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07 Oct, 2015 by Anonymous
Matt did a great job with my wife and I in setting up our one and only trust. We asked Matt to help us set up a trust to help transfer title of our house and life insurance proceeds to children in case of bad luck, and he did that. But much more, he helped us to understand and made important decisions on the additional trust components that we didn't even realized we would need to face---the advance health care directives, powers of attorney for financial matters, and such. He made himself available in the evening, when we were available to talk, which was great as we can be very busy. He made the process incredibly convenient and smooth, and even handled our unusual request for changes and general questions well. He provided experience and examples of instances where bad decisions could be very costly for the family and so helped us craft about 100 pages of documentation of a plan that I am now confident it. Also, the cost of the trust work was very reasonable. Thank you very much, Matt. Looking forward to many years of legal support in the future as well.
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09 Aug, 2015 by Ingalill
Mr. Harris has been giving me legal advice since January 2014. I find him thorough and competent in dealing with a very difficult government agency. He is most genial, trustworthy and a good listener. Traits that I value personally. He also set up my personal will and trust in a satisfactory manner. I am very pleased with his services.
Inga.
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16 May, 2015 by Sharam s.
It is not easy for a husband and wife to sit in a room with an estate planning attorney and discuss one another's concerns if one passes before the other. Matt Harris was patient, clear and able to grasp and explain the complex issues involved. He suggested a Family Trust and took us through each step of estate planning and completed all in a super professional manner. We were happy and pleased when he delivered our family trust within three weeks of our first meeting. Matt was reasonable and we were happy with his fee and would recommend him to all who need help in this sensitive field.
Sharam and Michelle Sharei
San Rafael
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14 Jan, 2020 by Randy
Darin was hired by us to fight a biased lawsuit.
Each time we called or emailed him he responded right away. He kept us up to date on all the actions of the case. He has a cleaver and analytical way of seeing the law. Also he was extremely generous with his time in helping to stop the suffering of animals which was at the core of our case.
If we were to ever need an attorney in the state of California again we would hire him again without any hesitation.
We wish more attorneys had his expertise, common sense , notion of fair play and intelligence!
Randy Kassal
VP, National Humane Society
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24 Oct, 2017 by Lynda
Darin is an excellent attorney. Darin always took the time to clearly explain the legal process so I knew what was happening and what my options were. Darin was extremely patient, responsive, and always answered my concerns and questions in a timely manner. I always felt like Darin was one step ahead of me, Darin will provide you with the best preparation & deliverance of your case possible. I am not sure how I would have made it through this last year without Darin's support and help.
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12 Aug, 2016 by Mary
Darin was always prepared and respectful of me. He was very easy to communicate with and was available to talk .
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08 Sep, 2018 by Gabrielle
I had to hire a CA attorney for a complicated case involving 5 states. I’m based in Boston. I found Robyn after multiple referrals.
I was pretty well versed on the case law and was very prepared. Robyn was professional, compassionate, and fair. She followed with every note. She handled my case beautifully.
I could not happier. I would highly recommend Robyn Christo for your matter. She will not let you down!
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04 Feb, 2017 by Martin
My Siblings were the trust administrators of the family trust and I needed a Marin County Trust and Elder Law Litigator. It is unfortunate when your own sibling were not able to be fair, honest and decent as trust administrators. In this era of financial elder abuse, when your some of your siblings get their hands on the money, it's just too easy for them to not use it like their own personal checking account. It might get worse if your family attorney dies and they are able to hire their own attorney for themselves and the trust.
Robyn Christo was a quick study, knew the details of the case and was able to help me focus on a reasonable outcome. She went into the Marin County Probate Court and was able to get me a subpoena of the bank finanical records that I wanted. In the end, she was able to get me a final distribution of trust assets so I could move forward with my life.
Epstein Law Firm does not handle estate planning case, they specialize in trust and estate and elder ligitation. It is unfortunate that I did not find her earlier when one of my parents was still alive.
I would highly recommend Attorney Robyn Christo.
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11 Jun, 2015 by James wright
In 2011 my wife and I used Christine Hoburg for estate planning. It was an excellent choice. Christine knows her estate and tax law, but of particular importance she showed care and understanding in dealing with us and our concerns. Thank you, Christine from J & K
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16 May, 2016 by Jim shroyer
Eric Sternberger is a terrific lawyer. My wife Toni and I highly recommend him!
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29 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
Extremely impressed with Mr. Charlton. I contacted him regarding an elder care issue and wanted to set up an appointment to discuss the situation. When I called Mr. Charlton he took the time to ask lots of questions and we ended up having our consultation on the phone right then and there. He offered solid insight and information as well as recommendations on how to proceed. I really appreciated his honesty and candor. There are not many lawyers who would take the time to counsel a new client they haven't even met! He saved me a trip to his office and was generous with his time. I would recommend consulting with him.
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16 May, 2016 by Jim shroyer
Eric Sternberger is a terrific lawyer. My wife Toni and I highly recommend him!
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19 Apr, 2021 by Marie-nicole
I hired Mr. Humber to help me out in a legal matter in which I already hired an attorney. With Mr. Humber’s assistance, the legal matter was resolved this morning. I have used Mr. Humber’s services periodically over the past thirty years. His legal knowledge, emotional intelligence, his interpersonal skills, empathy, compassion, and negotiation skills are amazing. He has made my life easier on so many levels, and I truly appreciate him.
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30 Jun, 2023 by Josh sonofpeter
Great team, Brian was great he really helped my bussiness. He knows what he's doing. I highly recommend this firm.
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27 Sep, 2024 by Tom price
Amir wrote will and trust documents for us - he was extremely thorough and responsive. Great at answering all our questions.
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15 Sep, 2024 by Anahita aghaei
13 Sep, 2024 by Lorie spencer
29 Jul, 2015 by Steve
THANKS TO DR. GOMEZ MY SOUSE AND I PUT TOGETHER WITH DR. GOMEZ EXPERTISE THE PERFECT WILL AND THIS DURING A STRESSFUL TIME. HER STAFF KEPT THE FLOW GOING WITH RETURNED CALLS SO COMMUNICATIONS WERE SMOOTH . NOT ONLY WERE WE FORTUNATE TO FIND SUCH A PERSON BUT WE HAVE MADE A FRIEND FOR LIFE
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19 Jun, 2015 by Anonymous
Been my lawyer for years, have a question or problem? Call Joe she is so helpful and kind. Always ready and willing to help. A true friend will stand beside you when you are beside yourself. Thank You for all your help over the years. With you in my corner I feel confident in your legal abilities. You have proven yourself over and over again. Thank you for your honesty and friendship. Nobody has your communication skills when dealing with difficult families. Thank you for all your hard work. Thanks to you my stubborn family will some day get along.
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19 Jun, 2015 by Brian
She is the only attorney I would ever use. Joe Always see's the brighter side of things. But no buts lets get on with it she makes the solution seem so simple, why couldn't I think of that? She has the ability to look outside the box. You will always be my lawyer and most importantly my friend. You are always professional, logical and get to the root of the problem. I wish more attorneys were like you. I look forward to many more years with you as my attorney. Thank you for everything.
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19 Nov, 2020 by Dajana zavala
Unable to provide true information. Threatens , also is a liar and uses scare tactics
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24 Mar, 2020 by Jeremy castro
I found Richard online in 2013 shortly after my son was born. At the time, I was in an extremely difficult position because I was stationed in Kentucky and had no access to my son. Richard helped me get court-ordered visitation so that I can fly out and see my son regularly in addition to getting me visitation to see my son multiple days every week to see my son via FaceTime. If it wasn't for Richard, I wouldn't have been able to do this because I did not know how to navigate the court system at that time. Richard also wrote me a supporting letter to submit to my supervisors allowing me to move back to California ultimately leading to a actual parenting plan. Years later, Richard consulted with me and helped me with a request for 50-50 custody, which I now have. Today, I have a happy and healthy six-year-old son. I cannot thank Richard and his team enough for his help.
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24 Jan, 2022 by Melany antio
She told me to give away my children because I had a DVRO against me which wasn’t tried yet. She also told me to give my ex husband a waiver of alimony. I paid 13 grand for her to give my ex husband everything that’s mine. Two years later my children are still out of state and every other attorney said this was a horrible move.
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25 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
Attorney Riede handling family estate matters for deceased father. Very dishonest attorney won't provide me with a copy of my father's will or trust fund instructions that I am named in. Agreed to audit of family trust funds do to brothers embezzlement, one acting as sole trustee forced to repay trusts for embezzling nearly 20k caught by family member paid back to trusts to avoid prosecution. More cases of this in family trusts, overwhelming evidence well supported by financial records, all attorneys inolved agreed to provide all parties the audit yet attorney Riede reneged. He threatened me that he would force me to go through all my money in Marin Co. Courts and still wouldn't provide me anything relative to my case. Its working, unfortunately! I can't even provide my family any guarantee that if I die before family estate is settled that she would receive anything.
Also botched up a lot of family estate paperwork, trustee changes, directions to beneficiaries in trusts, etc.. I mean what kind of attorney won't provide an independent fiduciary audit of family trust funds? A dishonest one that's who............good luck!
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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:
-
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.
