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24 Sep, 2024 by Doug
Andrea is very professional, friendly, a pleasure to work with. After dealing with my father's death and estate last year, I knew I needed a trust for my estate. I couldn't have asked for better service.
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29 Jul, 2024 by Stacy
I was initially very concerned when our lawyer retired, wondering if anyone would be be a good fit for my Fiance & I. Andrea made us feel very comfortable right out of the gate! She was personable, professional, wicked smart, and had a great sense of humor. We immediately felt that we were in the right place.
I had just lost my mother and was faced with finalizing her accounts and home. I left the appointment feeling MUCH calmer and informed! She really helped bridge the gap between my crippling grief and the necessary steps to handle all the tedious details. Any time I had a question, she was VERY responsive via email, which I appreciated. I never felt like she left me dangling in the wind, unsure of what to do next.
I am so thankful that dealing with a new lawyer ended up to be a VERY positive experience, and I would GLADLY retain her for any future issues. I highly recommend Andrea H. Lauritzen and her firm in Tacoma, Washington.
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03 Jul, 2024 by Luis
I am very pleased with Andrea H. Lauritzen professional services.
Since I met her in the first meeting, she conveyed a high level of attention and care to understand my State Planning goals.
For me the whole concept of State Planning was quite intimidating, and while working with Andrea H. Lauritzen she made me feel confident and to look at it in a simple and understandable way.
Andrea H. Lauritzen has the proper words to answer my questions and to explain with reasons her recommendations to the important matters of my case.
I believe that Andrea H. Lauritzen's recommendations are based on a solid level of experience and deep understanding of State Planning Law.
I would come back to Andrea H. Lauritzen anytime I need support and attention with upgrading my State Planning case.
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26 Nov, 2024 by Luzbell sinaking
Helped me with my traffic infraction, no sweat!
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19 Nov, 2024 by J w
Very responsive, to the point, very effective. Easy to do business with and will again if needed
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17 Nov, 2024 by Samuel mwamba
I am incredibly grateful to Dennis for getting my traffic ticket dismissed. Their expertise, attention to detail, and clear communication made the process stress-free. They handled everything efficiently and just informed me with the positive outcome.
Highly recommend their services for anyone needing top legal representation!
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25 Oct, 2024 by Tamara emerson
Morgan Madison provides high-quality, effective legal representation. Beyond her clear integrity—she communicates with clarity, explains with thoroughness, and acts with decisiveness—Morgan consistently demonstrates excellence and intelligence. Her insight and strategic approach bring an unmatched level of quality to everything she does.
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25 Oct, 2024 by Tamara
Hiring Morgan was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Beyond her clear integrity—she communicated with clarity, explained with thoroughness, and took action with decisiveness—Morgan consistently worked with excellence and intelligence. Her insight and strategic approach brought an unmatched level of quality to everything she did.
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16 Dec, 2022 by Janice garcia
Great law firm with excellent attorneys! I highly recommend using them when an attorney is needed.
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20 Nov, 2023 by Sean dansby
10 Oct, 2022 by Justin miller
13 Jun, 2019 by Anonymous
Long distance is difficult, but Shad worked with us through our attorney here and was knowledgeable and helpful. We were surprised though that the rates were changed in the middle of the case without notification.
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16 Apr, 2019 by Rob
Shad handled my case with professional expertise beyond what I expected. He was communicative and clearly more focused on solving my situation than on racking up "billable hours". He was knowledgable, precise and responsive, easily handling every aspect of my case with discretion and aplomb. He met and exceeded my expectations, and I cannot recommend him highly enough.
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12 Apr, 2013 by Irene
I always had confidence in Shad. He was patient in explaining to me all of the options, and the pro's and con's and expenses, upfront. The outcome of the Will dispute exceeded our expectations, and happened quickly and painlessly. I live in another state, and most of our communication was by e-mail.
My nephew changed my brother's Will ten days before my brother died. He claimed it was my brother's wish, but my children and I were certain that my brother did not know what he was signing. My nephew was my brother's Executor, his Trustee, and also a Beneficiary. According to my brother's original Will, written by an attorney, our older brother and I were to each have half of the estate. On the event of our older brother's or my death, our 1/2 was to be divided among our own children. Our older brother had died , so my nephew and his sister were to have 1/2 of my brother's estate, and I was to have the other 1/2. My brother talked about this Will a lot, to many people, because it gave him comfort.
The nephew's last-minute changes left me and my children a few thousand dollars, with the bulk of my brother's estate going to the nephew and his sister. People we talked to said this type of fraud is difficult to prove, because my brother's physical and mental capacities were in question--and we almost gave up. My Son-in Law is an attorney, and he contacted Shad in Washington, for me.
Shad discovered that the new Will had several flaws. (Sorry, I am still fuzzy on the specifics.) My nephew wrote the document as an amendment to my brother's Trust, yet it didn't properly amend the Trust, and it wasn't really a Will, either. This gave us the leverage we needed, and we challenged the Will. My nephew hired an attorney to represent him, and there were about three pairs of offers and counter-offers. In the end, I recovered over half of my share of my brother's estate.
Shad also discovered that, regardless of which Will held, I legally had inherited 1/2 of my brother's share in an oil company. I did not know this, and my nephew as Executor did not tell me this, and he had already wrongfully claimed full ownership for himself in company meetings. I used this 1/2 share in the negotiations. I did not value the oil company as highly as my nephew did, and I was actually glad to let it go.
I received a great deal more money than I had hoped for. The children and I feel good about the settlement, and we are glad we didn't prolong the dispute, by going to court. Thank you, Shad McOmber!
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29 Jan, 2025 by David castro
Muy agradecido con su ayuda Marissa fue muy atenta con su trabajo.
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23 Jan, 2025 by Stephanie n
Job well done, team! It's safe to say my case was far from ordinary. My insurance said I was at fault and I had no coverage for my medical. Marissa and crew fought back relentlessly! She was great at keeping me updated and almost predicted what moves insurance was going to take.
In the end, I am not liable, my bike and medical were covered and I got enough to get a new motorcycle....... once I'm healed. Thank you, Marissa and everybody behind the scenes, for all your hard work. You have exceeded my expectations and are much appreciated!
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13 Dec, 2024 by R k
Majors law group was very knowledgeable and thorough. They knew exactly what needed to be done and made a very hard time in life more manageable. I was kept well informed throughout the entire process.
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23 Dec, 2021 by Christina digesti
Beware! Professional elder manipulator and abuser. Stay far away. She works as a POA, guardian, and swindler of the elderly. I pity anyone unfortunate enough to have to deal with this monster.
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18 Jul, 2021 by Richard
Robin Balsam is gifted in both tactical and strategic engagements. In our exhaustive search for the best legal counsel to defend an attack on our sizable assets, she was widely regarded as a peak practitioner in her area and we engaged her on our first meeting. We have been very pleased with that retainer. Drawing on decades of legally forged crucible sharpening expertise, she systematically and surgically disposed of fraudulent “omitted spouse” claims being made against our substantial 50 year aggregated ownership holdings including real estate, savings accounts, investment portfolios, and homes. Confronted with a horde of spurious claims, Robin conceptually brought everything together and developed a pinpointed course of action early in our discovery process. Integrating and disposing of all the litigation issues we faced did converge on invalidation of a fraudulent out of state marriage, enumerating serious VAPO violations, and successfully throwing out a secretive and dishonestly formulated Last Will and Testament. We faced initial demands for 50% of total assets. Robin’s masterful game plan was powerfully and systematically defeated over the contrived but unlawful claims of our opponent. The marriage they were claiming was the core of their entire case. Robin demonstrated to the judge that it could not and would not be upheld in Washington State law. She was clearly prescient on this matter, and was able to masterfully destroy these claims. We won those disputes, and unwound any validity for their principal arguments. Throughout we observed that Robin had exquisitely prioritized and pinpointed a winning course of action. Besides voiding the marriage, she removed arguments surrounding a secretive and dishonestly formulated Last Will and Testament. For our part, she succeeded on all counts.
As family we litigated on behalf of our deceased brother and father, dealing with multiple pleadings that were contaminated on many levels, including marriage fraud, Last Will and Testament chicanery, and ongoing illegal violations of a court ordered, 5 year Vulnerable Adult Protection Order (VAPO). On first appearance we were directed into TEDRA mediation, and our arguments over 3 days in that area severely crippled our opponent after we revealed widespread trickery and deceit on many levels, in addition to a concealed 30 year highly problematic court history. Issues germane to our case included fraudulent check writing, expense and extortion deceit, substance abuse, theft, and other character matters.
Given abundant case related research, Robin’s diligent and highly competent staff weaned out redundant time-line research, and her initial assessment then honed in on the priority factors to be emphasized in upcoming court arguments, as with scope of the overall work program, time management, documentation, and legal issue relevance. Her preparation was exhaustive and masterfully executed. In a magnificent Coup de gras, the marriage was nullified in a Summary judgment kill shot, in Pierce County Washington Superior Court. As well, the illegitimate and contrived Last Will and Testament was thrown out.
Throughout our engagement, Balsam Law had to deal with a Court System burdened and hamstrung by Covid imposed restraining parameters. We are grateful Robin completely negated the legal foundation of the arguments we faced. The Summary judgment she achieved saved our family substantial time and future legal expense. Her professional services are strongly supported by smart, adept, knowledgeable and hard-working professionals at every level. I will whole heartedly endorse her and the expertise she has retained in her firm.
Richard M
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07 Aug, 2020 by Roberta
I first met Robin when I hired her when my Father passed away in 1990. My Mother had her assist her in setting up a Special Needs trust for my Sister. I later became my Sister's Legal Guardian after my Mother had passed. She helped me find an Adult Family Home where she resided for over 15 years. I had her prepare my Will.
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29 Jan, 2025 by David castro
Muy agradecido con su ayuda Marissa fue muy atenta con su trabajo.
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23 Jan, 2025 by Stephanie n
Job well done, team! It's safe to say my case was far from ordinary. My insurance said I was at fault and I had no coverage for my medical. Marissa and crew fought back relentlessly! She was great at keeping me updated and almost predicted what moves insurance was going to take.
In the end, I am not liable, my bike and medical were covered and I got enough to get a new motorcycle....... once I'm healed. Thank you, Marissa and everybody behind the scenes, for all your hard work. You have exceeded my expectations and are much appreciated!
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13 Dec, 2024 by R k
Majors law group was very knowledgeable and thorough. They knew exactly what needed to be done and made a very hard time in life more manageable. I was kept well informed throughout the entire process.
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10 Jul, 2021 by Anonymous
I hired Tanya to investigate and provide factual documentation pertaining to my estranged recently deceased father's estate (i.e. will, personal property, bank accounts). Tanya worked on it for 3 months and did not find anything more than what I had already found in the county court record. The only new info I received was a bill for over $1,100 . . . for every minute of time she spent reading my e-mails, responding to e-mails and taking my calls. Sadly, I thought I'd be safe with an attorney the bar assoc recommended . . . but I was wrong. Live and learn.
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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.
