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27 Jan, 2016 by Richard
I engaged Jim after a major investment firm froze all of my father’s assets, and subsequently the assets that I had with the firm as well. At 100 years of age my father had finally begun to succumb to a number of health issues. With diminished capacity as well as significant memory issues, he was declared incompetent. It was a very tough time for the family as you can imagine. My father had a revocable trust in place, and had removed the major investment firm as successor trustee the year before. The investment firm chose to ignore the provisions of the trust, and was not only cavalier about their actions but became virtually non-responsive. Jim engaged directly with the firm’s General Counsel and very appropriately got straight to the matter. Jim also engaged other members of his firm to assist, Christian Perrin specifically, and together they provided our family with excellent counsel and resolved all matters. The investment firm made things very complicated, but Jim resolved matters within 45 days. Jim’s approach was measured and extremely professional. His firm operates as a team, and we felt extremely well represented. Another member of the family is now likely to use their services for estate planning as well. I highly recommend Jim and the firm.
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26 May, 2015 by Bill
I desired a trust and associated documents to be completed. He and his firm handled that assignment very, very well. All work was done correctly, on time, and very professionally. I can not imagine a more satisfactory encounter.
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19 Sep, 2011 by David
My family and I called on Jim 5 years ago to assist us in entering into a Guardianship for our brother, who was deemed medically and legally an Incompetent. Jim's knowledge of the State Guardianship laws, coupled with his excellent preparation of the case, took us through Mediation and final Court hearing with all considerations to the best interests of our brother.
Jim continues to assist our family with legal advice and actions needed in light of the controversial events still taking place. My family and I highly recommend Jim for legal assistance with Guardianship proceedings.
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04 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
Shaida is a great strategic thinker that gets the job done. She is thorough, detailed and meticulus in covering all the angles of your issues. You definately want her on your side. I would use her again without question.
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04 Nov, 2015 by Mary
Shaida did a wonderful job on the legal work we needed to have completed. She is smart, time efficient, caring, and very helpful. Highly recommend!
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25 Mar, 2013 by Alyson
At the time of her employment with Wells Fargo, Shaida Horner was assigned to work with me as co-executors of a family member's estate. There were many issues with this estate - real estate, excessive personal property, securities, annuities, life insurance, medical insurance issues, etc. Mrs. Horner was extremely helpful and knowledgable in all aspects of settling this estate. She went above and beyond to make sure I was well- informed of all developments and kept the process moving in a timely fashion. She was incredibly easy to work with and made this difficult situation much less stressful. I would highly recommend her.
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06 May, 2019 by Charles
I’ve had the opportunity to work with numerous attorneys in my lifetime, but none as outstanding as Don Fuller. Don’s guidance in business contracts and contract disputes has been incredibly valuable to me and my partners. If you are in the market for a knowledgeable, professional, respected, and honest attorney...I can assure you that Don will put your needs above all else. I cannot say enough good things about my experience with him and his practice. I HIGHLY recommend him!
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20 Jan, 2015 by Matthew
Don was very informed on different business laws. He has helped me with creating several different documents including a Sales Representative Agreement and Non-disclosure Agreements. I wouldn't trust anyone else to do this work for me.
Don has also created some estate planning documents for me. These documents were clear, concise, and done in a timely manner.
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12 Jul, 2016 by George
I was the executor of my mother's estate. I hired Tony Giordano as attorney for the estate. Tony was efficient and knowledgable as he helped settle her affairs. He was also most helpful in mediating family disputes and providing comfort during a most difficult time. I found Mr Giordano to be professional and an exceptional attorney.
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15 Aug, 2013 by Anonymous
Mr. Giordano was appointed by the court to be the guardian of my relative's estate. He has done a superb job He has kept me informed of all relevant issues in a timely manner and has been vigilant in insuring that my relative's assets are safe. Mr. Giordano is a person of integrity and honesty . I highly recommend him .
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27 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
I am savvy financially, but had no clue about the divorce process when I embarked on this journey several years ago. Through it all, Ms. Kennedy and her staff have been there for me and my kids. Unfortunately, I am going to have to go back to court for a child support issue. Although it is the last thing on earth I want to do, I know I am in good hands.
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26 Jul, 2016 by Kelly
The shock of a possible divorce is difficult enough, not to mention knowing who to go to for legal advice. I was lucky enough to have found Kennedy Law; Marsha Kennedy. My case has been very difficult with many different avenues of the law including child custody, post marital support, legal issues with marital debt and sales of businesses, tax questions and the list goes on. Marsha Kennedy and her team has expertly handled each situation and guided me through the process. They have been like family to me and have given me and my children a great deal of support through a very challenging time. I would highly recommend Kennedy Law Firm. You will receive the professional help you need and the care and understanding you deserve.
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24 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Very detailed oriented and knew the laws just as we wanted her to. She is a great listener and was on time with all documents. Would def use again!
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24 Mar, 2017 by Mark
This was all about end of life paperwork; wills, powers of attorney, medical directives, etc. My wife and I stopped by to get everything squared away. She got it all done with brevity and efficiency. We required no more and no less.
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02 May, 2017 by Gary
We had not updated our Wills or our Trust in 10 years and our circumstances in almost all areas of our Estate Plan needed to be significantly updated in order to represent our current Estate.
Our original documents [Wills and Family Trust] were initiated in the State of CA and we are now permanent residents of NC so we asked our CPA for a recommendation for a new Attorney to handle our Estate Planning needs. Thankfully, he recommended Lauren. In our view, she seemed to be the exact fit we were looking for as an administrator of our Estate for the future.
Lauren was very thorough in developing an understanding of what our preferences were in terms of all financial matters pertaining to our Estate and during the time we spent together finalizing our Estate Planning Documents, she convinced us that our heirs will be happy we chose Lauren to oversee our Last Will and Testaments.
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09 Feb, 2017 by James and mary
My wife and I recently hired Lauren Millovitsch, an attorney with Blanco Tackabery Law, to help us with some complicated estate planning. During our only meeting with Lauren, she took all the
facts and information that we provided her and provided us with
a complete written summary of what she proposed. This included a revocable trust agreement in my name and an revocable trust agreement in my wife's name. Each trust agreement met all of our criteria which included specific tangible personal property distribution and fiduciary provisions. We were most impressed how Lauren was able to fulfill everything that were wanted in these documents in such a legal matter that we could easily understand.
Since it had been almost ten years since we had our Last Will and Testament and our Durable Power of Attorney documents
executed, we had Lauren review and update each of these important documents. It was amazing the changes that needed
to be made to these documents to make them current with our
wishes. Lauren reviewed our Living Wills and our Health Care Power of Attorney and said they were fine and did not need any
changes.
Lauren provided us with extra copies of specific documents for our designated family members who would serve as Executor
and Successor Executor if needed. Lauren provided us specific
language to update our 401k's and our separate life insurance policies noting that we only had listed a primary beneficiary and
we needed to add a contingent beneficiary. Lauren explained how we could title assets in our Trusts to avoid probate and provided details in a Memorandum.
Lauren provided us a complete notebook with all documents
included and a follow-up checklist which included estate planning documents; health care providers and agents; beneficiary designations, safe deposit box; and asset retitling.
Going to a lawyer and going through Last Wills and Testaments, etc., is not something that my wife and I looked forward to doing. We had put off doing this for several years.
We are so happy and pleased that we went to Lauren Millovitsch
for this important legal process. Lauren was so knowledgeable in everything that we needed to have done. Lauren's warm and caring personality mixed in with her professionalism made our
first experience with Blanco Tackabery Law a very positive and
rewarding experience.
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09 Jul, 2017 by David
Handled my fathers estate after he passed away. Julie handled all stages involved, and
was very professional the entire 6 months it took from beginning to end.
I would highly recommend her.
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04 Jul, 2017 by Donna
Handled estates of husband and brother. I did not have to worry about anything.
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20 Mar, 2024 by Melissa
Ms. Abbasi advised on and completed Estate Planning, Wills, and End of Life Planning for several members of our family. She also completed several business documents, including Quit Claim Deeds, Operating Agreements and LLC formation. Her explanations and guidance through the process was invaluable and easily understood. We found her pricing to be lower than other comparable offerings for the excellent service we received. I highly recommend her and will definitely use her exclusively for future legal needs.
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08 Jun, 2015 by Lisa
Despite the unfortunate conduct of my family members during a lengthy estate dispute, I had an excellent attorney to assist and guide me through the entire process. Stratford is superior in all areas of communication. She is timely, she is direct, and has a strong staff that has been consistently wonderful to work with. Stratford pays attention to details, and balls do not get dropped. Estate matters tend to be lengthy, and without hesitation I would recommend Stratford, the lawyers, and the support staff of her firm to anyone.
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17 Jan, 2020 by Anonymous
Excellent in considering all aspects of my family’s estate plan and other end of life planning needs.
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03 Sep, 2015 by Anonymous
Mr Swanson is fantastic at helping a client walk through a difficult situation. He is patient yet very attentive to clients costs so helps cut through the time wasters to bring wise advice.
I would highly recommend him as he is very knowledgable. When I need an attorney again, I will be calling him. Timothy Swanson is who I would want helping me any given situation. After working with him for a few months, he would be who I would choose.
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15 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
Anna is just a dedicated professional. She treated us like we were family and stepped up for us. Doesn’t seem to be much honesty in the lawyer profession at this time, but her integrity and ho eat is the exception to this rule.
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16 Feb, 2011 by Dennis
Thank you for taking on our small Medicaid case, with swift necessity and due diligence. Your fast action provided our family with both vital knowledge and a profound peace of mind. We now know our mother's future is secure. We wish to than Mary Lou and the rest of your helpful staff and will direct others in need of elder law assistance your way.
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05 Sep, 2024 by Ava
Ms Markovich is a one of a kind attorney who is happy to share her wealth of information. She doesn’t try to confuse clients with legal jargon but instead clearly explained all of my options (some of which other attorneys never even mentioned!) and treated me like a person with respect.
She had a way of making the complicated decisions very clear.
I’m so grateful she was able to help me. I will hire her again for anything related to estate planning and recommend to all my friends
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18 Jan, 2023 by Andrea szigethy
Zachary provided top notch full service help to my husband and I while setting up our estate plan. He explained everything to us and made it simple to understand. He made it a smooth and easy process and we were able to get this done pretty quickly. Zachary is extremely professional and I highly recommend his services to anyone looking to prepare their wills, estate plans, trusts, and anything that will give you the peace of mind that you prepared your loved ones in the future. He was great and we will definitely call upon him again in the future should we need anything. We now feel very comfortable that we have a folder prepared with all the important documents that our children will need in the future. Thank you so much!
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06 Jan, 2023 by Jared snead
Zack was very knowledgeable and professional. Communication with him was easy and timely. I felt at ease working with him in this process. I feel great about our finished documents. Highly recommend!
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21 Dec, 2022 by Matt searson
We had an excellent experience with Zachary A. Cooper Law. Zach was incredibly easy to talk to, he took great care in explaining his work to us, and his primary goal was to honor our wishes as he helped us with our estate planning. He was gracious to answer our countless, stupid questions and he demonstrated professionalism throughout the whole process.
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25 Jan, 2024 by Mary hale
Angela was very patient and explained everything having to do our wills in layman’s terms. She is thorough and knowledgeable.
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07 Jul, 2023 by Momx3 ofgirls
Absolutely wonderful law firm. Very responsive! Always in your best interest.
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21 Jun, 2023 by Dan hill
19 Aug, 2024 by Rich guy
25 Jun, 2020 by Carolyn lattimore
Atty. Allen D. Smith was very professional and prompt in assisting me with my Social Security Disability claim. He is very thorough and takes the time to listen to your concerns. The exemplary and professional service he and his staff provided are beyond words! Ms. Betty Mingle, Atty. Smith's Paralegal, was always respectable, pleasant, followed-up on questions and easily accessible. There was never a time in which I didn't get an answer within 24 hours or the same day! The office staff was always very customer service oriented, friendly and provided service with a smile! I would HIGHLY recommend family, friends and anyone looking for top quality service regarding a social security disability claim, to contact Atty Allen Smith. You will be more than pleased.
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06 Nov, 2024 by Gail philpott
29 Aug, 2024 by Ian jordan
15 Apr, 2024 by Brianna ellis
Absolutely awesome and compassionate office. Tammy is always so kind and professional when she answers the phone. Thank you for handling my case!
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11 Jun, 2024 by Thomas bohlmann
Great ppl for a Real estate settlement
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13 Jun, 2023 by Chris
23 Feb, 2023 by Daniel smith
13 Feb, 2025 by Michael hutton
My wife and I are finishing the process of setting up a trust with Carolina Family Estate Planning.
I can’t say enough good things about the work they did for us. We worked primarily with Kellie Corbett, but we also had interactions with several others at the firm (i.e., Kathleen Morrisey) and they were all outstanding.
Their expertise is without equal. We had many concerns about protecting our estate and they communicated effortlessly the technical details of how to do that.
Financial planning is frequently a maze and will tie many in a knot. Kellie and her fellow lawyers made what was confusing clear and what was complicated easily understood.
We are profoundly grateful for the work they did and the sense of security they have provided us.
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05 Feb, 2025 by Scott thorsen
While putting off doing our estate plan for far too long, we finally decided to do it. After a fair amount of research we landed on CFEP. We were a little apprehensive of their unique approach to saving clients thousands by having group (classroom) sessions for part of the process. However, we were quickly impressed by this methodology and its effectiveness without losing the personal touch.Kellie and the team were great throughout the entire process. Highly recommend for any estate planning needs.
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22 Nov, 2024 by Biz lorax
Creating a Trust is a long and complex process, but we had a good experience with Carolina Family Estate Planning. Kathy always got back to us quickly with our questions. Sheena was Fantastic! She's the one who actually facilitates the process of putting the assets into the Trust, the final step. Such a relief to have it done!
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24 Feb, 2025 by Cici becerra
21 Feb, 2025 by Nicole sutherland
Mr. Morton is a great attorney! He helped me with a traffic matter and was very helpful and informative throughout the process. He also showed up for court and was there even before I was so I didn’t have to stay super long. He makes sure you understand what’s going on with your case and exactly what you need to do to hopefully stay out of trouble. 10/10 would recommend Mr. Morton’s office to help anyone out!
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13 Feb, 2025 by Daniel manchester
I just moved to Colorado and had an issue in NC i needed taken care of. Mr. Brennon handled everything professionally and timely, recommend 10/10!
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23 Sep, 2024 by Rob pavone
Had an opportunity to get out of my timeshare thru the timeshare company that owns it. Nolan and his team stepped up to help me get all the papers notarized and made sure the documents were on the “up and up”. All good! GOODBYE TIMESHARE!
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13 Aug, 2024 by Anne luedtke
Very friendly and welcoming staff! They took the time to patiently answer all my questions. They are a knowledgeable and professional team!
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01 Aug, 2024 by Brendan finn
Great experience working with Nolan to close on our new home. The Seller tried to pull some last second changes and Nolan had our back 100% and took care of everything. Recommend 10/10.
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09 Mar, 2024 by Tom massey
If you are looking to establish a will, I highly recommend Molly Ciaccio. I was not looking forward to the conversation, however, Molly's knowledge, expertise, and friendliness relieved a lot of anxiety that comes with this type of conversation. I had lots of questions and some modifications, Molly accommodated me in such a cohesive way. The entire process was very smooth.
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19 Apr, 2023 by Angela jones
06 Mar, 2023 by From math with love
This firm cannot even handle a refi. Was told the wrong date for payoff checks. Never included account numbers on checks needed to payoff other accounts and then made a whole check out to the WRONG bank. Never took accountability for their missteps. Blamed the bank. WOULD NOT USE!!
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09 Dec, 2024 by R d
James is an outstanding attorney. In my experience, during the course of about 12 months, he always had my best interests in mind, always responded promptly to my communications, and was always honest and up-front.
Three things James recommend to me, when we first met for our consultation, and then another thing shortly after, gave me full confidence in him, and achieving a speedy separation/divorce.
First, he recommended to refrain from offering anything I wouldn’t accept myself.
Second, refrain from making unreasonable or unfair requests.
Third, if still in doubt, do not request or offer anything that a judge would’t find reasonable and acceptable.
The other thing James told me, after reviewing all our paperwork and process, was that my ex and I had already completed most of the work, and if everyone was prepared to sit together and be reasonable, we could have everything completed within a few hours.
Unfortunately, reasonable was not in my ex’s attorneys vocabulary. And in the end, not only did my ex failed in all her unreasonable requests, she also wasted a ton of money because she picked an attorney who did not have her best interests in mind, and she lost our house because her attorney went AWOL for multiple days prior to paperwork deadlines (now I have the house even though I gave my ex first option).
Bottom line; James is honest, fair, and professional, and he’ll look after you and your best interests in a fair, honest, and speedy manner.
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20 Nov, 2024 by Gary hatch
I was initially hesitant and even skeptical of asking a lawyer to help us with estate planning. We had only a modest and relatively simple estate. At the urging of my wife, we met with Duffy Palmer who educated us in estate law. His patience and honest answers to our many questions left us with a new appreciation of issues we had never considered. We learned about the costs and legal tangles often encountered in probate, and we did not want to lay these difficulties on our children. Instead, we wanted to pass on our estate to them as efficiently as possible. We became convinced that the cost of creating a revocable living trust, reworking our wills and powers of attorney would be a good investment in the future of our family. The resulting trust and related documents would simplify and eliminate many of hurdles and costs that arise at the time of a death. Mr. Palmer is young and he is honest and stable. His services do not end when the portfolio is completed. The process of crafting the trust required several phone calls and back-and-forth emails with our edits marked in red. We feel very good about the final product. Mr. Palmer patiently worked with us until we had completed all of the necessary actions. We now have an Estate Planning Portfolio that contains the necessary paperwork to cover the many possible complications that can occur upon death. We highly recommend Mr. Duffy Palmer and the estate planning process he expertly performs.
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19 Nov, 2024 by Priscilla garner atwater
Excellent and Speedy Service.
Very Resonable. He does exactly what he tells you. I would definitely call him again if needed.
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28 Mar, 2024 by Ann fields
Met all my legal needs. Took time to listen and walk me through everything.
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27 Mar, 2024 by Alice hardy
26 Mar, 2024 by Janet
19 May, 2024 by Ehab mayy
Smooth transition
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28 Nov, 2023 by Matthew norman
Four words I would use to describe EBJ based off my experiences: accommodating, helpful, resourceful, knowledgeable
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17 Oct, 2023 by H jared levi (h)
Best closing attorney in NC.
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19 Aug, 2024 by Jim kotyk
The care that Stewart Law show's for their clients is exceptional and the ease of getting information with updates that are detailed will keep me coming back in the future.
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15 Jul, 2024 by Eric ridenour
Stewart Law, P.A is by far one of the most outstanding law firms in North Carolina. Their service is excellent and they conduct all their affairs in an incredibly professional manner. Would highly recommend.
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08 Jul, 2024 by Kissame brenner
I'm sure I was just profiled because of my voice when calling this firm, what type of business practice deflects business away before knowing your financial status. As soon as this lady spoke with me and told me the price range before she even knew wether or not I could afford it she was referring me to cheaper attorneys. RED FLAG stay away.
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06 Dec, 2017 by Scott
As we set about the task of starting our nonprofit, Mr. Foster skillfully guided us through all the state and federal red tape. His wisdom and easy table side way have positioned us for success.
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16 Jan, 2015 by Heather
I worked with Mr. Foster in the area of business law with some individuals completing an Asset Purchase Agreement for a business I was dissolving. I felt Mr. Foster was trustworthy and authentic. Communication felt very genuine and I felt he was looking out for everyone's best interests and not just rolling through things with another "customer". He took the time to ask questions and get a thorough understanding of our needs in the contract we were putting together. I worked with another firm in town that definitely made it clear I was just another check in their bank account. I got the feeling from Mr. Foster that he was sincere in his passion for the practice of law and he was good at what he does. I highly recommend this lawyer.
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27 Nov, 2024 by Matt bower
We used The McIntosh Law Firm for our Estate Planning needs. They were professional, very knowledgeable and worked around our schedule. The experience was great as they took the time to walk us through the process step by step. McKenzie was first class!
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21 Oct, 2024 by Candy klenke
My husband and I had an excellent experience from start to finish. Everyone was very friendly and knowledgeable. Louise was very thorough and made sure that all of our estate needs were met…We highly recommend her.
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16 Oct, 2024 by Heather dhillon
Professional and prompt service! We re-located from out of state and they made for an easy and smooth transition of our family's living trust. Happy we went here!
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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.
