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02 Feb, 2017 by Zachariah
I am thoroughly impressed with the way Riley approaches client interactions. He and Laurel make the entire process welcoming and inviting, which is what a client wants when discussing very private and sometimes uncomfortable issues relating to their estate planning. In just a few minutes, one gets the sense that Riley truly cares about families and planning for the future of his clients.
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29 Sep, 2016 by Caitlin
My husband and I worked with Riley to set up our trust. As someone who lost a parent who had done no estate planning this was very important to both of us. While it is difficult to think of leaving behind our daughter, Riley made the process so easy. He was so helpful in making sure our questions were not only answered but also explained. I do not know any legal jargon, but I left our meetings with a full understanding of our trust and it's terms, of all my questions, and of how to make the best decisions for our daughter. It is a relief to know that, in the event of an untimely death, not only will she be taken care of, but so will the people who are left to care for her. It is a relief to not worry that our families would have to wonder what we would have wanted. Riley did an amazing job at relaying the importance of estate planning for everyone, including a young family like mine. He was relatable, reliable, attentive, and helpful. We both left each meeting feeling like Riley was truly working FOR us and was in our corner.
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18 Apr, 2016 by Meredith
I always believed that trusts were things that only very rich people had. I was wrong. My husband and I have 3 young sons and we wanted to ensure that should anything tragic happen to one or both of us our boys would be protected. Meeting with Riley was one of the best decisions we have made for our family. He was able to help us see the value of estate planning, develop a plan for our family and formulate a way to create a legacy for our children. Estate planning is absolutely for every person and family and Riley Kern is the lawyer to assist you with this. He is patient, explained legal jargon in a way I could understand, he is ethical, a family man who understands the love we have for our children and helped us convey that in our trust and his pricing is very fair. I cannot stress enough what a wonderful and empowering process estate planning with Riley was. If you are on the fence please call him. You will instantly see a trust created with Riley is the right decision for your family.
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08 Oct, 2018 by Jonathan
Mrs. Hunter was completely professional and devoted to my case. She worked tirelessly for over a year to secure the best outcome for me. I highly recommend Rebecca to fight for you, I know she will produce the results you want.
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28 Sep, 2018 by Anonymous
Over the years, Rebecca has earned and maintained my absolute confidence and respect. Her ability to drill down to the core of a matter and then resolve it quickly, has not only saved me alot of time, but also money. Divorce and child custody issues can be expensive and painful, but Rebecca handles every issue with grace.
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28 Sep, 2018 by Bill
I have worked with Rebecca on several legal matters and have always been pleased with the outcome. Rebecca is always quick to return all my calls. She is always very professional and quick to act on any matter I have brought to her. Her billing is always fair and accurate. I would definitely recommend her services. for any legal matter.
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06 May, 2019 by Charles
I’ve had the opportunity to work with numerous attorneys in my lifetime, but none as outstanding as Don Fuller. Don’s guidance in business contracts and contract disputes has been incredibly valuable to me and my partners. If you are in the market for a knowledgeable, professional, respected, and honest attorney...I can assure you that Don will put your needs above all else. I cannot say enough good things about my experience with him and his practice. I HIGHLY recommend him!
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20 Jan, 2015 by Matthew
Don was very informed on different business laws. He has helped me with creating several different documents including a Sales Representative Agreement and Non-disclosure Agreements. I wouldn't trust anyone else to do this work for me.
Don has also created some estate planning documents for me. These documents were clear, concise, and done in a timely manner.
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20 Sep, 2019 by Tom
I went to Pam with a complicated probate and estate issue and though I live out of state she made the whole process flow seamlessly. She responded promptly to every email, text and phone call.
I and my family are extremely grateful for her professionalism, expertise and attention to detail. I can't recommend her highly enough.
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06 Aug, 2015 by Donna
Attorney Jones has helped our family through a very difficult legal issue with regards to our Aunt's estate. We never would have been able to navigate our way through the litigation without her expertise. She thoroughly assessed and acted on each area of the issue. In addition, during the process, she has kept our family well informed with compassion and sensitivity for our position. All of her efforts are very much appreciated.
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05 Mar, 2020 by Terrence
Rob was referred to me and I very much appreciated his consultation on a real estate and estate planning matter. He has established expertise in these areas and provided reliable and thoughtful guidance based on the nuance of my situation. I highly recommend Rob and am glad to have him as a resource moving forward.
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13 Dec, 2013 by Shaun sullivan
Mr. Dieringer is a true original. When I needed an estate planning attorney to assist me after the untimely passing of my father, I interviewed a number of attorneys in the field. Mr. Dieringer stood head and shoulders above the rest because of his intellect, zeal, and thoughtful consideration. More than any other attorney I've encountered, Mr. Dieringer internalizes the concerns of his clients and wrestles with them until reaching the soundest strategy. I know this based on nothing more than our discussions; but during all of them, he is so well-prepared and able to anticipate my ever concern, along with providing needed reassurances along the way, that I am confident in my gut instinct. Mr. Dieringer has heart to go with the brains. I won't refer an elder law case anywhere else.
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27 Sep, 2017 by Arslan
Our family wanted to thank Miss Shanta Ramson again for help during our case. We appreciate her professionalism, responsiveness, dedication, attention to details, and how she anticipated possible problems and prepared for them. Combined with friendly attitude, it makes her someone very enjoyable to work with. Your help and support gave us peace of mind and made our life much easier. We are so happy we chose Shanta Ramson to represent us. Thank you once again, we'll definitely recommend anyone in need of an immigration lawyer to come to you!
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23 Nov, 2013 by Timi
Did everything she stated she would do in our initial consultation. My spouse was ordered deported and was in ICE custody when he got out pending at Immigration. Best lawyer could not have asked for better representation. Now at last stage after clearing hurdles.
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03 Nov, 2010 by John
Mr. Printz handled our Estate Plan and Trust a few years ago. He was very patient with our questions and concerns and we found his rates very reasonable. We ended the experience with the peace of mind that if something unforseen happens to us, we know that all the "t's" have been crossed and the "i's" have been dotted with regard to our estate.
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12 Aug, 2010 by Anonymous
I consulted Dan on the closing of my business. The decision was painful, and the process was tedious. Dan was thoughtful and professional throughout and gave me peace of mind about the paperwork.
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10 Apr, 2019 by Michele
Ms. Roland and staff were sufficiently professional with my mom and dad estate. Highly recommended.
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10 Jul, 2015 by Corey synagogue
I went to Harriet on consultation on Elder Law and estate planning for my mother who was going through a very difficult medical situation. My brother and I needed to get her qualified for Medicaid ASAP and Harriet was very informative and knew her stuff. My situation was a bit less involved than what she usually works with but she still took the time to help me in any way possible. Take the time to talk to her and find out for yourself.
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20 May, 2009 by Anonymous
Aaron is really helpful and reasonable. He lets you know right up front what to expect in terms of cost and a timeline for getting your work done. He explained things really well and when things took longer than expected (not his fault, the dept. of corporations) he let me know right away.
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19 May, 2009 by Anonymous
Aaron has assisted me twice in reviewing and/or interpreting employment contract provisions. He has been thorough in his review and clear and direct in his questions, clarifications and advice. His counsel has been invaluable on both occasions.
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06 Sep, 2019 by Anonymous
Lynn did our Will, Trust, etc and provided professional advice on all related matters. She is extremely patient, competent, and detail oriented. I’ve already recommended her service to my parents and 3 of my friends. They are very happy with Lynn.
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28 May, 2013 by Anonymous
Ms. Nakashima is thorough and patient. What I like about her is that she speaks and explains at my level of understanding, which I think is an excellent skill to have since people come in all levels of education and background. She understands this. Nothing intimidating in the personality...easy to talk to. She is thorough in her questions and answers and often gives examples for understanding.
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15 Aug, 2017 by Raymond
I'd confidently recommend Greg to anyone seeking legal counsel in Estate Planning or a Probate case. He has a high level of knowledge & experience.
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11 Jan, 2016 by Tom
I am a lawyer myself but without a special expertise in estate planning which is the advice I was seeking, specifically revising my will and establishing multiple trusts. I found Greg's advice to be clear and well reasoned. He explained how he felt my current estate documents could be improved under FL law to better meet the expectations I sought. And he was right. I'm a stickler for careful drafting and I found Greg's abilities first rate in wordsmith which is so very important in wills/trusts. I was impressed with his clarity in draftsmanship which exceeded my previous documents. Bottom line, he understood what I wanted to accomplish and provided the necessary explanations and drafting to be sure I achieved my goals. I was totally satisfied.
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01 Jul, 2017 by Kim
I hired Cheryl to handle my father's estate which was complicated and required diligency. She and her staff did an excellent job of representing me. They were thorough, efficient and most importantly knew how to work with creditors. Her fees are reasonable and she's always available. I would highly recommend her for all types of probate/estate work.
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18 Mar, 2017 by Rashida
I was recommended to Cheryl by a reputable probate lawyer who said she was one of the best in the business, with 30+ years under her belt. I shopped around a bit before deciding to work with her, but let me tell you, it was the best decision I could've made.
First, she provided me with information BEFORE she even knew I was going to hire her, before she got a single penny from me. NONE of the other lawyers would even discuss my case for more than 5 minutes and certainly wouldn't give me basic information.
Second, her fees are reasonable. Her retainer is less than half of what other lawyers charge, and has her excellent paralegals do much of the work to help minimize costs. I was really worried about the money aspect, but she was very considerate in that she only spent time on things she felt were absolutely necessary, and was very cognizant of my financial limitations.
Third, she is a very genuine and caring person. She made me feel at ease, and like I was more than just a client. She took the time to help me through mediation, keeping me calm and explaining clearly what was worth talking about.
Lastly, any negative reviews you will see about Cheryl are from the opposing side. This should tell you something! She is amazing at what she does, and saved me so much money, time and heartache. Please don't let the bitter folks scare you - Cheryl is AMAZING!!
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17 Apr, 2019 by Vanessa
We reached out to Genoveva for her services of a will/trust for my Mother. She took time with my Mother and created a seamless process that now has my Mom feeling relief because her affairs are in order.
From start to finish, we felt Genoveva really cared about my Mother and her wishes.
I highly suggest Genoveva, you will not be disappointed.
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02 Jan, 2019 by Cynthia
I consulted with her regarding a child custody case. She offered great advice and was able to help me prioritize what I really needed help with given my financial situation. She was professional and followed through with everything she said she would assist me with. I would of hired her to represent me if I was in a better financial situation and hope others will highly consider her services.
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28 Aug, 2014 by Liz
Helen M Whelan is so professional . She spent a lot of time with me doing estate planning for my elderly father . Helen even took the time to meet my father at his apartment because he was not well enough to come to her office . Helen is so kind and patient and most of all so compassionate when working with the elderly Helen is extremely knowledgable about all aspects of estate law , elder law and even accounting . I felt like I really made the right choice using her . She was very timely in everything she did for my father and making sure all the necessary paperwork was done and done right in a timely fashion I would highly recommend Helen .
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28 Aug, 2014 by Daniel
"I worked with Helen Whelan on all of my estate planning needs from updating my will and medical directives to the establishment of my revocable trust. At each step in the process Helen explained to me all of my options and how best to protect myself and my estate. Helen’s attention to detail, professionalism and guidance were greatly appreciated. I will always recommend Helen to my friends and family."
Daniel S
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16 Sep, 2015 by Matthew
It is a true pleasure for me to write this recommendation for Susan J. Cooley. My brother and I came to Susan with several complex trust and probate concerns further complicated by family discord. Susan not only brought her over thirty years of experience as an attorney, but also the perfect temperament: a very effective combination of toughness and compassion. I cannot recommend her highly enough.
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05 Aug, 2015 by Anonymous
Susan J. Cooley was the best possible attorney I could have hired. She was sensitive to my painful lawsuit, but helped me understand the importance of treating the subsequent legal affairs as a business. Ms. Cooley worked very hard for me, was most communicate and always forthright with her explanations and the possibilities of outcomes. Without question, Susan skillfully helped me satisfactorily settle an emotional and difficult case. I will always be indebted to Ms. Cooley.
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05 Oct, 2017 by Edwin haronian
This attorney is amazing. She is attentive and detailed. Accomplished the impossible.
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26 May, 2015 by Daniel
Peta-Gay Gordon recently helped me with a probate contest matter and I could not be happier with her level of detail, attentiveness, and knowledge. Great work!
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04 Mar, 2024 by Ontwanet
Gerald Kane is a very compassionate and professional lawyer. He has a ton of experience and knowledge and also makes the family that he is working with feel like they have a personal touch. His goal is to make sure every family is protected and understands what their options are.
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25 Jul, 2013 by J. randy
I could not have had a better experience with the Law Offices of Gerald L. Kane. Gerry is a top-notch attorney who took all of the pressure off of me in putting together my will and trust, completely handling every detail in a totally responsible and professional manner. Also, his staff is A-plus, across the board. I could not be happier with the work Gerry has done for me and have already been recommending him to all of my colleagues.
Randy
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07 Dec, 2016 by Joseph
Mr. Shea accepted by case and from day one, he was on top of it full steam ahead...Very honest and kept me in the loop of things as the case moved forward.
Very professional and courteous. An asset to the community. I would highly recommend Mr. Shea.
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27 Sep, 2016 by James
Patrick was very helpful with my mother and myself to come to a conclusion over a family Property and trust, even though there's still hard feelings in the family we all came out getting what was fair and may not have been equal in the dollar amount but my mom got to stay in her home, that was the main thing.
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22 Jul, 2009 by Anonymous
Richard is top notch very sharp excellent.
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25 Sep, 2008 by Andrea
I would highly recommend Rich Ehrlich. He was accessible, prompt, courteous and paid attention to detail. All the qualities you would expect and want from an experienced attorney. I am confident that he would be a true advocate for you.
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05 Dec, 2013 by Ibis rodriguez
I strongly recommend this lawyer..he helped my family through a real hard time. When other lawyers had taken advantage Scott Orth was truthful and considerate. I really felt as if he had looked out for my families well being unlike my other experiences. Thank you.
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15 Oct, 2009 by Anonymous
A great Lawyer.
Thank you for all you did.
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21 Jan, 2013 by Scott
Terry is an outstandng attorney who worked with my parents and made sure that all issues were covered thoroughly. She has completed my estate work as well and I sleep well at night knowing everything has been done, and done right!
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17 Dec, 2012 by Bonnie
I went to Terry initially for estate planning and she was very knowledgable, informative and helpful. I've since referred her to others for issues with their elder parents. She is kind, compassionate and caring and was able to help with all of their needs including guardianship and trust. She really cares about people!
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14 Nov, 2021 by Abra
As a first time home buyer, I appreciate all of Katrine's patience with me. She and her team answered every question in a timely and supportive manner, and helped me to feel knowledgable and confident in my decisions. Her guidance through closing made the whole thing a breeze. I will certainly use Katrine again when I need to!
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20 Sep, 2021 by Sherri
Katrine is awesome. She is very easy to work with. Detailed and Extremely Efficient!
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24 Aug, 2018 by Anonymous
I was in a car accident and like an idiot didn’t go to the hospital because I thought I was fine. A couple months later I started experiencing symptoms which my chiropractor called dormant injury and said was common. I hired Becky Henning and even though I waited a couple months she was able to get the insurance company to pay for all my medical bills plus a lump sum of cash. Thanks Becky!
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28 Jun, 2018 by Angela
I contacted the law firm after many attempts to other firms that denied my claim. I had an over the phone consult and within no time I was asked to come in and have a meeting with them. I instantly felt relief with them, they made me feel comfortable and content. They worked so hard on my case and kept me up to date with all the details. They won my case when no other firm would take the time to care. I would highly recommend Rebecca and her firm they truly treat you like family.
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03 Jan, 2019 by Anonymous
I am a licensed attorney in Florida. I needed an attorney to handle a contested probate matter in Michigan. I came across Jonathan’s profile and based on an opinion I read on one of his cases I wanted a consult with him. From the moment I first spoke with him on the phone I knew I had the right attorney. Jonathan’s passion and knowledge of his area of law was evident from the start. The passing of a loved one is an extremely stressful and emotional time, having Jonathan on board to guide me through the inevitable legal matters was invaluable. The probate matter required significant briefing and trial work. Jonathan is an excellent legal writer as well as a trial lawyer. I personally observed Jonathan during trial and he was inspiring. He was well prepared and had a thorough knowledge of the rules of evidence. Jonathan is quick witted and has a keen legal instinct. His selected strategy for the case was successful and we won a significant victory. In addition to his legal skills, Jonathan is highly personable, down to earth and very responsive which was necessary for me when dealing with a remote legal relationship. I could rest knowing he was in charge. I highly recommend Jonathan Coleman. He is a top notch attorney at the top of his game and worth every penny.
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22 Oct, 2018 by Laurette
From the very start of our case, (regarding an Estate) Jonathan was on top of things and two steps ahead in every turn of the situation. His knowledge and understanding of the case were impressive, as were his keen observations and proactivity. Jonathan is very intelligent, quick-witted, and misses nothing. Jonathon also has a healthy dose of tenacity, (which we needed in our case) he was prompt, incredibly prepared, and fought hard to win our case. (and we did!) He assissted us every step of the way. Never once did he lose sight of us, and his communication was outstanding. What really struck us as remarkable, was that Jonathan was so personable, as were all of the staff of whom he counts on. His personality was always that of a gentleman, and he was always courteous and respectful, and returned all calls and addressed our concerns immediately. To us, this is no small thing when dealing with a stressful situation regarding an Estate. We are thankful that we had such an Attorney that was willing to go the extra mile for us, and we'd highly reccommend Jonathan M. Coleman and his team to anyone who needs help and expects excellence. -Mrs. L.LeMieux-Clemens
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31 Aug, 2017 by Doug
As a business attorney, I know many estate planning attorneys in San Francisco. But when it came time to do my own estate plan there was only one firm I spoke with - The Atashi Rang Law Firm. Amir and his team took the time to not only craft an estate plan that gave me and my family a great deal of piece of mind, but did a great job of explaining its key provisions to help make sure we understand our plan and that it matches our wishes. If you are looking for an exceptional estate planning law firm, give The Atashi Rang Law Firm a call. You will be very glad that you did.
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18 May, 2010 by Audrey
Amir Atashirang, as my attorney, was excellent and comfortable to work with. He was accessible, understanding, and provided useful information and guidance. He even assisted me with other law-realated matters that was not related to the main reason that I was soliciting his services. He also referred me to other lawyers in my county for other personal issues I needed to deal with.
Amir is also concerned about his clients, professional, approachable, and make you feel at ease about everything. He was the first attorney I've worked with and it was a great experience.
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11 Nov, 2017 by Kathy
It is wonderful to have the confidence in an Attorney as I do with Joann. She has completed legal papers for my cottage and did a fabulous, professional and expedient job. I recommend her highly in that you will have total honesty and competence.
Thank you
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09 Mar, 2009 by Anonymous
Ms. Wood reviewed title and closed our home for us in late 2008. She was thorough, detailed, and professional and the closing went smoothly and quickly. It was a top notch job.
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31 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
My family has worked with JJ over the past 10 years spanning a complex probate with a variety of litigation matters to complex estate planning and trust administration. JJ has a unique approach to handling legal matters, and his knowledge of rental real estate ownership and taxation is a tremendous resource.
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30 Aug, 2017 by Anonymous
I have used Jean Claude (JJ) on another issue in the past so I contacted him about the issue I was having. JJ was very thorough in his explanation of the possible courses of action and provided a recommendation. After our initial consultation, I hired him to handle my case. All Trustee litigation cases can be difficult and time consuming. JJ took all the issues into account as well as the finances that our Trust didn't have and worked towards a speedy resolution. The case has been finalized in a beneficial manner for all parties. I highly recommend JJ Mallein. He is very professional and handles issues in a calm manner.
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07 May, 2012 by Anonymous
My husband and I were involved in a serious car accident. At first, we tried to get some money from the other guy's insurance to pay for our car, but they denied our claim saying that we were equally responsible. Steve was then referred to us by a family friend. We met him at his office and knew right away that this was our guy. Since we didn't have medical insurance, Steve gave us a list of doctors to choose from that would agree to treat us until we were able to get some money to pay them back. In the end he got us way more than what we were hoping to get. It was truly the best decision we could have made. Steve kept us informed every step of the way. He would frequently call just to see how our recovery was coming. We really felt that he was looking out for our best interest the whole time. Great attorney.
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22 Apr, 2012 by Tanya and brett
We hired Mr, Leydiker to represent us when we had flooding in our condo due to neglect from a construction company and our HOA. Mr. Leydiker handled our case in a timely, professional, and direct manner. He took control and remediated the situation. His knowledge and expertise allowed us to get a larger settlement then we orginally thought possiable. Mr. Leydiker personality and honesty made us feel comfortable and gave us peace of mind though out this difficult process. I would recommend Mr Leydiker to anyone seeking a lawyer.
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07 Apr, 2017 by Debra
Kent Kristof and his firm Kristof & Kristof bent over backwards to help my mother with her estate. So many descriptive words come to mind; thoughtful, caring, persevering, resolute, thorough, even tenacious. The outcome was so much better than we expected. I highly recommend Kent Kristof and his firm.
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04 Jun, 2016 by Myrna
Mr. Kent Laszlo Kristof did an excellent job in handling a life insurance policy, which my late brother had left in charge to me and my other sibling. My late brother had a very clear explanation of what he wanted to have the funds used for, and someone very close to him, filed suit against us for the entire amount. We met with Mr. Kristof, and he provided several options on how to go about this situation, as he clearly explained the pros and cons of each approach. The clarity of each option helped us immensely, and we decided on that same day how we were going to handle this case. Just a short time later, we received a phone call from Mr. Kristof stating that the case had been settled. We were very pleased with the outcome, and impressed on how he added extra protection that we had not previously thought of or considered for added "peace of mind". We fully would recommend Mr. Kristof's expertise, and are confident anyone would have great results with his services.
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16 Mar, 2021 by Janet
We have been using Jan Copley's services for our own estate planning, as well as that of both sets of parents, since 2006. She provides easy-to-understand, thorough explanations to help us determine what works best for our needs. She is readily available and responsive for questions. Her detailed services have given us peace of mind for our family's estate planning; and we cannot recommend her highly enough. She is a delight to work with.
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12 Sep, 2011 by Steven
Jan has been advising me regarding marketing recently. She is excellent is making suggestions and following up. The key to marketing is following up with your leads. She has taught me the advantage of organizing your marketing in this way. I recommend her very highly
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FAQs
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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.
