a connection with them and felt that they wanted the best for us.
It's hard to explain that connection over a review, but your best bet is to find out for yourself. I highly suggest that if you are seeking for legal advice to please consider their office and find out for yourself why the office is so highly reputable. I stand by my word when I say you will not regret it one bit.
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10 Sep, 2024 by Lauren clayton
This entire office was a pleasure to work with! My wife and I are a queer couple and the entire office was so kind, respectful and really spent the time with us at each step. The entire process was sooo quick! Extra special shout out to Stephanie, as she put our anxieties at ease and really took care of our concerns and our case as a whole. They were quick to file, quick with email correspondence. I highly recommend this firm esp if you happen to be LGBTQ+.
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26 Jul, 2024 by Daniel magistrini
Number 1 law offices 👍🏆🏅
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25 Jul, 2024 by Aida gaona
In a nutshell, the staff that I dealt with were outstanding! Alice is a very knowledgeable, professional and a patient lawyer. She has a very pleasant personality, always smiling and laughing. It was a pleasure to work with. Also, her staff were kind and accommodating and always willing to help! I highly recommend the Law Offices of Alice A. Salvo.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Soraya bollinger
01 Oct, 2023 by Pamela
John Nicholson never should have taken my case, Mr Nicholson was recommended to me by a casual friend, it was a simple probate, he took over 4 years to barely complete it, he didn't know what he was doing and didn't text or use Email, which I found highly unusual, he had excuses for everything, maybe he's done great work for someone else, but certainly not for me, at the end of the day , I hired him, so I messed up, but like I said, he never, ever should have taken my case !
Just a word to everyone, if you have a family death and need a probate attorney, hire a probate attorney
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08 Dec, 2017 by Henrik
I have nothing but good to say about John F. Nicholson and the Services he has provided to me since MAR2015 and still does. He took on a very messy ongoing Divorce Case for me and has provided nothing but honest and realistic guidance, advise, and hard work in trying to get my case "cleaned up" and turned around. He has even provided me with unrelated legal business advise at no cost in the process. Attorney billings are notoriously high, but John F. Nicholson is the first Attorney I have dealt with, where the cost very reasonably reflect the work and long hours he has put into my case - Do I like to pay : NO - but I put my self in this situation, and he promised to assist me, and he has, so I actually don't feel too bad about paying his Invoices - I just wish I had met him earlier on, maybe if I had my mess would have been less of a mess !
John f. Nicholson is, by my standards, a good, old school, Attorney, hard working, not afraid of digging in and getting it done, is fair towards his clients, to the case, and towards the opponents (whether they believe so or not), and he will tell it to you as it is. I hope I wont need his services again in the future, but if I do, I will for sure contact John immediately !
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08 Dec, 2014 by Adam
I am in Texas and I needed a Lawyer in California. John was recommended to me and did a great job. I would highly recommend him. He kept everyone cooled down, which helped get the situation resolved.
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08 Feb, 2024 by Michael de st. aubin
I cannot speak highly enough of her expertise, professionalism, and compassionate approach. From the moment I began speaking with Shannon, I knew I was in capable hands. Shannon possesses a unique ability to empathize with her clients while educating them about the complexities of the legal process. Unlike other attorneys, Shannon goes above and beyond to ensure her clients fully understand their rights and options, making informed decisions with confidence. Her wealth of knowledge and top-tier professionalism are truly remarkable. Shannon was able to set realistic expectations for my case while instilling in me a sense of confidence and assurance. Despite the challenges of navigating the family court system, Shannon's guidance and support served as a beacon of hope during what can often be a daunting and emotionally taxing experience. In a system that can sometimes feel overwhelming and intimidating, Shannon shines as a bright light of positivity and reassurance. Her unwavering dedication to her clients' well-being is evident in every interaction, and I am immensely grateful to her. Working with Shannon DeBiase has been nothing short of amazing, and I cannot thank her enough for her outstanding advocacy and support throughout my legal journey. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to anyone in need of exceptional legal representation. Thank you, Shannon, for your unwavering commitment and for making a positive difference in my life.
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12 Jan, 2024 by Steve portaro
Amazing firm of very helpful and knowledgeable Trust and Probate lawyers
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23 Aug, 2023 by Raul ramirez
Avoid at all costs. I had the misfortune of using an attorney from this firm. They over charge, and then proceeded to do the bare minimum. In court they are too passive letting the other side have their way resulting in my child suffering as a result.
Do not let your family suffer.
Update: my attorney from this firm contacted me about my review. They stated that their poor work was intended to save me money. I never asked for that.
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08 Feb, 2024 by Michael de st. aubin
I cannot speak highly enough of her expertise, professionalism, and compassionate approach. From the moment I began speaking with Shannon, I knew I was in capable hands. Shannon possesses a unique ability to empathize with her clients while educating them about the complexities of the legal process. Unlike other attorneys, Shannon goes above and beyond to ensure her clients fully understand their rights and options, making informed decisions with confidence. Her wealth of knowledge and top-tier professionalism are truly remarkable. Shannon was able to set realistic expectations for my case while instilling in me a sense of confidence and assurance. Despite the challenges of navigating the family court system, Shannon's guidance and support served as a beacon of hope during what can often be a daunting and emotionally taxing experience. In a system that can sometimes feel overwhelming and intimidating, Shannon shines as a bright light of positivity and reassurance. Her unwavering dedication to her clients' well-being is evident in every interaction, and I am immensely grateful to her. Working with Shannon DeBiase has been nothing short of amazing, and I cannot thank her enough for her outstanding advocacy and support throughout my legal journey. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to anyone in need of exceptional legal representation. Thank you, Shannon, for your unwavering commitment and for making a positive difference in my life.
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12 Jan, 2024 by Steve portaro
Amazing firm of very helpful and knowledgeable Trust and Probate lawyers
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23 Aug, 2023 by Raul ramirez
Avoid at all costs. I had the misfortune of using an attorney from this firm. They over charge, and then proceeded to do the bare minimum. In court they are too passive letting the other side have their way resulting in my child suffering as a result.
Do not let your family suffer.
Update: my attorney from this firm contacted me about my review. They stated that their poor work was intended to save me money. I never asked for that.
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17 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Bonnie is Semi retired and running a small home office. She prepares some Wills and basic documents but she is overall pretty ignorant about probate law. I hired Bonnie and many of the questions regarding my case were unanswered, she said she would get back to me later on the questions but she never did. I needed help on State planning but Bonnie turned out to be un dedicated to Law. She works from home and most days she has no help or staff making everything slower to process when she is charging over $450/hour.
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02 Nov, 2012 by David
Bonnie Braiker-Gordon was a god-send for my wife and I. My mother-in-law passed away almost immediately after my father-in-law, and there was no provision in the meantime for financial controls and home ownership, as my mother-in-law had severe Alzheimer's and my father-in-law failed to change his will to reflect things such as home ownership, etc. With Bonnie's amazing help, we were able to declare my mother-in-law a ward of my wife and ownership of the home and all property as well as the control of my mother-in-laws welfare was granted to my wife as well. Bonnie did a fast and efficient job of convincing the court (rightly) that her parents would have wanted their home to be in her control, and not go to the state as a way to pay for her medical treatments. I cannot recommend Bonnie highly enough, as she and her team helped expedite a very difficult (and emotional) situation for us and did it with care and concern.
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09 Sep, 2024 by Sylvia
Mr Levine is representing my 2 Brothers, he has never mail me any paper work or new who he was? My Daughter and I called him in a 3 way on 9/6/24 to find out about this case, he was rude and used volgar language toward my Daughter and I.
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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.
