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02 Oct, 2024 by Steve stanley
I used Sumner and Associates for my Estate Plan. They did an excellent jog. Answered all of my questions thoroughly and did a great job of explaining the documents they provided. Most of it could be done by phone, which was great. Highly recommend them
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18 Sep, 2024 by Alana bartolotta
We recently worked with Scott J. Sumner for our family’s estate planning, and the experience was exceptional from start to finish. We had a MetLife legal plan through our employer, and found them through that. Scott and his team made what can be a daunting process incredibly easy to understand. They were highly organized, walking us through each step with clarity and professionalism. We felt confident and well-supported throughout, knowing that no detail was overlooked. If you’re looking for an estate planning attorney who truly cares and simplifies the entire process, I highly recommend Scott and his team!
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16 Sep, 2024 by Raghu mohan
14 Aug, 2024 by Todd whalen
Jay helped us to write up our contract to sell our business. He does great work and worked quickly. I thought his fees were very reasonable. I find him to be an all-around pleasant person to work with that has a good attitude. I’m definitely going to use him for our family estate planning. For anyone else who’s looking for a good lawyer, I couldn’t recommend Jay Mukerji high enough.
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06 Aug, 2024 by Carolyn herrmann
She helped me understand the process and answered questions promptly. She was kind, compassionate, and plugged in every step of the way. A great person to have in your corner!
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29 Jul, 2024 by Tim hollon
He was so honest and helpful when all the big law firms didn't know diddly squat. He understood and could hear the trouble and irritation in my voice and was still willing to help.
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22 Feb, 2021 by Lindsey
Words cannot begin to express how grateful I am for Brandon Thomson. My father passed away unexpectedly, and as the personal representative, I was left to pick up the pieces of the estate. Brandon was empathetic, patient, and took the time to walk me through each step of the process. I am so lucky Brandon was on my team during one of the worst moments of my life, and I cannot thank him enough.
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01 Feb, 2021 by Catherine
I spoke with Brandon regarding a problem I was having with my mother's Social Security/Medicare. He did an excellent job explaining the various items and how I could fix them. He took his time and explained slow enough so I could write it down as I had a stroke a few years ago and talking on the phone is very difficult. Brandon was very thorough and kind. I highly recommend him!!
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10 Dec, 2020 by Marcy
Called Brandon's firm for a consult regarding estate planning. He was extremely knowledgeable and answered all of my questions.
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27 Sep, 2024 by Susan
When our mom passed, we contacted Bill. He had set up a trust for our parents. But they went to another attorney after that who revised the trust and left it in a real mess. Bill helped us navigate that and other legal tasks that needed to be addressed. He was kind and straightforward, guiding us to do what we could on our own and stepping in as we needed or wanted. We really appreciated his support during a difficult time.
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25 Sep, 2024 by George
Bill is extremely patient and thorough. He followed up with my wife and I and also with our financial institutions. He is also beginning to be proficient in international estate issues.
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20 Feb, 2024 by Christopher
Bill exceeded my expectations on my father’s estate planning. It was a very difficult time for me, Bill took the time to walk me through the process. He was very knowledgeable, professional and most important responsive.
Billing was accurate, precise and reasonable.
I will be using Bill for all of my future estate and legal business matters moving forward. I consider him a friend.
-Christopher Maiberger
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20 Sep, 2024 by Kelly
James responded to a question I posted. I was able to reach him immediately from my first call. He spent a considerable amount of time consulting with me without hesitation. James was courteous, respectful, professional and extremely knowledgeable. He answered every question I asked directly with sincere detailed answers. After speaking with James, it was clear to me this was an attorney who truly cares about people. He worked promptly on what I needed, kept his word and demonstrated excellent communication. I reached out to 3 attorneys, James consulted with me and completed what I needed before even a return phone call from the other 2 attorneys. I know many others, including myself, who have had just mediocre or terrible experiences trying to reach and work with an attorney. James is genuine and willing to help no matter how small or large the need. He has integrity and does not overpromise and underdeliver. I did NOT hire James by default because he answered my call. He earned my trust and respect. I would not hesitate to hire James in the future and refer him to everyone I know or meet. Highly recommended!
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13 Mar, 2024 by Jay45mitch
Atty. James Frederick answered a question for me on Avvo and after several phone consultations, I hired him to assist with my father's small estate proceeding in Michigan. I don't live in Michigan, so my case needed special attention and constant contact at points. Over the course of 4 years (due to the nature of the case), Atty. Frederick was always available to me by phone, email, and also at one point readily agreed to travel 2 hours away to a hearing for the estate with minimal fuss. I was wary of handling the process remotely when my case started, but I can tell you that it was handled honestly, professionally, and for what I thought was a reasonable rate. If you are in the Livonia area (or anywhere in Michigan), and need any service that Atty. Frederick provides, you can not go wrong in at least speaking to him about it.
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20 Aug, 2022 by Laura
He handled our estate planning documents. Fees were reasonable. Knowledgeable and good people.
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03 Jan, 2024 by Jaclyn
Hired to get all my estate and docs in order. The entire team is all great, they all make sure you understand everything and make sure every little thing is taken care of so there’s no loose ends. They were all excellent to work with and make everything very easy and organized!
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09 Dec, 2023 by Steve l.
Highly knowledgeable, completely thorough, and sincerely patient and kind to their clients. Mr. Lindsay and his entire law firm is the epitome of excellence in every conceivable way. Overall, I definitely recommend their valuable services to any potential client.
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15 Jul, 2023 by Gregg
For two particular matters, Christopher and his entire Team were very supportive, making the entire process simple and easy. The information provided was straightforward and was exactly what I needed. I highly recommend Estate Planning & Elder Law Services, P.C.
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04 May, 2021 by Anonymous
My husband and I went to Glenn for estate planning. We found Glenn very knowledgeable and took the time to educate us on all our options. Completion and in person review of all the documents was excellent.
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10 Nov, 2020 by Maria
Glenn assisted me in setting up an estate plan that would protect my husband, who just had a stroke, in the event of my passing. He took time to explain the entire estate planning process as well as how the estate plan would work in different scenarios. His explanation was very easy for me to understand. His knowledge of estate planning, the laws affecting estates and Medicaid is thorough. I HIGHLY recommend Glenn and say to you, do not hesitate to contact Glenn with your estate planning needs. Hindsight is 20/20 and I truly wish my husband and I had followed through with meeting Glenn several years ago when we started thinking about estate planning, it would have saved us a lot of concern, frustration and money.
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14 Feb, 2020 by Kathy
Glen Matecun did an excellent job in reviewing our financial plan, and updated it where it was needed. He answered our questions and spent time explaining the changes that were necessary. We were very pleased with how easy it was and would recommend him to others.
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27 Dec, 2022 by Crystal
Mike has helped my family with all of our estate planning needs. The firm specializes in asset protection and it helps us rest easy known our stuff is protected! Highly recommended for all things estate planning, elder law and probate! 5 stars!!
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01 Sep, 2022 by Christine
I highly recommend the experts at Rutkowski Law Firm for anyone seeking Estate Planning or Elder Care Law. The team at Rutkowski Law worked with us to create an Asset Protection Trust and Power of Attorney to ensure all of my parent’s assets were protected. The level of professionalism and personalized approach they provide to their clients is exceptional.
It’s been 3 years since I first met with the team to set up the family Trust and POA’s. Since then, they have continued to be a resource anytime we have questions or need guidance related to our estate plan.
Rutkowski Law has continued to go above and beyond all of my expectations and I’m sure they will do the same for you!
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24 Aug, 2022 by Anonymous
The staff was friendly, professional and also, responsive to inquiries, both in person and over the telephone. *****************************************************************************************************************************************
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15 Nov, 2023 by Kerry
Katrina was very helpful for our estate planning and setting up our trust. She explained everything thoroughly, taking the time to re-visit any items we needed more explanation on, and allowed us time to fully review the entire document before signing.
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19 Oct, 2023 by Chelsea
Katrina helped us set up a trust/will/poa’s. She was extremely knowledgeable on the subject and broke things down in real life examples so we could talk and think through each situation before making a decision. She came right to our house to meet us and was overall an absolute pleasure to work with. We are very satisfied with the final outcome.
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10 Sep, 2023 by Amy
Katrina Hofstetter set up our living trust and helped us with all our estate planning needs. She was patient and helpful for the entire process. We highly recommend her to anyone who needs estate planning services.
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05 Dec, 2018 by Carol
Alice was very professional and very helpful to us. She answered all of our questions and took the time to make sure we understood everything we were doing and signing.
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13 Nov, 2018 by Tim & tara
Alice was very knowledgeable about the planning process. She helped with getting all of our items listed into our trusts. She is a very pleasant person and made the process enjoyable.
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12 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
Alice updated our documents and was very thorough and professional. She provided options and allowed us to choose the ones which met our needs.. We would hire her again.
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19 Feb, 2024 by Sarah
Mr. Shahan is extremely knowledgeable about family trusts. He made my husband and I feel very confident in our decisions should something happen to us. We highly recommend Mr. Shahan.
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13 Feb, 2024 by Jolanta
My recent experience with Aaron R. Shahan, the founder of Atlas Law, was outstanding. Exclusively dealing with him regarding my Living Trust, I received prompt responses, personalized care, and unparalleled legal expertise. Aaron's in-depth knowledge and proactive approach reassured me that my documents were in good order. His commitment to client satisfaction and the firm's culture of excellence make Atlas Law my top recommendation for anyone seeking legal guidance, especially in estate law.
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05 Feb, 2020 by Anthony
The family estate Aaron put together for us was beyond our expectations. The time he took to explain it all and make sure it was exactly what we wanted and needed was absolutely the comfort we needed to know we picked the right firm to make sure our family was protected.
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20 Nov, 2023 by Patricia freund
Andrew Byers is extremely knowledgeable, pleasant, and reliable. He helped us navigate a very complicated issue and we are so happy with the outcome. It would be wise to contact Andrew Byers if you are looking for someone who can easily explain difficult elder law terms. Thank you, Andrew! You helped my family so much!
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19 Sep, 2018 by Neil
We hired Andrew to create a trust for my aging parents. He took the time to make my Mother comfortable with the process. He answered all my calls and gave me clear answers on how to proceed. He also provided help with the Aid and Attendance benefit from the VA. I would highly recommend him to anyone in need of these services.
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31 May, 2018 by Alan
In support of my 94 year old Mother-in-Law I needed the services of an Elder Law Attorney that could construct an asset protection trust structure compliant with the requirements of the Veterans Administration Aid and Attendance benefit. Selecting a professional in any area can be difficult. In my career I worked with several attorneys specializing in international technology licensing and supply agreements and recognized that in any discipline skill levels vary. To narrow the field in this selection process I met with a past President of the Michigan Elder Law Attorney Association for guidance and then two attorneys specializing in this area. I judged Mr. Byers to be the better candidate and through his work the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit was granted. He also provided the full spectrum of Estate Planning documents. The VA process was an "ordeal." Mr. Byers was persistent. He determined the basis for the initial unfavorable VA decision and worked the appeal process to gain the full benefit. He is the highly qualified specialist needed to develop the complex elder law structures that comply with the requirements of our legal systems.
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28 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
Please do yourself and loved ones a favor and consider hiring Andy Mayoras. He’s extremely knowledgeable, professional and is truly looking out for the best interest for you and your family. We had a horrific experience with a recommended individual well known in our area. Mr. Mayoras saw the issues, had a solution, and acted immediately. Hire the best to start, it will save you time, money and any regret!
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06 Nov, 2020 by George, shelby township, mi
I am a very skeptical person who has a difficult time placing trust in the hands of another, especially when the consequences of it is tied to a result in which I may have no control. My main goal in seeking the right attorney was to find one whose outlook demonstrated a strong moral and ethical compass, and was passionate in their career choice to both uphold and defend the law. I had interviewed several attorneys, who in my opinion, provided nothing more than typical sales pitches, and I became deeply discouraged.
That all changed when I came across Andrew Mayoras's bio, and then reached out to him. What I found in Andy was an attorney who honestly cared about his clients, who was determined to seek the truths, was not intimidated to challenge opposing counsel, weeded through the garbage of opposing counsels arguments, and applied the law appropriately and in accordance to my particular case. What I learned, is no matter what court situation you may find yourself involved in, it is never a pleasant experience. However, when you have confidence in your lawyer, such as I found with Andy Mayoras and other members within his law firm, I fully trusted that my position was going to be zealously represented in an upstanding and professional way. Andy did NOT disappoint!!
I have nothing but deep respect and gratitude for Andy Mayoras and his associates. Thank you a thousand times over!!!
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06 Oct, 2019 by Anonymous
I would highly recommend this law firm. My attorney, Andy, was most helpful, treated me with respect and answered all my questions and concerns in a manner that was easy for me to understand. Phone calls were answered promptly and the staff was always pleasant. I thank you all for your help.
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30 Nov, 2022 by Joe
I called around and took some recommendations from friends. However, when I called Matthew A. Ferri Estate Planning a young lady named Andrea picked up the phone and I knew while talking to her that this is a company I could trust with my trust. Andrea consulted wife my wife and I and patiently answered all of our questions. She litteraly took us through a very complicated procedure and left us both feeling like we made the right decision.
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12 May, 2022 by Steve and kristy
Matthew and Andrea were extremely well prepared for our goal of building our trusts. They made the process easy, complete, and structured to accomplish the goal quickly. Matthew has incredible insight into personal needs and all of the options available in setting up our legal documents to account for so many options in life. Great experience and we recommend Matthew and Andrea to anyone interested in estate planning!
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14 Apr, 2022 by Joe
Matt is a well-respected and highly accomplished attorney. I have had the pleasure of referring several clients to Matt over the years and he has always exceeded expectations. I trust Matt, and his firm, implicitly. He is leader in his field and delivers exceptional results for his clients.
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5.0
14 Reviews
28 May, 2022 by Anonymous
Sara helped our family successfully navigate a difficult and divisive time at the end of my mother’s life. She is a consummate professional with a breadth of experience (I believe she’s seen it all!), knowledge, and understanding. Sara ensured that mom’s wishes were respected and when mom developed dementia, skillfully shielded her from a relative who was seeking to take advantage. Sara is clear and direct but, at the same time, kind and compassionate. Sara’s knowledge of the law and her caring approach set her apart. I absolutely recommend her without reservation.
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17 May, 2022 by Joe
Since my father had not left a will when he passed, what little I knew about estates was that I would need help with my father's. I contacted Sara by phone and we spoke briefly and set an appointment to speak in person. Sara was not the first attorney I spoke with but the first to interview with me. At the interview I explained why I needed her help, I also showed my limited knowledge of what was before me. By the end of the interview Sara agreed to help me through the probate process. In the following months Sara worked on my behalf with the court and advised me what was expected of me as the administer of the estate. Through the whole process there were times I felt overwhelmed with the "business" of settling his estate and sometimes became quite emotional over my personal loss. But, with kind words and a firm direction Sara kept me on track and focused. I guess that's why attorneys are called counselors. Finally, with Sara's continued support and guidance, things were at an end and the estate was dissolved. There are things that happen in life that happen to other people and you think, that's too bad. But when one of those things happens to you you think, how will I get through this. I don't know how things would have turned out with someone other than Sara, I don't need to think about it. Sara was the best possible attorney for me to have helping me with her hard work, her knowledge and experience and her empathy. I plan on having Sara help with my estate planning since having experienced this ordeal once, I do not want to leave something like this to my loved ones.
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27 Apr, 2022 by Tom
Top marks! Sara has been my attorney for the past 24 years and I am forever grateful to the person who recommended her when I was first in need. Always on top of things, always ready with advice or direct action on my behalf. Plus, she is funny, unflappable, gracious and generous in spirit. She's my attorney but also my friend.
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30 Mar, 2009 by Anonymous
I have worked with Mr. Smrtka for several years and have always received personal and dedicated care and service. Mr. Smrtka has worked with me in several areas of law related to estate planning and in the operation of my business. George has earned my trust and continues to do so. I highly recommend Mr. Smrtka.
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10 Mar, 2009 by Anonymous
Mr. Smrtka is a caring person who ensures that his client is well informed. He explains each situation in layman's terms so that his client feels confident in their decisions. I would definitely recommend Mr. Smrtka to any family member or friend.
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06 Mar, 2009 by Anonymous
George was wonderful!
He worked through everything we needed to set up for my mother's trust / will.
He explained everything in terms we could understand and helped guide us through the process of protecting her interests. George took the time to make sure she was comfortable with everything and showed us all her options.
His kindness and gentle handling made things flow smoothly.
I would highly recommend him to anyone...
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23 Sep, 2021 by Albert
Michael Franklin was is very knowledgable about trusts and estate matters and was eager and willing to help and explain things in a easy to understand way. Thanks for your help Michael!
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09 Mar, 2021 by Jessica
I reached out to Mr. Franklin regarding some probate questions (regarding guardianship of a minor) and Mr. Franklin was very polite, helpful, patient. Mr. Franklin answered all my questions guided me in the right direction and also helped me with complementing forms myself. I will definitely be be hiring Mr. Franklin when time comes for court. I would HIGHLY recommend this attorney for your legal needs. Thank you again Mr. Franklin I very much appreciate your work and time.
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07 Feb, 2021 by Amanda
I called Mr. Franklin in a very stressed, confused state. He was absolutely amazing!! He helped me so much, walked me through what I wasn't doing& why it had to be in the paperwork. He even told me I could call back if I needed more help, he is jus an angel when you're going through what i am!! He was extremely nice, so helpful& I'm so grateful to have called him during my time of need. If he can help me like that over the phone w out being hired, imagine how great he would b hired??!! Lol
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05 Jun, 2024 by Ray moses
Honest and knowledgeable
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06 Oct, 2023 by Kevin law
Joe and Amelia are a great team together. Prepared my entire families Estate planning documents quickly and at a reasonable cost. Very pleasant to work with.
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25 Jul, 2023 by Nathan owen
08 Aug, 2018 by Anonymous
Amy Peterman is the best combination of tough when she has to be, but king and caring. She fought for us and helped us resolve a longstanding dispute
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08 Aug, 2018 by David
Amy was extremely knowledgeable and answered all of my questions with clarity and expertise. She has years of experience which was helpful in my complex matter. I would definitely recommend her as an attorney.
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14 Jul, 2018 by Anonymous
Amy was a pleasure to work with. She is VERY knowledgeable, detailed and won’t quit until she wins. I highly recommend her! A PLUS.
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29 May, 2022 by Glen
This entire law group has the process of estate planning, including wills, down to a science. With their experience, they had the answers to all of my questions and made the process very easy. From the office, Kat assembled my funding table and clarified how I should go about changing ownership on my various accounts to my new trust, so they can avoid probate and make my estate easier to deal with for my trustees.
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02 May, 2022 by Anonymous
I highly recommend Bob Mannor and the Mannor Law Group. Everyone is very kind and knowledgeable. Kathryn LaPointe goes out of her way to be helpful and answer questions.
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31 Aug, 2016 by Karen
I have dealt with quite a few lawyers and i have to say that the Mannor Law Firm has been the best. They tell you there plan of action and follow thru with it. They are the first attorneys I have dealt with that did what they said they would do. And would make sure you were comfortable with all the decisions that were made.
Highly recommend this company! great people to work with.
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10 Sep, 2021 by Marguerite prescott
Mr Reed's handled my husband's case this last year he was a very kind very professional and very reasonable. I would use him anytime.
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31 Mar, 2017 by Kevin
I was referred to Michael W. Reeds and his team for my DUI. I met Danielle first, she was very welcoming and made you feel very comfortable right away. She is very thorough from the beginning!!! If I called I received a phone call back right away and also via email. Any questions I had she was on it right away, customer service with Danielle is 10 stars not 5 Stars. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this Firm for your legal matters!!!!!
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24 Jan, 2017 by Haley
I recently had the pleasure to work with Danielle Shamus on the restoration of my drivers license. I counld not have been more pleased with my results. She was thorough and attentive. If for some reason l get myself in this kind of situation, my first call will be to Danielle Shamus at Reeds Law.
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12 Jan, 2018 by Christina
Ms. Turnbull completed a comprehensive estate plan for me in 12/17. This included a will, a trust, a power of attorney, medical directives, etc. I was able to retain her through Hyatt Legal Services. Initially, I retained a different attorney who after providing a draft of several documents, never followed up with me.
I then searched, found, and retained Ms. Turnbull based on her Avvo reviews. I am so thankful that I did. The process entailed three visits - a consultation, review of draft, and then the final review/signing. In between appointments, she timely responded to my e-mail questions.
During each step, she was always professional, highly organized, responsive, attentive, patient, and very thorough. She also had a very pleasant personality - very easy to talk too. Moreover, despite my many questions, I never felt rushed.
Planning one's estate can be very stressful and confusing. She walked me through each step with much care and detail - even providing legal research results so that I could fully understand the particular issue/topic.
What I particularly liked was the final review/signing. She put all the documents in a binder and provided a checklist/todolist as to completing the necessary tasks. This was truly a godsend and beyond helpful.
Overall, I just can't say enough nice things about her as a person, as well as, about her as a highly skilled attorney. If you are looking for someone who will listen to and execute your objectives with care, compassion, and skill, then go with Ms. Turnbull - you won't regret it!
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01 Dec, 2017 by Linda sawyer
Shauna is VERY organized. I have Hyatt legal through University of Michigan so had her do my trust, wills, power of attorney, heath directive..anything Hyatt covered.
I have an aging parent and handicapped sister so she also did a Special Needs trust so that I could make sure my sister was also taken care of. Even though I though it complicated..she simplified it. First meeting was getting it going. Second was the review and what everything means and third was notarizing ,finalizing, and filing the documents. Each item was organized in a binder for me with colored sheets dividing them and reminding what they were for..which helps my trustee when I can no longer be in charge of them. I highly recommend her. She made everything painless and I have made sure my mom and sister will not have to go to probate, my homes pass to them without probate and the binder tells them what to do if I die before them. I thought Shauna was outstanding.
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16 Jan, 2017 by Melvin
I worked with Mrs. Turnbull from Oct. 2016 to Jan. 2017 to set up a Trust for my family and she was very patient, extremely thorough in her explanations of the process and a true pleasure to work with. Her knowledge of the potential pitfalls associated with lack of Estate Planning, has given me a sense of relief and security for my children's future.
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29 Jul, 2024 by Anonymous
I would like to thank you for your time and help as a lawyer and, undoubtedly, a kind and responsive person. Very grateful.
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24 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
He gave a great answer to a difficult situation, I appreciate the help very much!
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06 Aug, 2020 by Lynn
David a great job suggesting the PACE/Care Resources program that fit our family perfectly. We would never have stumbled across the program on our own. It changed the course of our lives.
Attorney Gregg helped us with out family's Will and Trust. We liked his easy going personality and his succinct legal advice.
Alex is my shinning star who helped us navigate the complexity of Medicaid. She replied to my emails and phone calls with record speed. I was never left hanging and wondering what to do next. They were all three worth every dollar. I can sleep at night knowing that we have everything in place.
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06 Nov, 2017 by Tanya
Mr. Lacey initially litigated a rental dispute with an apartment complex in Rochester Hills Michigan. The apartment complex claimed that I owed them money and was suing me for that money and more. Mr. Lacey was referred to me by a co-worker. I presented Mr. Lacey with the proof that I didn't owe the money and he was successful in resolving the issue in my favor. Because of this issue I decided to move and a few years later the complex tried to sue me for wrongful termination of the lease even though I gave the complex written notice that I was leaving because of the negative history that we had together and they agreed to let me go. I contacted Mr. Lacey again and the final result was a "tie"; the ruling was that I had to pay some money to the complex but they had to give me back my security deposit which they had held.
More recently Mr. Lacey helped my husband and I create our Living Wills.
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04 Oct, 2017 by Karl
I hired Mr. Lacey to handle and work with me regarding Landlord/Tenant contracts and disputes. I also have had land contracts written and executed by him. I found working with Mr. Lacey to be very easy as we accomplished all of my needs. I have recommended him to other family members as well as business acquaintance. All have commented with the same remarks "How easy he is to work with and he does get the job done"
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30 Sep, 2017 by Chris
We were in need of an attorney located in Michigan to help us dispose of family property in the state of Michigan. This involved several family members and most living in different states. We contacted Mr. Lacey to see if he could represent us in this matter to help resolve the multiple issues that were involved in the selling of this acreage. Through his diligence and resourcefulness along with many long distance phone conversations, he was able to effectively help us liquidate this property. We could never have accomplished this without Mr. Lacey's help, diligence and trust, especially handling this matter long distance. We unfortunately never personally met, but I feel as though I have known him for a very long time. I highly recommend his services to anyone! I can never thank him enough for handling this sensitive matter in such a professional way!!!
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20 May, 2022 by Rosalin
Mara Kent has been a pleasure to work with on our estate planning. She’s been thorough, knowledgeable, efficient, great at answering our questions, clear in her explanations, and helpful in all aspects of our estate needs. I would highly recommend her for legal advise and certainly, estate planning.
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21 Jan, 2022 by Kristi
Mara is amazing! I have utilized her services multiple times.
Most recently, she represented me in a dispute with my financial institution. She had to educate this financial institution about the law and was able to resolve the dispute in my favor. She had a better grasp of the financial law than this institution with its team of professional lawyers.
Previously she handled my estate planning & was delightful to work with. She enjoyed fielding my many questions and explaining legal terms to me.
She not only knows the law backwards & forwards, but she has infinite patience to explain it to people in a very respectful, considerate manner.
I would highly, highly recommend her.
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26 Jun, 2018 by Tracy
Mara handled my estate planning needs and was very clear in explaining what can be a very confusing subject. I appreciated her knowledge, thoroughness and friendly demeanor. I highly recommend Mara.
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17 Jul, 2023 by Sara
From working with Karen, I learned that she is patient and detailed in her work. She looked out for me by answering all of my questions and spending the time with me to go through the paperwork to present my case so that my case was presenting as strong and factual in the court of law. Dealing with my situation was stressful, but she kept working with me so that the details were all organized and that I could present my case in a confident manner. It is very apparent that she cares about the cases that she takes on. I am very grateful for her expertise in helping me.
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22 Dec, 2021 by Calvin
I Hired Karen Ross for a divorce! I was very pleased with the service and the way she represented me! I would recommend her to anybody! She was very professional!
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21 Dec, 2021 by Mike
Karen has help my wife and I with pre-nup, will and trust issues and parents final trust taxes. She is assisting us currently with a lien issue and will soon be helping us with setting up another trust.
We appreciate having her as our "go-to" for legal advise and services.
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27 Jul, 2022 by Amy
Mr. Malicoat is very professional and excellent at his job. I appreciate his kindness and compassion for his clients. He truly cares about others and his community.
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28 Jan, 2014 by Charlie
Mr. Malicoat did a very good job updating the trust after my spouse passed. Everything went smoothly and he was very helpful in all matters.
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27 Jan, 2014 by Marie
I appreciated Geoff's straightforward approach to estate planning. I feel like he was very thorough but also very efficient. He is a warm and intelligent person, which is a great combination in an attorney! Highly recommended.
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12 Apr, 2016 by Kristin
Andrew has been spot on throughout a long and emotional situation after her husband, David Briggs, died. His children convinced her that her and her husband needed a medicaid divorce to protect the money and had him sign a POA and a will while in the hospital just weeks before his death. We did not see the manipulation until after he died and they tried to keep it from her. These were people she hugged and had in her home for 14 years for holidays. Andrew is a star
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10 May, 2015 by Anonymous
Mr. Shotwell was extremely helpful in navigating us through the process of setting up a will and trust. He spent time throughout the whole process to work through many aspects and details. At our final review of the documents I felt secure that my family was thoroughly protected because of the details.
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08 May, 2015 by Holly
I have had the privilege to work with Andrew in helping our mutual clients achieve their estate planning goals. Andrew genuinely cares about people and he is most knowledgeable in the law and the tools available to assist clients.
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05 Oct, 2021 by Amy
I hired Ilana to review and revamp my estate plan that was over 15 years old. She came highly recommended by another family member and was easy to work with--very clear and concise, and detail-oriented. She came to my home with a notary to do the final signing of the paperwork and was professional and friendly all along the way. Very highly recommend Ilana Block!
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13 Dec, 2020 by Steve
Ilana was a great help to us in setting up our LLC. She took time to answer any and all questions we had and provided us with the legal assistance we needed to set up our business the right way.
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16 Jan, 2020 by Ingrid
I was referred to Ilana when I was going through a very sudden and time critical family situation. Ilana walked me through the POA process, language and paperwork. She was professional, easy to work with, responsive and kind. I was very grateful to have her working with me. Highly recommend.
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01 Jul, 2020 by Kara mizokami-stout
I worked with Jenelle Velarde for my estate planning and had a really great experience. She explained the whole process, asked the pertinent questions and was very efficient. I feel a huge sense of relief having it done now! And importantly, I feel confident it was done well!
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15 Feb, 2020 by Lisa
I can't say enough good stuff about Jenelle. She was the attorney that I needed. I had met with so many other attorneys on a very difficult case and they always were intimidating or just didn't care. Jenelle was referred to me by my daughters best friend. Her reviews of Jenelle's work were glowing so I decided to give her a shot. From the first call I felt my stress diminish because I knew I was in the right place. She treated my case as a priority. She kept in contact with me constantly and i never felt like I didn't matter. Even when I got stressed toward the end, Jenelle was there to encourage and let me know "we got this". We did "get" this and it wouldn't have been possible without Jenelle. I can not recommend her enough to anyone who needs legal help. THANK YOU JENELLE!!!
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16 Nov, 2018 by Alison
I hired Jenelle for a probate matter. I've heard so many horror stories about probate that I was really nervous. But what might've been a nightmare in settling my late husband's estate turned out to be a mere hiccough, thanks to Jenelle's thoroughness. Highly recommend her.
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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:
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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.
