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18 Jun, 2024 by Kyle b
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31 May, 2024 by Mandy pisano
Jennifer was amazing! She helped us navigate a tricky system and provided exemplary legal assistance every step of the way!
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24 May, 2024 by Nancy jackson
She helped me through everything! She is an AMAZING attorney who makes sure everything is taken care of from start to finish.
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07 Dec, 2021 by Chuck carkhuff
I called Jeremiah when I got charged with my first OVI. He was very polite and actually listened to what I was going through. He did not try and sell me on why I should choose him. He asked pertinent questions and was straight forward with me telling me all possible outcomes. He told me his price and allowed me to shop around for other lawyers if I wanted without being pushy or a salesmen. I ended up going with him because he seemed genuine. I had never been through anything like this and it’s not a quick overnight process. When you are going through something like this a ton of questions pop up in your head and whether I called, emailed, or texted him with questions he always got back to me with a direct answer. Every ovi case and situation is different and outcomes may vary but I ended up getting charges reduced with no license suspension or points on my license. While a lot of the legal system is a cash grab, if you get caught up in a bad situation like I did, I would highly recommend giving Jeremiah a call.
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30 Oct, 2021 by Aaron carpenter
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13 Oct, 2021 by Bug -
Jeremiah was very helpful all throughout my case! I was very nervous about this but he was very reassuring and was able to help me get my charges greatly reduced! Definitely has the confidence and professionalism you want in an attorney. 10/10 would recommend
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14 Nov, 2015 by Mary
Joshua is both compassionate and resourceful. I initially engaged him to ensure that documents for a guardianship filing were thorough and professional. When the situation suddenly became more complex, Joshua used his probate expertise to obtain a unique ruling (within 24 hours) which relieved anguish and re-inspired confidence in the judicial system. I would recommend Joshua Goode to anyone who wants high caliber legal representation from an attorney who is sincere and remarkably fair.
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19 Mar, 2015 by Anonymous
Joshua is an extremely knowledgeable attorney in the area of probate law. As a past Probate Magistrate, he has the experience needed to handle all areas of probate cases . His enthusiasm for his client's best interest is outstanding. He is a professional in every way and I would highly recommend him.
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08 Nov, 2012 by David
Katrina was extremely professional in handling my client’s estate planning needs. She was thorough and had a very good understanding of the client, their wishes, and their situation to develop an estate plan customized for their situation. She took the time to walk through all of the estate planning documents and explain in layman’s terms each section of each document and how it related to them and their estate plan. I would highly recommend her services to those in need of an estate plan.
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06 Nov, 2012 by Sheila
I have been a client of Katrina's for over 20 years. I have utilized her services and expertise for everything from small legal questions /clarifications to estate planning and trust preparation. She has always been accessible, knowledgeable and honest. She makes complex legal issues easy to understand and always makes sure my interests are protected. She operates with integrity and is tough when a situation demands it, but remains compassionate and gentle in dealing with all the emotions of estate work. I have complete faith and confidence in Katirna to take care of my business and my family.
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18 May, 2015 by Tom
My company has relied on Howard's expertise for many years, and his work and advice have been critical to our success. In addition, I have personally learned a great deal from Howard during the time that I have known him. I am consistently impressed with the depth and range of his legal knowledge, his attention to detail, and his professionalism. I highly recommend Howard for those seeking legal assistance with their business or with estate planning.
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05 Sep, 2024 by Anthony castelli
Top notch business, estate lawyer and CPA. He introduced me to attorney David Moening of his office. David helped me with a codicil to my will, changing the name of the executor. and secondary executor if necessary. He changed the name on a power of attorney, and changed the name on a health care power of attorney . This was changed since my children were minors when I made my will. He prepared a declaration for funeral arrangement, and gave me three clean copies of everything. He spent several hours with me at the initial meeting and the execution meeting knowledgeable staff . It was professionally done. I recommend Bill Hesch and David Moening as two of the very best attoneys in their field.
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29 Aug, 2024 by Amy lynn walls
This is a great crew! The attorneys go above and beyond to see your case through (special shout out to Jayme!!), and the staff is thorough and attentive!
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24 Aug, 2024 by Mary evans
Jones Kahan Law was a pleasure to deal with despite the ordeal my family was dealing with. They are very thorough and professional in getting results. They explored every avenue of our case and kept in contact throughout the proceedings. I would recommend Jones Kahan Law with any situation and know they would get an answer. Thank you for helping our family.
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19 Aug, 2024 by Lisa morgeson
Pleasant to talk to. But sure to keep someone in their seat with courtesy and keeping people calm when things don’t go so perfect thanks a lot for the help. Have a blessed year.
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06 Jan, 2022 by Ron
I retained Mr. King in the spring 2021. I attempted to contact him numerous times by phone and email after I gave him the retainer. He was very slow to respond and sometimes did not at all. He always seemed quite disorganized and confused. I felt I was not very high on his priority list. Once my retainer ran out I sought a different counsel who has been wonderful.
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21 Jan, 2017 by M. gloria
Stephen and his associate Daniel Campbell saw me through an inordinately long divorce case in which I was the defendant. I highly recommend him.He's expensive but very worth it as he sees everything through to the end.
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08 Apr, 2015 by Lori
I was referred to Attorney Stephen King by an attorney friend of mine to handle my divorce. To say the least, my divorce was complicated, both financially and emotionally. Mr. King was more than attentive from the very beginning. He was very informative every step of the way, explaining every aspect of the process to me so that I fully understood the process and my options. There was NEVER a time that I contacted Mr. King, either by phone or email, that he did not respond IMMEDIATLEY! Mr. King always had MY best interests in mind in all the decisions that were made. He consulted me every step of the way and made no decisions without my input. Mr. King brought to my attention things that I would not have even thought of without his guidance. Divorce is never an easy or pleasant process, however, Mr. King made me feel comfortable and well informed thru the entire process. I would HIGHLY recommend Attorney Stephen King to anyone faced with the difficult process of divorce. In addition to Mr. King, his staff was kind and personable. They always addressed me by my first name the minute I either walked in the door or called in by phone. They all gave me the personal attention that is so necessary when you are going thru such a scary and unsettling process. I cant thank Mr. King and his staff enough. They mad a painful process much easier to endure
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25 Jul, 2024 by Sherzod g.
Mr Hewitt is very nice person! Mr Hewitt handled my case professionally with 0 points! I highly recommend him!
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22 Apr, 2024 by Anne sheri
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06 Oct, 2019 by Patricia moore
Mr. Hewitt handled my case professionally and meticulously. He was also always available to answer my questions and responded quickly to any of my concerns.
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02 Nov, 2022 by Darius johnson
I was very pleased with this entire process. I felt that it was as painless as possible, well organized and fair. I would recommend Goodman & Morrisroe for others in a similar situation.
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27 Sep, 2022 by Candice pifer
I am very grateful for Jeff Goodman’s representation. I highly recommend him to anyone who needs his service. He handled my dissolution in the most efficient and professional manner. Jeff has the most positive attitude and made the process as stress free as I could have possibly imagined.
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25 Jul, 2022 by Vicky shannon
Jeffrey is the absolute BEST attorney anyone could hire. I was referred to him by a friend and I am so grateful for everything Jeffrey did to help me. My ex-fiancé who lived with me broke things off suddenly a month before the wedding and decided to make my life awful in the process. When I reached out to Jeffrey, I was a new grad with a job offer lined up in the healthcare field. I had multiple licensure exams I had to pass within 6 weeks of graduation in order to keep my job. I contacted Jeffrey to help obtain a clean and mature break from my ex in order to avoid any future unpleasantries. Jeffrey is great at communicating; he kept me updated during every step of the process in a way that didn’t stress me out. He was also very quick to respond to anything I needed. When I met him for the first time in person I quickly felt at ease. I could instantly tell that he is extremely knowledgeable in the practice of family law because he asked all of the right questions to assess my situation and he came prepared to our meeting with sections of the Ohio Revised Code printed out. After understanding my situation he explained the parts of the ORC that applied to my situation as well as how he planned to use them. Jeffrey executed everything perfectly and got it all done within a week. Thanks to Jeffrey, I was able to obtain a clean break from my ex-fiancé and begin the healing process. I have since passed my exams, obtained my license, and I am doing better than I ever imagined possible. If you are looking for the best attorney in the tristate, reach out to Jeffrey Goodman. All of my friends know to contact Jeffrey Goodman if they ever have any issues that a lawyer’s expertise would be beneficial in resolving.
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26 Aug, 2024 by Alan ayhan
This law office and the workers are very rude and disrespectful. I don’t recommend this office to anyone.
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13 Jun, 2024 by Larry walker
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28 Aug, 2023 by Nick williams
Tiffany Evans was appointed as Guardian Ad Litem for my stepdaughters. Her report failed to address the particular issue leading to her appointment and disregarded a majority of the facts shared with her during a lengthy process of interviews. Additionally, it was the experience of numerous of those interviewed by her that she appeared disorganized to an unprofessional extent. We were the last case of Tiffany's before she left the firm for a magistrate position; it appeared that the report was rushed and reflected very poorly on her as well as the firm.
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26 Aug, 2024 by Alan ayhan
This law office and the workers are very rude and disrespectful. I don’t recommend this office to anyone.
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13 Jun, 2024 by Larry walker
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28 Aug, 2023 by Nick williams
Tiffany Evans was appointed as Guardian Ad Litem for my stepdaughters. Her report failed to address the particular issue leading to her appointment and disregarded a majority of the facts shared with her during a lengthy process of interviews. Additionally, it was the experience of numerous of those interviewed by her that she appeared disorganized to an unprofessional extent. We were the last case of Tiffany's before she left the firm for a magistrate position; it appeared that the report was rushed and reflected very poorly on her as well as the firm.
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17 Mar, 2014 by Ken
We used Mr. McKay to do a complete update of our estate documents. He was thorough, he answered our questions well, and, as far as we know, did a great job at creating all the documents our heirs will need. Every time we met, we were assured that the cost would be between $2500 and $3500, so we were surprised when we were billed over $4000.
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21 Dec, 2013 by Fred
My wife and I engaged Mr. McKay for complete estate planning service, including wills, living wills, healthcare powers of attorney, financial powers of attorney and establishing two trusts to benefit our children. In about four months, the result was a comprehensive estate plan that we are confident will meet our objectives. My only concern was the cost. After the initial consultation where we reviewed our needs with him, Mr. McKay provided a range of the estimated cost for services. The final actual cost ended up being twice as much as his highest estimate and three times his lowest estimate.
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01 Oct, 2021 by Anonymous
Unpolished and insulting demeanor. I hired him to do estate planning, and my experience was like the other reviewer's: The documents he drew up, even after several email exchanges, were riddled with incorrect names and dates, and absent names.
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29 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
Created a set of Wills and Trusts for my wife and I. We were surprised by the high number of errors in the documents (names misspelled, incorrect dates, leaving out names of people we planned to leave money to, etc,). While he was open to correct the mistakes we found, we did not feel that he provided much in the way of basic proof-reading skills as part the service he offered
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21 Aug, 2012 by Anonymous
Mr. Chalfie is an arrogant man who uses his position to manipulate people and doesn't do the job he is hired to do. Rather tries to do things according to what he thinks should be done. He is out of state most of the time and uses his associates to do most of the legwork for him. He refuses to listen and makes decisions on his own that are contrary to those of his client. He billed for services he wasn't hired to perform. Continued to bill even after he was fired.
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FAQs
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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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. How do you charge for your services?
    Clarify the fee structure and request an estimate of the total cost.
  4. 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.
  5. How long will it take to set up the trust?
    Ask for a timeline for creating and finalizing the trust documents.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.