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20 Jan, 2025 by Mark bishop
Attorney was very knowledgeable and we received everything in a timely manner.
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21 Oct, 2024 by Heather messer
14 Dec, 2021 by Dendra schwarz
Where to start... They lost some of my information and didn't reach out to let me know. I received no response to my communications for months and now I have to find another lawyer. They basically just borrowed money from me for six months and then had the audacity to charge me for a certified letter instead of calling me to let me know that after six months and negligence on their part, they were no longer interested in handling the opening of an estate (and I had to demand my deposit back as no services were rendered).EXTREMELY unprofessional and I would NOT recommend.
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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
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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27 Jan, 2025 by Traci kronmiller
Anthony Rich does very well with communicating with his clients. I didn’t feel rushed talking with him and he patiently answered all the questions we had. This was all before we even paid for his services! Once he was paid he immediately visited our family member, while they were in jail, so he could get the ball rolling. This family member said Anthony Rich was very professional, and definitely knew what he was doing in that court room. Folks, he was a big part of saving our family that day! Those five stars were well earned. Thank you Anthony Rich.
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24 Jan, 2025 by Levi kronmiller
Got three felonies dismissed very easily!! Definitely knows what he is doing!!
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14 Nov, 2024 by Mellany mcleod
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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23 Feb, 2022 by Linda
Needed to get an attorney asap due to health issues of a family member. Elizabeth worked us in right away. She was professional and answered all of our questions. I even followed up with some email questions and she promptly responded. She is conveniently located. Very satisfied with her service.
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28 Jul, 2020 by Anonymous
Elizabeth was an absolute pleasure to work with. My family is very glad to have found her. She was extremely patient, thorough and easy to understand. She's a pleasure, and her experience & mastery of estate planning left my family comforted through a difficult time. Highly recommend!
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15 Jul, 2020 by Anonymous
I contacted attorney Elizabeth Schmitz concerning a guardianship. Ms. Schmitz’s office told me that a doctor would need to examine my family member for the purpose of diagnosis. Ms. Schmitz's office never told me how long the process of obtaining the guardianship would take, but assured me that they would be filing paperwork soon.
Over the next week, I corresponded with Ms. Scmitz's office through email. Over the next two and a half months after that, I waited and waited for updates on my case from Ms. Schmitz's office, occasionally sending an email or calling and leaving a voicemail on her phone. Only once did I get to speak to someone in her office, who told me that a doctor would call me in about four weeks to set up an appointment to conduct the examination. That phone call never came. I then left repeated voicemails and emails at Ms. Schmitz’s office. I never received a reply. Finally, out of exasperation at Ms. Schmitz’s office refusal to communicate with me in any way, I wrote an email to Ms. Schmitz, informing her that I was firing her as my attorney due to her refusal to communicate with me for over a month. In my email, I stated that she never provided me with any proof that any paperwork had ever been filed on my behalf by her office. This time, Ms. Schmitz replied the very next day that she “will close my file on this matter,” along with a pro forma apology. She did not challenge my accusation regarding the absence of any filed paperwork.
I had no idea there are lawyers who treat their clients this way. If an attorney does not wish to represent someone, all they have to do is say so. There is no cause to string someone along and waste their time for three months. I can only take her treatment of me as some sort of running joke at the office that she and her secretaries engaged in. Haha, real funny. You would be better off hiring a used car salesman as your attorney rather than Elizabeth Schmitz.
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03 Jan, 2025 by Amy eifel
Sweet man. Gets the job done. 🙌
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19 Aug, 2024 by Keith gregg
This man was my attorney on a criminal case and he would not listen to a word I had to say. My first time ever getting in trouble and was told the whole time I would not get incarcerated then day of sentencing I was given 2 years and after the bailiff arrested me and we went in the back he said your a bigger guy you will be ok!! My family always tried to contact him and couldn’t get ahold of him!! I my own judicial release from prison and he had no idea because he wouldn’t return phone calls!! So I wrote my own judicial release and got it filed on my own and day of my judicial release hearing he randomly showed up and had no clue because I did everything on my own then after it was granted from the work I did I sat in Cuyahoga County jail another 7 days because he didn’t make sure judge signed off on all paperwork so I finally got released 7 days later on Christmas Eve when my family went to the judge and explained I was still in county!! So stay away do not waste ur money even if you’re life depended on it stay away from this crook!! If he is your court appointed lawyer ask for a new one or you will get incarcerated and told you are a big fella you will be ok it will all be a lie he doesn’t help you just looks to get money!!! Never shows up on time or if at al!!! DONT DO IT STAY AWAY trust me
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17 Dec, 2023 by Jeff hiller
Fantastic. Got the job done on multiple traffic violations, a will , and an eviction. And fascinating to have lunch with after court.
Was no longer covered under my lagak insurance but was worth every penny to have confidence in him at full price.
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14 Dec, 2024 by Dan mckinnon
Explained everything very thoroughly.
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06 Apr, 2023 by Rhonda craig
05 Dec, 2020 by Gary frederick
The best..
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4.2
4 Reviews
3.0
2 Reviews
28 Mar, 2022 by Mary
Monty has been our family’s attorney for over 25 years and has always been available when there were questions about estate planning. His office staff was very professional and dedicated as we never felt rushed when needing to speak to him or his office staff.
I have found Monty to be very knowledgeable and straightforward through the years in his approach working with us. He always took the time to make us feel like family and was very patient in really listening to my 90-year-old dad every time he had questions especially concerning my mom or when my dad did not understand something. Monty was there each time supporting us in making difficult decisions. My dad enjoyed telling Monty about the family and sometimes about some personal issues he wanted advise on concerning his banking or how he paid the wrong bill. Monty would listen and sometimes shared some of his own firsthand experiences while advising my dad in an easy and understanding manner.
During the last 5 years when my mom became ill and had to be placed into a nursing home, Monty and his staff were very patient and took the time to explain to me and my dad what needed to be done especially when it came time to apply for Medicaid. My dad was very confused on what to do but Monty worked with me explaining each required document. I can honestly say I have learned a lot about estate planning by having to step in for my dad from the time my mom went into a nursing home to the time when my dad was diagnosed with end stage dementia. I cannot thank them enough knowing that both my parents received the best nursing home care which they deserved during their final years.
Upon my parents passing, I feel that I could not have successfully fulfilled my parents’ wishes without Monty and his staff’s professional help. It was very smooth as everything was preplanned and placed into a Trust.
I have highly recommended Monty to my friends and relatives who have voiced concerns about their aging parents telling them he goes above and beyond and is very skilled in all phases of estate planning and elder law. I promised them that they would not be disappointed as Monty and his staff are very compassionate and experienced people.
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17 Mar, 2022 by Anonymous
He’s too much of in a hurry to really read the question. His response was too brief and I base my review on his inability to spend a couple minutes reading my question. My question had a detailed backstory and an email sent by him stated he wanted me to give more information when I had already done so. I know jurisprudence and what empathy is. It is my fervent opinion that this Esq. just wants publicity. Well, you got it!
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29 Oct, 2017 by Sophielmh
Very professional and knowledgeable. Attorney Donohew and his wife were very understanding during my time of need, and gave very good advice, would definitely recommend!
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10 Oct, 2023 by Sanjay patel
Absolutely terrible communication. Provided services for a company pension plan and have not received a response for months in regards to information request for an audit.
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24 Aug, 2018 by S d
Best there is in the greater Cleveland area!
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05 Apr, 2018 by Dsx, inc -
13 Jan, 2025 by Kimberly
Ms. Kaye Willi got back with an answer quickly and with words that gave ease to my anxiety.
My fiancée, Tara, is very ill. It is crushing to me but it is devastating our children. We are getting our things in order without a clue how to do it. I reached out to Avvo and asked a question. Ms. Kayedid not keep me waiting. Her words were firm and had power in them
Ms. Willi...thank you for bringing me comfort. You know what you speak is true and the advice that you gave me settled me enough to lift my head up. I'm terrified!! Illness wrecks families. I have NO idea what to do with a POA or what to do with them. Ms. Willis please continue to do what you do!! Perhaps you don't realize what your answers...words do for people.
I will be reaching out to you for my future and make sure that I know how to attack it. Thank you! You are appreciated!!
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23 Nov, 2024 by Anonymous
Rude and condescending tone to a question I asked. I don’t understand how hard it is to just be decent in a response when someone is seeking guidance. People ask questions because we aren’t lawyers or attorneys. If I had the knowledge than I obviously wouldn’t have asked my question. There is a way to give advice without being rude and insulting to someone.
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24 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
Very rude about how she responds to a question. I asked about a garnishment of a tax I didn’t owe and she basically told me to shut up and pay it anyway.
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21 Mar, 2022 by Robert miller
10 Sep, 2021 by Kathleen semmens
13 Nov, 2018 by Jimmy page
Kraig very knowledgeable attorney and very loyal to his clients
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03 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
Destroyed our family. Took away John Nealon s family right to have a funeral. Let a black widow take advantage of my father. Refused to listen to any of John's children . We begged him to listen to us.
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17 May, 2015 by Christine
My husband and I needed simple wills drawn up. W. Michael Conway explained everything to us and what we needed and made sure we understood what the laws are. He is very professional, Responsive, Knowledgeable and Trustworthly. Very Friendly and put us at ease right away. His Secertary Brenda is also very Knowledgeable and helpful and answered all my questions.
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18 Feb, 2024 by Teresa ratliff
Wonderful attorneys! Wonderful people!
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15 Mar, 2023 by Jacqueline collins
Ohio State Bar Association Ethics Board
Re: Complaint Against Attorney Carlo McGinnis
Dear Ethics Board Members,
I am writing to file a formal complaint against Attorney Carlo McGinnis, in connection with the legal representation he provided in our recent case. Regrettably, the experience we had with Mr. McGinnis was far from satisfactory, and we believe his lack of competence and professionalism had a detrimental impact on the outcome of our case.
Upon seeking legal counsel for our case, we were informed by multiple attorneys that we had a strong position and a straightforward path to resolution. It was our belief that any competent attorney would be able to successfully navigate the legal process on our behalf. Unfortunately, we were unaware of Mr. McGinnis's academic background and the fact that he graduated from a law school with a less than stellar reputation.
During the course of the trial, it became evident that Mr. McGinnis was ill-equipped to represent our interests effectively. He was consistently outmaneuvered by the opposing counsel, ultimately leaving our case in a precarious position. There were moments when Mr. McGinnis seemed visibly flustered in the courtroom, turning noticeably red when confronted with questions he appeared unable to answer.
While we acknowledge that Mr. McGinnis may possess some level of legal acumen, particularly in areas such as drafting wills or contracts, we believe that his performance in our case demonstrated a lack of the requisite skill and expertise necessary for successful litigation.
Given the gravity of the situation and the implications of Mr. McGinnis's actions on our case, we respectfully request that the Ethics Board of the Ohio State Bar Association conduct a thorough investigation into this matter. We believe it is vital to uphold the standards of the legal profession and protect clients from the potential consequences of inadequate legal representation.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. We are confident that the Ohio State Bar Association will take appropriate measures to address our concerns and ensure that the integrity of the legal profession is maintained.
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19 Jan, 2025 by Anonymous
This lawyer is the worst! He done absolutely nothing for our family in our defense, and pretty much sided with the defendants lawyer. He would not keep us informed on what was going on with our case, and he kept prolonging everything, which caused us to lose our case in court. We told him what we wanted, and not one time did he fight for that! He continuously handled everything in the way the defendants lawyer suggested. We dealt with this for over a year with him, and got absolutely no where. He was never straight forward with his answers. To top it all off, he was dirty and his office was dirty! He had a big dog and baby ducks running around in his office. He never wore shoes. He just scooted around on the floor in his pin striped socks! We had 2 separate cases we hired him for, and lost both of them in court!! I would NEVER recommend this man to anyone! And let's not forget his dainty tea cup with a plate underneath it that he carried around drinking his coffee out of. Nasty all the way around!!
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28 Jul, 2020 by Liz smith
David did a fantastic job helping us set up our LLC. His response time was very quick for all of our questions and he had the company set up faster than I could even get in to an appointment with another lawyer! I would recommend him to anyone in the area.
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28 Oct, 2024 by Mrs.
First of, his "office" is very gloomy and unwelcoming, very messy. So head's up. We thought he would be a good person to go to for a case about custody and child support. He charged us $3300 up front for a big case that ended up being very small, and did not want to pay us back for all the hours he didn't use on our case. He also wanted to charge us over $500 for my grandson to get his last name changed. We found out it only costs about $100 and is easy to do.
Mr. Jones did very little, copied and pasted a lot, overcharged for his services, did not return phone calls, and tried to prolong this case. My daughter spent hours on the phone to talk to her ex husband because Jones refused to return his phone calls. We tried to dismiss the case and he told us it could not be done, then we found out it could, Jones told us in order to do this he needed a letter and signature to get it filed. This was the night before the deadline to get anything done before it would go to a court hearing. I had found out the previous day about the dismissal procedure and had a copy of the signed form, already filed with the clerk of courts, for Jones to keep. Needless to say, his dumbfounded facial expression was priceless, since he realized he would not get any more money from us. After receiving an itemized bill, on which he stated we owed him $156 more, and to pay it at our earliest convenience, I took the bill to the finance section at the courthouse and was told that there was actually a refund on this bill. Had I paid the $156, he would also have pocketed the $180+, since the paperwork we signed stated, very hidden toward the end, that any access money is considered additional attorney fees. So please, before you sign anything, READ everything and ask questions. And be proactive in researching. Bottom line: Look at other attorneys or do some serious research before getting involved with Mr. Douglas Jones.
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13 May, 2021 by Attorneymike
I am a colleague of Doug and have known him for many years. He is our go to attorney when we need assistance in matters outside of our expertise. Doug is very knowledgeable in all matters concerning probate and bankruptcy. You will not find a more knowledge and compassionate attorney.
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21 Mar, 2017 by Anonymous
Mr. Jones was not a typical attorney. He is very straight-forward and gets directly to the point he does not candy coat. He does not feed me with crap that was useless to my case or looked to further any agenda to obtain more money. He told me up front what the cost would be for a type of case and that was also the same as other attorneys I have consulted with. I have hired Mr. Jones in the past years for related cases and will continue to do so. I have found Mr. Jones to be the only attorney that was different from the rest and that's what I liked about him the most. Great person.
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08 Oct, 2021 by Jose saucedo
I would recommend him ,very professional he help me with QDRO even this is long process ,he got it done so fast definitely will hire him again .
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17 Sep, 2021 by Gary blackford
Ruggles Law Office did an outstanding job providing counsel and managing the details of my father's estate. The law firm created the legal documents needed to simplify matters prior to my father's passing, then provided outstanding service managing though the process after his passing. The law firm provided sound guidance and counsel, kept the lines of communication open and me informed, and managed well the real-estate matters and a few items that needed Probate Court approval and orders. It was a pleasure to work with Mr. Ruggles and his law firm on my father's estate, and I would highly recommend this law firm for your legal needs.
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07 Jul, 2021 by Holly byler
I called to ask a simple question he was the one doing all the questioning was very rude to me said my problem is I don’t think I should have to pay for anything even though I don’t feel I should have to pay for a question. I asked for his name and he hung up on me. It is no wonder they have such little stars for the reviews. If I am going to pay for an attorney again you best believe that they are going to be the ones who deserve the money.
Update: To the responder The conversation was completely different then described. I did not say others refused to answer my question. I said that they told me i had to contact an attorney in the area that my divorce took place. No i do not feel it is right to make someone pay to get a simple question answered after already paying thousands of dollars for a divorce. I was only told that you did not have time to continue the conversation AFTER i made the comment that all the questions you had been asking was taking longer then me getting the answer to mine. so time was clearly not the issue. I do not write reviews to get back at someone. I write reviews when i feel the unprofessional or professional behavior deserves recognition and in this case your unprofessionalism deserves just that. Tone is about 90% of a conversation. I will not say mine was perfect but as you are the business and i am not you should have been less rude and if not willing to help apologizing for an inconvenience and maybe recommending me to someone or at least telling me details of what it would take to have this question answered through your company.
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13 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous
Ms. Richardson's information sent via mail stated that she would answer questions we had; however after 2 phone calls, which she never returned (She was "out of town" or "out of the office") & an evasive conversation with her assistant via phone, we emailed her. (There was only a physical address & phone number on her letterhead- the assistant gave us the email address.) She did not respond to our first two emails, but when we wrote a third time stating we expected answers to legitimate questions, she finally wrote back. She did not answer the questions we had & made accusations regarding our motives rather than giving us clarification on our case. Ms. Richardson was initially unavailable & once we did make contact with her, she was rude & unprofessional. Surely there is a better lawyer in Marietta that will be sincerely attentive & respectful.
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11 Apr, 2024 by B phil
Lost all my paperwork for a will and trust. Good thing nothing happened to me or my wife or there would be nothing set up. Zero stars.
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10 Jan, 2024 by Malinda dazey
I hired this law firm to file a petition with the court regarding a possible guardianship of my disabled son. Work was done on the case but I was lied to that it had been filed but upon pressure of what day was the hearing calendared I was advised they had pulled it out of the mail bin and not filed it. I was promised a lot of things that did not happen and a lot of money wasted.
Not sure what happened but the lawyer I hired with this firm said she was way busy and quitting the firm and even advised me one night she couldn’t address my phone call because she had to move her furniture out of the office as she was quitting that day. Seems to be a lot of issues of “work not getting done” with this firm, or at least my sons case.
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01 Jun, 2018 by Vanessa hickling
Susan is a very good person as she is Attorney. She was the Guardian of my Grandmothers Person and Estate. Susan took the time out to actually get to know my Grandmother and really was in my Grandmothers best interests which made her feel safe.
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22 Aug, 2019 by Anonymous
Very unprofessional individual. I was given his name from one of his clients, who were grossly negligent in filing my income taxes. Mr. Laudato, had a very uncaring attitude, did not respond to my inquiries to this date. Very pompous demeanor. again, I was referred to him to obtain information on my errors. Do not use him or Zappitelli's for your financial needs
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04 Apr, 2019 by Lynda.
I am involved in a very messy trust situation, so, I contacted Nicholas Laudato to see if he could help me with that. We had an in - person consultation at his office, we discussed my case, and we discussed what I wanted him to do. Before I left his office, Nicholas Laudato told me that I would have to pay him hundreds of dollars in advance just to look through my documents in order for him to decide if he would take my case. Later that day, I emailed Nicholas Laudato some of my documents, and he promptly increased the amount of money that he insisted that I pay him in advance just to look through those documents. He also made sure to remind me that this required payment in advance of hundreds of dollars was only for him to look through my documents in order for him to decide whether he would take my case, and it covered nothing else.
I have communicated with many attorneys in my quest to find the right attorney to help me with my legal issues. Some of those attorneys have been rejected by me, some of those attorneys have told me that they will not take my case without even looking at my documentation, and some of those attorneys have told me that they will not take my case after they have looked at my documentation. Nicholas Laudato, however, is the only attorney who has ever insisted that I pay him hundreds of dollars in advance just to make a decision if he will, or, if he will not, take my case. What a rip - off!. That is how Nicholas Laudato does business, so, you would be wise to avoid him, and The Probate Pro.
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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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18 Jan, 2021 by Anonymous
This lawyer does not really care for his clients, & I understand they have a lot to do but you will be waiting a year on everything that doesn’t have a deadline. . & the receptionist Pam at the front desk when you call is very rude and sound like there is something better she should be doing
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08 Feb, 2025 by Anonymous
We spent over $12,000 and over a year of back and forth in an attempt to secure and protect our mother's financial future. There was always a delay, something missed or wrong in court filings, no real litigation experience, court appearances switched to an associate instead of the atty. we hired, lack of action and "fight". We would not recommend this experience to anyone.
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11 Dec, 2024 by Anonymous
Asked Jeremy to help with what should have been a simple trust issue. After a couple of initial meetings he went completely unresponsive. After 2 months of not following up on emails and calls he reengaged and apologized. Told me he’d work to get everything settled. Communication lasted about 2 weeks before he ghosted me again. I wasted probably 4 months thinking he’d do what he said he’d was going to do before moving to another lawyer who helped provide what I needed in 2 weeks. Don’t make the same mistake I made.
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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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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.
