Lawyers map
>48
experienced lawyers
Filter by
09 Feb, 2025 by Barry haynie
Kyle Robbins and Anna White were very helpful throufhout the steessful probate process. Their staff updated me throughout and kept me informed. I couldn't recommend Robbins Estate law any higher.
Read more
23 Jan, 2025 by Stacy gomez
We worked with Robbins Estate, specifically with Lorenza Cigarroa, who was extremely thorough and knowledgeable and took the time to answer all our questions. We appreciate her extensive experience, curiosity, and guidance in the process.
Read more
23 Jan, 2025 by Joshua welch
Our experience with Mr. Strickland for estate planning was first-rate. 10/10 recommend, A++
Read more
15 Dec, 2022 by Robert cotton
Not really nice people.
Read more
18 May, 2022 by Gary nijak
Great lawyers, especially Jeff Racho and Peter Cesaro
Read more
26 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
I had great trepidation about whether I should take legal action or not. But from the beginning he put my mind at ease with his explanations of the law as well as advice, that was most often of the legal kind, but on other occasions entered into areas that could be best described as pastoral in nature. Not everyone can handle these various aspects of being a great lawyer as well as he did. I am more than satisfied by the work that Todd did for us. Thank you!
Read more
02 Aug, 2024 by Tom betar
Great experience redoing my will after a divorce. great communication ,fair pricing, it was done faster then original time quote. They handled it all. Thanks Tom Big Dogg
Read more
03 May, 2024 by Jamie do
The team was incredible. They were professional, did and excellent job and the most responsive legal team I've ever worked with.
Read more
03 May, 2024 by Isabella kung
Gregory Kazen and Payton Terzian have been a pleasure to work with during a difficult time for our family. Greg was easy to talk to and a comforting presence from the initial consultation all the way to the completion of the probate proceedings. He is professional, knowledgable, and incredibly patient guiding us through this complex and prolonged process.
Greg and Payton were always quick with their responses if we had any questions; clear and transparent with their rates; and generous with their time. I highly recommend their services to anyone!
Read more
25 Dec, 2024 by Aqe kitam
I had a deeply disappointing experience with Nossa Law. I paid the full $3,000 upfront for my NIW case, which was a significant financial burden as an international student. I even had to borrow money to ensure the payment was made, trusting that my case would be handled professionally.
Throughout the process, I consistently asked if anything else was required from me. I was never told that I needed to file the application myself. Pablo sent me a draft to review, asking me to confirm my information so he could proceed. However, after that, he completely disappeared.
I received no updates for over a year and four months despite numerous emails and phone calls. When I finally reached him, he claimed I had received the package and failed to file it myself—something I was never informed I had to do. According to the engagement letter, it is the lawyer’s responsibility to file the form, making his response even more unacceptable. Instead of offering support, he said he didn't have time to work on my case and "encouraged" me to file the package on my own without any clarification.
When I asked for further assistance, he told me he was on vacation for about 2-3 weeks. This lack of professionalism wasted not only my money but also my time, effort, and hope. Because my VISA will expire in 5 months, I now have no chance to do anything.
As someone unfamiliar with the process, I hired this firm to guide me. If I had known the lack of support I would receive, I could have saved myself the stress and done it independently.
I would NOT recommend Nossa Law to anyone. The way he handled my case was unprofessional, disrespectful, and deeply disappointing. If I could give zero stars, I absolutely would. Respecting clients and their cases should be the foundation of any legal practice, and that respect was entirely missing here.
Read more
27 Sep, 2024 by Edgar gallegos
17 Sep, 2024 by Ethan kerr
Matt was phenomenal to work with. He was knowledgeable and efficient, and got all of our work done in budget and on time.
Read more
5.0
7 Reviews
06 Dec, 2020 by Melissa
Elizabeth was our second attorney on our case. In a shorter amount of time Elizabeth was able to present, argue and win our case. She was so organized the entire time. She answered my calls and emails very promptly. Don’t waste your time and money like we did on anyone else. Hire her now!!!
Read more
09 Feb, 2018 by Paul
Last year I hired attorney Liz to help me with the probate of my brother's estate in Austin. I had earlier talked to several other local probate lawyers. Liz was far more knowledgeable and experienced. She worked with me for over a year, guiding me successfully through the probate proceedings in the Austin probate court. She was very skilled,always helpful and easy to work with at all times. Her attorney fees were always reasonable. I most strongly recommend her to anyone needing a probate lawyer.
Read more
24 Sep, 2015 by Kelli
Elizabeth helped us with wills/medical documents. She is very knowledgeable and helped us tremendously. She even brought up legal issues we hadn't thought of so that our documents were comprehensive and fully expressed our wishes. I appreciated how thorough she was and that she explained everything in detail. Her law firm has a very nice office with a professional team. She was also very timely in responding to us.
Read more
09 Feb, 2025 by Barry haynie
Kyle Robbins and Anna White were very helpful throufhout the steessful probate process. Their staff updated me throughout and kept me informed. I couldn't recommend Robbins Estate law any higher.
Read more
23 Jan, 2025 by Stacy gomez
We worked with Robbins Estate, specifically with Lorenza Cigarroa, who was extremely thorough and knowledgeable and took the time to answer all our questions. We appreciate her extensive experience, curiosity, and guidance in the process.
Read more
23 Jan, 2025 by Joshua welch
Our experience with Mr. Strickland for estate planning was first-rate. 10/10 recommend, A++
Read more
20 Dec, 2024 by Jerry schmeil
Rachel Bosworth is a terrific attorney. She is very competent, thorough and exceptionally friendly. I highly recommend her for legal needs.
Read more
11 Jul, 2024 by Sharon s temple
Rachel Bosworth made the process of Estate Planning very easy. She was extremely knowledgeable, professional, kind, and patient as we worked through the process. Her advice enabled me to correct an issue at the bank that was problematic. I am extremely pleased with the final Estate Planning product which was provided in a nice binder making it easy to use all of our legal documents. My husband and I both give Rachel a 5 star recommendation!
Read more
23 May, 2024 by Laura savage-rains
Rachel Bosworth is thorough, helpful, responsive, knowledgeable, and professional! I am so grateful she is walking alongside us in our estate planning. She is especially helpful in planning for special needs family members. What a blessing!
Read more
23 Jan, 2025 by Tim morris
29 Oct, 2024 by Ismael cantu
I reached out to this firm for representation...what a outstanding group of professionals. Responded immediately, professionally, caring and with a purpose. What a great group of people.
Read more
23 Aug, 2024 by Brad king
Terry was organized, thorough, compassionate, and an amazing advocate for my late grandparents and mother. She had a plan for every hurdle that popped up and streamlined the process moving forward. I recommend The Garrett Law Firm for end of life and estate planning. I’ll be using the firm to arrange my own affairs.
Read more
27 Apr, 2017 by Chris
I had Jim do my NFA Gun Trust and my family Trust. The NFA Trust was all done online and via email from Hawaii. Zero problems with that process. It was so easy to get done I had him to put together a family Trust. Very easy to work with and excellent service.
Read more
08 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Jim made it very easy to set up my trust. He spent close to an hour on the phone with me answering all my questions and explaining every aspect of the trust and how it works. I never felt as though he was trying to rush to get me off the phone. I had my trust set up in a day. I would recommend Jim to anyone wanting to set up a gun trust.
Read more
03 Mar, 2017 by Alex
I chose Jim to draft my trust and he did a great job. I've come back for questions multiple times and he always answers and is eager to help. I love that he is involved in the community which he services and it's been a pleasant opportunity to see him at some of the same events I've attended. If you need a trust, I highly recommend Jim.
Read more
12 Mar, 2016 by Paul
Tracy Willi is one of the top notch appellate attorneys in Texas. I was involved in an appellate situation where I needed a great appellate attorney and Tracy Willi came highly recommended to me.
I highly recommend using Tracy Willi and her expertise in appellate law and would definitely use her again.
Paul
Read more
10 Aug, 2013 by Jill
I recommend Tracy Willi for all intellectual property issues. I am so thankful for everything she has done for me! I could not have gotten past this ordeal without her. I appreciate every second she worked on my case and will forever be grateful!”
*****
Read more
17 May, 2013 by Jody
I was referred to Tracy by a corporate attorney and I am writing in now to express my sincere thanks to Tracy for her outstanding lawyer services on my case. I had a complicated civil court case related to custody that went on for far too long in the county court (it was so very stressful) and then resulted in my needing to file bankruptcy (which just added to even more stress), following also an appeals filing to the custody case, as well. The long-story short of it, is that it was a complicated and exhausting process that went on for months & months and I just needed a trusted legal counselor who could help me get to the proper resolution and allow me to gain peace-of-mind. I obtained Tracy's expertise because she came highly recommended and has experience in complicated cases related to appeals and bankruptcy matters; and frankly, I needed her to oversee a couple of attorneys who were not operating at a trustworthy and responsive pace in order to finalize matters on the case(s) to proper resolution. From the moment I talked with her, I could tell she was going to keep me informed, handle the processes correctly and efficiently and the questions she asked me and comments & feedback she provided gave me the up-front confidence that she is very knowledgeable and was going to handle the process all the way through. I needed to get matters finalized and properly executed and Tracy did exactly that (AND she left me with the open-door policy that if anything else was to show up that was concerning, that all I needed to do is reach out to her again to get her legal advice and assistance, if needed, to address it). And for clients, this is a great peace-of-mind. Tracy is one of those elite attorneys who gives the profession of law a great name. What you see and receive from Tracy in professional, dedicated service is what one would expect and hope to get for legal representation.....and that is 200%. I am thankful that I was able to be introduced to her, and I definitely recommend Tracy Willi! And thank you for allowing me to post a review.
Read more
25 Jul, 2023 by Cynthia
The Hailey-Petty Law Firm is a great place to work. I have been a Paralegal for over 35 years, and I have worked in several law firms, from the small - one lawyer firm, to the big downtown firms with 20+ attorneys, and this firm, by far, is the most compassionate and is a firm where the client is the number one priority.
As a team, we work closely with each other to provide the most professional service we can for each client. We have many staff meetings to discuss our client's cases, so that each client's case is moving forward. We also have many training sources, so that we can provide the best service for our clients.
At the end of the day, it is very rewarding to have bosses like Pam, Jessica and Kay who are very appreciative, respectful, and compassionate with each of their employee's needs - no matter what they may be. Thank you, Pam, for showing me appreciation, respect, and compassion, and thank you for being a great leader! I truly love my job and this firm.
Read more
11 Aug, 2019 by Lynnette
Contacted and hired Mrs. Petty for a will and estate planning. She and everyone in the office was professional, friendly and made my experience comfortable. She was patient and provided great information on options. I learned a great deal through the process and will certainly use their services again and refer to friends and family.
Read more
27 Jun, 2019 by Theresa
Thank you all for your patience and attention to detail when creating a will for both my husband and myself. We had no idea what all went in to creating a sound and complete will for a blended family. You were very through and happy to answer all our questions!
Read more
03 Nov, 2015 by Gina marques
Steve set up a great way for my partner and I to enter into an investment together. He wrote up the contract in such a way that will enable us to use it, with minor changes, in many other future investments as well. He took time getting to know both of our positions, and possible future scenarios, to advise and deliver the best solution.
Read more
12 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous
Steve advised me about how i could ex-sponge and seal my past criminal records. I feel that he is a very honest and upstanding attorney. He is also very knowledgeable about many topics. I would definitely recommend him to anyone with legal needs in his scope of expertise.
Read more
05 Mar, 2015 by Brent
I have used Steve for several transactions. He helped me resolve real estate transactions regarding probate and trusts. Steve also assisted me with forming an entity for my a new business.
I have found Steve to be extremely knowledgable and helpful.
I highly recommend him.
Read more
24 Feb, 2021 by Logan
Constantine helped me create my LLC and filed all the documents that needed to be done. He was knowledgeable at every turn of the process. As a first time business owner I didn't create my LLC for a long time because i was scared of the process and Constantine made sure that i knew exactly what was happening and i never felt in the dark. Constantine is also my go to for my taxes both for my business and personal. He educates me on every little detail and ensures I file on time and correctly. He takes the time to explain to me the differences in the credits and deductions and helps me understand why I should claim certain ones and not others. I now have Constantine doing my taxes and my fathers taxes and will be sending any other friends or family to him for his expertise.
Read more
03 Dec, 2019 by Norman
Costa has been handling my affairs for years. He's never showed away from a challenge and provided invaluable insight to help me navigate through some complicated issues.
I've yet to find fault with any of the services he has performed for my business and family. I recommend him to associates as often as circumstance allows.
I'm sure he will run out of bandwidth at some point, but see no end in sight. He has a lot of energy and a seemingly limitless capacity. He sees and has created opportunities that have contributed to the quality of a surprising number of facets of my life.
I truly feel he's "got my back". If you can find a better value than that, well... Don't let it get away.
Read more
01 Mar, 2016 by Paua
Costa Anestos knows the answers to the most esoteric tax questions. I consult him early in the year each year to learn strategies that save thousands on my taxes.
My husband and I married recently, both with separate property. Costa answered our questions thoroughly and strategically. He knows oil and gas rights as well.
Recently I followed his advice for a complex 1031 exchange of rural property inherited at different years. I completely deferred my capital gains. No other tax attorney would even touch my complex questions.
He has particular expertise in investment real estate. As a real estate agent I would not hesitate to recommend him to my clients when considering the tax implications of investment property.
Read more
15 Jun, 2016 by Danielle
After putting it off for years, my husband and I worked with Katherine to create our will. From start to finish, our experience was excellent. Kat was great when it came to all the questions we had and helped explain many of the confusing legal jargon in easy to understand terms. She was patient with our timing, as it took us a little longer than expected to get all of the pieces together and when it was time to finalize everything, the additional staff we interacted with were kind and professional. I highly recommend working with Katherine on creating or updating your will.
Read more
02 Jun, 2016 by Lindsey
Katherine helped us with our will and estate planning documents. She was great to work with - thorough, effecient, and very helpful with explaining what each document means and how it is used. I would absolutely recommend Katherine to others.
Read more
14 May, 2016 by Leah
We hired Katherine to help us put together our wills and we couldn't have been happier. From our very first email exchanges, Katherine walked us through every step of the process. She was happy to answer all of our questions in detail and we never felt lost in what can otherwise be a convoluted process. She was also happy to help clarify terms we didn't understand and made excellent suggestions. She worked quickly and efficiently and was highly communicative. We thoroughly enjoyed working with her and highly recommend her.
Read more
14 Jan, 2025 by Shannon norman
Mr. Eggert did everything possible for the best outcome for my family. It was not an easy task, he dismissed one case and kept our loved one from staying in jail on another. Only regret was not hiring him quicker for a different charge. Thank you so much!!!
Read more
13 Jan, 2025 by Abhijit pathak
Mikel was instrumental in negotiating out of court settlement for us. He did thorough research and worked with us throughout the process to get to a successful outcome. Thank your Mikel!!
Read more
05 Nov, 2024 by Jessica lopez
Please go see Mikel Eggart if you need an attorney. He had us in and out and a check ready so fast! Everything went fast, smooth, and professional. He always communicated with us via phone, or email. He answered all our questions, explained everything and listened about anything we wanted to talk to him about. I am so thankful for him and his staff! Our travel from Georgetown to Austin was worth it! He is the best person/attorney I've met in a long time! Jessica
Read more
12 Sep, 2024 by Michael
I had protracted litigation involving a guardianship, several trusts, a decedent's estate, family limited partnerships, a divorce, and numerous appeals. It was a lot. While there were several lawyers involved on all sides, Adam really impressed me. He thinks outside the box, he does his homework, and he gets results. I highly recommend him for virtually everything. Even for things outside his wheelhouse--if he can't help you, he'll know someone who can.
Read more
02 Aug, 2024 by Tom betar
Great experience redoing my will after a divorce. great communication ,fair pricing, it was done faster then original time quote. They handled it all. Thanks Tom Big Dogg
Read more
03 May, 2024 by Jamie do
The team was incredible. They were professional, did and excellent job and the most responsive legal team I've ever worked with.
Read more
03 May, 2024 by Isabella kung
Gregory Kazen and Payton Terzian have been a pleasure to work with during a difficult time for our family. Greg was easy to talk to and a comforting presence from the initial consultation all the way to the completion of the probate proceedings. He is professional, knowledgable, and incredibly patient guiding us through this complex and prolonged process.
Greg and Payton were always quick with their responses if we had any questions; clear and transparent with their rates; and generous with their time. I highly recommend their services to anyone!
Read more
20 Feb, 2024 by Jared heine
Mrs. Kyle and her paralegal Ellen Joyce were very professional and knowledgeable. I would very highly recommend their services. Cathy was extremely competent and responsive with any questions I had. Additional kudos to Sean Swords who also helped out.
Read more
20 Feb, 2024 by Jared heine
Mrs. Kyle and her paralegal Ellen Joyce were very professional and knowledgeable. I would very highly recommend their services. Cathy was extremely competent and responsive with any questions I had. Additional kudos to Sean Swords who also helped out.
Read more
01 Mar, 2025 by Daniel logan
We were referred to Texas Trust Law by our financial planners to get our wills done and executed. Our first meeting with Zach and he took thorough notes and asked questions we hadn’t even thought about and within a couple of weeks we had the wills completed.
When executing the wills Julia (I think that was her name) walked us through the signing. The entire experience was perfect for us. From scheduling appointments to signing everything went well.
Read more
28 Feb, 2025 by Mike lee
Highly recommend. Brad and his team do an excellent job of simplifying a complicated process and explaining things. TTL came highly recommended to us, and my wife and I would make that same recommendation to others.
Read more
26 Feb, 2025 by Bryan mau
In 2022 Brad and his team helped me and my husband to form a legal trust. We were going through really a tough time with my husband's health and they made us feel so much more secure concerning the control and protection of our assets. Now, three years we later are thankfully in a much better place. We just had our three year update meeting and the team at Texas Trust Law remembered our situation and were so glad to find out that things had improved. They are professional and extremely knowledgeable, but they also are friendly people that genuinely care about their clients' lives and peace of mind.
Read more
01 Mar, 2025 by Daniel logan
We were referred to Texas Trust Law by our financial planners to get our wills done and executed. Our first meeting with Zach and he took thorough notes and asked questions we hadn’t even thought about and within a couple of weeks we had the wills completed.
When executing the wills Julia (I think that was her name) walked us through the signing. The entire experience was perfect for us. From scheduling appointments to signing everything went well.
Read more
28 Feb, 2025 by Mike lee
Highly recommend. Brad and his team do an excellent job of simplifying a complicated process and explaining things. TTL came highly recommended to us, and my wife and I would make that same recommendation to others.
Read more
26 Feb, 2025 by Bryan mau
In 2022 Brad and his team helped me and my husband to form a legal trust. We were going through really a tough time with my husband's health and they made us feel so much more secure concerning the control and protection of our assets. Now, three years we later are thankfully in a much better place. We just had our three year update meeting and the team at Texas Trust Law remembered our situation and were so glad to find out that things had improved. They are professional and extremely knowledgeable, but they also are friendly people that genuinely care about their clients' lives and peace of mind.
Read more
02 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous
I called to schedule a free consultation for a probate matter. Mr. Greening advertises FREE CONSULTATION on Avvo and on his own website. NOT TRUE! I made the appointment, and spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with his assistant explaining my needs so that Mr. Greening could be briefed prior to our consultation. Then several days later I got a call back from another person in Mr. Greening's office to inform me that the so called "free" consultation requires a $4,000 retainer fee up front. So, it's only "free" if you agree to retain Mr. Greening in advance of the very first meeting you have with him! Isn't that pretty much the opposite of a "free consultation"??? Losing a family member without a will is difficult enough, but being forced to deal with attorneys like Mr. Greening just adds to the misery. Hopefully I will be able to find another probate attorney who will sit down with me for 15 minutes free of charge and hear my story without asking me to shell out $4,000 just for the privilege of speaking with him/her. Hard to believe Mr. Greening has such high reviews from other people. Surely this same thing has happened over and over again to other people like me who foolishly believed the advertising that he offers a free consultation.
Read more
03 May, 2018 by Katy
In2003,shortly after I retired there was a neighborhood meeting which I attended.I contacted Ron Greening about a trust for my son. My son passed away and Ron assisted me in a new trust for my family.The efforts of the Greening Law Firm exceeded my expectations.
Read more
11 Jan, 2018 by Patrick
Ron helped through a trying period while building my estate plan. There were many changes during that period including sale of properties, purchase of properties and the death of my Wife of 52 years. Through it all, Ron was patient and provided the best professional advice.
Read more
21 Oct, 2024 by Jennifer solá
I couldn’t be more grateful for Lance Sharp and his outstanding work on my case! Not only did he settle my case efficiently, but he also secured a settlement far beyond what I was initially expecting. Lance was professional, attentive, and always kept me informed throughout the process. His expertise and dedication truly made a difference, and I felt confident every step of the way. If you’re looking for an attorney who will fight for you and deliver results, I highly recommend Lance Sharp!
Read more
12 Aug, 2024 by Sharon wells
I called and they returned my call promptly, and they answered questions and spoke with me free of charge. Most attorneys will not speak to you with out charging a fee. They answered my question and educated me on the case. Even though they couldn’t take the case they helped me understand why and I appreciate them taking the time to educate me and speak with me. Thankyou!!
Read more
22 Jul, 2024 by Michael gee
response immediately to inquiries, respectful and professional, gave further advice and referrals.Thank You Lance S
Read more
21 Oct, 2024 by Jennifer solá
I couldn’t be more grateful for Lance Sharp and his outstanding work on my case! Not only did he settle my case efficiently, but he also secured a settlement far beyond what I was initially expecting. Lance was professional, attentive, and always kept me informed throughout the process. His expertise and dedication truly made a difference, and I felt confident every step of the way. If you’re looking for an attorney who will fight for you and deliver results, I highly recommend Lance Sharp!
Read more
12 Aug, 2024 by Sharon wells
I called and they returned my call promptly, and they answered questions and spoke with me free of charge. Most attorneys will not speak to you with out charging a fee. They answered my question and educated me on the case. Even though they couldn’t take the case they helped me understand why and I appreciate them taking the time to educate me and speak with me. Thankyou!!
Read more
22 Jul, 2024 by Michael gee
response immediately to inquiries, respectful and professional, gave further advice and referrals.Thank You Lance S
Read more
20 Dec, 2024 by Jerry schmeil
Rachel Bosworth is a terrific attorney. She is very competent, thorough and exceptionally friendly. I highly recommend her for legal needs.
Read more
11 Jul, 2024 by Sharon s temple
Rachel Bosworth made the process of Estate Planning very easy. She was extremely knowledgeable, professional, kind, and patient as we worked through the process. Her advice enabled me to correct an issue at the bank that was problematic. I am extremely pleased with the final Estate Planning product which was provided in a nice binder making it easy to use all of our legal documents. My husband and I both give Rachel a 5 star recommendation!
Read more
23 May, 2024 by Laura savage-rains
Rachel Bosworth is thorough, helpful, responsive, knowledgeable, and professional! I am so grateful she is walking alongside us in our estate planning. She is especially helpful in planning for special needs family members. What a blessing!
Read more
20 Aug, 2024 by Neeraj baghel
19 Jul, 2021 by Mike “buffetboy” buslett
02 Jul, 2019 by Mario holod
19 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
He revised a will of a sick aging couple while failing to recognize all the telltale signs of elder abuse.
Read more
01 May, 2019 by Pat
Mr. Farrell walked me through the stages of care for both my parents: assisted living, skilled nursing, and death. We dealt with Medicaid and the VA. His guidance was priceless and accurate. His attention was timely and direct. My family will always be grateful for his wisdom and empathy.
Read more
20 Nov, 2015 by Vivian
The above words are the ones I use to describe Mr. Farrell. We used his services in the past for my mother-in-law through various stages of aging to provide for her care. Our current need was to write my husband's and my wills and other important documents. As always, he listened carefully to all our needs and created documents that reflected our wishes, including a trust for our dogs!
Read more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Trusts Lawyer Can Do for You
A trusts lawyer specializes in creating and managing trusts, which are legal entities that allow individuals to transfer assets to beneficiaries while maintaining control over how and when those assets are distributed. Trusts are used for estate planning, asset protection, tax planning, and ensuring the financial security of loved ones. Trusts lawyers help clients choose the right type of trust for their needs, draft trust documents, and advise on the administration and management of trusts.
Whether you're planning to pass on your assets to your heirs, protect your wealth from creditors, or provide for a disabled family member, a trusts lawyer can help you establish a trust that meets your financial and personal goals.
When Should I Hire a Trusts Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a trusts lawyer in various situations, particularly when you're planning for the future distribution of your assets or protecting your wealth. Common reasons to hire a trusts lawyer include:
- Estate planning: If you want to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, a lawyer can help you create a revocable or irrevocable trust to avoid probate and provide for your heirs.
- Asset protection: If you want to protect your assets from creditors, lawsuits, or potential future liabilities, a lawyer can help you establish a trust to shield your wealth.
- Special needs planning: If you have a disabled family member, a lawyer can create a special needs trust to provide for their care without affecting their eligibility for government benefits.
- Tax planning: If you're looking to minimize estate taxes or manage tax liabilities, a lawyer can help you create tax-advantageous trusts, such as a credit shelter trust or charitable remainder trust.
- Charitable giving: If you want to leave a legacy through charitable donations, a lawyer can help you set up a charitable trust to ensure your donations are managed according to your wishes.
- Business succession planning: If you own a business and want to ensure a smooth transition of ownership, a lawyer can help you establish a trust to pass the business on to your heirs or chosen successors.
Hiring a trusts lawyer early in the estate planning process ensures that your assets are protected and your wishes are clearly documented, reducing the chances of disputes after your death.
What Does a Trusts Lawyer Do?
A trusts lawyer provides a variety of legal services to help individuals create, manage, and administer trusts. Their responsibilities often include:
- Drafting trust documents: Preparing the legal documents needed to create the trust, ensuring it is tailored to your specific goals and complies with state and federal laws.
- Choosing the right type of trust: Assisting clients in selecting the most appropriate type of trust for their needs, whether it's a revocable trust, irrevocable trust, living trust, or special needs trust.
- Trust administration: Guiding trustees through their legal responsibilities, including managing assets, making distributions to beneficiaries, and filing tax returns.
- Modifying or terminating trusts: Helping modify or terminate trusts if circumstances change, such as changes in tax laws, family situations, or personal preferences.
- Protecting beneficiaries' interests: Structuring trusts to protect the interests of beneficiaries, especially if there are concerns about financial management, disability, or dependency issues.
- Minimizing estate taxes: Assisting clients in structuring their trusts to minimize or avoid estate taxes, ensuring more of the estate passes to beneficiaries.
- Handling disputes: Mediating or representing clients in court if disputes arise among beneficiaries or between trustees and beneficiaries.
How Are Trusts Lawyers Paid?
Trusts lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the trust and the type of legal work involved. Common payment methods include:
- Flat fee: For drafting basic trusts, such as revocable living trusts or special needs trusts, many lawyers charge a flat fee. This can range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the trust.
- Hourly rate: For more complex trust planning, ongoing trust administration, or resolving disputes, some lawyers charge by the hour. Hourly rates typically range from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Retainer: For long-term trust administration or complex estate planning cases, some lawyers may require a retainer, an upfront payment that covers ongoing services.
- Contingency fee (rare): In rare cases, particularly in disputes involving the administration of a trust, lawyers may work on a contingency fee basis, getting paid only if they successfully recover funds or resolve a legal dispute in your favor.
Always discuss the fee structure with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand the total cost of services.
How Much Does a Trusts Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a trusts lawyer depends on the complexity of the trust, the lawyer’s experience, and the fee structure. General cost estimates include:
- Basic trust creation: For simple trusts, such as revocable living trusts, fees may range from $1,000 to $3,000.
- Complex trust creation: For sophisticated estate plans involving multiple trusts, tax planning strategies, or special needs considerations, legal fees may range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more.
- Trust administration: If you are serving as a trustee and need ongoing legal advice, hourly rates for trust administration can range from $150 to $500 or more.
- Dispute resolution: Costs for litigation or mediation in trust disputes may range from $5,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case.
Be sure to get a detailed cost estimate from your lawyer during the consultation to ensure the services fit within your budget.
Top Questions to Ask a Trusts Lawyer
Before hiring a trusts lawyer, consider asking the following questions:
-
What experience do you have with creating trusts?
Ensure the lawyer has experience drafting trusts and managing trust administration for clients with similar goals or asset structures. -
What types of trusts do you recommend for my situation?
Ask the lawyer to explain the different types of trusts available and which ones best suit your needs. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify the fee structure and request an estimate of the total cost. -
What are the tax implications of the trust?
Ensure the lawyer can explain how the trust will affect your taxes and strategies to minimize tax liability. -
How long will it take to set up the trust?
Ask for a timeline for creating and finalizing the trust documents. -
Will you handle the trust administration?
If ongoing management is required, inquire whether the lawyer will assist with trust administration or if you'll need a separate trustee. -
Can you help resolve disputes if they arise?
Ask about the lawyer's experience in resolving trust disputes.
How to Check the Credibility of a Trusts Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable trusts lawyer, take the following steps:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and has no disciplinary actions.
- Look for trust law experience: Review their website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in estate planning and trusts.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for feedback on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google.
- Ask for references: Request references from past clients who can speak to their experience with the lawyer.
- Check for certifications: Look for certifications such as Certified Estate Planning Law Specialist (EPLS) or memberships in organizations like the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA).
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your first consultation with a trusts lawyer, bring the following:
- List of assets: Prepare a list of all your assets, including real estate, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, and personal property.
- List of beneficiaries: Provide names and contact information of individuals or organizations you want to name as beneficiaries.
- Existing estate planning documents: Bring copies of any existing wills, trusts, or other estate planning documents.
- Financial information: Bring financial statements, tax returns, and other relevant financial documentation.
- Questions for the lawyer: Prepare a list of questions about the trust creation process, fees, and how the trust will protect your assets and beneficiaries.
- Goals for the trust: Clearly outline your objectives, such as asset protection, tax minimization, or provisions for beneficiaries, so the lawyer can tailor the trust to your needs.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation effectively and receive the best possible legal advice for creating and managing your trust.
