Lawyers map
>2.7k
experienced lawyers
Filter by
15 Apr, 2016 by Anonymous
David has helped me greatly since successful defense of impeachment hearings by student counsel. Helped organize and promote fundraising for music and sports events and been a valuable guide and a good friend through some of life's most confusing corridors. I highly recommend him.
Read more
07 Oct, 2013 by Edith
David Frenznick is an excellent lawyer, knowledgeable, well informed, honest, consistent, and patient. I would definitely use his service again, and I would highly recommend him. He achieved what I need.
Read more
24 Sep, 2013 by Troy
I have worked with David in the past and I hold him in high regard as an attorney and a business associate. I would work with David again and trust him with representing our interest in the future!
Read more
19 Jun, 2014 by Jenny
We found Mr. Samuel B. Ledwitz very kind and easy to talk with and so very much knowledgeable regarding Estate Planning. We would definitely recommend Mr. Samuel B. Ledwitz for we felt save and secure as our meeting continue we knew we had made the right choice, Mr. Samuel B. Ledwitz.
Thank you.
Read more
23 Feb, 2012 by Gerardo
When my father passed away, I was 22 and was named trustee. I was silently freaking out, and thanks to Sam's reassurances that I was doing everything correctly and his ability to guide me through the process of administering my father's estate we managed to close my father's estate fairly quickly.
Read more
06 Nov, 2011 by Anonymous
Mr. Ledwitz listens closely to client concerns and is able to tailor solutions to their problems with care and humor. He is exceptionally hard working and knowledgeable. One can tell that his state board certification in estate planning was the result of a great deal of learning and experience.
Read more
20 Aug, 2020 by Trish
My mom specifically wanted to look for an estate lawyer within her home town who was female and has great reviews. I'm glad I used Avvo's website to find Edalina. She was extremely calm, listens very well, very thorough, and has a very kind disposition. She explained and addressed the nuances of my mom's needs. I am very glad we worked with her and the staff at this office. I highly recommend her!
Read more
27 Mar, 2017 by Amber
Lina is very professional and knowledgeable. More importantly she takes the time to listen to her clients, and sincerely cares about the wellbeing of all parties involved. Working with Lina has been a dream in a nightmare of a situation.
Read more
05 Jan, 2016 by Cristina
Lina took the time to listen to my issues and help me without nickel and diming me for every question I had. I love her!
Read more
05 Sep, 2023 by Kathleen
Contacted Elizabeth Caplan today for a free consultation regarding amending my Living Trust. So knowledgeable and answered all my questions and concerns fully. Liz is very easy to speak with, is a diligent note taker and LISTENS to the client's needs. I felt comfortable from the start. I would recommend Liz and Caplan Wilkinson's services without question
Read more
17 Aug, 2023 by Phil
We engaged Caplan Wilkinson's services to create our family trust. Unlike many other estate planning firms that often follow a standardized and high-volume approach, Caplan Wilkinson offered a tailored service at an affordable cost. We enthusiastically referred Caplan Wilkinson to both our family members and friends, and they've also had a great experience.
Read more
08 Aug, 2023 by Lisa
Liz was helping us to set up a family trust. She clearly explained everything to us and made the process very easy.
Read more
14 Jan, 2020 by Randy
Darin was hired by us to fight a biased lawsuit.
Each time we called or emailed him he responded right away. He kept us up to date on all the actions of the case. He has a cleaver and analytical way of seeing the law. Also he was extremely generous with his time in helping to stop the suffering of animals which was at the core of our case.
If we were to ever need an attorney in the state of California again we would hire him again without any hesitation.
We wish more attorneys had his expertise, common sense , notion of fair play and intelligence!
Randy Kassal
VP, National Humane Society
Read more
24 Oct, 2017 by Lynda
Darin is an excellent attorney. Darin always took the time to clearly explain the legal process so I knew what was happening and what my options were. Darin was extremely patient, responsive, and always answered my concerns and questions in a timely manner. I always felt like Darin was one step ahead of me, Darin will provide you with the best preparation & deliverance of your case possible. I am not sure how I would have made it through this last year without Darin's support and help.
Read more
12 Aug, 2016 by Mary
Darin was always prepared and respectful of me. He was very easy to communicate with and was available to talk .
Read more
20 Mar, 2019 by Cali
I recently purchased a new home and decided that it was a great time to establish a plan for the future. Honesty, I had no clue what an estate plan really was and the difference between a will, trust, etc. Loung Law came highly recommended to me by one of my friends. I contacted Mary and she was extremely responsive. She encourages open communication and was readily available to discuss my concerns and answer all my questions. The absolute BEST thing about Mary is that she was able to explain all the legal terms and conditions to me in an easy way for me to understand. She used real life examples to help me understand the in's & out's of all the different aspects of the estate planning documents. Mary was extremely efficient and within just a couple of weeks, my estate plan was finalized! I have to be honest, before I started this, I thought it was going to be a long, tedious process -- but in fact it was just the opposite! It was so much easier than I expected and it's really nice to have that sense of peace now that everything is done. Thank you Mary at Loung Law!!!!
Read more
31 Oct, 2018 by Jeanne
Seldom do I write reviews. Mary Loung deserves this one. In addition to her true professionalism, knowledge, integrity, great communication skills, and thoroughness, she is easy to work with. She cared about our personalized outcome and guided us through this very important estate planning process with sensitivity and proficiency. We asked countless questions and she was incredibly patient. I have already highly recommended Mary and will continue to do so!
Read more
18 Sep, 2018 by Mahsa
It was truly a pleasure to work with Mary. I had longed postponed preparing a trust for my son as I viewed the process as gruesome and challenging.
I finally made the decision to take the step and had the great fortune to connect with Mary.
Mary was not only knowledgable, organized, patient and thorough but also a delight to work with. Her charming personality and lovely humor made the process feel seamless and even enjoyable.
I highly recommend Mary to all friends and family.
Read more
29 Oct, 2014 by Sheila
Shelley Rizzotti represented me and my nonprofit organization on a case that involves contractual, nonprofit, and animal law. She took on our case pro bono and stuck with us from beginning to end. She was very knowledgeable on the statutes pertaining to our case. She was meticulous and thorough in her research. Her letters were all skillfully written, and in the end we prevailed!
Shelley made the entire process easy for us. She assured us that she would be properly handled our case and she told us not to worry. She explained everything to us along the way. She gathered all pertinent documents and evidence; she allowed us to focus on our day-to-day operations rather than dwell on our case. This certainly lifted a huge burden off our shoulders. She gave us regular updates. She was readily available to answer any questions over the phone or by e-mail... even though she had taken on this case pro bono amid her busy schedule!
Shelley is an attorney with compassion, grit, and integrity. She is not one to take on a case if she does not fully believe there will be a positive outcome for her client(s). She will fight for her clients, and she will never back down. When she takes on a case, she comes up with a list of strategies to use to win the case. She has excellent people skills and was professional and firm in her dealings with the other party's attorney.
Overall, we are incredibly grateful to Shelley for her expertise and phenomenal help to our nonprofit organization. We highly recommend Shelley! She is by far one of the most effective lawyers we came across in the 10 years we have been in operation.
Read more
13 Nov, 2012 by Lance
Shelley Rizzotti provided my business partner and I with excellent, detailed service. We were able to avoid a long, difficult case with her assistance. She examined and recommended points on all aspects of the case in a way that showed she was very engaged and extremely competent. She went far beyond our expectations and I am truly grateful to have found her.
Read more
24 Jun, 2011 by Ken
I came to attorney Shelley Rizzotti with a few vague ideas about some kind of estate planning for my future. Shelley was quick to understand the uniqueness of my situation, and skillfully articulated her recommended solution in a way that would make sense to me. Shelley became my ally in developing a detailed, comprehensive, personalized estate strategy which included a trust, an advanced health care directive, a will, and a nomination of conservator. Throughout the process she was impressivley attentive to detail while courteous and patient with my questions. I have entrusted Shelley to oversee my personal legal affairs as such services may be needed. I have made this decision based on my assessment of her as a capable, diligent, compassionate professional who understands both legal and personal matters of importance to her clients.
Read more
05 Mar, 2015 by Kelly
Attorney Scafide represented me in a residential real estate matter, and spared me considerable headache and expense when a tenant turned out to have questionable finances and intentions. Thanks to a well written contract and excellent, clear advice, what could have been a nightmare was a relatively painless matter to resolve. I recommend his services without reservation.
Read more
15 Nov, 2013 by Chris
Mr. Scafide represented me in a commercial real estate matter. He was so effective that, at times, I actually felt sorry for the other side. Attorney Scafide is brilliant, resourceful, creative, and was completely honest about every aspect of a case, including what I could expect as a realistic outcome. His billing was fair --his hourly rate is not low, but he is a bargain given the excellent quality of service.
Read more
01 Jun, 2013 by Bill in santa barbara
If you're looking for an honest and professional attorney who bills ethically contact him. Mr. Scafide is the best lawyer I know and have used many.
Read more
27 Jan, 2015 by Frank
Mr. Pickard provided advice and legal representation, on two business cases for my company. He performed to my satisfaction successfully. I would be confident to use him or have him represent my company again.
Read more
27 Jan, 2015 by Ray
David has done a good job for me and my family on several projects. David likes to resolve issues as soon as possible which I know has saved my family money.
Read more
20 Jan, 2015 by Ray
I have been a client of Dave's for several years and he's the first attorney I have worked with that is honest. He has represented me or my company several times and each time I was very pleased with the results of his work on my behalf. Through all of this Dave and I have become friends as well, in addition he has recommended our construction company to several of his clients resulting is work for our firm.
Read more
25 Mar, 2014 by Suzanne
My father had developed rapid onset dementia without making any plans for his estate or his care. After interviewing several attorneys, I hired Kyle to be my father's attorney. He set up a trust that assured Dad's on-going care and protected his assets. When dad died, Kyle settled the estate for the family.
Kyle was professional, knowledgeable, extremely responsive with a "can do" attitude. He is easy to talk to, responds quickly to emergencies, and deals well with difficult personalities. I highly recommend him.
Read more
27 Jul, 2012 by Robin
We put off estate planning forever -- too expensive, our family too complicated, etc. Kyle just walked us through it, helped us make the best decisions and followed through. A great service and at very reasonable prices.
Read more
21 Sep, 2011 by Mary matis
Worked with Kyle on estate planning. He is professional friendly and sensitive to issues which inevitably come up in estate planning. it was a pleasure doing business with him and highly recommend him
Read more
22 Jun, 2015 by Elana
My husband and I were long overdue in creating our estate plan. Heather made it meaningful, simple and actually enjoyable to vision into these end of life issues to determine what would be best for us as a family. It is a pleasure to be in Heather's presence, truly. She is extremely easy to work with, thorough, and made the process much simpler than I expected. I highly recommend working with Heather.
Read more
21 May, 2015 by Iris & john
We asked Heather to update our existing living trust, of which we were rather uninformed originally. Our experience with Heather was outstanding in every respect - she is amazingly organized, thorough, efficient, and a pleasure to do business with. We were left with a binder that is so complete and so easy to understand and follow that when the time comes to reference it, every step is outlined and explained so that even our 11 year old (brilliant) granddaughter will be able to understand and follow it!
Read more
06 May, 2015 by Iris & john
We retained Heater Reynolds to review our existing but out of date living trust. Her knowledge, expertise, organizational skills, and professional attitude is amazing and very comforting. I will recommend her to all of our friends and business associates.
Read more
15 Jun, 2016 by Jan and david
It would be difficult to find a better estate planning attorney than Analisa Pratt in the Bay Area. She is thorough, organized, and extremely smart. She worked with us to revise an outdated trust, and gave us an estate plan, and we are thrilled with the final product. Now we can forget about it, and focus on other things. Here are some of the things we liked:
• Flat Fee: We paid ½ of fee upon signing the agreement, and the rest upon completion of the finished product. She offered to redo anything we didn’t like at any time for no additional charge. There were no other fees.
• Questionnaire: We filled out a questionnaire with our own information before the first meeting. This prevents numerous changes and greatly reduces the chance for errors.
• Graphics and Explanations: We found her visual explanations made the intricacies of the estate plan much easier to follow
• Trust Language: The estate plan used easy to follow English instead of legalese. It was clear and concise and easy to understand.
• Communication: She stayed in touch by E mail and phone to address any questions we might have.
• Summary: We found Analisa Pratt to be an excellent estate planning attorney. We recommend her without any reservations.
Jan and David W
Read more
01 May, 2016 by Anonymous
Analisa and I were laws school classmates. Although we weren’t that close, we had quite a few classes together as we were both in the Honors program. Even back then, Analisa had always striked me as an extremely intelligent, hardworking and genuinely kind person with great work ethics. Upon learning that Analisa has opened her own practice, I immediately went to her for my estate needs even though her office is 1.5 hours away from me. I didn’t bother to shop around as I knew that I could count on Analisa to do a fantastic job. Analisa was very patient and a pleasure to work with throughout the process. Every time I had questions(and I had quite a lot), she always responded quickly and thoroughly addressed any concerns I had. Towards the end of the process, Analisa was extremely accommodating and went above and beyond her scope of service in helping me get everything wrapped up before I started a new job. I’m completely happy with Analisa’s service and would highly recommend her.
Read more
15 Mar, 2016 by Michael
I was referred to Analisa by a friend and had a very positive experience. Analisa is extremely knowledgeable and does a fantastic job describing complex estate planning issues. She takes the time to understand your situation and objectives before offering advice. I highly recommend her if you are looking for a professional, competent and down-to-earth estate planning attorney.
Read more
24 Jun, 2022 by Violet
Victoria was very thorough going through my trust and explaining it, out loud, what’s in the trust and I heard something I wasn’t aware of and didn’t want. She made the adjustments to my satisfaction and I am very please. She also put my binder back in order. Thank you Victoria!
Read more
24 Jun, 2020 by Doris
Victoria took us through the settlement of my parents trusts very efficiently and made the entire process, which could have been stressful, smooth and easy to understand. She also very efficiently reviewed our trust and made sure we were up to date. I highly recommend her.
Read more
23 Jun, 2020 by Cathryn
I needed a new attorney to handle my estate planning. Although not ultra complex, I needed someone who could handle multiple trusts, carry out specific objectives, udate provisions, and correct some issues created by a former attorney.
I was referred to Victoria Horvatich and Copenbarger and Cooenbarger. After an initial consultation I felt confident that she would be able to handle our families estate planning needs.
Working with her was very easy. She was both responsive and attentive to detail. Setting up appointments and completing documents was easy. She took time to explain everything and helped develop a plan for the tasks I needed to do. Unfortunately, before we were able to complete all of the tasks, the COVID-19 shelter in place went into affect. Government offices were closed yet Victoria continued to work on my case.
Estate planning is never fun, but Victoria was able to make the process manageable and helped me complete a process that I had too long postponed.
I would highly recommend retaining Victoria Horvatich and will be using her in the future.
Read more
14 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
She just completed a rather complex family trust for us and was a pleasure to work with. Very knowledgeable, through, and I would recommend her highly.
Read more
18 Dec, 2016 by Vickie
This Trust Sandra is working is the3rd for my family. She is very help filling in information we likely would have over looked.
Great Attorney and pleasant person.
Read more
04 Nov, 2016 by Christopher
Very knowledgeable, very competent. Looks for the most efficient and effective solution. Took a very complicated situation and distilled it down to the essential elements that needed attention. Very fair with her billing. i would recommend without hesitation. C
Read more
02 May, 2017 by George
His bills were a fraction of my old Century City law firm's and he was much more responsive then they ever were.
Read more
18 Mar, 2017 by Thomas "alan" schwartzkopf, us army, retired
He is detailed, friendly and seems to know the rules, etc. He rates are fair. I will continue to use him and refer business to him.
Read more
11 Mar, 2017 by Nick
Competent, knowledgeable, concerned with what is actually the case rather than interpretations of or reactions to it and assertive without being pushy.
Read more
22 Jun, 2015 by Kristy
We love Pat! As Nevada residents we had a very complicated guardianship case, and was blessed to have been referred to Pat by Prepaid Legal. Our case was in Kern County, however, since we were turned down by numerous attorneys in Kern, we had to go to LA County to find an attorney. Pat took our case with no hesitation, was kind, compassionate and knowledgeable and won our case! She was fantastic about her price, and travel time. I highly recommend her. Honest, kind and funny as heck! Thanks again Pat!
Read more
31 Dec, 2014 by Melody
Attorney Murphy went to great lengths to correct a complicated real estate situation. She did so in the midst of extenuating personal circumstances. She's very knowledgeable, insightful, and very compassionate. We can't recommend her highly enough.
Read more
06 May, 2008 by Anonymous
she is great. when i think about what she had done for me, i sometime cry. she was very generous in her price. i love her!! she is very honest and professional.
thanks
Read more
17 Jul, 2015 by Edward
Arnie has provided legal advice to me for over 10 years, since our old neighbor days in Montecito. He has always been there to help, protect my rights and interests in all cases, and always honest and friendly.
Read more
11 Jul, 2015 by Nancy
Arnsen Blakely made us feel safely supported under overwhelming circumstances. He stayed calm but fought strong, not with emotion or reaction but with intelligence and professionalism. He knows what he's doing and he does it extremely well. Our outcome was magnificent thanks to Arnsen Blakely.
Read more
10 Jul, 2015 by Barry
I've retained Arnie Blakeley for a number of "projects" over the years: developing a detailed business plan for my son who was entering a new business venture; drafting a pre-nuptial agreement, then revising my long-standing family trust when I remarried seven years ago; and more recently drafting and reviewing documents for the purchase and sale of real estate.
A key quality Arnie expresses is empathy. He instinctively senses the objective I'm working toward, and understands my needs, feelings and timing constraints in moving toward the objective. He just "gets it".
Read more
17 Dec, 2023 by Megan
Amy is an excellent communicator and she’s also highly intelligent with great integrity. I really appreciate all of her legal expertise with Special Needs Trusts and Trustee services. I am glad I can trust Amy to do whatever she can to help me, with my best interest in mind. I highly recommend her for Trustee/Special Needs Trust services.
Read more
17 Mar, 2022 by Jonathan
I hired Amy to represent me in a high conflict case. Amy assessed all the details and drafted pleadings to move my case forward. Because she listened to me, I felt confident that my case was fully understood by the Court. Going to Court is always difficult. Having a experienced litigator working with me on my case reduced the length of time my case persisted. I was able to resolve the case shortly after Amy began representing me.
Read more
09 Mar, 2022 by Franza
Amy is perfect for my law practice, which is exclusively focused on fiduciary services. She is available to answer my questions whenever they arise and knows the law thoroughly in all aspects. Her moral code and ethical standards are excellent and in line with this area of practice that relies on Trust. Anything to do with probate, trusts, and fiduciary services Amy knows about and can advise quickly and competently. I am lucky to have her counsel.
Read more
24 Nov, 2019 by Pieter matthew olimerick
07 Dec, 2017 by Docscotty2001
Ms Hersch has helped me with various issues over the past several years. She is honest and has the highest ethics. Besides being highly competent what I really love about her is that she really cares about me. She makes that clear in the way that she listens and takes time to arrive at the very best approach to solve the problems I set before her. I would never want to use anyone else. She is the best.
Read more
27 Feb, 2013 by Bill
I live out of state and have been having problems with getting my Father's estate in California settled.
Contacted Keith Davidson about representing my interests in the Estate. He took the time to discuss the matter with me and explained what he thought he could do for me. I have found his office to be available and very responsive.
Read more
11 Mar, 2024 by Amer
Mark Axente Tikosh is an excellent lawyer. He is a caring one as well. We found him to be through and detailed in his work. He follows up very nicely. His advice is well thought out and well taken. Not only that we found in him a competent lawyer, but also an enjoyable person to work with.
Read more
26 Oct, 2023 by Amanda
Mark was painstaking in reviewing my my assets with me and discussing family members and other people I wanted to share this assets with. Then he researched and discussed my options for the disposition of my wealth and finding an executor. I was very pleased not only in the final product, but his sensitivity and ingenuity in resolving problems I had feared would prove intractable. Brilliant work!
Read more
26 Oct, 2023 by Brian
Mark helped me through some very difficult times related to a complicated estate inheritance situation . I would highly recommend retaining his services if you are in need.
Read more
17 Sep, 2016 by Barbara
My husband and I reached out to Brian Wyatt when we were ready to set up a special needs trust for our daughter. We were impressed with Brian's education and his breadth of experience. He was also genuinely gracious and professional in his conduct. He thoroughly explained the complexities of our options and asked very specific and detailed questions to produce a comprehensive product for us. We were so very grateful for the trust he prepared for us, and the peace of mind that came with it. I have returned to Brian to have him help another family member with their trust because I would refer Brian Wyatt wholeheartedly with reservation to anyone.
Read more
29 Aug, 2011 by Jan
What I appreciate most about Brian is that he is accessible. I am able to call and ask questions about things I don’t understand. I’m not charged for this. I’m not pushed off to an assistant. I get his attention and expertise. If he’s not in, he calls back. Right away. Pretty unusual from my experience with attorneys.
Read more
13 Aug, 2010 by Sherri
He was very personable and nice, his staff was great too. He helped answer some important questions we had and researched stuff that he didn't know.
Read more
01 Mar, 2024 by Scott stevens
Great attorney! Especially in family matters and business issues. Irv is a longtime, dependable, honest and caring lawyer serving Sonoma County.
Read more
18 Jun, 2019 by Helen anderson
He’s helpful, nice and he knew what he was talking about! It’s refreshing to speak to someone like him!!!
Read more
20 Sep, 2017 by Geoffrey dunham
20 Jan, 2016 by Faith
I absolutely recommend Ellen Cookman for both estate planning and special needs. I originally came to Ellen for Special Needs Trusts, but quickly discovered that these Trusts impact my estate planning. In addition to tax considerations, Ellen helped me deal with various family members’ planning issues, as well as the various kinds of assets in my estate. Ellen’s expertise is clear plus she is very easy to work with.
Read more
06 Dec, 2015 by Patricia
Ellen has a warm personality and is terrific at explaining complex estate planning concepts and strategies in simple terms. She has a sharp legal mind. Although she is already a certified specialist and a leader in her field, she never stops seeking further education in order to provide her clients with the best and most current legal advice.
Read more
07 Sep, 2015 by Karen
We retained Ellen Cookman to do our estate planning, set up trusts, and write wills. We have two children and were eager to make arrangements for them for best and worst case scenarios. Ellen worked diligently and efficiently to set everything up for us, listened carefully to all our needs and wants, and produced an excellent set of documents and directives for our family. She maintained professional discretion and treated our family with great care and respect. She has followed up regularly to ensure our needs are met as time goes on, and has been an excellent resource for advice on other matters as well.
Ellen is clearly dedicated to her work and demonstrates unimpeachable integrity. I recommend her highly; I have recommended her multiple times to friends and colleagues entering into estate planning.
Read more
30 Apr, 2018 by Sabina
If there were 10 stars I would absolutely give her the full 10. I found Mina on Google and it was our lucky break because we worked with 5 attorneys that charged a fortune and were completely negligent with all of our legal needs. We worked with her for the last 2 years on a family estate case and she was effective, worked hard, and was aggressive to get to the finish line. She is the most honest attorney that we've worked with and I would highly recommend her and could write a novel about Ms. Sirkin's excellence.
Read more
24 Jun, 2013 by Yolanda
I found Mina to be top notch. She is extremely knowledgeable and clearly goes the extra mile for her client. She is aggressive, responsive and forward thinking. I would highly recommend Mina and wish her continued success.
Read more
24 Jul, 2012 by Charles
Ms. Sirkin did excellent work for me in a very difficult (for me, not so much for her) probate situation. She got all the specifics handled without rework. Her staff was there for me 100% of the time. My case involved a trial and I was still trading emails with her at midnight -- on Saturday, before the trial - WOW! She (we) prevailed. I attribute success to her diligence, hard work, and leaving no stone unturned.
Read more
08 Jul, 2018 by Anonymous
Jonathan responded to me when I was in dire need of advice. He was at court but took my call and provided me his view that was accurate, ethical, balanced, and fair. I was panicked over a situation and he gave me ethical, rational perspective.
Read more
19 Oct, 2016 by Anonymous
Haven't hired yet and in a process of to hire. First expression after our consultation over the phone very positive. It seems like he is a caring, ethical and proffesional in his field. Comparing to all of my experiences with other dishonest individuals in the past.
Read more
09 Oct, 2016 by Koen
My older brother has a mental disability that put him in a difficult situation for U.S. citizenship. We tried different lawyers who just seemed to not care about my brother's case. However, when Jonathan stepped in, he loved my brother like his own brother. He took my brother out for lunch and he made personal connections with him. Later, on my brother's interview day, we prayed together and stepped into the USCIS office together. At the end, my brother became a citizen in the United States and we still keep in touch.
Jonathan Yong becomes a part of your family from the moment you enter into his office.
Not only that, he takes care of all the paperwork, signings, notaries, and any works instantly and professionally.
I believe that God has made Jonathan Yong to be a lawyer for all the people of God. He is faithful to God, and he is faithful to you.
Read more
05 Jun, 2024 by Shahid khawaja
11 Apr, 2018 by Peter
I wasn't expecting to need a lawyer, but I called Mr. Payne about a family law matter a few months ago. He met with me and took the time to really listen to what was going on. I felt like he really cared about what was best for me and my kids. He took care of everything and made sure I didn't get taken to the cleaners. I was impressed with how hard he worked on my case and how much time he put in to make sure I was satisfied. Great attorney.
Read more
12 Nov, 2017 by Amanda
I hired Charles Payne for estate planning. The first thing that impressed me is that I was dealing with Charles, not his secretary or paralegal. He met with me to discuss the information needed for my estate plan. I immediately was impressed at the knowledge and skill that Charles has. He made me comfortable when discussing issues such as my advanced directive, being younger the conversation is a little weird so I was thankful to have a caring, easy to talk to attorney. Charles Payne offers significantly lower prices for estate planning documents and offers a very personalized service. I will be referring everyone I know to Charles Payne to handle their estate planning needs.
Read more
27 Apr, 2024 by Dan perkins
Ed sada did an outstanding job defending my family several years ago. He kept his eye on the ball and was on point. I recommend him.
Read more
27 Jul, 2021 by Julian
Ken Baker is a "down to business" attorney that took charge of my legal matter with the confidence of a true professional. He helped me when I was in a dire situation. I originally contracted the services of another attorney which turned out to be a nightmare and a waste of time and finances. I was in desperate need for someone capable that would not over charge me and Ken Baker answered the call, he went above and beyond. He was able to explain the law in a manner that I could easily understand, but more importantly, he kept me updated through the entire process. After spending (both in time and money with the original attorney) 5 months with my original attorney, Ken Baker was able to start and close my case in a matter of 30 days. Unlike my original attorney, he was always available for advice, updates and requests always returning emails, phone calls, and even text messages. I was very pleased with his services and I definitely recommend him to whomever needs it.
Read more
11 Feb, 2020 by Noel ortiz jr.
19 Dec, 2014 by Michael jones
I worked with John on a family trusts case. It was an extremely stressful experience. I cannot even imagine not having John representing me in this matter. He handled the case with upmost diligence, care and concern. I truly felt he had my best interest at hand.
When I was looking for a lawyer. One thing that stood out to me was the fact he had 20 years experience. I can honestly tell you, John really knows his stuff!
If I ever had a question, he took the time and explained all the legal jargon and process to me. He always was two steps ahead during the case. So there were no "surprises". Only a lawyer with experience can do that.
I was very pleased with the outcome of this case. I have referred John's services to friends of mine knowing they will get expert representation in their matters. John has your back!!!
Read more
26 Aug, 2013 by Marlon
John is genuine, patient and knowledgeable.
My sister and I went to John for help with a living trust that had been done by another attorney 14 years earlier. John was extremely helpful in guiding us through and in resolving the problem for us. It is clear that he knows his field and expertise. I appreciated his amiable persona and how he spelled out the various options available to us. Definitely recommend him.
Read more
29 Mar, 2013 by Erik
My family hired John to do our estate planning last year, to do a trust, and wills for us after he was highly recommended by a friend of mine. We were very happy with the services he provided us. He was very knowledgeable, and guided us through the process, taking time to answer all our questions to make sure all our issues were taken care of. I have recommended him to others and will be using his services again.
Read more
05 Dec, 2019 by Zena
Crista Hermance, and her staff, are the perfect choice for putting together your plan when you need estate planning. I consulted Crista on this sometimes difficult topic and she taught me so much I didn't know about the subject - but need to know as the mother of minor children - and had excellent guiding materials to help me make decisions, including a step by step guidebook. She's a mom herself and she gets how difficult this can be. She really cares about her clients.
Read more
04 Dec, 2019 by Sarah
Crista is truly a maven in her field, she prides herself on being a true advocate for the young parents. She is compassionate and caring and is not intimidating which helps her get her clients to protect what is most important to them, thier family. I really enjoy working with her with my clients as she has flexible hours and can even have her team go to the clients homes.
Truly a gift to the community!
Read more
06 Nov, 2019 by Anonymous
I had a great experience here with Crista and her team! They are very knowledgeable and I totally trust them. I know you’ll have a great experience too!
Read more
17 Oct, 2014 by Mike b
I don't understand why Richard doesn't have a higher rating score on your site. Not being a fan of attorneys before meeting Rick, he's a 10 in my book. Very competent, knowledgeable, trusting and responsive in handling our Living Trust, Wills, and Powers of Attorney documents. After talking with another attorney in the same field and then talking with Rick there was no doubt in my mind who I wanted to handle my Living Trust.
Read more
02 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. McGinnis proved to be a great source of knowledge as well as someone who could offer another perspective on events that seemed to be charged with emotion. He was always right.
Read more
06 Aug, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. McGinnis did an excellent job preparing my Living Trust. His knowledge and professionalism made me feel at ease. He explained what was happening in words I could understand and answered all of my questions along the way. I would recommend his service to anyone looking to make estate plans.
Read more
Browse lawyers
Cities in California - Find a Lawyer Near Me
-
Los Angeles
-
San Francisco
-
San Diego
-
Sacramento
-
Irvine
-
Oakland
-
San Jose
-
Beverly Hills
-
Newport Beach
-
Palo Alto
-
Pasadena
-
Santa Monica
-
Santa Ana
-
Fresno
-
Walnut Creek
-
Long Beach
-
Glendale
-
Encino
-
Woodland Hills
-
Costa Mesa
-
Riverside
-
Redwood City
-
Santa Rosa
-
Menlo Park
-
Santa Barbara
-
Sherman Oaks
-
Orange
-
Torrance
-
Berkeley
-
Westlake Village
-
Burbank
-
Mountain View
-
Carlsbad
-
San Rafael
-
Bakersfield
-
San Mateo
-
Ventura
-
El Segundo
-
Roseville
-
Santa Clara
-
Calabasas
-
Tustin
-
Culver City
-
Stockton
-
La Jolla
-
Huntington Beach
-
Modesto
-
Pleasanton
-
Manhattan Beach
-
Anaheim
-
San Luis Obispo
-
Santa Cruz
-
Van Nuys
-
Sunnyvale
-
Burlingame
-
Fullerton
-
San Ramon
-
Rancho Cucamonga
-
Ontario
-
Salinas
-
San Bernardino
-
Encinitas
-
Napa
-
Monterey
-
Cupertino
-
Fremont
-
Thousand Oaks
-
West Hollywood
-
Los Gatos
-
Redding
-
Redondo Beach
-
Alameda
-
Monterey Park
-
Palm Desert
-
Cerritos
-
Folsom
-
Agoura Hills
-
Chico
-
Visalia
-
Mission Viejo
-
Marina Del Rey
-
Temecula
-
Oxnard
-
Aliso Viejo
-
Laguna Hills
-
Davis
-
Brea
-
Chula Vista
Browse lawyers
Practice Areas in California
-
Business
-
Litigation
-
Real Estate
-
Intellectual Property
-
Personal Injury
-
Estate Planning
-
Criminal Defense
-
Family Law
-
Tax
-
Workers Compensation
-
Civil Rights
-
Insurance
-
Consumer Protection
-
Immigration
-
Government
-
Appeals
-
Probate
-
Trusts
-
Car Accident
-
Mediation
-
Entertainment
-
Class Action
-
Child Custody
-
Lawsuit / Dispute
-
Domestic Violence
-
Wrongful Death
-
Bankruptcy
-
Medical Malpractice
-
Child Support
-
Elder Law
-
Discrimination
-
Financial Markets And Services
-
Wrongful Termination
-
Juvenile Law
-
Sexual Harassment
-
Debt Collection
-
Employment / Labor
-
Copyright Application
-
Divorce
-
Social Security & Disability
-
Federal Crime
-
Sex Crime
-
Foreclosure
-
Adoption
-
DUI / DWI
-
Debt Settlement
-
Landlord & Tenant
-
Drug Crime
-
Construction
-
Cannabis Law
-
Credit Repair
-
Life Insurance
-
Constitutional Law
-
Education Law
-
Environmental Law
-
Contracts
-
Admiralty / Maritime
-
Corporate
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.
