Lawyers map
>278
experienced lawyers
Filter by
03 Aug, 2019 by Steven
Erin made the estate planning process smooth and pain-free for me. I had previously contacted two other Seattle attorneys who turned me down as a client simply because an S-corp is part of the mix for me—you would think that most estate planning lawyers would have some experience dealing with S-corps, but apparently not.
Erin went out of her way to double-check that she was handling my S-corp correctly. She's low-key, personable, no-drama, organized, efficient and professional, and prices her services fairly, no pun intended.
I'm confident referring anyone to Erin who needs the basic docs: Financial POA, Health Care POA, Advance Directives, Disposition of Remains, and of course, a Will. She supplies both official hard copies and PDF files of everything and also gives you tips about what else needs to be taken care of and understood, from setting up mutual fund beneficiaries to probate and estate taxes. I enjoyed discussing legal "what ifs" with her.
Erin, you really made the whole thing easier than I expected! Of course, it does help—whomever you choose to draw up your documents—if you do some advance reading about estate planning and familiarize yourself with the vocabulary and basic concepts. Nolo Press, for example, publishes some good primers on the subject.
Read more
30 Mar, 2018 by Anonymous
Working with Erin is delightful, even with sensitive issues. Happy to recommend her.
Read more
05 Feb, 2017 by Anonymous
Pleasant discussion with Ms. Fairley on transferring of legal personal documents from another law firm to her.
Read more
04 Jan, 2018 by Anonymous
Mr. Spencer responded in a very timely manner. He is professional and kind and would advocate well for any client.
Read more
31 Oct, 2017 by Seth rosenberg
I have known James Spencer for as long as I have practiced law. He is the attorney I always recommend whenever someone asks me for an attorney who handles wills, trusts and estates. In fact, I have used him myself. He is smart, very honest, and a wealth of knowledge. On top of that, he is a skilled litigator - something that is rare for attorneys in his field.
Read more
01 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
My wife and I were lucky enough to be referred to James Spencer for our legal needs (will, power of attorney, health directive, etc.). He was very professional, thorough, and knowledgeable about LGBT issues. He is also affordable, and INCREDIBLY patient with us, given that we would often delay in getting him information. Yet he always responded immediately. We felt very taken care of, and have complete trust in him. I fully recommend him!
Read more
30 Apr, 2020 by Ian
I reached out to Roberto on a cold call to ask about appraisal and the Wenatchee-area economic landscape as someone out of the region, and we hit it off and ended up chatting—in which he was friendly, patient, and offered helpful insight. There's just something rare and invaluable about professionals who—right out of the gate—seem happy to help, and don't give off the vibe that they're in a premature hurry to get paid.
I had such a good feeling about Roberto as a human being and an attorney that I hired him within 24 hours to advise on my principled departure with my then-employer. His legal help was thorough, clear, well presented, and helped me get the most out of my principled departure while staying true to my ethics of honesty, consideration, and self respect. Further, he helped me present myself in a way that helped things end amicably with my then-employer.
I'd be happy to work with Roberto again. He's the kind of guy I'd be honored to hire or just grab a beer with and chat. A class act.
Read more
21 Jun, 2018 by Steven
I contacted Roberto regarding a traffic infraction that I had received while in Chelan and he was able to help me through the process of what to do next. Living in Lynnwood, I understood that I would have to seek council in the Chelan/Wenatchee area if need be and my search led me to Mr. Castro. We spoke on the phone shortly after I reached out to his firm and we began going through what my best options were. He was able to answer all of my questions perfectly and was also able to provide information that I did not have. After suggesting to defer the ticket I began that process shortly after and ended up being granted the deferral by the judge. I was fortunate enough, through his advice, to save money on lawyer costs and still get my infraction deferred.
Read more
17 Dec, 2016 by Steve
I contacted Mr. Castro to help with the restoration of my firearm rights. I had worked with a different attorney and after four months it was mutually agreed he had over extended I needed to take the case elsewhere.
Mr. Castro handled everything in a timely and professional manner. Everything was completed in a few short weeks. I am very happy to have found him and would certainly recommend him to anyone needing similar representation.
Read more
16 Nov, 2014 by Aaron
Most helpful and knowledgeable attorney, period! Dennis went the extra mile for me with several trust issues. He expertly navigated those legal waters dealing in compliance with government regulations that are technical and difficult. He understands personal issues, showing a "humanity" that other lawyers seem to have lost in their practices. Providing for family in the future via a trust and protecting my assets is a point of expertise that Dennis commands that covered all aspects of my requirements. Check him out.
Read more
27 Jun, 2014 by Anonymous
Dennis Brislawn is an exceptional lawyer. He is very professional and he helped me with a difficult problem I was having with a suppressor I bought while I was living in Washington state. I purchased the Bronze level trust of the GUNDOCX Trust system (which Mr. Brislawn created ) in November of 2012 and was approved by the BATFE and received my stamp in May 2013. My husband took a job transfer to Texas and we moved before I could get my suppressor so I applied for a form 20 to transport the suppressor. Things became more difficult for me when the dealer I bought the item from lost their FFL. For several months I tried to get the matter taken care of and it became more difficult since the dealer could not help me . I could do nothing on my own. Then I contacted Dennis around April of this year to see if he could help. He made phone calls and advised me on how he could handle things. He also updated my trust from the Bronze level to a Silver level since I now reside in Texas. I flew to Washington state this June and I was finally able to get my suppressor. Dennis was able to accomplish so much in a short period of time. He is very thorough and he gets the job done
Read more
12 Apr, 2014 by Will
Without Dennis Brislawn, I wouldn't have been able to fulfill a childhood dream of owning a suppressor. I put the wheels in motion back in February of 2013 when I created a trust and applied for the stamp. About 10 months later, the ATF finally approved it and I raced down to my local dealership to pick it up. Unfortunately, during those 10 months, I fulfilled another childhood dream of changing my legal name and this barred me from getting the suppressor since it was for the trust with my former name. I had zero legal experience and no idea what to do. I even considered just eating the cost of the stamp, getting my money back, and abandoning this goal from my bucketlist. Thankfully, I got in touch with Dennis who walked me through the whole process. He knew all the right people to contact, all the forms that needed to be filled out, and he kept me in the loop the entire time. Today, I finally got to thread the suppressor onto my pistol and the smile hasn't left my face since!
Read more
10 Jan, 2018 by Timothy
Robert Pittman has been exemplary in the consultation, drafting and finalizing of our trusts. He offered expert council during the process. He addressed the issue of tax consequences and its impact on the trust. He and Diane have been extremely timely, thorough and caring, even exhibiting a since of humor.
He specializes in trusts, excels in their execution and was able to incorporate a complex variation of charitable remainder trusts in our trust. The satisfaction of knowing our desires will be carried out is enormously gratifying.
I can recommend Robert Pittman without hesitation, something I can do with ease, for any inheritance related legal concerns and estate planning.
Timothy
Read more
11 Feb, 2013 by Anonymous
Mr. Pittman met with my daughter and I regarding estate planning issues. He was incredibly thorough and patient, and he explained everything in a way that was easy to understand. Even though it was the Friday before the Christmas holiday weekend, he never made us feel rushed and never pressured us to retain his services. I highly recommend this attorney.
Read more
21 May, 2012 by Mike
Bob helped us understand the very confusing world of trusts, wills, and estate planning. He is a great listener and is knowledgable, gentle and has a time-tested wisdom. He is very prompt and thorough. I would highly recommend Bob to friends, family and others.
Read more
24 Jan, 2017 by Anonymous
Received help reviewing a family partnership and a power of attorney document to determine if I understood what each document said as there were multiple family members involved with differing points of view. The discussions were very contentious and so it was important that I correctly understand the options available to me. There were and remain delicate issues as family matters involving property and aging parents often are. The family partnership document was particularly challenging. Diane reviewed both documents carefully and then laid out the information in a way that a non-lawyer could understand. Phone calls were productive and her turn around time in summarizing the call and the information was nothing short of amazing. She is highly skilled, knowledgeable in her field and straightforward and honest in her assessment of the situation as spelled out in the documents. She is also kind and takes to time to get to know you. I felt that I was a person and that I mattered. I would absolutely recommend her.
Read more
12 Oct, 2016 by Margaret
Diana has helped me navigate difficult family situations with straight forward strategies and solutions, allowing us to avoid a number of problems. She is highly skilled and experienced and I have been grateful for her wise counsel. Finally, she brings a calm, friendly manner that makes working with her a joy.
Read more
12 Oct, 2016 by Winnie
I have known Diana and used her ‘excellent’ professional services for 17 years. During this time, my current husband and I have used her services for 12 years. She also, for the past 9 years, has provided professional services in my managing the financial and health care decisions for my incapacitated father, and now, his Estate due to his death. She has always demonstrated to be knowledgeable, compassionate, positive, an effective communicator, dependable, trustworthy, friendly, and confident. There is no one like her!
Read more
06 Mar, 2020 by Nat
Mr. Kleps was very helpful and kind when we had to go through what was my first probate. He understood our financial realities. He encouraged us to do what we could on our own, and was there 100% for the tasks that were beyond our capabilities. I highly recommend.
Read more
21 Jun, 2018 by Jamesa
I have a traumatic brain injury. I was referred to him by the attorney who helped me to finally get social security disability after 6 years. That attorney referred me to Michael when I got my "back-pay" from SSD; and helped me to understand how getting a large amount of money could create financial havoc in my life-- losing my home in a public housing unit, losing my state paid caregiver 30 hrs. a week, and losing my state insurance that covers what my medicare never would. He did all of this in a kind, patient way; without ever making me feel like he was "timing" our first consultation or even counting every second when he did the paperwork. He is my favorite attorney ever, I have to say; and I have dealt with a few throughout my life.
Thank you Michael!!!!
Read more
19 Feb, 2015 by Anonymous
We were happy with the knowledge and experience Michael provided in preparing a will, Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive for my husband and I. He was personable, respectful and listened to our concerns and wishes and helped us with the wording, offered advice concerning tax laws and beneficiaries, and provided our documents in a timely manner.
Read more
01 Dec, 2016 by Jack and mary
We felt he was very thorough and professional. We are extremely happy with the way they put together our living will and trust and would recommend him to anyone.
Read more
21 Jul, 2016 by Anonymous
Stephan Waltar is very knowledgeable and experienced in estate planning. He is the author of two books on the subject, both of which I read and found to be clearly written and very helpful. I felt that he wrote these books because he truly cared about people being well protected and informed.
He and his staff were easy to communicate with, any questions were answered fully and we received prompt responses to any emails.
We were provided with a 3" binder made personal for us that clearly organized all of our info and documents on our estate planning, medical directives, power of attorney, ect. A digital copy is kept securely as well.
We felt like it was money well spent to have our estate set up by a legal expert rather than a one size fits all computer program. it is complicated and it is essential that it be done properly. When we were at our bank to transfer our account, the manager had to call the legal department to walk her thru the process, as even for someone who works in the financial field it was complicated. One our side we had been provided by Mr. Waltar's office with all the correct legal documents and it was easy.
In the future as laws change it is also good to know that we have a legal expert to confer with who will keep us updated and our plans on track.
Read more
10 Oct, 2010 by Arty
Stephen and his staff made our Estate Planning an easy task. This is something that my wife and I put off for years; and Stephen made it painless. Don't put off your Estate Planning anymore - help your loved ones to stay out of probate court!
Read more
24 Aug, 2017 by Mark
Recently my aunt passed away leaving behind an estate that had property in two different states (WA and PA). At the time we felt overwhelmed not knowing where to start. Anna helped my family walk through the different tax considerations for each state, consulting with attorneys in PA to make sure all details were considered and covered. Every step of the way she made us feel like our concerns were being heard and was always available to answer our questions. My family not only appreciated Anna's knowledge and expertise, but also the patience and time she devoted to making sure we knew what was happening and that we understood all of our options. We feel so fortunate to have had Anna advising us during a difficult time for our family.
Read more
08 Dec, 2016 by Jane
Anna helped my husband and I draft a will for our family. It was one of those tasks that we dreaded doing but Anna made the whole process easy to understand and painless to follow through on.
Read more
02 Jul, 2015 by Dennis
OK, this was a great experience. My wife just had twins! That made me think I should have some plans in place. A colleague at work referred me to Anna Cashman for financial, estate, and 'future' planning. She walked the 'four' of us through the process, which Anna made very simple, straightforward, and easy. It showed us how knowledgeable she was. Boy do I feel great having a plan for my new family. Thank you Anna, keep up the GREAT work!
Read more
27 Apr, 2020 by Sam hapke
I had a fantastic experience with Bill and his team! Bill's thorough, highly knowledgeable approach allowed me to fully understand my options during each step in the process and feel confident that my intentions were represented in the resulting documents.
Read more
07 Nov, 2019 by Trevor campbell
He shares not only his great advice but also perspective about how to accomplish the goal in the best possible way. Always enjoy working with jim.
Read more
29 May, 2018 by Jason best
I sought Bill out when needing to understand my property rights in relationship to an encroaching neighbor. I have the utmost confidence in the legal information he provided. In addition, he provided great practical advice for navigating the situation. I highly recommend.
Read more
11 Dec, 2019 by Michael
I utilized Karl on two occasions. The first was to update my elderly Mother's will and the second was to update my will and create a Power of Attorney for both me and my Wife.
On both occasions (10 years apart) he provided great expertise along with appropriate questions to ensure he knew what we wanted to accomplish and we knew the ramifications of the requests we made.
He also willingly answered follow up questions over the phone. I would hire him again without hesitation and refer him to anyone needing a good Estate Attorney.
Read more
12 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
I contacted Karl after seeing his Avvo profile as I had some trust- related questions. He spent 15 minutes patiently answering my questions and explaining things to me. At the end of the call, I asked him if he needed to charge me for giving me his legal advice. He said no need, too much trouble he said! What a nice guy! He said if I ever needed to hire an attorney, give him a call. You bet Karl. Thanks a lot. Much appreciated!
Read more
17 Nov, 2013 by Daniel
My father passed away and I was chosen as the estate rep. My parents had used Karl before so I called him. It was a pretty difficult time for me and was very unsure of what to do. After my meeting with Karl I was very relieved to have found him. Flash forward one year and I'm done with the estate and Karl has been there with me the whole time. He is extremely knowledgeable and well versed. Karl is also very down to earth and personable. He strikes me as a genuinely caring person at work and I'll have to assume off work too. I would go out of my way to recommend Karl to anyone willing to listen.
Read more
15 Jul, 2014 by Roxanne
Johanna is my go-to estate planning attorney in Washington State. My own estate planning practice is based in Bay Area, but I often have clients or colleagues ask me for referrals to a trustworthy and personable attorney in Seattle. I always refer them to Johanna, because of her hardworking reputation and professionalism. I have also witnessed first-hand her patience and attention to detail in walking her clients through the estate planning process. Simply put, in an area of law that can be difficult to navigate, Johanna is someone I trust. My staff and I happily refer clients and colleagues to her.
Read more
07 Jul, 2014 by Duyen
Johanna Coolbaugh was proactive, thorough, and knowledgeable. She took the time to understand our personal situation and needs, thus making sure that our estate plan was comprehensive and appropriate for our family. Estate planning was something my husband and I had discussed for a long time, but were overwhelmed with the options and legal speak. Johanna put us at ease and made sure our plan was comprehensive--she ask questions that we hadn't even thought of. Additionally, Johanna was super responsive, whether it was via email or phone. No question was a dumb question, she answered all of our questions quickly and in language that we understood. We would definitely recommend Johanna to friends an family.
Read more
07 Jul, 2014 by Harte
As a CPA and estate planning peer, I've had the pleasure of working with Johanna's boss, Jim Treadwell, for several decades on mutual estate planning clients, several of which are multi-generational. In the last few years, Johanna has taken on the lion's share of the work at their end on these clients and I find she is completely on-board with all the family dynamics, issues and able to devote the right about of time to managing all the details which can make or break relationships like these. I look forward to having my CPA firm work with Johanna on mutual clients in the future.
Read more
08 Oct, 2018 by Jeanne
I have worked with a number of attorneys in my lifetime and it has very often been a draining experience. Sarah was a breath of fresh air! Warm, compassionate, knowledgeable, and patient, she guided my husband and me through a second marriage estate plan. It was an entirely different process than anything I'd ever experienced. I wish I met Sarah sooner! I would highly recommend her for any of your estate planning needs. She's a keeper.
Read more
03 May, 2018 by Aamer
I hired Sarah to work on a probate and a will. At the time we hired Sarah, our family was going through an extremely difficult time due to the unusual, unique nature of our situation.
Sarah was helpful, responsive, and readily available when we needed. her. I appreciated the fact that she took a practical approach, giving fair advice on what steps we should take while also looking out for opportunities to avoid unnecessary waste of time and money.
Most of all, I was appreciative of her empathetic approach; it made the whole process easier for me and my family. A few months after I hired her, I ran into an unexpected, separate legal matter and we again turned to her for advice during this difficult time. Though it was not an area she works in, she came to my help as a friend and guided me in the right direction. Her advice quite literally may have changed the course of my life.
Thank you, Sarah, for your help during a difficult time and for being there for our family when we needed you!
Read more
19 Nov, 2015 by Roxane
Sarah is an attorney that you can really trust to make the best recommendations for you and your family. She is intelligent, quick thinking, honest and has a lot of integrity in her work. What really makes me feel safe and confident with her work is that she thinks of things that I don't and that is the kind of lawyer I want working for me. I trust Sarah completely. When I sit down with Sarah, I can tell that she really cares about her work and wants to help me and my husband make the best decisions for our future.
Read more
03 Feb, 2016 by Mary
I knew her partner, Edward, and so it was only natural that I hired Vienna to help me assist me in the sale of my house and our family business. I'm so glad I did. She is so patient and willing to work with us on every little detail. She gave us such great advice and save us so much in grief, headaches, and taxes. In the end, the transactions went smooth and we completed every thing we set out to do. Clients are well served by her representation.
Read more
03 Feb, 2016 by Irene
I was in a bind. My dad was suffering dementia and I needed legal assistance to help take over his affairs. A friend referred me to Vienna to assist with creating a conservatorship. From the beginning, she was very compassionate and kind. She made me completely at ease and explain to me in very gentle manners all the steps I can take so that I can help become a conservator and take care of my father. Even after the case was over, she continue to make sure to follow up with me every month and checked up on me. I'm so so grateful that she was my attorney.
Read more
03 Feb, 2016 by Fred
My mother passed away years ago. I was out of state and needed to hire an attorney to handle her estate. A friend referred me to Vienna. She handled the estate professionally, diligently, and with utmost professionalism. She was able to liquidate the house and artwork for top dollars and gave careful and prudent advice on how to save taxes on the transaction. I have since referred others to her.
Read more
01 Dec, 2021 by James
Megan and her team expertly guided my wife and me through the process of establishing our Living Trust. Her patience and excellent communication kept us informed and comfortable throughout the entire experience. We are very pleased with the service Megan and her team provided us.
Read more
01 Jul, 2021 by Sigrid
We finally got our "affairs in order" (something we've been avoiding for some time).
Big thank you to Megan and her team, their professionalism, empathy and patience made this easier than expected.
Read more
07 Aug, 2016 by Barry
Megan was very helpful and provided excellent service with my estate planning needs. She took the time to explain and in ensure that I understood the documents associated with my estate and answered any questions I had with the process. She offered suggestions that would be of benefit to me and my family.
I would recommend Megan to anyone interested in estate planning.
Read more
18 Nov, 2019 by Michele
Marisa is very knowledgeable and well informed woman. She took over a very traditional firm and has respected the values and integrity of the former founders. She runs the firm with both the old-school values and the new millennium sophistication. She helped me with a very complicated estate plan. She listened, gave sound advice and treated me in a very caring and real manor. In the end we came up with a strong plan that will ensure protection and financial security for my child. The peace of mind and professional outcome was incredible. I have referred many people to her since in hopes that they follow through and contact her.
Read more
25 Jun, 2019 by Jenna
Attorney Marisa Broggel recently helped me with some estate planning work I needed to do. She is compassionate and very knowledgeable. She is good at breaking down the legal terms into language I could understand. She did a great job for me and my family. I would highly recommend McCune, Godfrey, Emerick & Broggel.
Read more
23 Dec, 2014 by Chaz
Marisa's qualifications, education, and experience are excellent. She is very customer oriented and takes her time getting to know her clients and often they become long term customers. She's an exceptional listener, knows how to take the legal terminology and communicate it into terms I can understand, rates are reasonable and she cares. I have no hesitation recommending her as your attorney.
Read more
01 Jul, 2024 by Trisha
Mrs.Holbert is the best family law lawyer I could have ever hired to represent us. A pleasure to work with. My case was very complicated. Along with a NCO in place throughout my entire case, made it extremely difficult. But Mrs. Holbert did an amazing job handling the complications of the matter as well as being the 3rd party contact to the co-parent. I was completely amazed and impressed how well she handled all the stress of my case. If you are dealing with a narcissistic co-parent Mrs. Holbert is amazing in dealing with them. From our first meeting, she explained everything to me in terms I could easily understand and was always very responsive when I had questions outside of our meetings. If anyone is looking for a knowledgeable lawyer Mrs. Holbert is your best bet. She was not only "extremely" knowledgeable, but she was highly sensitive to the fact that it was proving to be a traumatic experience for all involved. She goes above and beyond. Works well with GAL's. I was extremely pleased with mine and my daughters outcome. Mrs. Holbert's legal representation restored my faith in the justice system for sure. So again. I'm confident that you too will not be disappointed. If you're seeking legal help as a child custody client do not hesitate ,Mrs Holbert is reasonable and worth every cent.
Read more
27 Aug, 2019 by Karen jaeger
25 Nov, 2018 by Lisarenee
Mrs Holbert represented me in my protective order case. She was dilagent, she was well prepared and very knowledgeable about the laws. Of course we were successful in our pleading. Would not had chosen anyone else and I can not wait to work with her on my dissolution case.
Read more
08 Oct, 2021 by Jason
Kjersti was a pleasure to work with in regards to our estate/family planning documents! She was quick and responsive throughout the process, and took the time to thoroughly explain things to us. I would happily work with Kjersti again on any legal needs.
Read more
14 Feb, 2020 by Kristen
Kjersti was very professional and responsive. She got back to me extremely quickly and walked me through the process of creating a living will and testament. She was willing to meet with me whenever it was convenient and even came to my work so I didn't have to travel. She was very good at explaining my different options and being unbiased so that I could make the best decision for myself. This was my first time writing a will so having someone who was patient and explained terminology really helped!
Read more
13 Jan, 2020 by Jennifer
My husband and I were in need of drafting a will and reached out to Kjersti for help. She was very professional, timely, and explained every part of the process in a way we could understand. It was clear that helping others is her passion and was very thorough in doing so. I highly recommend her services to anyone in need of these services!
Read more
03 Dec, 2019 by James
I have used Andrew's services over the past few years for dealing with my business, contracts, lease negotiations, insurance advice and a variety of other services. Andrew is very responsive, articulate, and knowledgeable. I really enjoy working with Andrew and he is my go to attorney and the professional I refer to my fellow small business owners.
Read more
25 Jun, 2019 by Anonymous
He is super reasonable,responsible , professionalism , One of the best lawyer I ever had . I definitely recommend him
Read more
25 Jun, 2019 by Sharon
With two short meetings I have confidence that the Will and Trust created is what I needed. Andrew understood what my intentions were and quickly got a preliminary and final draft done and back up me without lots of conversation. I learned a lot about the rules and tax laws affecting my decisions. Very helpful.
Read more
29 Jun, 2015 by Tonya
Jennifer is incredibly knowledgeable and very accommodating! I had procrastinated on making a will, but finally decided to get it done. I was going in for surgery in a week, and I asked Jennifer if she could complete it before the surgery...and she delivered! Within days, she had the first drafts ready for me to review. Jennifer pointed out potential problems with how I had named beneficiaries in my life insurance policy and produced forms for me to send to my insurance representative to correct the issues. She was very attentive and thorough. It was a pleasure working with her, and I highly recommend Jennifer. She is - by far- the best Attorney I've had the experience of working with!
Read more
22 May, 2015 by Mike
When my sister who lived in the Seattle area was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I called a friend who recommended Jennifer to do the estate planning that was needed as soon as possible. Jennifer understood the critical timing of what was going on and was not only extremely professional, but very compassionate and went beyond what most attorneys would ever do. She actually came to the hospital bed to facilitate gathering the wishes of my sister and to execute the necessary documents. She was able to structure the documents for the best interest of the family in every way. Jennifer and her team followed through for the months after my sister's death to help with the complicated settling of the estate. Our entire family strongly recommends Jennifer as an honest, trustworthy, compassionate and service oriented legal professional.
Read more
11 Mar, 2013 by Anonymous
Jennifer made our will and estate planning effortless! She was a delight to deal with as well as intelligent and timely. For most people these matters are very complicated but Jennifer and her staff made things easy to undersand and painless. I would definitely use her again and tell anyone looking for a top notch attorney to call her.
Read more
02 Apr, 2023 by Greg
Seth is nothing short of exceptional. I had to make changes to my LLC so that I could work outside the US and I had some basic legal questions. However, after speaking with Seth it turned out to be a much more complicated process than I ever imagined. He guided me through the entire process including who I needed to contact for registration in Canada and how to navigate tax issues. Seth is the only lawyer who I feel completely comfortable working with for my company.
Read more
03 Nov, 2021 by Don
Seth stepped up when I needed help with my nonprofit and went the extra mile. I could not have done it without his help. The price was more than fair.
Read more
10 Apr, 2021 by Anonymous
Seth and I have worked together on the creation of a LLC entity holding a long distance real estate investment property.
He frequently went above and beyond to ensure the work was as perfect as possible. He always made sure to answer my multiple questions nicely and fully while providing transparency of the whole end to end process. Once the entity was created and he received his payment he still made sure I had everything I needed and stayed very responsive to my emails.
There is no doubt that I will go reach back to him in the event I need further legal help.
Read more
21 Mar, 2024 by Josh
Tom and Meredith were the best people imaginable to help with my mother's estate. Walked me through the whole process in a caring and personal way. No one else I'd rather have represent me or my mother's estate. One of these days I'm going to stop procrastinating and get my estate planning done and know exactly who to go to.
Read more
08 Nov, 2021 by Mstislav seligman
11 Dec, 2019 by Denise “dee†dees raymond
08 Dec, 2012 by Boyce
My wife and I have been working with Kristina for over 14 years, beginning with estate work for one of our parents and continuing with our own legal matters since then. In a word, she is phenomenal. She always offers us outstanding legal advice and counsel, she knows current laws and regulations, and her work has been flawless. Whether small issues or large, she takes the time to fully understand the situation and carefully reviews various options before advising us. We have complete trust in her, appreciate her attention to detail and know that she will give us the best advice, even if it may not be what we want to hear. We have recommended Kristina to friends who have been equally impressed. It is always a pleasure working with Kristina and her very capable paralegal, Janet. Although they have many clients, we always feel we are treated as special, and that we are getting the best possible legal assistance.
Read more
12 Mar, 2009 by Joann
I have used Kristina Udall for estate planning and have recommended her to others. My mother used her services after my father passed away for probate. I'm an attorney and I consider her to be superb in her field.
Read more
12 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
From the fist meeting to the final signing of the papers, Ms. Udall was very professional, knowledgable and timely.
We believe her hourly charges were just and valued.
We will use Ms. Udall again.
Read more
22 Jul, 2021 by Jim
My wife and I had a hard time knowing where to start, but we knew we needed to get our will redone. I got referred to Mike and Moulton through a friend. I started by watching the webinar online and we met with Mike the next week. He was a very friendly guy and not what I was fearing in an attorney, but I had watched the webinar so I had some idea. He helped us put together our Living Trust and I just cannot say enough about the peace of mind that comes with knowing it was done right. I talked with a friend who recently went to a different elder law group and they charged three times as much and they didn't even get a trust. Start with Moulton, you won't be disappointed.
Read more
17 Jan, 2014 by Cheryl
As I have no knowledge of trusts or how to go about the final affairs of my dad passing, my dad always told me to "just call the card in the front of the book and he will tell you what to do!" I will say I have had a lot of questions for Michael Gunning and he is very friendly, informative, and helpful with any question I have either called or emailed! I have been surprised at how swift he answers my emails and his amount of patience he has with explaining in detail how to handle each question or situation I have encountered! I am sure I will have more questions, but he puts me at ease with the knowledge he will take the time to help me through this difficult task! My dad loved him and trusted him with his final affairs and I now understand why!! Michael is a wonderful lawyer with a kindness that I would recommend to anyone who needs to set up a will or trust!
Read more
07 Nov, 2011 by Anonymous
We used John Keckemet to create our wills and estate planning documents after we used his partner, Albert Lirhus, to finalize our adoption. We were pleased with the work that John did. He was very patient, willing to explain the differences between different facets of estate planning. The documentation he created was very thorough. I would recommend him, especially for those who need a little hand holding (not literally) through this difficult and often tedious process.
Read more
15 Jun, 2007 by Anonymous
John represented our family in the area of Estate Planning. He created a Revocable Trust Agreement along with the other necessary documents ie. Wills, Reciprocal Durable Power of Attorney, Healthcare Directives, etc.
John is patience and has a way of communicating legal jargon in a plain and simple easy to understand way.
We are confident that the thoughtful work that John did for us will not only benefit our family in this lifetime, but also in the life of our daughter Britt life after we pass away.
Read more
20 Nov, 2023 by Sean dansby
10 Oct, 2022 by Justin miller
02 Dec, 2023 by Amanda and james
We hired Sean to help us with establishing a will and trust. He was easy to work with, clear in communication (and helped us to understand the legal jargon), prompt, and exceptionally accommodating of our schedules and needs as we coordinated meetings. In areas we were uncertain about, Sean offered suggestions and insight from his professional and personal experience, helping us to make informed decisions that supported our family's needs. We are glad to have worked with Sean and are relieved to have our estate planning complete.
Read more
27 Jun, 2022 by J
I contacted Sean about a will and the proper way to assure my children would be well cared for upon my passing. The free consultation convinced me that I would be able to work with Sean easily. With Sean's guidance, I now have a will and trust that put me at ease about my assets.
We communicated primarily via email. Sean responded quickly and fully to any questions I raised, and changed a few items at my request, no problem. He guided me in several areas with which I wasn't familiar.
I'm pleased to have taken care of this end-of-life planning, and to have used Sean's services.
Read more
10 Feb, 2016 by Anonymous
Geoff and Tom created our estate plans. They took the time (over 6 months) to answer all of our questions patiently and guided us very smoothly and pleasantly through a complex process. Our estate is large and has a a high degree of complexity.They devised a clever and creative solution.
Read more
06 Jul, 2010 by Bruce
My relationship with Geoff began in the final weeks before the death of my dad. As a college professor, I'm a professional but not in the way of being a Successor Trustee. That loomed large as a serious undertaking. That's where Geoff came in. I was able to do all the footwork, which was enormous and time-consuming, but at every turn I was able to count on Geoff guiding me through the thicket. Amazingly, he was always responsive...never a time he failed to return my call expediently.
Initially, I was apprehensive about meeting with Geoff because of previous encounters with attorneys, but we connected immediately.
I liked this man! He was gracious, friendly, professional, easy to understand, and came across as a man sincerely eager to help me through the legal exercise he knew I faced at a time I was emotionally strained by my father's demise.
I especially want to note that where other professionals were all business, I was so impressed that Geoff stepped out of that role for a moment to be human enough in my first moment of grief to be one of the only professionals to quickly offer his condolences to me. That was kind and thoughtful. I wasn't just a client, I was a fellow pilgrim on this dusty journey called life, and he wanted to share my pain, my loss.
I should also note that his fees were incredibly fair, far less than I expected.
Bottom line, I would rate Geoff a 10 +... off the charts, really! So if you need an attorney, especially on estate matters, let me encourage you to employ the services of Geoff Garrett. I'm truly confident that you will soon sing his praises as much as I am doing here. Feel free to contact me for further verbal confirmation of all that I have outlined above.
Read more
03 Nov, 2009 by Lisa
Darcy is professional, knowledgeable, honest and level-headed. She provided my family much-needed guidance in working through some estate issues during my father's terminal illness. I am happy to provide Darcy my highest recommendation.
Read more
03 Nov, 2009 by Matthew ellis
I have recommended Darcy to many people who have retained her. NO ONE is as good as Darcy, she is hands down the best attorney I have ever worked with.
Read more
24 Feb, 2015 by Mike
We were referred to Craig from our corporate law firm. He was very responsive in returning our call. He spent a generous amount of time on the initial consult and was clearly knowledgeable about the subject matter. If a friend were to ask me for a reference to an elder law attorney, I would be comfortable suggesting they call Craig.
Read more
06 Feb, 2010 by Anonymous
My family received Craig's name from 3 different sources. We needed a very experienced lawyer to handle a complicated guardianship. We ended up finding a lawyer for life. Craig was thorough, available, compassionate and did an outstanding job. He is a true professional, and an asset to his field. I couldn't recommend him more highly.
Read more
Browse lawyers
Cities in Washington - Find a Lawyer Near Me
-
Seattle
-
Spokane
-
Tacoma
-
Bellevue
-
Olympia
-
Vancouver
-
Everett
-
Redmond
-
Bellingham
-
Yakima
-
Kirkland
-
Kent
-
Renton
-
Kennewick
-
Mercer Island
-
Wenatchee
-
Edmonds
-
Issaquah
-
Lynnwood
-
Federal Way
-
Port Orchard
-
Bainbridge Island
-
Gig Harbor
-
Puyallup
-
Bothell
-
Tumwater
-
Mount Vernon
-
Richland
-
Spokane Valley
-
Tukwila
-
University Place
-
Walla Walla
-
Shoreline
-
Auburn
-
Longview
-
Bremerton
-
Silverdale
-
Woodinville
-
Port Angeles
-
Lacey
-
Sammamish
-
Lakewood
-
Port Townsend
-
Burien
-
Poulsbo
-
Snohomish
-
Ellensburg
-
Mill Creek
-
Moses Lake
-
Camas
-
Chehalis
-
Shelton
-
Mountlake Terrace
-
Pasco
-
Pullman
-
Marysville
-
Liberty Lake
-
Fircrest
-
Montesano
-
Oak Harbor
-
Ephrata
-
Newcastle
-
Anacortes
-
Aberdeen
-
Centralia
-
North Bend
-
Okanogan
-
Arlington
-
Maple Valley
-
Des Moines
-
Mukilteo
-
Colville
-
Lake Forest Park
-
Kenmore
-
Vashon
-
Friday Harbor
-
Sumner
-
Seatac
-
Coupeville
-
Sequim
-
Burlington
-
Kingston
-
Enumclaw
-
Blaine
-
Monroe
-
Normandy Park
-
East Wenatchee
-
Kelso
Browse lawyers
Practice Areas in Washington
-
Business
-
Real Estate
-
Litigation
-
Criminal Defense
-
Government
-
Personal Injury
-
Estate Planning
-
Family Law
-
Intellectual Property
-
Civil Rights
-
Appeals
-
Tax
-
Consumer Protection
-
Immigration
-
Insurance
-
Probate
-
Child Support
-
Elder Law
-
Car Accident
-
Juvenile Law
-
Workers Compensation
-
Child Custody
-
Medical Malpractice
-
Domestic Violence
-
Wrongful Death
-
Lawsuit / Dispute
-
Social Security & Disability
-
Mediation
-
Trusts
-
Debt Collection
-
Entertainment
-
Bankruptcy
-
Class Action
-
Foreclosure
-
Adoption
-
Discrimination
-
Financial Markets And Services
-
Divorce
-
Wrongful Termination
-
Sex Crime
-
Sexual Harassment
-
Copyright Application
-
Federal Crime
-
Debt Settlement
-
Employment / Labor
-
DUI / DWI
-
Construction
-
Cannabis Law
-
Drug Crime
-
Landlord & Tenant
-
Credit Repair
-
Admiralty / Maritime
-
Life Insurance
-
Contracts
-
Constitutional Law
-
Education Law
-
Environmental Law
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
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.
