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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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16 Oct, 2024 by Anonymous
Sean walked us through every step of the estate planning process with skill and patience.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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13 Feb, 2017 by Holly
We are Extremely satisfied with the service we received from Nick. He was honest, and efficient he spent quite a lot of time doing research in the writing of this a letter for my landlord along with contacting the landlord by phone, like a mediator between us . which turned out very well; we got to extend out the date of termination of tenancy , a whole month, just by notifying our landlord of our rights as tenants. I would recommend Nick to anyone who wants an honest, dedicated, persistent and very detailed oriented Lawyer!
I will defiantly call him again, if I need a lawyer again!
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12 Jan, 2017 by Christina
I called Nick on a weekday evening to inquire about the best way for my dad to get a power of attorney in order. Since my dad is on the lower end of the economic scale, Nick said he would be very flexible with the fee. During our whole conversation, he emphasized that he wanted to be sure my dad was taken care of and that he didn't want this process to be an added burden to the stresses of having a sick parent.
The following day, I learned that Nick had gone the extra mile and found a free reliable online source for power of attorney documents that could be notarized. He took the time to review the paperwork, and sent it to me with detailed explanation on terms and how it all works.
I am so grateful for his help, and when my husband and I are ready to have our legal affairs handled we will definitely be working with Nick. He is awesome!
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21 Feb, 2025 by M cox
Thorough explanation of the work. Friendly, professional.
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21 Feb, 2025 by Susan stonecipher
20 Feb, 2025 by Susan santilli
Diana explained the trust process in depth and let us know what information we had to follow up with... Banks, DMV. Homeowners insurance, etc. She gave us copies of everything and her contact number if we had any questions. I feel confident that we made an informed decision about securing a living trust as a major part of end of life planning.
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23 Feb, 2023 by Richard
Thor was fantastic he did everything he said he was going to do. He handled it professionally and I have no complaints if I ever needed him again I would never hesitate to call that law office.
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02 May, 2013 by Timothy
I hired Mr. Treacy on behalf of my family to handle a complicated guardianship/estate/probate matter on behalf of our family. Mr. Treacy was not only extremely knowledgeable about the law, but he also was responsive and supportive during a challenging time. Our entire family appreciates his professionalism and attention to detail.
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04 Nov, 2020 by Evan
Doug is the most caring, thoughful, experienced in his field than anyone can imagine. He is a pillar and a deacon. Fair, honest, and just a real nice person.
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14 Mar, 2018 by Gini
I met with Patrick today to discuss what I should do in response to a violation issued by a police offer in Edmonds. I contested this, thinking the infraction was an error. I consulted with Patrick Carter, Atty, today. He was very helpful. First he listened carefully without interruption to my too lengthy explanation of the circumstances. Then he reviewed the documents that I brought with me, recommending I contact the DOL about the matter, which I did, learning that the infraction for which I was cited. Patrick kept me cool, calm and collected and altered the way I will respond to this matter. Many thanks.
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15 Apr, 2015 by Anonymous
I found Mrs. Misty Hayes an excellent attorney who has everything a client needs to get the best result in a family legal matter. She is extremely professional, knowledgeable, detail-oriented , compassionate and absolutely wonderful lawyer. She does not miss something and pay attention to every detail. I highly recommend her for family legal matters.
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07 Aug, 2009 by Anonymous
Lora assisted my family with estates/trusts work and did a great job, was very efficient and a joy to work with.
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12 Jul, 2015 by Anonymous
Know by most as Ted, he's a laid back no non-sense kind of guy. I hired Ted to defend me in a DUI case years ago. He listened to what I had to say. He has a attentive staff who were on top of my case. My charges were lowered significantly and I never lost my license. Some years later my folks went to him, on my recommendation, for their Estate Planning. The office had changed and it was just Ted and his Paralegal but they were attentive, efficient and effective. When my father passed away everything was in order and the process was simple. My mother later passed and again we consulted with Ted and things went smooth. There were no small details that needed to be fine tuned or that were left out. We had the documents, made appropriate transfers and everything was complete. Ted was available to answer questions when they a rose or his office would call us back with the answers or for further details.
I would nightly recommend Tex and his firm for your legal matters if you have a case in Jefcerson County. He is attentive and focused be can be slower at returning emails and phone calls but that's one area his staff steps up and handles. The follow up on calls or emails is the most frustrating but his staff will call to check in and answer some questions but pass others along to the attorney.
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09 Sep, 2013 by Anonymous
This review is for Sharon Perlin who is an Attorney at Flaccus Law.
It's easy to have an estate plan written. It's also easy to put off having an estate plan written, or in my case, updated. Ten years ago we managed to write estate documents including wills, health care directives, organ donor instructions, burial instructions and other estate planning documents, but ten years later, despite job changes, a new house, investments, etc. they had never been updated. And, while I suppose out of date documents are better than no documents at all, as we prepared to head on an extended vacation to a sometimes unstable part of the world, we thought maybe this is a good time to update everything.
The first time we did our estate documents it was at one of the fancy downtown law firms and while we were perfectly happy with the outcome, you couldn't help but be aware of the setting and the fact that every half hour meant another $150 to the bill. This time around we made a conscious decision that we wanted to stay away from the high priced, high rise firms and find someone in our neighborhood who could provide personalized care and advice in a more casual and affordable way.
Meeting with Sharon for the first time we immediately felt comfortable. She is warm and friendly and as we started talking about our estate documents and our objectives for updating them, it was also clear that she is very knowledgeable. Sharon also has that important ability to take complex legal concepts and distil them down to layman's terms. At that initial meeting and subsequent conversations Sharon took us through a thorough recap of all the elements of our current documents and, section by section, walked us through changes we might consider and why. Her suggestions were based on sound logic and at all times we felt like our estate planning goals were front of mind.
The entire process took a few weeks with the final visit to Sharon's office to actually sign the new documents. As we were just about to take off on our vacation, Sharon was gracious enough to mail hard copies to our estate executor.
Taking the time to create an estate plan is a responsibility that all adults should take seriously. There is simply no reason that anyone should ever pass without having their estate in order. Don't have an estate plan? Need to have your estate plan updated? I would wholeheartedly recommend Sharon. I would also not hesitate to use her for any of the other legal areas that she specializes in, including trusts, probate and probate litigation, guardianships, and IRS tax controversies.
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30 Apr, 2013 by Anonymous
We contacted Ann T. Wilson for breach of trust issues. She was very responsive, focused on the facts, avoided getting caught up in the drama/personal issues. She kept costs down and was able to mediate our case, avoiding trial. Our issues were resolved and our dishonest trustee was replaced.
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06 Jun, 2024 by E rs
30 Jun, 2023 by Dana pattison
12 Jun, 2023 by Alan lee millard
I contacted Jamia and was amazed at her willingness to help me right of the bat. She helped me immensely within minutes, answering all my questions and addressing my concerns.
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21 Jan, 2025 by Lisa carroll
13 Mar, 2024 by Dave t
I completed a prenup with Mr. Richardson many years ago. He was great and it held up during the divorce. Thanks!
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06 Mar, 2024 by Josie bradley
I asked for a lot here and I’m very relieved to be receiving a will and trust that will benefit my children.
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11 Dec, 2024 by Diana cruz
Dimitra Scott at Beresford Booth Law Office is truly exceptional. She made my adoption process so much less stressful, which is no small feat given how complex and emotional it can be. Dimitra is incredibly kind, compassionate, and hardworking. Thanks to her efficiency and attention to detail, even though my adoption happened so quickly. She made sure every aspect was taken care of, allowing me to focus on the most important part: meeting and getting to know my newborn son. From the first consultation to the finalization of the adoption, Dimitra consistently demonstrated deep expertise and genuine care for my case. I couldn’t have asked for a better attorney to guide me through such an important life event. If you’re looking for someone who is not only a skilled lawyer but also a caring advocate, I highly recommend Dimitra Scott.
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25 Oct, 2024 by Tim cook
02 Dec, 2023 by Karley penoyer
04 May, 2021 by Melaia tutanekai
Ross is a stand up guy. Great advisement.
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20 Aug, 2020 by Tiffany foster
I would definitely recommend him to others he is very good at what he does .hes very awesome hes the best one i have ever had we were blown away how fast he is to jump into a case an fights good in court
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03 Jan, 2020 by Donna evans
Knowledgeable, personable, willing & able to explain & answer questions in layman’s terms and on top of all that a nice & good person!
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20 Nov, 2023 by Sean dansby
10 Oct, 2022 by Justin miller
14 Jun, 2022 by Mark glancey
Extraordinary legal services. If you are looking for expert and friendly legal advice you cannot do better than Dorsey.
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26 Jan, 2017 by Bryn waibel
30 Jan, 2024 by Nancy cochran
Rusty is the best for giving advice. He goes out of his way for his clients.
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31 Jul, 2023 by Carol evans
Rusty was more than helpful. Enjoyed talking to him. Very knowledgeable on laws and opinions to try.
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10 Dec, 2023 by Cda spine and brain
Extremely professional. Expert advice. No task to difficult. She gets it done!
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22 Feb, 2021 by Crystal
Satarah is so kind and caring. She greatly helped me through the administration of my father's estate and she made me feel as if i was her only client. She is compassionate and knowledgeable and id highly recommend her to anyone looking for a lawyer.
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02 Mar, 2020 by Javier
I called her office to talk about a garnishment I was facing, she was very nice and actually took my call and talked to me and gave me some general advice about it. She was super helpful and the information she gave me really helped put me in the right direction. she even offered some free and public resources I could look at and utilize as I couldn't afford to hire her at this time. I really appreciated that she took the time to talk to me eventhough she knew I wasn't going to be hiring her. she really cares about people and helping people and that shows. Thank you!
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28 Jun, 2019 by Julie
hired Setareh to help me with backtaxes and she has been a god send. She has so far resolved all of the issues and we are working on a plan to avoid the same issue in the future. She has been very helpful, nonjudgmental and easy to work with. she is super responsive which is very nice and rare in attorneys. I don't have to wait days or weeks to get an answer. She calls me back usually the same day. love her and highly recommend her! The best!
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22 Nov, 2024 by Eric ahrens
Andrew Huff is a top performer, I've used him 3 times at this point and won for every time for me. Go with the champion for all your traffic needs, he takes care of everything worry free and keep your driving record clean. Eric Ahrens
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19 Nov, 2024 by D j
I recently consulted with Damien regarding a severance agreement I had already signed after being laid off by my employer. A section in the non-compete clause had been keeping me up at night—it made no sense, even after running it through numerous analyses. Damien returned my call quickly, and I was immediately impressed by his responsiveness and dedication.
You can tell he works long, hard hours and is genuinely passionate about employee rights. He was generous with his time, actively listened to my concerns, and provided clear guidance to help me better understand the clause in question. Damien even pointed me toward additional resources to further unpack my concerns.
What stood out the most was his thoughtful and reassuring approach—there was absolutely no "hard sell." I left our conversation feeling like he truly cares about his clients and the people seeking his advice. I highly recommend Damien for anyone needing clarity and support during such a stressful time.
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12 Nov, 2024 by Clarence nelson
My experience was horrible. Wouldn’t recommend Lance Lee. Almost lost my home as a result of his incompetence and arrogance.
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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:
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What experience do you have with creating trusts?
Ensure the lawyer has experience drafting trusts and managing trust administration for clients with similar goals or asset structures. -
What types of trusts do you recommend for my situation?
Ask the lawyer to explain the different types of trusts available and which ones best suit your needs. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify the fee structure and request an estimate of the total cost. -
What are the tax implications of the trust?
Ensure the lawyer can explain how the trust will affect your taxes and strategies to minimize tax liability. -
How long will it take to set up the trust?
Ask for a timeline for creating and finalizing the trust documents. -
Will you handle the trust administration?
If ongoing management is required, inquire whether the lawyer will assist with trust administration or if you'll need a separate trustee. -
Can you help resolve disputes if they arise?
Ask about the lawyer's experience in resolving trust disputes.
How to Check the Credibility of a Trusts Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable trusts lawyer, take the following steps:
- Verify their bar status: Check with your state bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and has no disciplinary actions.
- Look for trust law experience: Review their website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in estate planning and trusts.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for feedback on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google.
- Ask for references: Request references from past clients who can speak to their experience with the lawyer.
- Check for certifications: Look for certifications such as Certified Estate Planning Law Specialist (EPLS) or memberships in organizations like the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (AAEPA).
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most of your first consultation with a trusts lawyer, bring the following:
- List of assets: Prepare a list of all your assets, including real estate, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, and personal property.
- List of beneficiaries: Provide names and contact information of individuals or organizations you want to name as beneficiaries.
- Existing estate planning documents: Bring copies of any existing wills, trusts, or other estate planning documents.
- Financial information: Bring financial statements, tax returns, and other relevant financial documentation.
- Questions for the lawyer: Prepare a list of questions about the trust creation process, fees, and how the trust will protect your assets and beneficiaries.
- Goals for the trust: Clearly outline your objectives, such as asset protection, tax minimization, or provisions for beneficiaries, so the lawyer can tailor the trust to your needs.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer assess your situation effectively and receive the best possible legal advice for creating and managing your trust.
