Top review highlights

AI generated excerpts from the customers reviews
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Pros
1
Competent and ethical legal representation
“Out of approx. 9 lawyers involved, in in one manner or other, in an estate case, Jeffrey Skatoff was the only one in my opinion who was both competent and ethical.”
2
Aggressive and smart legal strategy
“Mr. Skatoff handled our trust dispute flawlessly. Professional, diligent, aggressive, and smart.”
3
Successful case outcomes
“They got me everything I was supposed to get. I am very happy with these lawyers.”
4
Prompt and sensitive handling of estate matters
“He was not only prompt at closing out my mother's estate, but he did so in an ethical and sensitive manner.”
5
Effective tax controversy resolution
“He completely eliminated the substantial IRS Tax Liability. HE IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED AND I WILL EASILY REFER CLIENTS TO MR. SKATOFF, He is a miracle worker and he likes to WIN.”
Cons
1
Inconsistent and unprofessional handling of cases by associates
“He will never return your phone calls. He does not review your file and documents. He will complain about his work load and even verbalized "you are not the only client." You will be lucky If you actually get him to pick up your call or return your call.”
2
Lack of communication and responsiveness
“He will not inform the client of court dates even if a few days away. If you are lucky enough to get him on the phone he will report he has not reviewed important documents.”
3
Potential for mishandling of cases
“He dropped the ball a few times by not providing the court necessary paper work. It is hard to know which fact he tells you is true as it is constantly changing.”
4
Excessive billing and unsatisfactory outcomes
“I came out of this having spent an enormous amount of money, which was minimally recouped, a few paltry items that belonged to my step-father, and nothing from my mother, who predeceased him.”
5
Lack of responsiveness and follow-through
“I asked over five times to all parties including the Attorney but they never assisted me.”

All reviews

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22 Nov, 2020 by Tara
We hired a probate attorney who raked us over the coals. I called attorney Skatoff and was desperate for assistance. He was not only prompt at closing out my mother’s estate, but he did so in an ethical and sensitive manner.. there’s no telling how far the other attorney would have taken it if attorney Skatoff didn’t intervene. Thank you for everything you did.. my family appreciates you.
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12 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
I couldn't ask for a better lawyer to represent me in my elective share case! After my husband died, my husband's children fought me with everything they had trying to cut me out of my husband's estate. Jeff Skatoff got me everything I was entitled to! I was so lucky to have Jeff in my corner. His staff is amazing as well.
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29 Sep, 2014 by Anonymous
Jeff Skatoff has the ability to take a complicated set of issues and explain them in a way that is approachable and easy to assimilate. Jeff is thoughtful and knowledgeable in his approach to issues of estate planning documents. I am very satisfied with Jeff's process and with his professionalism.
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17 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
Jeff Skatoff handled a complex situation for me after my dad died, and I was very happy with the results. I couldn't ask for a better attorney to represent me.
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26 Jun, 2014 by Thomas
I hired Mr. Skatoff, specifically, and expected he would be handling my probate case, but, in fact, he handed off my case first, to another lawyer in the office, who dragged his heels for about a year-delaying filing pertinent documents in a timely manner, did not address vital issues in my case, despite my numerous requests to do so , and running up my bill. I finally got fed up and registered a strong complaint, which resulted in that person being taken off my case. At that time Mr. Skatoff assigned another associate to the case. By that time, my case had been so badly mishandled, I had incurred over $100,000.00 in attorney's fees, and endured 2 years of major stress from lack of action on different issues I specifically requested pertaining to my case. Another major issue was mishandled due to lack of knowledge of the specific law about it by the two attorneys Mr. Skatoff assigned, which resulted in wasted time, more hours billed, and failure to get the problem resolved. I was strongly advised by the second attorney to go for a settlement and put an end to the battle. I went into the settlement meeting with the second attorney, who persuaded me to accept a bad settlement deal. I came out of this having spent an enormous amount of money, which was minimally recouped, a few paltry items that belonged to my step-father, and nothing from my mother, who predeceased him. When I hired Mr. Skatoff, I asked him to retrieve my stepfather's original will from a safe deposit box as soon as possible. This was not acted upon in a timely manner, and I was never able to retrieve the will, which severely damaged my case, and, in fact, resulted in a new will being crafted by outside parties, who used undue influence with my stepfather, after he was adjudicated as incompetent. The new will became the will of record because the original will stayed locked in the safe deposit box. I believe Mr. Skatoff mishandled this case from the beginning, costing me well over $100,000.00, years of extreme stress and frustration from lack of cooperation by the lawyers who were supposed to fight for me, and ultimately losing the rights of family to receive inheritances my step-father allocated for them, and none of the personal items, that while, not monetarily worth anything, are treasured mementos of our step-father and our mother.
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Best lawyers in Palm Beach Gardens, FL

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13 Aug, 2024 by John goudey
Me and a few coworkers went fishing on our time off and being completely unaware and mistaking one species for another we got a list of charges from FWC. After speaking with another attorney we were in a bit of a panic, hearing misdemeanor, fines possible jail. I called Attorney Sando & explained the situation. He instantly explained how he’s not a lawyer that’s gonna scare us into hiring him and knowledgeably explained all of our options and his plan of attack he explained his fee & all of us agreed to hire him. None of us are residents of Florida & we were concerned about our jobs over a mistake. I have to say, Attorney Sando is the greatest. He kept in constant contact, always returning our calls & answering our questions. He handled all of our court dates, and in the end, charges were dismissed. We may have been quick clients, but he has become a friend for life. His expertise & professionalism are truly one in a million. Thank you Drew, you are the greatest.
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25 Jan, 2024 by K russel
This past spring, my lease manager invited me to film him and his son turkey hunting for the opening day of youth season. Unbeknownst to me, he had placed his blind within the parameters of his "feed area" the night before. I met up with them before sunrise on the morning of the hunt and we entered his blind. As the sun came up, I realized where we were but did not feel comfortable stopping the hunt because he was my lease manager and I didn't want to get kicked off. FWC raided the hunting lease and arrested several hunters and one videographer (me) for being within 100 yards of bait while turkey hunting. Drew took the time to understand my position and did an awesome job helping me get these charges dropped. This was the first time I had ever been in trouble with the law and I am thankful that Drew was there to help me navigate through it.
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16 Jan, 2024 by Roger b
I consulted Attorney Andrew Sando with regards to a citation I received from Florida Fish and Wildlife. Atty Sando was the only attorney I spoke with that exhibited a vast knowledge of the FWC regulations and laws, and provided an overview of how he would approach the handling of my situation. Attorney Sando listened to my situation and my desired outcome of the case. Atty Sando took the time to understand my case. He then explained his process and how he would like to move forward in handling my case. Atty Sando was available and accessible at all times. Atty Sando involvement in my case resulted in the citations being dismissed by the States Attorney office. Attorney Sando is a man of his word and does exactly what he says he will do. As a business owner myself, I am not one to recommend people in this day and time, but I have no reservations in giving my 100% recommendation to this man. He is without a doubt, a man with integrity. He listens and provides alternative solutions. If you are in need of, or looking for an attorney, Atty Sando is without a doubt a win/win.
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04 Dec, 2022 by Sherri
I took on Ms. Barros to help me in my Disolution of Marriage (Divorce). She worked very hard for me. She was always in contact with me via phone or email. She was very patient, explained the processes and was very thorough during negotiations and while going over the various documents required for divorce proceedings. I felt comfortable with her and she was always pleasant and kind. She will stand up for you and get the best results possible. I highly recommend her, she's efficient, knowledgeable, and will follow through until the process is completed.
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11 Jun, 2021 by Sharon
I cannot say enough for Eunice Baros she was incredible. So knowledgeable and explained every step and kept me well-informed on the process with the courts. She got me the out come I wanted, which is such a relief in my life. I highly recommend her.
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27 Sep, 2020 by Anonymous
I was having a terrible legal issue with my HOA; basically, they were harassing me. Ms. Baros took over the situation. She is a caring professional and I'm so thankful I found her. She's absolutely amazing and tough--don't let the cute profile picture fool you--this woman is a tiger!
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09 Aug, 2019 by Paul
I met Brad through another contact, through my networking group initially to provide a service to him, but later called on him for assistance with my business. He was a wealth of information and gave me guidance as to my options with our intellectual property and trade mark. His initial discovery and consultation was free so that helped us out, because we didn’t k ow where to start or anything. He was a big help, would recommend
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04 Jun, 2015 by Guy
I have personally dealt with Brad Gies and he is very understanding and kept up with the ongoing legal issue. I did not need to call and ask him details because he made sure that with every step towards the completion of the litigation that I was well informed and that I understood the questions and statements and that I agreed with all of them. Fantastic attorney! I will never look elsewhere when I need counseling.
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What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer?

Hiring the right lawyer is crucial for the success of your case. Here are some important questions to ask during your initial consultation:

  1. What experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
    Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in the specific area of law pertaining to your case.
  2. How do you charge for your services, and what are the estimated costs?
    Understand the fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees, retainer fees, and any additional expenses.
  3. Who will be handling my case?
    Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally or delegate tasks to other attorneys or paralegals.
  4. What is your approach to resolving cases like mine?
    Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
  5. What potential outcomes can I expect?
    While no lawyer can guarantee results, they can provide an assessment of possible scenarios based on their experience.
  6. How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
    Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times.
  7. What is the expected timeline for my case?
    Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish.
  8. Do you have references from past clients?
    Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness.
  9. What challenges do you foresee in my case?
    Understanding potential obstacles helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations.
  10. Are there alternative ways to resolve my legal issue?
    Discuss options like mediation, arbitration, or settlement to resolve the issue efficiently.

Can a Lawyer Represent Me in Courts Outside of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida?

Whether a lawyer can represent you in courts outside of your city or state depends on their licensure and the jurisdiction of the court:

  • Within the Same State:
    Lawyers licensed in a particular state can typically practice anywhere within that state, including all cities and counties. They can represent you in both state and federal courts located in that state.
  • Outside of Their Licensed State:
    If your case is in a different state, the lawyer must be licensed in that state to represent you. However, there are exceptions:
    • Pro Hac Vice Admission: An out-of-state lawyer can request special permission to represent a client in a specific case in another state. This requires filing a motion with the court and often working in conjunction with a local attorney.
    • Federal Courts: If your case is in federal court, a lawyer licensed in any state may be able to represent you, provided they are admitted to practice in that particular federal court.
  • International Representation:
    For cases outside the United States, different rules apply, and the lawyer may need to comply with the foreign country's legal requirements or collaborate with local counsel.

It's important to discuss your specific situation with the lawyer to determine if they can represent you in the desired jurisdiction and what steps may be necessary to do so.

How to Check the Credibility of a Lawyer

Before hiring a lawyer, it's crucial to verify their credibility and ensure they're qualified to handle your case:

  • Verify Their License:
    Check with your state's bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing. Most state bar websites have an online directory for this purpose.
  • Experience and Specialization:
    Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case. Review their website, professional profiles, and case history.
  • Disciplinary Record:
    Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association's records.
  • Client Reviews and Testimonials:
    Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Google, or Yelp to gauge client satisfaction and experiences.
  • Professional Memberships:
    Membership in professional organizations or specialty bar associations can indicate a commitment to their field and adherence to high ethical standards.
  • Awards and Recognitions:
    Honors from reputable organizations reflect expertise and a positive reputation in the legal community.
  • Consultation Assessment:
    Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns.
  • Ask for References:
    A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients who can speak to their abilities and professionalism.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most of your initial meeting with a lawyer, come prepared with:

  • Relevant Documents:
    Bring all documents related to your case, such as:
    • Contracts or agreements
    • Correspondence (emails, letters, texts)
    • Legal notices or court papers
    • Financial records (if applicable)
    • Evidence (photos, videos, receipts)
  • Written Summary:
    Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and parties involved. This helps the lawyer quickly understand the context.
  • List of Questions:
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  • Financial Information:
    If your case involves financial matters, bring relevant documents like pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, or invoices.
  • Contact Information:
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  • Personal Identification:
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  • Pen and Notebook:
    Take notes during the consultation to remember important points discussed.
  • Budget Constraints:
    Be ready to discuss your budget and any financial limitations so the lawyer can provide appropriate guidance on fees and payment options.
  • Openness and Honesty:
    Be prepared to discuss your case candidly. Full disclosure allows the lawyer to give accurate advice and anticipate potential challenges.
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