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15 Apr, 2024 by Stephan
We consider ourselves lucky having found Mrs. Spiegel to advise us and set up our family trust with great care and attention to detail. Even after we moved and had to make changes, Mrs. Spiegel and her fabulous team helped us to get our needs addressed and covered going the proverbial extra mile! Thank you!
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04 Apr, 2020 by Anonymous
Spiegel Law went above and beyond to help us with a time-sensitive legal situation. They explained everything very clearly, and rather than merely provide us with what we incorrectly thought would be sufficient when we requested, advised us as to the full scope of the situation and provided the legal instruments we needed to be fully protected for all considerations. That is what you want when seeking an attorney, that they are looking out for your interests! Highly recommended.
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06 Aug, 2024 by Anonymous
Catherine assisted me in my Will and Estate planning. I need a revision of the Will, however she has since retired. I consider this a loss as her work was of great help to me.
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10 Aug, 2016 by Anonymous
What a blessing meeting Catherine Leas at a time when I just did not know where to turn. She put my mind at ease when I needed it most. I plan on seeking her advice in the very near future and recommending her to anyone looking for an attorney.
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04 May, 2014 by Anonymous
Ms Schneider quickly grasps the facts and applies the facts to the law. She is attentive, keeping us informed of the progress. I highly recommend Ms Schneider and her firm.
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23 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
Ms Schneider handled my matter expeditiously and kept me informed of its progress. I strongly recommend her.
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06 Nov, 2015 by Anonymous
Erin handled a real estate transaction for me and preared my estate planning. She did a great job. She was professional and always willing to answer my questions. I highly recommend Erin Walsh.
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08 Nov, 2013 by Jennifer
Attorney Walsh handled my divorce. She was professional and compassionate throughout the entire process. She has continued to represent many members of my family. I highly recommend her!
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07 Nov, 2023 by Damon
Met with Mary once so far with a tangled up trust situation also I was so upset about it all I could barely get the words out she caught on right away to what was going on. Very attentive and preceptive also very reasonable fees. Highly recommend.
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03 Aug, 2022 by Marina
Mary took over my case in a very difficult probate situation and solved it to my entire satisfaction. I can honestly say that she saved my share of the family estate. She is knowledgeable, supportive and an excellent strategist in probate matters.
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11 Mar, 2024 by David
Ms. Bursk was extremely helpful in clarifying my options for me in our meeting. She was to-the-point and quickly led me to the best course of action. For me, the best course of action isn't legal action at this time, but I would certainly consult with her and/or hire her as my attorney if the need arises.
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24 Mar, 2020 by Janiece
Ms. Bursk helped me wade through a painful probate process. She even informed me that I could do what was needed by myself without going through the entire Probate Court process. She also referred me to an out of state attorney who will be able to complete settling this estate. Can't ask for a nicer, more professional attorney!
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23 Nov, 2020 by Russ
Ms. Iezzi knows immigration law. In the course of my lifetime, I have hired at least 10 lawyers with varying degrees of results....estate planning, divorce, real estate closings, nasty estate nightmares etc. etc. but never had a more meticulous, hard-working, reasonable, knowledgeable, expert than Ms. Iezzi. Many lawyers create more problems than they fix, and their main goal is obviously money. For Ms. Iezzi, helping immigrants with legal problems is not just her area of expertise, but her calling. More important than her being great at what she does is that she cares about people.
I am a retired history teacher and do not throw compliments around, lest they become ineffectual. I am beholden to nobody. Many lawyers charge too much, do and know too little, and sell fear to increase their fees. Many cause more problems than results. Without reservation, I recommend Ms. Iezzi for all your immigration related needs. I respect her as a person for her honesty, and dedication to her profession.
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12 May, 2019 by Raj
Karen is really detail oriented , extremely responsive and really knowledgeable in all immigration areas.
She helped me file my I90 and I 485 for my wife.
Her being proactive towards all the steps really helped our case.
Me and my wife are extremely happy with Karen and her professionalism.
Highly recommend her.
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24 Apr, 2015 by Linda
Walt helped my husband and I establish a living trust and wills for both of us. He is very knowledgeable; offering suggestions and situations for our consideration so that we had a comprehensive final product. He ensured that we understood the all aspects of the documents. He even called us on a Friday evening to answer our last minute questions so that everything was ready to be signed when we went to his office the following week. He kept us informed throughout each step and told us how to proceed in moving bank accounts into the trust. Both my husband and I are Navy Veterans and it was a plus that he too, is a Navy Veteran. Because of his expertise, he made this process easy.
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18 Nov, 2014 by Bill kollar
My wife and I needed legal advice and then preparation of our Living Trust and Will during a period when we were very busy with career, family, and elder care. Walt understood the situation and provided a great presentation regarding 1) the function of the Living Trust and Will; and 2) how these critical documents would be prepared for our unique situation. All of the documentation was provided in a timely way. Thanks to Walt's professional guidance, our family has the peace of mind that comes with being professionally and legally prepared in the face of what may be very difficult life events.
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06 Jul, 2017 by Justin
Chad Templeton is by far the best attorney I have ever had the privilege of being represented by. He went above and beyond to handle the multiple cases I had and I could not be any happier or satisfied with his performance and exceptional capabilities. The way he pursues his cases is hard to come by in an attorney and his persistence is unbelievable. Not only do I recommend Mr. Templeton, I strongly encourage anyone having criminal legal matters to obtain his representation. Thank you for all the hard work you put in for me, Chad. If I ever find myself in another jam, you will be the first one I call.
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12 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
I hired Chad for representation in a battery case and was extremely satisfied with his professional yet personable work. He managed to get my entire case dropped. I can't thank you enough Shepard Law. I would highly recommend this law firm for any legal representation needed.
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29 Sep, 2008 by Allison
Lelenia is a fantastic lawyer. She has assisted me on a countless amount of legal advice. She proves to be very passionate about her job.
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25 Sep, 2008 by Jerry
I've been a client of Lelenia's for quite some time now. She has the knowledge and professionalism that one expects from a great lawyer. She is also very personable which puts me at ease. Most lawyers just try to get the job done and that's it. She gets the job done while also taking a personal interest in her clients. I can't recommend her and her firm enough.
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20 Jun, 2014 by Fred
After cancer entered our lives we thought everything was over. All are dreams were destroyed and then we turned to Matthew. His professionalism and manner was a life saver to us to find. His understanding of our predicament allowed us to willingly place our fate in his hands. That decision has led us to debt-free status today.
Whatever you decide, ensure you sit down and have that serious conversation with Matthew. He is truly an honest and forthright lawyer, and I do not say that too often.
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09 Aug, 2013 by Mlf
I felt very comfortable that I was in good hands. He made a difficult situation, not difficult!
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12 Oct, 2023 by Tony
Matthew took the time to let me ask all the questions I needed. He gave me a lot of useful advice. I plan to have Matthew handle my financial planning needs in the future.
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09 Jan, 2017 by Jacqueline
I have consulted with Matthew several times regarding tax and financial issues. I have found him to be extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Every time I meet with Matthew I come away having learned something new. Matthew is incredibly patient and takes the time to break things down and explain them step by step. Matthew is an excellent attorney and I would not hesitate to recommend him.
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01 Apr, 2021 by Daniel
I used Menendez Law Firm, in particular Nydia Menendez for my estate planning and trust. I have also used Nydia for two different real estate transactions and could not be happier. First, the real estate transactions were very through, complete and professionally handled. Nydia offered her professional advice on a few cloudy issues with the transactions. I'm so glad she found them and corrected them. Second, because of Nydia's professional and personnel connection to each client, it was a easy decision to choose Nydia for my estate planning.
Again, Nydia's professional, personnel and caring way so impressed me during the entire estate planning and trust process. Her through and complete knowledge of all the different rules and laws really put me at ease. Made me feel confident that the estate planning and trust would meet all me needs.
I would highly recommend Nydia and the Menendez Law firm for your real estate, estate planning and trusts.
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13 Oct, 2020 by Steve
Ms. Menendez is a professional in every sense of the word. She handled a real estate closing for me. It was tricky, but everything went smoothly. The seller and I were both pleased.
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12 Apr, 2018 by Kate
Collin prepared my 2017 tax returns for me and did a great job. I had some unusual circumstances and he handled them with attention and care. He was extremely responsive to my emails, including when I bombarded him with multiple emails late at night, always responding in less than 24 hours. He was patient, kind, and explained everything. Highly recommend!
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23 Jun, 2016 by Anonymous
Very knowledgeable and helpful attorney. Mr. Clark was always available to assist with any questions or concerns that I had. The personal service he provided throughout the entire legal process made everything much easier to handle. His tireless efforts resulted in a favorable ruling while keeping the trial from spilling over into the rest of my life. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for an intelligent, successful attorney who puts his clients first and gets results.
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27 Aug, 2014 by Cheryl
Outstanding help from Lisa Russ and her legal assistant Denise Lopes in helping me in my duties as executor of my friend's estate. Everything was new to me, and Lisa and Denise guided me in all the right directions and were always there whenever I needed them.
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27 May, 2014 by Rogan
I had the pleasure of working with Lisa and her staff as the executor of my father's estate. Her compassion and capabilities were immediately obvious from our first meeting, and given the choice again I wouldn't choose anyone else to guide my family through this difficult process. Lisa was willing to go the extra mile time and time again, through multiple house sale attempts and other significant surprises, and honestly I couldn't have done it without the knowledge and the efforts of her office. Thanks so much for everything~
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30 Nov, 2020 by B.g.
Ethical, conscientious, professional and knowledgeable. I can't say enough about Cathy Kim, she definitely does her job extremely well. Words alone can't express my gratitude for not only all of her diligent work, but for always going above and beyond. Cathy had to deal with several unscrupulous individuals on my behalf, and she had a big hand in saving my sanity. She often had to deal with me when I was an emotional mess, and she was able to calm me down and explain things in a manner that was always reassuring. She advised me of my fiduciary responsibilities as a Trustee and guided me through painful probate and litigation matters. I was very blessed to have Cathy represent me, and I will be forever grateful. You will not regret choosing her as your attorney, she is simply the best.
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16 Jan, 2014 by Barbara s.
I count it a great pleasure and privilege to express to others my experience with the Ernest Joon Kim Law Firm, and in particular the services rendered my family by Attorney Catherine Kim.
I had just lost my dear sister and found myself experiencing for the very first time, the daunting process called Probate. Desperately seeking answers I discovered AVVO and submitted my concerns in hopes that someone would enlighten and assist me in my efforts. Attorney Ernest J. Kim responded with a full page summary addressing all my questions and concerns. I immediately felt that with an empathetic and understanding attorney as this, how could I go wrong with retaining their services. They were the fourth firm I had contacted, and the only ones that were not offended by my need to know and understand the Probate process so I could effectively provide what was required of me to the attorney representing me. I telephoned the firm and Ms. Catherine Kim responded.
From our first encounter I felt very comfortable in discussing all the issues with Ms. Kim. Oftentimes I was overwhelmed with grief, the probate process, the difficulty in finding a genuine, caring attorney who was not too busy to answer my questions with courtesy, professionalism and patience. I could not have found a more skilled and adept attorney than Ms. Kim. She is knowledgeable, conscientious, courteous, trustworthy, kind, patient, and compassionate. She addressed all my concerns and the many questions plaguing me regarding this intimidating Probate process. She quieted me and guided me through all my anxiety. No amount of words can express my sincere and deepest gratitude for her support and assistance.
Ms. Kim was always available to me and responded promptly to my telephone calls and emails. She was there to help me at every juncture going above and beyond the call for Probate services. I always felt at ease, burdens lightened and encouraged that I could do all that was required of me.
As busy as Ms. Kim may have been, I never felt rushed off the telephone or that she was too busy to assist me in working through every issue. Rather, she patiently took the time to explain in laymen terms what I needed to know, ensuring that all concepts were clear, concise, and understandable, so that I would be in a position to make good informed decisions.
Within only three days after retaining her services Ms. Kim represented me in court. She kept me informed and abreast of all court actions. She provided easy and understandable explanations of issues and provided legal counsel in all areas of concern to me, some even being outside of Probate. There is no doubt in my mind that these past two years of going through the probate process, the encouragement and support I received from Ms. Kim is immeasurable. She exudes integrity in all she does.
Ms. Kim successfully brought my family through the probate process and we are very pleased with her services. She was upfront and truthful about all statutory fees and cost, and also offered us the option for a discounted rate.
We highly esteem and recommend Ms. Kim to anyone requiring Estate Planning Services. I have also personally retained her to do my Will and Trust, and is recommending her to one of my good friends. Her services are outstanding and her work impeccable. Put your mind at ease and allow Ms. Kim the opportunity to service all your estate planning needs. She’s the best. Thank you Ms. Kim.
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09 Jun, 2014 by Vanessa
Amy was a huge help to me when it came to legally handling my father's affairs. Being an only child who is disabled herself as well as my father's only living relative, she helped me to quickly take care of matters so that I can legally and properly make decisions for my father's well being. She explained to me the legalities of dealing with these situations, recommended a reliable place where I could prepay funeral arrangements and even helped me find a trustworthy and dependable private assisted living facility close to my home where I could place my father. Not only is he now well taken care of, he is also located less than 5 minutes to my home. Thank you Amy for all the wonderful work you do!
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06 Nov, 2012 by Anonymous
Ms. Jackson was very helpful in my family's time of need. Informative, understanding and compassionate are just a few words to describe her and her friendly staff.
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04 Feb, 2020 by Stephanie bader
I have had the pleasure of getting to know Preston Marx III through the Roseville Business Networking Group. He is a Bar Certified Estate Planning/Trust attorney. I find him to be passionate and knowledgeable in helping families in the difficult tine following the death of a loved one. I look forward to working with his firm more in the future.
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11 Apr, 2012 by Anonymous
I recently had the pleasure of working with David Kelly on a case where my client, who is a resident of Washington, needed the help of California attorneys. Mr. Kelly has a very in-depth knowledge of estate planning in California. He is also a gentleman and shows compassion for the client.
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30 May, 2022 by Blue
Laurel has been an exceptional attorney for my family and for my corporation. She has helped me start and complete a living trust for my wife and kids which meant the world to us! Several years later she helped me form a corporation and has helped me write successful contracts for 5 years now! She has a basic approach and yet extensive knowledge in multiple areas of law. I highly recommend her!!
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12 Aug, 2016 by Anonymous
I used Laurel for my trust & will documents. I was very happy with my experience. She is clearly smart, knowledgable, & a real go getter. I felt confident in her abilities & would definitely recommend her to a friend.
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18 Jun, 2014 by William
Excellent in all phases of our estate planning, trust and probate resolution. Go to him first and avoid problems later!!!
When in a complicated situation he referred us to a colleague who was able to resolve the situation.
In a word, Michael has integrity !
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25 Oct, 2011 by Larry
Michael provided fast efficient service for a flat fee, not billable hours. There was no guessing or estimated costing. He took effective notes about our needs and desires at our initial meeting, there was no need to repeat or review our situation or requirements during the preparation of the trust. Well-written instructions and/or description of the documents and information needed for preparation of the trust minimized the need for follow-up meetings or phone calls.
Michael provides good explanations of trust options and the reasons behind them. Ours was a simple basic trust employing mostly routine options and planning. Work also included powers-of-attorney, and health care directives. While reviewing the final trust documents with us, he found two minor errors, not of a legal nature, and had them corrected on the spot. In addition to the paper documents, he provided a back of the signed written documentation on a CD.
When we met with Michael to map out the trust, we came prepared with all the requested financial information that was to be included in the trust, in writing, and organized with a written summery. This made the preparation of the trust easier, so he volunteered some addition assistance of a minor nature at no additional cost.
I can recommend Michael to those needing estate planning services.
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10 Jan, 2017 by Jurgen
Mr. Alfred Stashis has been very helpful with his advises
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28 Mar, 2013 by Kathleen fox
We had a very complex situation with family and Al guided us through the pros and cons of each decision along the way. It was a very positive experience. He is very well suited to his professional role.
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15 Jul, 2022 by Bruce & debra
We would like to highly recommend the law firm of Copenbarger & Copenbarger to anyone considering an estate plan.
Attorney, Larry Copenbarger, was attentive, knowledgeable, and explained all of the components of our estate plan thoroughly. Most of our questions were answered before we even asked them.
Paralegal, Rachael Sharp, was a pleasure to work with as well; promptly responding with clear and concise answers to our correspondence.
We now feel completely confident that our assets will pass to our heirs as intended.
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15 Dec, 2021 by Anonymous
Extremely professional, helpful, thoughtful and kind. He takes the time to explain everything in an easy to understand way.
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27 Sep, 2019 by Ken
Tom has been a huge help to our family. We've had 3 other firms review our situation and were unable to help us. Tom met with us, reviewed our case, and immediately found several key details the others missed. We haven't completed the process yet, but we have a very strong case due to the thorough investigation Tom and his firm did. We have high hopes of getting this resolved and I highly recommend Tom and his firm.
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03 Apr, 2019 by Stefan
Among 7 lawyers I worked with so far, Tom is the best. Very clear process, very fast reactions, very proficient explanations of legal matters to me as non-lawyer, effective interaction via email, all in all a 5-star performance in every respect. Most importantly, we won with our matter against the counter party!
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15 Oct, 2024 by Mercedes
I accompanied a fiend to the services of Mrs Slater. I am so impressed with her professionalism and service that I have to honor her by writing a review. I highly recommend Mrs Slater for your legal needs.
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16 Jun, 2020 by Indira
I met Danielle a long time ago working for an elderly ( senior citizen) She was hired by Nita Nolting what an amazing person she is. She will go all the way to protect her clients. Thank you
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01 Oct, 2018 by Anne
I am resident in Ireland and must commend Michael for his work in looking after my interests in California. He is hard working and diligent in all he does. Quite honestly I don’t know how I would have got through these last months without his professionalism and his friendliness.
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26 Feb, 2014 by Anonymous
Very responsive, listen to what I had to say. Took care of my situation and kept me informed through the whole process. Very happy with this firm!
THANK YOU Michael!! Your a LIFE SAVER ..
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14 Jun, 2022 by Anonymous
A friend of mine recommended Kevin for some help that I needed with trust administration and estate planning. I found him to be super helpful - very on top of details, and good at explaining things in layman's terms. I highly recommend him.
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13 May, 2022 by Monica
Mr. O’Connor was an excellent lawyer and help to me and my family. He helped my husband to write a will, soon after he unfortunately passed away. Then Mr. O’Connor helped me with estate planning and a trust. He remained professional at all times and explained to me throughly the process and importance of everything I inquired about. He was an amazing lawyer and he even helped me in my main language, Spanish. I would strongly recommend him to anyone.
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07 Mar, 2013 by Keith
Melinda is a total professional she knows her stuff and anyone that gets her services is lucky i cant say enough good about her and she gets an A+ from me
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08 Feb, 2013 by Nicole bustamante
Melinda Bell helped me fight for and be awarded 50/50 custody of my daughter. Melinda fought with a level of professionalism that was immeasurable. Any mother seeking custody of their child/children has the VERY Best chance of success if they have Melinda Bell on their side.
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04 Sep, 2013 by Jay
Jonas did a great job in handling my family's estate plan. I would recommend him without hesitation.
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01 May, 2013 by Sm
All I can say is he was extremely knowledgeable, professional, and first class in the handling of our family dynamic.
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27 Mar, 2016 by Judith
Kelly Buist, Esq., is very professional and personable. He helped immensely with drawing up my estate planning documents. Also, for a Palm Beach County attorney he is very reasonably priced. I highly recommend Attorney Kelly Buist for his expertise in offering solid legal counsel to his clients.
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30 Jan, 2014 by Michael
We shopped around for an attorney to re-write our outdated documents. There are so many choices and prices ranges. Mr. Buist was recommended to us because he has much more advanced training and education than the average lawyer. We found his in-depth knowledge to be very helpful in our planning and his pricing was very reasonable considering the high quality of work he performed for us. I can rest easy now that my wife and children will have a precise plan of action upon my passing.
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12 Jun, 2018 by Eric
John is a brilliant tax attorney. I have financially benefited from his knowledge pertaining to U.S. federal tax issues and estate planning. He has proven to be an invaluable resource, advising and providing counsel related to significant decisions that resulted in the avoidance of previously unforeseen pitfalls and easily tens of thousands in savings. I highly recommend John and his team.
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11 Jun, 2018 by Victoria
John has done work for our non-profit organization and has exceeded all our expectations. After meeting with a handful of lawyers who gave us plans of action, we found John to be the most realistic and honest. He didn’t try to sugarcoat anything; he stated facts and was able to answer every question we had. He used real-life examples to help educate the three of us so we could better understand the process. With three very distinct personalities making up our team, he never once seemed flustered. He is professional and caring. John took time on the phone and in person to make sure we had all questions answered and felt comfortable. Our team would highly recommend him to anyone looking for flawless work done in a timely manner with care for the client.
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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.
