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23 Sep, 2024 by Felicia carver
Mr. Latuga definitely knows what he's doing and is open about the process. He ensures that he is prepared and works in the best interest of his clients. He comes highly recommended and I understand why! If you need and attorney then he's your guy!
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08 Sep, 2024 by Nabil sawal
Hands down the only lawyer you need. Go ahead and give his office a call and thank me later. Professionalism at its best. Thank you Mr. Latuga for all the hard work you put in for your clients.
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05 Sep, 2024 by Anthony raspanti
I unfortunately have some experience in and around a court room. I have hired quite the collection of lawyers from several regions and districts throughout the state of Virginia as well as two in Florida. I am doing a rough estimate here, if I had to say what I spent in attorney fees over a forty year period it would land north of 85k. Now out of that 85 k. I’d consider that I got value for my money, say roughly about 35-maybe 40k worth. That would translate to three to seven lawyers that I felt actually earned the payment. That they actually did the work, fought for my well being, got me the absolute best they could ! Out of the”seven” good attorneys that I have hired, I can not include Mr. Brian Latuga into that alumni class. There is good reasons for this ! Brain Latuga has fought harder for me than any litigator I have ever seen, retained, spoke too, or has assisted my family and I in any manner. Mr. Latuga is in a class of his own. Beyond being a wonderful, dedicated family man. A great and honest man, he is a caring and compassionate man who will look deep into who you are, who you used to be, who you want to become, and most importantly what the hell has happened that brought your life to a screeching holt ! What circumstance led to your incarceration, or hardship that is being imposed by an infraction of today’s justice system. Brian will look through every aspect of the case and he knows how to work within and around the courthouse. He has more knowledge of the law than all of the attorneys I have hired in my life combined, and his work ethic is incredible. I don’t want to reveal personal details that pertain to my situation directly but Mr. Latuga has gone above and beyond for me and my family. He would return my wife’s regular weekly freak out calls during my incarceration. Always straight forward, he would never give us false hope or blow smoke to get us to stop bugging him or bombarding his email server. He would respond to us in 24 -36 hours regardless if it was a holiday or the third time that week we had a panic attack or freak out. He went well above the standard client visitation commitment that are outlined in his retainer contract. He has truly looked out for my best interest and has been by my side fighting and fighting and fighting to see me through the hardest and scariest time of my life. I could not imagine how I could have gotten through this without him nor would I have made it this far without him!! Brian Latuga is the BEST attorney in this city, district, state, and he is an amazing human being who truly cares and fights for you and your family!!!! He should be your first, last , and only attorney option if you are facing a fight, this man is who you want in the ring with you ! Thank you Brian, I wish there were better words to truly express my gratitude, I just hope that one day in the not so distant future I can repay you for how much you have given me and my family!!! You are our beacon of hope ! We know that we are in good hands and rest as well as one can through times like these! Thank you Brian Latuga and Heather too!!! Sincerely, your favorite habitually tardy criminal mastermind.😉
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16 Sep, 2016 by Rhianna
I originally came into contact with Mr. Rowlands when he represented the individual I was suing in General District court. (In other words, he was the opposing counsel). He litigated that case so well and effectively, that I followed up with him regarding a matter I needed assistance with regarding a Federal inmate I'm advocating for. He completed the most thorough and complete version of that particular document (a Power of Attorney,) I have ever seen. The third matter I consulted with him on was regarding a civil matter in General District court I had started on my own, but then needed to follow up on with counsel. For one thing, one generally wouldn't choose to secure the services of former opposing counsel, but due to his excellent work, I was so impressed with Mr. Rowlands as a whole, that I knew he was who I would want handling any legal matter I may ever have. He was a superb litigator (with a difficult client who he was working with under far less than ideal circumstances,) and we worked together to reach a settlement that was satisfactory and in the best interests of all parties. He is a great communicator and truly goes above and beyond to get the job done. Even more impressively, regarding the third matter, while he certainly gave me the resources and information I needed to handle the matter, he also advised me that in his opinion, while I have a case, the time and energy required for me to pursue it really wouldn't be worth it, in the long run. He also advised me of an entirely different option that I will be pursuing in the interest of justice. Mr. Rowlands has impeccable ethics and skill. He is very easy to work with (regardless of which side of the table you're on!) and I could note rate him any higher than I have. I will most definitely go back to Mr. Rowlands for any legal matter I may have in the future. If you need a good lawyer, regardless of how simple or complicated your case may be, he is the man for the job.
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10 Mar, 2016 by Bill coan
I have worked with Attorney Brent Rowlands for 15 years, and with the very greatest pleasure. Brent is the best, and will always handle all my legal work in Virginia. An A+ Attorney, and I have no hesitation in recommending him. Brent has handled a very difficult and long "on going" probate case for an estate and has been tremendous! Most of all he did this for us nearly 1,000 miles apart. A+
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23 Oct, 2015 by David
Brent helped me with a real estate deal that had went bad for me and my partners. Time was of the essences and he handled and came up with the solution in literally a few hours. Brent is fair, honest and effective. I would recommend him with out hesitation
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22 Jun, 2018 by Scott
Mr. Olansen navigated me through a difficult tax issue and got me a great outcome. I had a fair amount of success representing myself in visitation matters years before, but in the situation I faced with the government, I simply could not have done it without him. I endorse him unequivocally.
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07 Jul, 2013 by Harold
The case was one where a family trust was questionably liquidated by the trustees to the exclusion of some of the beneficiaries. Earlier, another attorney had advised us that the harm to trust's excluded beneficiaries was not actionable and would probably result in the beneficiary plaintiffs being disinherited. Legal research by Ms Zizzo, Rack & Olansen's litigation attorney, resulted in a lawsuit that eliminated the risk of disinheritance and the case was settled out of court with the wronged beneficiaries receiving six figure settlements.
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04 Jun, 2013 by Tom
Nate is personable and very professional. We appreciated his thoroughness, approachability, and the quality of his follow-through. Our discussions carefully reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of various trust considerations.
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30 May, 2020 by Anonymous
Powell has been our personal attorney for at least 25 years. I am a financial planner and understand the need to keep legal plans up to date. When I need to reach him, I get a response from him or his legal assistant in a timely fashion. As our children grew and our situation became more complex, he kept our Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Medical Directives up to date. He has also done work for my adult children at my behest when they lived in North Carolina or Virginia. They have liked him and his work very much. Some of my clients have chosen to use his services and they have learned that Powell works well with their other advisors. He cares deeply about his clients and you cannot buy that attribute.
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05 Apr, 2023 by Justin robare
Frugal Legal Services should be the staple for how all parents are represented in custody cases. Ms. Burroughs worked hard and diligently on my case and set realistic expectations. My case had a ton of unrelated issues to custody and Ms. Burroughs was completely understanding and worked through our nearly 9 month case. Ms. Burroughs is a magical and enlightening person who gets results. I went from having no contact with my children to now everything is 50/50 and I get to see my sons every other week and have the assurance that no one should be able to change that. The only shame here is that I can only give Ms. Burroughs and Frugal Legal Services 5 stars because it doesn’t let you show off the absolute brilliance of the firm or Ms. Burroughs. Ms. Burroughs and Frugal Legal Services are the prime and top option of any family matters should anyone require those services. I will recommend them for my entire life because of the amazing work that was done.
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12 Jan, 2022 by Alphonce o
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12 Sep, 2021 by Nathaniel
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12 Jun, 2024 by Jared lesler
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18 Feb, 2024 by Marcus wilson
Terrible law firm pray on HOA residents. Use someone else. Don’t use a firm that does work for HOA’s they are only in it for the money and not for your personal interest. All about the Benjamin’s with this firm
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14 May, 2023 by Matt knight
They were great. Handled my family's estate. Made it very easy and comfortable.
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12 Jun, 2024 by Jared lesler
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18 Feb, 2024 by Marcus wilson
Terrible law firm pray on HOA residents. Use someone else. Don’t use a firm that does work for HOA’s they are only in it for the money and not for your personal interest. All about the Benjamin’s with this firm
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14 May, 2023 by Matt knight
They were great. Handled my family's estate. Made it very easy and comfortable.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers

What a Tax Lawyer Can Do for You

A tax lawyer specializes in the complex area of tax law, offering legal advice and representation on matters related to tax compliance, disputes with tax authorities, and tax planning. Tax lawyers help individuals, businesses, and organizations navigate the intricacies of federal, state, and local tax laws. They ensure that clients are compliant with tax regulations, minimize tax liabilities, and represent them in audits, appeals, or disputes with tax authorities such as the IRS.

Whether you need assistance with personal taxes, corporate tax strategy, or resolving an audit, a tax lawyer can protect your rights and help you manage your financial responsibilities.

When Should I Hire a Tax Lawyer?

Hiring a tax lawyer is advisable in several situations where tax issues are complicated, disputes arise, or legal strategies are necessary to manage tax liability. Common reasons to hire a tax lawyer include:

  • Tax audits or disputes with the IRS: If you are facing an audit or have received a notice of deficiency from the IRS, a tax lawyer can represent you and defend your rights during the process.
  • Tax debt relief: If you owe back taxes or face significant tax liabilities, a tax lawyer can help negotiate a payment plan, settlement, or Offer in Compromise with the IRS.
  • Tax planning for businesses or individuals: A tax lawyer can advise on strategies to minimize tax liabilities through legal deductions, credits, and other tax-saving mechanisms.
  • International tax issues: If you have foreign assets or income, a tax lawyer can help you comply with international tax laws, such as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) or Foreign Bank Account Reporting (FBAR) requirements.
  • Tax fraud or evasion accusations: If you're being investigated or charged with tax fraud or evasion, a tax lawyer can provide a defense and negotiate with the authorities to minimize penalties.
  • Corporate tax law compliance: Businesses, especially large corporations, benefit from the expertise of a tax lawyer who can handle complex issues such as mergers and acquisitions, employee benefits, and international tax planning.
  • Estate and gift tax planning: A tax lawyer can help you minimize estate taxes and ensure your assets are passed on efficiently through trusts, wills, and other tax-efficient structures.

Hiring a tax lawyer early can prevent costly mistakes and ensure you are fully compliant with all applicable tax laws.

What Does a Tax Lawyer Do?

A tax lawyer provides a wide range of services to assist clients with tax compliance, tax planning, and legal disputes. Their key responsibilities include:

  • Tax planning and advisory: Helping individuals and businesses plan their tax strategies to reduce liability, avoid penalties, and maximize deductions and credits.
  • Representing clients in tax disputes: Defending clients in disputes with the IRS or state tax authorities, including audits, appeals, and collections actions.
  • Filing Offers in Compromise: Negotiating settlements with the IRS for clients who owe more than they can afford to pay.
  • Handling tax litigation: Representing clients in tax court or other legal proceedings if a tax dispute escalates beyond the administrative level.
  • Estate and gift tax planning: Advising clients on how to structure their estate to minimize estate and gift taxes, including creating trusts, family partnerships, or charitable giving plans.
  • Assisting with tax fraud investigations: Defending clients accused of tax fraud, evasion, or criminal tax offenses.
  • International tax compliance: Advising clients with offshore assets on U.S. tax compliance and reporting requirements, including FATCA and FBAR.

How Are Tax Lawyers Paid?

Tax lawyers typically charge for their services in various ways, depending on the complexity of the work involved and the nature of the legal assistance required. Common payment structures include:

  • Hourly rate: Many tax lawyers charge by the hour, especially for complex cases or ongoing legal work such as audit defense, tax litigation, or corporate tax planning. Hourly rates can range from $200 to $600 or more, depending on the lawyer's experience and location.
  • Flat fee: For specific tasks, such as preparing a legal document, filing an Offer in Compromise, or handling a routine audit, some lawyers charge a flat fee.
  • Retainer: For businesses or individuals with ongoing tax needs, a lawyer may require a retainer, which is an upfront payment used to secure the lawyer’s services and billed against as work is completed.
  • Contingency fee: In rare cases, particularly when negotiating settlements or resolving tax debts, a lawyer may charge a contingency fee based on the outcome of the case. This means they only get paid if they succeed in reducing your tax liability.

Always ask about the fee structure during the initial consultation to avoid surprises and ensure you understand how the lawyer will charge for their services.

How Much Does a Tax Lawyer Cost?

The cost of hiring a tax lawyer depends on the complexity of the case, the lawyer’s experience, and the specific services required. Here are some general cost estimates:

  • Simple tax issues: For straightforward cases such as filing an Offer in Compromise or handling a routine audit, fees may range from $2,000 to $7,500.
  • Complex tax disputes: For more complicated cases, such as defending against tax fraud accusations, handling a significant IRS audit, or resolving international tax issues, costs can range from $10,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the time and effort involved.
  • Hourly rates: Tax lawyers typically charge between $200 and $600 per hour, with higher rates for more experienced attorneys or cases involving high-stakes outcomes.
  • Flat fees: For specific services, such as tax planning for an estate or preparing a legal document, a flat fee may range from $1,000 to $10,000, depending on the complexity of the task.

Always get a detailed estimate of fees during your consultation so you can plan your budget accordingly.

Top Questions to Ask a Tax Lawyer

Before hiring a tax lawyer, it’s important to ask the right questions to ensure they are the best fit for your situation. Key questions to ask include:

  1. What experience do you have with tax law?
    Ensure the lawyer has specific experience handling cases or issues similar to yours, whether it’s IRS disputes, corporate tax planning, or estate taxes.
  2. How do you charge for your services?
    Clarify the lawyer’s fee structure - whether it’s hourly, flat fee, or retainer - and ask for an estimate of the total cost of your case.
  3. What are the potential outcomes of my case?
    Ask the lawyer to provide an honest assessment of your situation and the possible outcomes, such as tax reductions, settlements, or litigation results.
  4. Have you handled cases like mine before?
    Find out if the lawyer has experience with issues similar to yours, such as international tax compliance, criminal tax defense, or complex estate planning.
  5. What is the timeline for my case?
    Ask how long it will take to resolve your tax issue or dispute, as some tax matters can take months or years to fully settle.
  6. Will you handle my case personally?
    In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may do much of the work. Clarify who will be handling your case day-to-day.

How to Check the Credibility of a Tax Lawyer

To ensure you are hiring a reputable tax lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and experience:

  • Check their bar status: Verify with your state bar association that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing, with no history of disciplinary actions.
  • Look for specific tax law expertise: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in tax law and have handled cases like yours.
  • Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for client reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about the lawyer’s expertise and service.
  • Ask for references: A credible tax lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients who can vouch for their ability to handle complex tax matters.
  • Look for professional affiliations: Membership in organizations like the American Bar Association’s Section of Taxation or the National Association of Tax Professionals (NATP) can indicate that the lawyer stays current with tax law developments.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To get the most out of your first meeting with a tax lawyer, it’s essential to come prepared with all relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:

  • Tax returns and records: Bring copies of recent tax returns, especially those related to the issue you're facing.
  • IRS correspondence: If you’ve received notices from the IRS or state tax authorities, bring all relevant documentation.
  • Financial records: Bring records of income, expenses, assets, and any other relevant financial documents that the lawyer may need to understand your tax situation.
  • List of questions: Prepare a list of questions to ask the lawyer about your case, the legal process, and the potential outcomes.
  • Timeline of events: Provide a clear timeline of any interactions with the IRS or tax authorities, including audits, notices, or payment demands.

By being well-prepared, you can ensure a productive consultation and help the lawyer assess your situation effectively, providing you with the best legal advice moving forward.