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28 Mar, 2021 by Sandy
Jennifer was knowledgable and professional while guiding us through the estate planning process. We felt comfortable discussing our needs with her and she was kind and patient when we had questions. The entire process was organized and easy to follow, and her partner Bill was very helpful with the signing process. I highly recommend Jennifer Dietz for your estate planning needs!
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08 Mar, 2018 by Arta
I reached out to Jennifer Jancosek with Southern California legal solutions because I was looking for someone that would advocate for my mom in a property insurance dispute without litigation. Jennifer is a remarkable attorney and just a wonderful person and I am so fortunate that I found her. Her and her law clerk William are a great team!
In our first conversation she listened so carefully to my concerns and gave me the courses of action and timelines. I was under such tremendous amount of stress for over a year in dealing with the insurance and their various unethical tactics in trying not to pay my mother's property claim fairly that I was literally exhausted and on my final breaths by the time she came on board, but what I loved about her is that she totally understood that and if at times I was not lucid because of that, she was kind and compassionate enough that she totally got that! Within less than a day from when I hired her she had already sent a letter of representation to the opposing party which immediately lifted a huge burden off of my shoulders-- it was literally like she was my angel--- giving me a much needed holiday to advocate on my behalf.
When I had questions, concerns or anxieties, she dealt with them so professionally, and on one particular occasion spent an hour of her time on the phone to go over the plan, and to ease my worries, and to discuss the next steps. She had such a compassionate, multi-dimensional approach to her practice. In addition to being exceptionally knowledgeable, she was also refreshingly humble, which is such a rare quality these days.
I truly admire that as a solo practitioner she makes the time to give such individual attention to her clients.
I very highly recommend her for anyone looking for any type of advocacy. She is dedicated, diligent, compassionate, and exceptionally competent.
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5.0
20 Reviews
4.9
134 Reviews
21 Aug, 2024 by Martha mcdaniel
I had a really good experienceWith RodneyG o u l dAnd LeviThey were both very helpful every time I calledCan I talk to the hearing officer at the DMVRodney talk to the hearing officer for meI would recommend them
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08 May, 2024 by Theknowledgeable3
When I needed someone in my court, it was Rodney Gould that was highly recommended to me. Never ever once have I regretted that referral. Rodney Gould is not only immediately responsive to emails but always has the perfect advice or solution.The situation I had inherited was so complicated, an uphill climb all the way but not once did Rodney back away. Every step of the way his advice was spot on. He kept me positive and buoyant during the roughest of times. He was kind. He listens which is the greatest of attributes. He answered every question and believe me ~ simplistic they were. Never did I feel any condescension from Rodney regarding my naiveté. Rodney Gould is someone you will consider a friend. You might even forget he is your lawyer until the end of the journey. It is then when you are impacted by his expertise, his experience and especially the ownership of excellence that he personally possesses. Rodney Gould is more than a lawyer but a human being. Thank you Rodney.
Laura Kenyon
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05 May, 2024 by Obatomi emmanuel
15 Sep, 2024 by Maksim karalevich
Lior and team achieved the best possible outcome for the case, keeping me informed about the process, progress, and available options. Highly recommend.
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03 Sep, 2024 by Vadims vavilovs
I highly recommend Tenina Law for tax issues. They provided expert guidance, clear communication, and genuine support throughout my case. Their team, especially Attorney Alla Tenina, made a stressful situation much easier to handle and resolved my tax problems efficiently. If you need help with tax matters, Tenina Law is the way to go!
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28 Aug, 2024 by Mar atlas
I cannot express the benefit of hiring the Stevenson Law Firm for will and estate planning. I am especially grateful for attorney Neil Kuczynski. He was thoughtful, patient and incredibly helpful.
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27 Mar, 2018 by Tom
Mr. Fogel has handled all of our family and business legal needs for years and years. From family and business to employment resolution law aspects . His professionalism and exceptional customer service has always exceeded our expectations and having the peace of mind of having such an amazing knowledge of professional as our attorney is priceless. Couldn't be happier.
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20 Oct, 2017 by Melissa p
Great start from beginning to end. Joseph always kept me updated with my case, handled all repairs, set up all of the appointments, and made sure I was fully recovered. He took the time to explain to me how the case would develop and it would take considerable time to complete. The attorney answered all of my questions too and was super knowledgeable!
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13 Jan, 2017 by Rick
With all my stock loses , Joeseph helped me to recover back more then I expected. Strange about negative comments from some previous clients. He deserves a six stars. Thank you!
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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.
