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14 May, 2024 by Kieran sikdar
I am so grateful to have found Susan and her colleagues at Res Nova Law. Over the last two years they have helped me with a patent, trademark, contract documents, and also have provided wonderful general business support. As a first-time business owner, I am eternally grateful to Susan and her team for their guidance that has given me confidence in my path forward. I highly recommend Res Nova Law!
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13 May, 2024 by W bruns
Susan Ford helped me prepare for a small claims case (where I represented my company) for a customer that sued us for nearly $5,000. Before hiring Susan I had checked with two other lawyers but I did not feel confident. Susan helped with both the mediation and the final court hearing. With her knowledge in my brain, I was able to make a clear and coherent explanation of events. The judge decided the case in my favor. I recommend Res Nova for anyone dealing with business issues in Oregon.
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13 May, 2024 by Richard weber
We've worked with Susan Ford for many years and have always had excellent advice and counsel. We've established a number of Trademarks, and Susan has helped defend those trademarks. She has also helped us evolve from a sole proprietorship to a partnership to an LLC and provided all the legal advice and services necessary to get it right. When it comes to legal and business advice, Susan is our "go-to" resource.
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29 May, 2024 by Nancy
I’ve spoken with so many lawyers, and got so misguided. Mr James and his wisdom in his history put my extremely complicated situation into perspective. To continue to fight the legal battle is choosing to suffer, and a minimum of $25,000 to gamble and lose again, and again. He helped me understand the system better than anyone. What a great guy and I got it all for free!
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06 May, 2024 by Anonymous
Jim is a top notch attorney. He is sharp, knowable and quick. Working with him was easy and pleasant. Very reasonable fees!
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02 May, 2024 by Feras
He was generous with his time, and recommended best way forward. He gave tips and how to deal with the situation without pushing on taking over the case
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09 Sep, 2022 by Donna
I interviewed three law firms before selecting Stefan Wolf to be my estate planning attorney. Throughout the process of setting up a trust, will, POA and Advanced Directive he was the consummate professional. Stefan is responsive, smart, extremely knowledgeable, kind, and thorough. After a phone conference with my long-time financial planner, my planner called me and asked if I knew how lucky I was to have Stefan as my estate attorney. My planner said he works with his clients estate attorneys all the time and had never worked with someone of Stefan's caliber. High praise from my curmudgeon of a financial planner! We finished the process on-time and at the quoted flat rate despite the complexities of my estate. I am now continuing my travels with peace of mind knowing my estate is set up exactly how I want it to be. Stefan's team is also extremely responsive and professional. Thank you!!
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10 Mar, 2022 by Janice
Stefan spent hours with us explaining all our options for estate planning. Not only is he a knowledgeable attorney, he is very personable and patient. Talk to Stefan and get your estate in order today.
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14 Jul, 2021 by Mark
Stefan was referred to us by a wealth management firm and we couldn't be more pleased with the quality of his legal services and the great value we received. His expertise was clear from our first meeting and he was patient and answered all of our questions in a clear and understandable nature. Trust documents can be very confusing and Stefan's style was very smooth and relatable. I would highly recommend Stefan to anyone needing estate planning assistance.
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27 Jun, 2024 by Anonymous
I recently worked with Marisa Moneyhun to update my trust. She and her team were extremely knowledgeable and pleasant to work with. 5 stars.
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16 May, 2024 by Kelley
I could not have been more pleased with the service and all the advice given to me while doing my estate planning. The book they put together for my loved ones in case of my death will make it so easy for them to take care of everything. Thank you so much for making this process easier than I had ever imagined
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07 Nov, 2023 by Judy
I needed a trust and Ms Moneyhun came highly recommended. Working with her and her assistant Audrey was a pleasure. They patiently explained the entire process to me and worked with my family and me to give us the trust we needed.
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26 Nov, 2018 by Anonymous
I had a consultation with Taylor initially and found her to be concise, thorough and able to distill a complicated issue down to the main elements—comprehending the issue(s) and outline the strategies to go about solving the legal problem. It was helpful and I felt like I had a fair experience in what can(/could have been) be an expensive billing process.
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17 Apr, 2017 by Jessica
We hired Taylor Kittell for help with estate planning and she was terrific. We paid a flat fee, which meant that she didn't benefit from spending extra time with us. Nevertheless, she explained our options to us thoroughly and with great patience and she was quick to respond to follow-up questions or concerns. The legal assistants were also lovely. We also had time pressures because my husband was in town for only a short period and Taylor was able to expedite the process and get everything done before he left. All in all, a great experience.
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14 Mar, 2017 by Daniel
My wife and I hired Taylor for estate planning. She made every effort to understand what was important to us and then to give us choices that supported our values, clearly explaining the pros and cons of each and making recommendations wherever appropriate to meet our goals. Taylor was able to translate the legal complexities into decision points that captured the heart of the provisions.
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13 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous
I consulted Christopher for free about my issue and he was able to guide me in a right direction. He seemed knowledgeable about the topic and gave me details on my next right step.
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14 Sep, 2017 by Anonymous
I was handling a personal injury (vehicle crash case) that became a wrongful death case. Chris Brooks was a perfect hire to handle our estate needs. He is a fantastic lawyer that was able to efficiently push through our settlement through the court. His attention to detail was perfect and he regularly called and emailed at all hours to get the case complete. I work with a lot of lawyers and Chris is an absolute hire.
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15 Sep, 2014 by At
Chris is an able, very knowledgeable and friendly professional to work with. Chris helped me with my estate plan and is on hand should I need to make alterations or have questions. Chris is also very involved in charitable causes in the community and he has a great reputation. I highly recommend his services and counsel.
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14 Nov, 2012 by Steve
Excellant...accurate info...5 lawyers responded to info...Her's was only one correct....Highly recommend..
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14 Oct, 2011 by Diana
I just want to thank you for the work you did on our case. We really appreciate you stepping in to help get us paid. You were refreshing and tenacious!
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15 Aug, 2011 by Anonymous
We were very pleased with Ms. Smith's review of my father's Estate Planning and Trust documents. She went over them all to make sure they were in line with the current laws, made some changes he asked for, and helped us feel secure, knowing that everything was in order. She only did what was necessary, and didn't charge us to re-write anything we didn't need done. That way we saved both time and money. I would recommend her highly. She can start from scratch to set everything up, or just do what you need, and not overcharge you.
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05 Dec, 2014 by Donna
When contacting Mr. Banks I had already been told by another firm that there was very little if any hope for our case...I knew our case was different in that it involved not just investment fraud..but real estate property. There were many pieces to the puzzle..and at times was hard to put together. Mr. Banks and his team spent countless hours putting things together..many times calling me after hours to go over things. He spent hours going over police records and talking with people that could one day be called as expert witnesses.
After over a year of countless hours of work our case was settled. I appreciate all that was done for us. Mr. Banks never stated it was a sure thing...BUT let me know it was worth the fight...AND IT WAS
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01 Oct, 2014 by Avtar-hari
I have been fortunate to have had the opportunity of working very closely with Bob Banks for the past three years. He has represented, as a plaintiff, the nonprofit organization of which I am a board member in two highly complex malpractice suits against professionals - one a lawyer and the other a business appraiser. In both cases, Bob delivered highly satisfactory results.
Not only is Bob exceptionally knowledgeable and skilled, he is also one of the best human beings I have met. He is a person of the highest principles and integrity. He is sublimely respectful, caring and considerate. He is a talented strategist, and a highly effective communicator and relationship builder. He is tough, but fair.
Without any reservation whatsoever, I would enthusiastically recommend him to any individual or organization in need.
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24 Mar, 2016 by Kenneth
Mr. Jolly has been a good lawyer just wish this would not take so long to go through probate my dad died may 15 th 2015 and here it is March 24th 2016 been almost a year. Not trying to sound rude but this should not take so long to do we would tell everyone about how you was on pur side and how you fought for what my father in law would have wanted and for that I thank you for taking on my case
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25 Jan, 2019 by Liz
Through that site Mr. O'Connell offered a half hour free consultation. He called and answered several questions thoroughly and with a respectful demeanor and in a way I can understand. Due to the complexity of my situation ( dealing with a deceitful personal representative and her lawyer) Mr. O'Connell continued to assist and answer questions via email. He went above and beyond to help me even at times being a buffer between me and the personal representative and her attorney. This helped A LOT ! Without Mr. O'Connell and his exceptional assistant's interaction and daily communication I would not have been able to retrieve family heirlooms and sentimental items, they were headed for the dump since spite is my families coping method. I am forever grateful to Mr. O'Connell and Mrs. Snelling for their professional, above and beyond work with their exceptional understanding and respectful mannerisms in handling me and my situation.
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25 Oct, 2017 by Anonymous
Dina was a compassionate lawyer who took the time to understand the circumstance, do research, and take the case on with confidence. Dina followed up regularly, and was professional and easy to work with. I would highly recommend Dina for personal injury representation. She was patient and took the time to ensure I was ready to settle, and provided good information to be able to get the maximum settlement for this type of case.
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14 May, 2024 by Kieran sikdar
I am so grateful to have found Susan and her colleagues at Res Nova Law. Over the last two years they have helped me with a patent, trademark, contract documents, and also have provided wonderful general business support. As a first-time business owner, I am eternally grateful to Susan and her team for their guidance that has given me confidence in my path forward. I highly recommend Res Nova Law!
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13 May, 2024 by W bruns
Susan Ford helped me prepare for a small claims case (where I represented my company) for a customer that sued us for nearly $5,000. Before hiring Susan I had checked with two other lawyers but I did not feel confident. Susan helped with both the mediation and the final court hearing. With her knowledge in my brain, I was able to make a clear and coherent explanation of events. The judge decided the case in my favor. I recommend Res Nova for anyone dealing with business issues in Oregon.
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13 May, 2024 by Richard weber
We've worked with Susan Ford for many years and have always had excellent advice and counsel. We've established a number of Trademarks, and Susan has helped defend those trademarks. She has also helped us evolve from a sole proprietorship to a partnership to an LLC and provided all the legal advice and services necessary to get it right. When it comes to legal and business advice, Susan is our "go-to" resource.
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12 Aug, 2019 by Ronald
Jorden provided very professional and efficient legal services to me under a tight deadline. He created a living trust and a subsequent amendment to it under short notice (as a courtesy). He was very pleasant to work with and was sensitive to my concerns throughout the process. I recommend him to anyone who needs legal assistance.
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12 Aug, 2019 by Alema
Jorden was very helpful in drafting a letter for our family trust. He also prepared my will. He made the tax easy and provided a very professional final document.
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12 Aug, 2019 by Amanda
Mr. Piraino was professional and genuine. He listened to my needs as a single parent and helped guide me through the process of a living will/trust.
I felt that he spent ample time focused on my specifics requests and answered all my questions throughly.
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18 Sep, 2024 by Fredy alvarez
I got my green card through my U-Visa case with Gonzales Immigration Law Offices. I am very satisfied and grayeful with their work on my case and would recommend their office to anyone looking for help.
Life is great! 🙏🏻
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14 Sep, 2024 by Elva galicia
Los abogados Gonzales Gonzales &Gonzales me ayudaron para que mi esposo pudiera obtener su residencia permanente 100% recomendado venir con ellos.
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14 Sep, 2024 by Jonathan lita leòn
Gracias Al abogado Jeffrey González pude obtener mi residencia ya que mi caso era un poco complicado,de verdad se los recomiendo ellos te ayudan con tu caso y hacen que para ti sea más fácil y siempre están atentos en cada revisión .
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25 Oct, 2023 by Todd coward
Ginger Skinner is a delight to work with. She is very direct, up front with her cost structure, very knowledgeable about relevant legal issues, and is passionate about writing in concise, easily-understood language.
She went the extra mile when dealing with my estate planning, to insure compatibility with my wife's estate plan (prepared by another attorney). We'll both be back to consult with her in the future.
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25 Oct, 2023 by Bryan johanson
Detailed estate planning. Top notch.
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25 Oct, 2023 by Larkin kaliher
Wonderful experience - I needed to update my Estate Plan. I needed a skilled professional but was not interested in working with a large Law Office. Skinner Law is perfect. Ginger Skinner’s one attorney office specializes in Estate planning, and therefore keeps current. She completed my product on time, and the price was very fair.
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26 Aug, 2024 by Marion m
The Underdog Law group helped me combat my issues with my landlord.
Took less than a year from start to finish and Michael & Emily have been amazing! 🥰🙏🏼
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26 Aug, 2024 by Bear
Jim helped write a creative contract for our professional photo and video agency. It is a specialist contract for creatives and encompasses many bespoke terms for copyright and photographer specific terms as well as come special sub-contractor agreements, etc. He was knowledgeable and also took extra time to research areas that were not already in his wheelhouse. He was prompt and kind.
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09 Aug, 2024 by Frank daniels
This man is a hero.
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5.0
20 Reviews
4.4
86 Reviews
17 Jul, 2024 by Beth mickelson
I just can’t say enough good about Megan Gilmore! I truly feel she has my back. She has helped me several times and I am so grateful for her hard .
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13 May, 2024 by Judith shiprack
Katie Goss is conscientious, well prepared, and competent. She handled my divorce with a kind and calm sensibility which not only achieved a fair result but helped me through a difficult time.
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09 May, 2024 by Dave rynd
My wife and I first worked with Sara Winter 2 years ago when my mother in law passed away and we needed assistance settling the estate. More recently, Sara guided us through the estate planning process and getting our own trust set up. In both cases, Sara and the team at Gevurtz Menashe were key to us reaching our goals and they were a pleasure to work with in all instances.
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23 Mar, 2023 by Mike
Was asked to review newly revised estate and trust documents. She criticized the previous work, but ultimately didn’t change anything. 90% of scheduled meetings were cancelled or rescheduled. Lots of excuses used, not focused. We now have a $4+ invoice with only one (4 page) Trust cert document.
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27 Jun, 2017 by Pat welch
I have had the pleasure of working with Laura Vaught over the last several years to create both an estate plan for my immediate family as well as to find resolution for several complicated estate documents for my extended family.
I have had a lot of experience with other attorneys in the past, often paying double the hourly rate for half the work and attention to detail.
Laura and her office are responsive, thoughtful, and economical. She is able to take difficult concepts and translate them into clear, simple, and comprehensible solutions which result in an affordable and effective plan. I have referred many friends and business colleagues to Laura and will continue to do so.
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27 Oct, 2015 by Bruce
My wife and I had the pleasure of working with Laura on our estate and future health care planning. We presented her with several challenging issues which she handled beautifully. She also addressed tax issues which we had not even considered. We feel fortunate that Laura was recommended to us by people whose judgment we respect.
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09 Sep, 2024 by A webster
An agreement with an attorney in the office of Mayor Law was signed 2022-Oct giving Mayor Law proof of representation in an auto claim. Officially PIP was exhausted 25 April 2024. May 16 the attorney received digitally all payments; bills, notes, coding. At that time we should have sent the demand letter. I waited until July 4, 2024, contacted her, accepting the $3000 offer from April. I signed an agreement 29-July-2024. She received $3870 for costs and fees. I contacted her August 20 asking when I would get the settlement. She had been waiting on Progressive to update the Medicare liability section. She told me she still needed lien information on Medicaid, DHS, Medicare, and Med Advantage - and the 3 small businesses that treated me. I was 7 hours on the phone 20-23 August 2024 to contact insurances about liens on the settlement $3000: Medicare over the phone told me there was no lien (2nd payor and there was no hospitalization ZERO came in the mail today 9/9/2024). I called and got the procedure and fax number to Recovery for Mayor Law. Email attached attorney requesting I provide all Providence visits, summaries, billing. Attached ZERO owing PHP. DHS Medicaid (they faxed info right away which could have taken a month) in response to long email that EOB shows owing. My 3 small business folk who only take cash unless it was PIP were asked to provide the same information already given by my insurance carrier on May 16 to the attorney. 9/6/2024 Friday I received call stating the duo Advantage and Medicaid for medicare members NEVER create liens but would reversed to provider. Received a lien for $11.08 for xray would be paid correctly if Ayin Health Solutions would submit through Providence and Medicaid. Seems Mayor Law made a deal to pay 11.08 out of settlement without first notifying me! I have to deal with an attorney that would do that! HOW come they continue to argue they are still searching for a lien to take out of the settlement. It gives me the creeps. Ayin Health Solutions understood the attorney did not do the research before negotiating the cost to be 11.08 for the xray. They are voiding the lien today with Phia Group LISTEN. Mayor Law did not do the work she agreed to and I was on the phone 7 hours beginning it. Mayor Law is taking the 11.08 out of settlement anyway! Trashy company.
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01 Jul, 2024 by Scott huish
27 Mar, 2023 by Agil manizade
Stay Away. The lawyers (Liz W.) wasted my time for weeks, and dropped the case cause they couldn't bebothered with a camera subpoena. State Bar should mb disbar them for leaving Wildland Firefighters kidnaped and hurt by a KKK county.
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11 Sep, 2021 by Rachel g
06 May, 2021 by Ken corbin
24 Mar, 2020 by :adam
He's an attorney, he serves nobody but the states interest.
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23 Mar, 2023 by Jay
Zero stars would be great to post, however, by now most people expect that 1 star means the same thing as zero or less.
Beware. I am moving forward with the ethics complaint with the State Bar Association and I will be posting an honest review of this company with every message board, blog and review I can find. This firm was hired to do a job they had agreed was the best course of action. After they got my money, they try to force a different course of action that would only yield further litigation costs and injury to my child and myself. Sarah Bain was assigned to my case. She had admitted that she had not dealt with an out of state custody issue but reassured me that the Senior partners had and would be overseeing the case. After payment was received by the firm, and Sarah was appointed the case, She called to gather information. She had suggested a different course of action as did the first person there that I consulted with, and also agreed that the actions they were retained for was the best way to go. At the conclusion of this phone call, Sarah stated that she would begin drafting the papers and would send me a copy to review within the next few days. After 10 days without hearing from them, I called to check the status of the papers she was supposedly drafting. By the time she returned my call, I was on the road. Cellular service was poor and communications then moved to emails. From this point on is where I get reminded that anytime you are dealing with an attorney, email should be your only method of communication and kept in writing (especially with your own attorney). Everything in writing is the only way you can prove what they told you and then didn't do. The multiple emails that followed over the course of a few weeks each started with Sarah pushing her agenda of this different course of action. Each one ended with me requesting they move forward with the course they were retained for. It then escalated to Sarah emailing one of the Senior Partners William Jones and CC the email conversations to me where she is asking them if she is not being clear enough of the course of action she has continued to take in spite of my very clear wishes she do what they were retained to do. During all of this, Sarah had made multiple misrepresentations of what the proceedings are and waiting periods in order to push her course of action as the correct one. Apparently William Jones believes that all his firms clients haven't any knowledge of any legal issues, practices or remedies and legal definitions. HIs emails consisted of legal analogies that basically equate to comparing an apple to an orange as though you wouldn't know the difference and just take his word for it. I may not be a lawyer, but I have been through this with my EX for over 10 years now having had to represent myself in much of it. All the information you need to handle any legal issue is available to you for free through your states websites. You hire an attorney because they should be proficient with the law, and its a little complicated to navigate the court system. On top of that, the courts hate you for representing yourself. But you should always research the laws, court proceedings and family code to ensure what your attorney tells you is the truth. Most of the papers you will receive from an attorney that was filed with the court is verbatim from these codes.
The end result was this firm charged me $4,000 to push me to do something other than what they were hired to do. $4,000 yielded zero attorney work product, a delay in court proceedings and further injury to my child and myself.
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11 Sep, 2018 by Irina
I was using William Jones' services for my divorce case with child involved. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about William. He made a challenging process much easier for me! He is very intelligent and well versed in law practice and always has an answer for you, and even makes it simple to understand. He is extremely professional and polite!
The best part is that William is very honest with his fees, he will tell you right away what he will charge and his bill explains in detail what he used his services for, so there is no misunderstanding.
He responded to my calls, voicemails very fast, most of the time within few hours, sometimes within 24 hours.
What made me chose him as my lawyer, is that he was the only one that was willing to give me a free hour consultation with very professional advice. It is very challenging to find a good lawyer, so it is important to interview them before you hire them, unfortunately not many lawyer give free consultation.
I highly recommend William!!! If I ever need a family lawyer again , I will definitely use his services again :)
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06 Sep, 2017 by Caroline
Quite simply, I must say this: Will is a great attorney. When I was dealing with a difficult alimony issue, I moved my case from another attorney, which was the best move I could have made. Will did a detailed analysis of the complicated financial issues in my case, looked at every angle and made sure everything was handled before the case was heard. When we went to court, I felt that I was well represented. Using his thorough research, Will presented all of his terrific analyses in court – and, as a result, I wholly prevailed in my case. With Will’s great efforts, I felt that I finally found a piece of justice in a difficult divorce situation.
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01 Apr, 2014 by Anonymous
In my opinion Bill Keeler is one of the most evil men I have ever encountered in my entire life. I think that he is arrogant, selfish, inconsiderate, incompetent, and will do just about anything for money. I caught him lying to me on three occasions. He never kept any promise he made to me. He hunted me down like I was a wild animal, defamed my character and forced me against my will to testify in a civil case that had absolutely nothing to do with me and he knew it.
The civil case was all because someone at his law firm had written a living trust incorrectly and did not list and give money to anyone who might contest the trust. Because of that when their client died, someone previously listed on another living trust contested the trust. Everyone knows or should know that you have to list anyone on a trust who might contest the trust and give them $1 which shows you considered them and didn't want them to get any money. Any competent attorney would have listed any and all people listed on previous trusts and given them a $1. This is standard practice in the industry. Yet Bill Keeler's law firm did not do that. And one of the people listed in a previous trust contested the trust. Surprise, surprise. NOT The case couldn't be thrown out because he wasn't listed on the trust that Bill Keeler's law firm had written. So instead of owning up to the fact that they had written the living trust incorrectly, he decided to supeona anyone who might correct his mistake. A good person doesn't force other people against their will to correct their mistake. A good person corrects their own mistakes.
I was one of the people subpoenaed on their fishing expedition to correct their mistake. However, Bill told me excruciating details about the case. Attorneys are not allowed to tell details to a witness because it might sway their testimony. But Bill did exactly that to me. In my opinion he was trying to get me to lie under oath.
He also sent a process server to go to all my neighbors and tell them that I was being served papers. That process server hunted me down for over a month. I work a lot so I was never home when she tried to serve me. That gave me many sleepless nights during that month because all my neighbors were coming up to me telling me that someone was trying to serve me papers. I knew that I had done nothing wrong to get someone to serve me papers. He had never sent me a letter in the mail to tell me what was going on in advance. His first effort without giving me a chance to volunteer to testify was to serve me papers to get me to testify against my will. Again it is extremely rare for a person to be supeonaed in a civil case. Yet, because Bill, in my opinion, has no morals, it didn't bother him that he had made my life hell by defaming my character to all my neighbors.
When he finally got a hold of me, I figured out right away he wasn't owning up to the fact that they had made a mistake. And they wanted me to correct their mistake. I was so furious when I found the truth about why the process server had defamed my character for over a month.. To make matters worse, he and one of his staff threatened to throw me in jail if I didn't do exactly what they wanted. Knowing they would be throwing a completely innocent person in jail didn't bother Bill and his staff one bit. In my opinion, the person who should be thrown in jail is Bill and his staff. In my opinions they are criminals.
I sent Bill two certified letters telling them not to contact me and I sent over 50 emails telling them not to contact me. And the next day Bill would always contact me out of complete disrespect, arrogance and selfishness. I couldn't sleep for four months over a case that was 100% caused by Bill Keeler's law firm's incompetence, in my opinion. Now you know why I think Bill Keeler is one of the most evil men I have ever encountered.
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07 Feb, 2014 by Anonymous
Mr. Keeler told us we would not be liable for anything but our own attorneys fees but infact he joined us to a petition that held us responsible for over 100 grand of all the other partys fees. He filed responses we never agreed to or even signed just to rack up more charges. Mr. Keeler was all about the money rather then having a close bond with his clients or even standing up and showing compassion for a deceased individual who deserved justice! NOT TRUSTWORTHY! I do NOT reccomend and would NOT ever use again! Please research thoroughly before you just think because of his age and how long he has been practicing law he must be good at what he does.
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22 Jun, 2021 by Anonymous
I engaged Caitlin for a small project. She estimated the time to complete at roughly 3 hours. Caitlin initially sent me an email stating that she would begin the research immediately and check in by the end of the week. A month later, I've heard nothing - no status updates, no work product.
I then write her an email on a Tuesday checking in to ask for a status update and to request that she have the project completed within the next 10 days. She writes back that she'll have it to me by the end of the current week. End of the week arrives, nothing.
Tuesday of the following week, she emails me to she had a multi-day emergency the previous week but that she would get it to me the following morning. She did not. She also did not send me any notice that she would be delayed by the emergency.
A few days after that, I emailed her to terminate my engagement with her and asked for a refund. Ignoring my email, she sent me the work product for the project soon thereafter.
If you're looking for a responsible, responsive attorney who will complete work in a timely manner, I strongly recommend that you look elsewhere. Caitlin exhibited a clear pattern of excuse making throughout the engagement that I would have never tolerated from any of my own employees. I suspect that if I hadn't followed up the project would have never been completed.
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11 Mar, 2016 by Wendy
DO NOT HIRE ERIN KEELER (RICKARDS) AS YOUR DIVORCE ATTORNEY.
Erin Rickards failed me in every way that a divorce attorney could fail. She failed to give me good advice. She failed to critique every level of the valuations done of shared assets. She failed to ensure that premarital assets were attributed to me. She failed to account for money that could have and should have been deducted from the equity of assets. She failed to go after my ex when we really had him with his lying and concealing of assets. She failed me. I trusted her and thought she knew what she was doing. But she did not. She had barely been out of school three years when taking my case she had NO business being my divorce attorney. She made mistake after mistake and failed to protect me from total financial ruin.
The results of Erin Rickards failure towards her client is that I am about to go into bankruptcy because of the insurmountable debt that I have incurred because of the huge divorce judgement against myself. I owe more on my divorce judgement today then I did in 2010 because at 9% interest I can barely make the interest payment each month. Furthermore, the emotional and physical stress that I have suffered since my divorce trying to run the business that I unhappily own and be a single mother and pay my ex-husband every extra cent I have has had a terrible toll on my physical health to the point that I can no longer even work in the restaurant as I am physically unable.
Please take my advice and do not use her if you want to come out on top on your case.
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What a Trusts Lawyer Can Do for You
A trusts lawyer specializes in creating and managing trusts, which are legal entities that allow individuals to transfer assets to beneficiaries while maintaining control over how and when those assets are distributed. Trusts are used for estate planning, asset protection, tax planning, and ensuring the financial security of loved ones. Trusts lawyers help clients choose the right type of trust for their needs, draft trust documents, and advise on the administration and management of trusts.
Whether you're planning to pass on your assets to your heirs, protect your wealth from creditors, or provide for a disabled family member, a trusts lawyer can help you establish a trust that meets your financial and personal goals.
When Should I Hire a Trusts Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a trusts lawyer in various situations, particularly when you're planning for the future distribution of your assets or protecting your wealth. Common reasons to hire a trusts lawyer include:
- Estate planning: If you want to ensure that your assets are distributed according to your wishes, a lawyer can help you create a revocable or irrevocable trust to avoid probate and provide for your heirs.
- Asset protection: If you want to protect your assets from creditors, lawsuits, or potential future liabilities, a lawyer can help you establish a trust to shield your wealth.
- Special needs planning: If you have a disabled family member, a lawyer can create a special needs trust to provide for their care without affecting their eligibility for government benefits.
- Tax planning: If you're looking to minimize estate taxes or manage tax liabilities, a lawyer can help you create tax-advantageous trusts, such as a credit shelter trust or charitable remainder trust.
- Charitable giving: If you want to leave a legacy through charitable donations, a lawyer can help you set up a charitable trust to ensure your donations are managed according to your wishes.
- Business succession planning: If you own a business and want to ensure a smooth transition of ownership, a lawyer can help you establish a trust to pass the business on to your heirs or chosen successors.
Hiring a trusts lawyer early in the estate planning process ensures that your assets are protected and your wishes are clearly documented, reducing the chances of disputes after your death.
What Does a Trusts Lawyer Do?
A trusts lawyer provides a variety of legal services to help individuals create, manage, and administer trusts. Their responsibilities often include:
- Drafting trust documents: Preparing the legal documents needed to create the trust, ensuring it is tailored to your specific goals and complies with state and federal laws.
- Choosing the right type of trust: Assisting clients in selecting the most appropriate type of trust for their needs, whether it's a revocable trust, irrevocable trust, living trust, or special needs trust.
- Trust administration: Guiding trustees through their legal responsibilities, including managing assets, making distributions to beneficiaries, and filing tax returns.
- Modifying or terminating trusts: Helping modify or terminate trusts if circumstances change, such as changes in tax laws, family situations, or personal preferences.
- Protecting beneficiaries' interests: Structuring trusts to protect the interests of beneficiaries, especially if there are concerns about financial management, disability, or dependency issues.
- Minimizing estate taxes: Assisting clients in structuring their trusts to minimize or avoid estate taxes, ensuring more of the estate passes to beneficiaries.
- Handling disputes: Mediating or representing clients in court if disputes arise among beneficiaries or between trustees and beneficiaries.
How Are Trusts Lawyers Paid?
Trusts lawyers typically charge for their services based on the complexity of the trust and the type of legal work involved. Common payment methods include:
- Flat fee: For drafting basic trusts, such as revocable living trusts or special needs trusts, many lawyers charge a flat fee. This can range from $1,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the trust.
- Hourly rate: For more complex trust planning, ongoing trust administration, or resolving disputes, some lawyers charge by the hour. Hourly rates typically range from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Retainer: For long-term trust administration or complex estate planning cases, some lawyers may require a retainer, an upfront payment that covers ongoing services.
- Contingency fee (rare): In rare cases, particularly in disputes involving the administration of a trust, lawyers may work on a contingency fee basis, getting paid only if they successfully recover funds or resolve a legal dispute in your favor.
Always discuss the fee structure with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand the total cost of services.
How Much Does a Trusts Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring a trusts lawyer depends on the complexity of the trust, the lawyer’s experience, and the fee structure. General cost estimates include:
- Basic trust creation: For simple trusts, such as revocable living trusts, fees may range from $1,000 to $3,000.
- Complex trust creation: For sophisticated estate plans involving multiple trusts, tax planning strategies, or special needs considerations, legal fees may range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more.
- Trust administration: If you are serving as a trustee and need ongoing legal advice, hourly rates for trust administration can range from $150 to $500 or more.
- Dispute resolution: Costs for litigation or mediation in trust disputes may range from $5,000 to $50,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case.
Be sure to get a detailed cost estimate from your lawyer during the consultation to ensure the services fit within your budget.
Top Questions to Ask a Trusts Lawyer
Before hiring a trusts lawyer, consider asking the following questions:
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What experience do you have with creating trusts?
Ensure the lawyer has experience drafting trusts and managing trust administration for clients with similar goals or asset structures. -
What types of trusts do you recommend for my situation?
Ask the lawyer to explain the different types of trusts available and which ones best suit your needs. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify the fee structure and request an estimate of the total cost. -
What are the tax implications of the trust?
Ensure the lawyer can explain how the trust will affect your taxes and strategies to minimize tax liability. -
How long will it take to set up the trust?
Ask for a timeline for creating and finalizing the trust documents. -
Will you handle the trust administration?
If ongoing management is required, inquire whether the lawyer will assist with trust administration or if you'll need a separate trustee. -
Can you help resolve disputes if they arise?
Ask about the lawyer's experience in resolving trust disputes.
How to Check the Credibility of a Trusts Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable trusts lawyer, take the following steps:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and has no disciplinary actions.
- Look for trust law experience: Review their website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in estate planning and trusts.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for feedback on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google.
- Ask for references: Request references from past clients who can speak to their experience with the lawyer.
- Check for certifications: Look for certifications such as Certified Estate Planning Law Specialist (EPLS) or memberships in organizations like the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA).
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your first consultation with a trusts lawyer, bring the following:
- List of assets: Prepare a list of all your assets, including real estate, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, and personal property.
- List of beneficiaries: Provide names and contact information of individuals or organizations you want to name as beneficiaries.
- Existing estate planning documents: Bring copies of any existing wills, trusts, or other estate planning documents.
- Financial information: Bring financial statements, tax returns, and other relevant financial documentation.
- Questions for the lawyer: Prepare a list of questions about the trust creation process, fees, and how the trust will protect your assets and beneficiaries.
- Goals for the trust: Clearly outline your objectives, such as asset protection, tax minimization, or provisions for beneficiaries, so the lawyer can tailor the trust to your needs.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation effectively and receive the best possible legal advice for creating and managing your trust.
