Experienced Lawyer for Lemon Law and Estate Planning

For the last 14 years, my parents have been ‘on me’ to get my Trust done, since I was ‘on them’ for about 3 years. Payback is a b#$%^ … 😊😊😊. Having said that …

Brian took care of EVERYTHING! His ‘Intake Questionnaire’ was extremely detailed and thorough. I didn’t realize there was SO MUCH that needed to be addressed in a Trust, Pour Over Will, beneficiaries, retirement accounts, pensions, medical proxy, Grant Deed(s), etc. Prepare yourself to spend a significant amount of time pondering these questions. Although intimidating, these are questions that we all need to address for the betterment of our loved ones. We DO NOT want there to be ‘family infighting’ once we have passed on. We want ‘family unity’ and respect paid to our final wishes.

Brian and I had several conversations, both in – person and via ZOOM / phone and / or text, discussing the specifics, legal necessities, but most importantly, MY WISHES! Needless to say, everything discussed was, and remains, confidential, due to Attorney Client confidentiality. Once I had completed the ‘Intake Questionnaire’, Brian reviewed it. On a side note, below is my favorite question …

Do you want to include a no-contest (in terrorem) clause?
A no-contest clause discourages beneficiaries from legally challenging the trust by forfeiting their share if they do.

I can’t tell you how quickly I checked the ‘YES’ box on this one … 😊

We then had an additional meeting discussing those specifics, wherein Brian asked for clarification / confirmation of intentions. Following that meeting, Brian wrote up a preliminary version of the Trust, every section was sent to me for careful final review, prior to him preparing a ‘final written version’ of the Trust.

When all was ‘said and done’, Brian arranged for a Signing Meeting, wherein a Notary was present to observe and notarize all required documents. All documents were given a final ‘quick look over’ to confirm my wishes, each page was initialed by me, and all required pages were notarized, right then and there. My Trust was presented to me in a high-quality leather-bound folder, each page printed on high-quality bound paper (see pictures). Brian scanned my entire Trust to keep it on file in his office. Included was the original copy of my Grant Deed, as well as a copy.

Perhaps as a ‘1st Client Benefit’ … 😊 … Brian (personally) filed the Grant Deed with the County, transferring my home to my Trust. I didn’t know that only the homeowner (me), my Attorney, or a Title company representative, can actually file the Grant Deed; the things you learn. My Grant Deed was recorded immediately, not several days / weeks later. This was especially professional and appreciated, and I thank Brian for that.

We’ve all heard / experienced stories of Attorneys, for better or worse. I can say with 100% certainty that Brian is professional, supportive, inquisitive, honest, and committed to providing you with what you need and / or want in your Trust. At no point during this process did I feel pressured, hurried, rushed, forced, ridiculed (one of wishes is a little wacky … 😊), or otherwise intimidated to change my mind. All I ever got was professional and legal inquisitiveness.

It is with great pleasure that I recommend Brian Gatus as your Estate Attorney.