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07 May, 2012 by Anonymous
My husband and I were involved in a serious car accident. At first, we tried to get some money from the other guy's insurance to pay for our car, but they denied our claim saying that we were equally responsible. Steve was then referred to us by a family friend. We met him at his office and knew right away that this was our guy. Since we didn't have medical insurance, Steve gave us a list of doctors to choose from that would agree to treat us until we were able to get some money to pay them back. In the end he got us way more than what we were hoping to get. It was truly the best decision we could have made. Steve kept us informed every step of the way. He would frequently call just to see how our recovery was coming. We really felt that he was looking out for our best interest the whole time. Great attorney.
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22 Apr, 2012 by Tanya and brett
We hired Mr, Leydiker to represent us when we had flooding in our condo due to neglect from a construction company and our HOA. Mr. Leydiker handled our case in a timely, professional, and direct manner. He took control and remediated the situation. His knowledge and expertise allowed us to get a larger settlement then we orginally thought possiable. Mr. Leydiker personality and honesty made us feel comfortable and gave us peace of mind though out this difficult process. I would recommend Mr Leydiker to anyone seeking a lawyer.
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07 Apr, 2017 by Debra
Kent Kristof and his firm Kristof & Kristof bent over backwards to help my mother with her estate. So many descriptive words come to mind; thoughtful, caring, persevering, resolute, thorough, even tenacious. The outcome was so much better than we expected. I highly recommend Kent Kristof and his firm.
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04 Jun, 2016 by Myrna
Mr. Kent Laszlo Kristof did an excellent job in handling a life insurance policy, which my late brother had left in charge to me and my other sibling. My late brother had a very clear explanation of what he wanted to have the funds used for, and someone very close to him, filed suit against us for the entire amount. We met with Mr. Kristof, and he provided several options on how to go about this situation, as he clearly explained the pros and cons of each approach. The clarity of each option helped us immensely, and we decided on that same day how we were going to handle this case. Just a short time later, we received a phone call from Mr. Kristof stating that the case had been settled. We were very pleased with the outcome, and impressed on how he added extra protection that we had not previously thought of or considered for added "peace of mind". We fully would recommend Mr. Kristof's expertise, and are confident anyone would have great results with his services.
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16 Mar, 2021 by Janet
We have been using Jan Copley's services for our own estate planning, as well as that of both sets of parents, since 2006. She provides easy-to-understand, thorough explanations to help us determine what works best for our needs. She is readily available and responsive for questions. Her detailed services have given us peace of mind for our family's estate planning; and we cannot recommend her highly enough. She is a delight to work with.
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12 Sep, 2011 by Steven
Jan has been advising me regarding marketing recently. She is excellent is making suggestions and following up. The key to marketing is following up with your leads. She has taught me the advantage of organizing your marketing in this way. I recommend her very highly
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11 Aug, 2018 by Bob and linda
Several years ago we hired Stephen Hall to write the documents for our estate. Since then we have retained him for counsel regarding gift-giving and other items throughout the years with the latest issue being the distribution of our father’s estate. When our father died with full blown dementia he left control of his sizable estate and a portion of his holdings to an unlicensed caregiver who had being living with him for a few years. Mr. Hall immediately petitioned the court to have the person removed as trustee. In the courtroom we found Stephen to be an experienced and well prepared negotiator, he sited where the State of California form to leave an inheritance to a caregiver had not been filled out and past cases where abuse occurred; he then met our objective to have the estate put safely in the hands of a fiduciary. Stephen was confident, authoritative and direct. When we met with the caregiver in mediation to resolve the issue of their inheritance Stephen sized up the possible outcomes as new information came to light and counseled us on our options. It came to the point where we had to make a pretty tough decision. Stephen was professional and supportive as he counseled us on the monetary, emotional and time costs to us if we went to trial. This was helpful in making our decision. Stephen Hall is a man who open and above board in every aspect of his dealings. His high moral fiber comes to surface as you work through a process with him. He is committed to giving his clients the best service from himself as well as from his staff.
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26 Mar, 2017 by Randy
When my aging parents needed help with their estate planning I set out to interview attorneys for the job of reviewing and updating their existing trust. I gathered recommendations from other professionals in the community, and Stephen Hall was one of three that I met with for initial consultation. While the other two attorneys I met with were more than competent to handle the job, Mr. Hall stood head and shoulders above them both. Mr. Hall's in-depth knowledge of not only the law, but of estate tax issues as well, is a combination that I have not found with any other attorney. He asked questions none of the other attorneys asked, and provided ideas that none of the other attorneys offered either. It was a crystal clear decision to hire Mr. Hall. Since the initial work with my parent's trust, we have had him work on our own family trust, as well as my wife's parents. I have recommended him to anyone who asks, and without exception people have been profoundly pleased with the work of this office. Not only is Mr. Hall one of the most knowledgeable attorneys I've ever worked with, but his staff are all highly professional, competent, and responsive. I cannot recommend this team highly enough.
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01 Nov, 2021 by Vlade
I've been a client of Ms. Perreault in two cases--probate and civil. With her expertise and passion to fight for justice I’ve accomplished more in a shorter period of time than with my previous two lawyers. Hopefully, I won’t need legal services anymore but if I do I feel safe to have Ms. Perreault on my side!
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01 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Ms. Perreault is highly knowledgeable and informative in the areas of Conservatorships, Estates and Trusts. She helped me to understand all the legal matters concerning my elderly parents, their assets and transfers to different trusts. Extremely helpful.
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19 Jan, 2018 by Leslea
Ms. Shoup was great at walking me through the process and answered all my questions. She was professional and very patient during all the steps. I would recommend her to everyone who hasn't established an estate plan for their family. I feel so much better now knowing my family will be taken care of after my passing.
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19 Jan, 2018 by Priscilla daniels
Andrea and her team helped me and my husband with our Estate Planning. At first we felt the process would be very complicated since we both have our own businesses and a blended family with 4 kids. Andrea made the process simple and timely. We have a peace of mind and great confidence in the documents that were prepared, but mostly for the peace of mind and comfort that we have in knowing our family's future is protected.
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23 Oct, 2010 by Lindsay
Stephanie Lord did an outstanding job handling our estate planning (and all of the related documents) both immediately before and following the birth of our son. I HIGHLY recommend her and her firm's legal staff. We were initially intimidated by what seemed like a complicated process to set up our will and trust and all of the healthcare directives, etc. before our son's birth. We wanted to make sure everything was in order in the event of an emergency during labor or an unforeseen event during our son's adolescence. Stephanie explained the complicated rules and documents in CLEAR terms and took care of everything for us. We had one brief meeting to sign documents before our son was born, and then another brief meeting to sign our will and trust documentation following his birth. Stephanie also provided information and simple instructions outside of those meetings to help us prepare. We were blown away by how smooth the process was once we arrived at Stephanie's office. ALL of the documents were prepared and ready for signature and a paralegal was standing by to make copies following our signatures. Stephanie was present at both meetings to explain everything we were signing. We left with a user-friendly binder containing copies of all documents, a very clear understanding of how our estate was set up according to our wishes, and simple steps for how to transfer our existing assets to the trust. Several months later, Stephanie also stepped in to handle the purchase of our home in the name of our trust. If you are looking for an easy process, quick and understandable responses to all of your questions, and the perfect estate plan for your needs, call Stephanie! The added bonus is that her rates are also very reasonable!
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04 May, 2009 by Anonymous
I used Stephanie to prepare my will and trust. This was during an unusually stressful time of my life. Stephanie handled the preparation of my trust in the most professional manner with a sensitivity to my issues.She was always available for my questions and responed very quickly with any requests I had. I am extreemly happpy with my trust and would recommond her to anyone he needs a excellent lawyer
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25 Jun, 2016 by Stephanie
We did our family trust before our boys were born. Once they were born we realized that some of the plans we had made if something happened to us needed to be changed. We were referred to Lucas to review our trust. He helped us amend our trust and do new documents. He was professional and knowledgeable. We are glad we met him and appreciate his help with our documents.
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23 Oct, 2015 by Melissa
I was Attorney Woodward 's first client when he was fresh out of law school. He protected me, my inheritance and stopped opposing counsel harassment.
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03 Aug, 2015 by Ryan
I consulted with Alex about a real estate deal I had in mind. He was very prompt and apprised me of different issues I hadn't thought of.
Alex has also helped me and my mother by explaining and interpreting a trust document in which my mom is successor trustee. We spoke over the phone and I appreciate his ability to cut through the legalese. He answered all of my questions and made sure that I understood his responses.
I feel good knowing I have someone to go to for my legal issues.
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14 Jul, 2015 by Valerie
I called Alex Biddle as a referral from my nephew since my family was looking for an attorney to review of my parents Living Trust. At the time, we were very anxious to get this done as soon as possible. Alex was very prompt at returning my call and immediately set up a time to give him copies of the trust. However, the next day my family instructed me to hold off on the review. He was very understanding of my request even though he had already spent several hours of his time. Despite my willingness to pay him, he waived his fees and also spend time scanning the lengthy documents back. When my family decides to have the trust reviewed, I will not hesitate to use his services again. It was a pleasure to work with Alex even though it was short lived. He showed his promptness and professionalism to my needs. I will have no problem recommend his services to any of my family and friends that need estate planning assistance.
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23 Oct, 2019 by Anonymous
Or if you want more details... my husband and I were involved in a probate case several hours away from our home. We were able to scan anything relevant from our full filing cabinet of docs, and Jeanne selected just what we needed for our case, she did additional research at the local courthouse saving us several long trips, she worked well with the other probate attorney, filed the paperwork with the courts well in advance of our case, and when we traveled up for the hearing, our portion was settled in our favor in a matter of minutes. We're so appreciative of her careful and thorough work, how little time it cost us despite travel time, her rates are reasonable, she is incredibly responsive, and she's flexible and so pleasant to work with. And gave us a fabulous resto recommendation in Ukiah before our travels home. We can't recommend Jeanne highly enough!
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27 May, 2017 by Joan
We were in need of a local attorney to create the will, advanced directives and trust documents for an older relative living in the area. We are from the east coast and just took a flying computer-generated chance with Ms. DeJong and we could not be happier. She is personable, patient, extremely knowledgeable and thorough. She was able to explain everything...not just to her client, our relative, but also to us. She was also able to help with some side issues and helped us to plan for some future eventualities.She took the time needed to get the job done and we never felt rushed or like we were "on the clock"
It is difficult to choose a professional from across the country with nothing to go on, but I would wholeheartedly recommend Ms Dejong to all near and far.
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15 Sep, 2021 by Rachel
Gary seriously had our best interest in his heart and mind and helped us through a very stressful situation. Our company had been dragged into a construction dispute in which we had no responsibility. He guided us through the beginning procedures and made recommendations that turned out to be the best outcome for us. He truly cares about his clients.
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14 Sep, 2021 by Skye
I was in a rollover car accident. He won close to the highest award possible. He had creative and intelligent ways to approach my case. I don’t think I’d have won with a different lawyer.
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13 Jul, 2017 by Anonymous
Hiring Yuen and Yuen and working with Erika and Frank Yuen to help us settle our parents’ complex estate was the best decision my brother and I made. We found Erika and Frank to be very knowledgeable, easy to work with and available to us for in-person meetings and phone consultants throughout every step of the process. We couldn’t have settled the trust without their help. Thank you Erika and Frank!
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23 Jun, 2016 by Anonymous
We hired Erika in 2014 and the ongoing legal relationship has continued to this day. Our Probate was VERY complex and sensitive, involving interactions with additional litigators in different fields. As a former Assistant DA, Erika has experience and contacts outside the Probate arena, which proved helpful to our situation. She is professional and knowledgeable, along with the stamina to 'get the job done' for you. Most importantly, she is sincere about your personal well-being during this difficult process. Our highest recommendation.
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17 Aug, 2019 by Antonio
Monica came highly recommended by a friend. In a city that is reputed to have as many attorneys are there are actors, I was a deer in headlights when I was an inaccurately named party to a small-business lawsuit. Monica genuinely listened to my side of the story, and explained my options for tackling the case. I had never been involved in a lawsuit before, and was relying entirely on her counsel. She explained her background, fees, and her assessment of the case. She was calm, collected, and presented my options. All my instincts indicated that she was the perfect lawyer to represent me, and I hired her on the spot.
Monica checked in with me regularly, explained what was happening, and never left me in the dark. After a few months, my case concluded in my favor, and I couldn't be happier.
Monica is an empathetic communicator, and executes. She is analytical, thoughtful, and a performer. As the first attorney I've ever hired for a lawsuit, I don't have a reference point for her attorney rates relative to others. However, there is no question that the value of her services are worth every penny. I highly recommend her.
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21 May, 2018 by Noel
Monica helped us with a trust sale on one of our property. Monica was Very professional and was always there for any questions or concerns. She guided us through the whole process which made us feel very comfortable.
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08 Sep, 2018 by Gabrielle
I had to hire a CA attorney for a complicated case involving 5 states. I’m based in Boston. I found Robyn after multiple referrals.
I was pretty well versed on the case law and was very prepared. Robyn was professional, compassionate, and fair. She followed with every note. She handled my case beautifully.
I could not happier. I would highly recommend Robyn Christo for your matter. She will not let you down!
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04 Feb, 2017 by Martin
My Siblings were the trust administrators of the family trust and I needed a Marin County Trust and Elder Law Litigator. It is unfortunate when your own sibling were not able to be fair, honest and decent as trust administrators. In this era of financial elder abuse, when your some of your siblings get their hands on the money, it's just too easy for them to not use it like their own personal checking account. It might get worse if your family attorney dies and they are able to hire their own attorney for themselves and the trust.
Robyn Christo was a quick study, knew the details of the case and was able to help me focus on a reasonable outcome. She went into the Marin County Probate Court and was able to get me a subpoena of the bank finanical records that I wanted. In the end, she was able to get me a final distribution of trust assets so I could move forward with my life.
Epstein Law Firm does not handle estate planning case, they specialize in trust and estate and elder ligitation. It is unfortunate that I did not find her earlier when one of my parents was still alive.
I would highly recommend Attorney Robyn Christo.
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07 Aug, 2017 by Paul
I hired this attorney two months ago and am very pleased with his performance thus far. He is straight forward and direct, and I feel he has my best interest in mind.
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21 May, 2016 by Mike
Scott Fisher is a very trustworthy and honest professional. My father passed away and he was able to assist in a timely manner and had great communication through the entire process. Very grateful for his professionalism as he assisted me during the loss of a family member and made this difficult situation seem effortless. If you need support with estate planning or probate you can trust that Scott will give you proffessional, honest, and timely results. Thank you again Scott.
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28 Sep, 2016 by Pam
My husband and I hired Rebecca to create a Family Trust for us. She was very thorough in leading us through this process. She asked questions and took notes. She asked us to fill out paperwork and send her copies of documents which we gladly did. The whole experience was very professional and pleasant. We highly recommend Rebecca because of her skills as a lawyer and knowledge of California Estate laws.
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15 Jul, 2016 by Patty pottenger
Rebecca is a wonderful lawyer that is patient, listens and makes you feel very comfortable with your personal planning. I will be recommending her to my friends.
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22 Sep, 2016 by Frank
Mark helped communicate the options in a complicated situation. His knowledge of the non profit world and the complexities of 501(c)3 regulations both Federal and State is considerable. His ability to communicate clearly the options was excellent.
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01 Apr, 2013 by John
Mark helped my family through a very tricky situation. He was always patient with us. He explained complex issues in language we could understand, and he helped us feel comfortable making important decisions. Several attorneys were involved in the situation, but Mark's advice was always the most practical and helpful.
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27 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
Mr. Stubbs took over a complicated Trust Administration after my husband died a year ago. Years ago, we put virtually all our wealth into irrevocable trusts to avoid estate taxes. Unfortunately this labyrinth of trusts imposed significant restrictions on my access to our money. Mr. Stubbs worked out a solution to give me a sufficient monthly payment to maintain my lifestyle for my remaining years. I feel comfortable knowing John Stubbs has my back!
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08 Jul, 2015 by Wendy
I have know John Stubbs for over 15 years. Although I'm an attorney myself, I consult with Mr. Stubbs whenever I have issues in the areas in which he has greater expertise. I have referred friends to Mr. Stubbs for estate planning, and they all have been thrilled with his work. Mr. Stubbs gets my highest recommendation.
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14 Feb, 2020 by Anne
I hired Sabrina to help actualize a plan to resolve family issues related to a trust. Sabrina not only provided very astute professional services but she demonstrated a level of care and concern for me that a I did not expect from an attorney. Sabrina was also a great emotional support to me during a very difficult time. I greatly appreciated the comforting component of her services as well, and the fact that she cared about my personal welfare and called just to check up on me and see how I was doing. That alone was priceless!
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07 Mar, 2016 by Chad
Sabrina Beg's professionalism, depth of knowledge and transparency in her actions can not be over stated. Her tenacious dedication to my case saved myself and my family a lengthy litigation action that would have been costly and time prohibitive. Her team and associates were absolutely top notch.
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23 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Her and her office did a fantastic job with our estate planning. Thanks so much
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27 Jan, 2015 by Victoria scarth
My husband is a small business owner who's business has continued to grow over the last few years. And with this continued growth we have experienced many common legal issues that arise for small business owners. My husband is a busy man and was worried how he would be able to handle the legal issues arising around us. Kariann came to us from a referral from a friend. She quickly took over and was able to get everything under control for us. She kept us in the loop at all times. We felt very confident with her by outside. She is well organized and very trust worthy. She works hard and puts her clients first. We call her when ever we need help and we have other friends who now use her legal services!!!
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02 Apr, 2019 by Ray
If you need someone to not only provide a well executed trust as well as knowing he will support the wishes when siblings arrive, Mr. Hill is the best. He created a trust for my father. When my siblings decided decide they wanted things done differently, David stepped in and guided me through it all. So not only did Mr. Hill prepare exactly what my father wanted, but his abilities to help during difficult times of distribution was a godsend for me.
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02 Jan, 2019 by Todd
Attorney Hill was professional and timely in preparing all of the necessary documents to avoid probate and was thorough in the funding of my trust.
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02 Feb, 2018 by Larry
Lee Werner is truly an outstanding attorney. During his representation Mr. Werner displayed the following characteristics, was extremely knowledgeable, reliable, incredibly prepared, strategic, diligent, attentive, compassionate, trustworthy, engaging, experienced, optimistic, patience, skillful, provided good advice, was quick to respond to my needs, respected, maintained perspective, reassuring, honest, displayed integrity, and stood by my side throughout a long and emotional case, which we won! Mr. Werner is not only a good attorney, he is also a good person.
I recommend Mr. Werner without reservation.
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26 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
A person who failed to qualify for founding shares of our company, brought a law suit against the founders, claiming he was owed equity. Lee crafted a defense strategy, executed and delivered a bench trial verdict in our favor. He additionally navigated us to a successful outcome on the plaintiff's appeal.
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07 Oct, 2016 by Jeff
She was more then willing to speak to me on the phone and give me what information she could bestow. It was a massive help and i really appreciate it, in these hard times.
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01 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
We completed trust and will work with Ione. We were very pleased with her efficiency, trustworthiness, attitude, availability and reasonableness.
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03 Mar, 2020 by Anonymous
Kevin Taheny provided excellent legal advice for my son who was dealing with an acrimonious separation. He got back to us immediately, and was able to explain the applicable laws clearly.
We took his advice and the situation is now resolved.
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05 Apr, 2008 by Anonymous
Mr. Taheny was professional, prompt and competent. His fees were extremely reasonable. I recommend him without reservation.
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11 Apr, 2018 by Anonymous
Even though this was an initial consult, she took plenty of time to answer my questions and give me information. I will be using her for my family trust work.
I am looking forward to working with her.
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12 Jan, 2015 by Heather
Dylan helped me create a will and detailed trust for husband and I. It is not the most fun thing to think about (our demise), but she made it actually an enjoyable experience! She was very professional, quick, easy to work with and thorough. Our trust in particular was complicated and she was effortlessly able to grasp our wishes and even enhance them to create a detailed trust which I feel serves us very well. I rest easier knowing that we have this all taken care of, even though I am only 37 years old! I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking legal advice and indeed recommend her to all my friends and family. It is just the right thing to do to prepare for the future and not let our kids or strangers spend their energy deciphering over our estate.
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09 Jul, 2021 by Jeff
Did an estate trust for my wife and me. The entire process from start to end was professional, accurate, thorough, well explained, well documented, timely and done at a reasonable price. She was knowledgeable and a great explainer with regards to options. She done this process many times and is highly proficient and patient with the inevitable questions from clients.
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06 Aug, 2012 by Anonymous
Margaret Demorest is a rare Lawyer who does everything by the book . She handled our very complex estate skillfully!
If you want a lawyer with the highest integrity, hire Margaret for all your Trust and Estate needs.
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23 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
I needed some questions answered about my mother's trust to see if I needed to pursue some legal options. Monica was well versed and very knowledgeable about the information we needed. We received everything we needed to know in our free consultation and even though we didn't need to hire her I will return to her for future needs.
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02 Apr, 2015 by Regina
I picked Monica randomly from your site because I needed a probate lawyer in a hurry and she had an opening the same day. My father had recently passed away without a will and had a reverse mortgage and I was in the process of adopting a baby who was being born that week, so I really needed someone to help me get my fathers affairs in order. Monica was so pleasant and reassured me that she could take care of everything and even offered to mail me documents to sign if I was too busy with baby to come in. I recommend her very highly and will also use her to handle my own affairs in the future. She is excellent!
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08 Aug, 2018 by Jonathan
I hired Ms. Krouner to help me with my divorce and she did a great job with a difficult case. I was always kept up to date and informed at every turn. Divorce is never easy, but Ms. Krouner helped me every step of the way. She always took the time explain and advise me, in my best interest. I would recommend Ms. Krouner to anyone who is faced with these unfortunate circumstances.
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21 Jul, 2018 by Jimmy
Jessica talked me through a divorce that was really below her skill level but way above mine. She was both firm and understanding in explaining what my options should and could be. I'm very proud to have been able to work with her.
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04 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
I had the pleasure of working with Kathleen Day-Seiter twice: first to update my estate plan (which was quite complex) and more recently to solve some elder care issues. Both experiences were delightful. Kathleen is knowledgeable and compassionate. She is patient and helped me understand details I found to be confusing. She made the process easy each time. Highly recommended!
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19 Jun, 2020 by Natalie aguilera
22 Mar, 2017 by Leona
My husband had to go out on disability. WE hired Nyman Turkish and were appointed Brian as our Attorney. He was right on top of everything. His assistant Dan was totally awesome. They called us back the same day each time we called if they were able to talk to us right then. We got our case settled in record time and we won it. They made the whole process so easy and less stressful then we could have ever imagined. I recommend this Law Firm 120%
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22 Feb, 2014 by Nabeel zuberi
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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:
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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.
