Lawyers map
>48
experienced lawyers
Filter by
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
29 Apr, 2024 by Howard zeng
Greg and Payton are awesome lawyers. Will work with them again when I need to make changes to my will.
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
22 Aug, 2024 by Matt schoenrade
I reached out to Matt to ask some specific questions I had wanting to start my entrepreneurial journey. Not only was he quick and eager to help, he got me what I needed, answered every question I had, and made me feel like I mattered to him as a client. That alone will make me a client for life.
Matt was knowledgeable, thoughtful, and succinct with his answers that helped me get what I needed done.
Read more
01 May, 2024 by Michael cahlil
Sentient Law helped me a great deal with getting set up in our early stages. I can highly recommend Matt and the rest of the team for startup legal needs. Great communication and transparency.
Read more
08 Feb, 2024 by Thomas agueli
I have worked with many firms and have used multiple self-help services. Matthew and his team setup my business faster than I thought was possible and closed a deal for me in a matter of weeks. I have used things like legal zoom before. This ultimately cost me less money than those services.
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
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
29 Apr, 2024 by Howard zeng
Greg and Payton are awesome lawyers. Will work with them again when I need to make changes to my will.
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
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
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
31 Aug, 2024 by Mary phelps
Mike took care of are needs and was very nice to the three of us if I need an Attorney in the future I will use Mike.
Read more
15 May, 2024 by Jacob reyna
He was very respectful and he will hear u out and actually care about you your case and your family. Very very professional he need a 10 star and he hasn’t even started my case yet and am already happy.
Read more
17 Apr, 2024 by Cari cabaniss
He professionally created our estate planning documents. He took the time to listen to our needs, do it right the first time, and educated me on how to make the process smoother. His rate was reasonable for all the time and effort he spent with us! Highly recommend!
Read more
20 Aug, 2024 by Neeraj baghel
19 Jul, 2021 by Mike “buffetboy” buslett
02 Jul, 2019 by Mario holod
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
08 Oct, 2024 by Tropicflow
Hello everyone!
Aaron Allison has accepted my case to where no one else would, at first I was on the verge of giving up , I had called at least 12 other attorneys that said ," this is something beyond my experience" or ," there is not much of a fight to be had".
With Aaron Allison and his legal team, they are truly a force to behold. The determination to win your case and the pure aggressive manner they go after your opposition is unmatched by anyone in the field.
If you need help and have no one else to turn to, call Aaron Allison today, yoi are one phone call away from a breath of fresh air.
Read more
19 Sep, 2024 by Dyson turner
I hired Aaron for my worker's comp case. He got the insurance carrier to pay me the correct amount of temporary income and he argued for a fair disability rating. It took a lot of stress off me. I've recommended Aaron to multiple people.
Read more
28 Aug, 2024 by Paul duke
My wife Patty and I are very grateful to have found Texas Trust Law. They're a great firm, very profesional, kind and made sure that all our needs were met for our family trust. I recommend their services 100%, you can't go wrong with Texas Trust Law!!
Read more
08 Oct, 2024 by Tropicflow
Hello everyone!
Aaron Allison has accepted my case to where no one else would, at first I was on the verge of giving up , I had called at least 12 other attorneys that said ," this is something beyond my experience" or ," there is not much of a fight to be had".
With Aaron Allison and his legal team, they are truly a force to behold. The determination to win your case and the pure aggressive manner they go after your opposition is unmatched by anyone in the field.
If you need help and have no one else to turn to, call Aaron Allison today, yoi are one phone call away from a breath of fresh air.
Read more
19 Sep, 2024 by Dyson turner
I hired Aaron for my worker's comp case. He got the insurance carrier to pay me the correct amount of temporary income and he argued for a fair disability rating. It took a lot of stress off me. I've recommended Aaron to multiple people.
Read more
28 Aug, 2024 by Paul duke
My wife Patty and I are very grateful to have found Texas Trust Law. They're a great firm, very profesional, kind and made sure that all our needs were met for our family trust. I recommend their services 100%, you can't go wrong with Texas Trust Law!!
Read more
10 Oct, 2024 by Doug masters
My father and I met with John Strickland to do some estate planning. John was amazing! He explained things in great detail and made sure that we had all of the documents we needed. We couldn't recommend Robbins Estate Law more!
Read more
10 Oct, 2024 by Collin jones
Carla R. with Robbins Law Firm’s Estate Aftercare Program is exceptional. Her professionalism and thoroughness made navigating complex estate matters stress-free. Highly recommend!
Read more
18 Aug, 2024 by Sandi batik
10 Oct, 2024 by Doug masters
My father and I met with John Strickland to do some estate planning. John was amazing! He explained things in great detail and made sure that we had all of the documents we needed. We couldn't recommend Robbins Estate Law more!
Read more
10 Oct, 2024 by Collin jones
Carla R. with Robbins Law Firm’s Estate Aftercare Program is exceptional. Her professionalism and thoroughness made navigating complex estate matters stress-free. Highly recommend!
Read more
18 Aug, 2024 by Sandi batik
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
01 Jul, 2024 by Sunil raju
This firm strives to help its clients at the highest level. Ms. Lynch works behind the scenes to ensure the firm really helps clients get a lot of value and strong legal advice. I would not hesitate to refer clients to the Lynch Law Firm!
Read more
09 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
Very disorganized. Hired her to file a probate for my father's estate. After signing off on a flat fee rate, and reminding her twice that I had not received the link to pay her, she told us that she had lost our documents and said it might not be worth our time to obtain new ones. We were then charged by the hour plus filing fees for documents that she did not have.
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
19 Dec, 2023 by Sue packer
Mike Carroll could not have made this any easier for us. It has brought us a great peace of mind at this busy time.
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
03 Jul, 2024 by Benjamin casey
My first initial contact when calling this firm was ridiculous. They stated that, without a professional "second opinion" on my situation they could not further look into handling my case ... A 2nd opinion isn't only not a possibility whatsoever, it would be completely pointless. Stupid ... Just stupid.
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
19 Dec, 2023 by Sue packer
Mike Carroll could not have made this any easier for us. It has brought us a great peace of mind at this busy time.
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
03 Jul, 2024 by Benjamin casey
My first initial contact when calling this firm was ridiculous. They stated that, without a professional "second opinion" on my situation they could not further look into handling my case ... A 2nd opinion isn't only not a possibility whatsoever, it would be completely pointless. Stupid ... Just stupid.
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
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.
