I would not recommend The Legacy Lawyers. Hiring them in 2023 is a decision I deeply regret…read more
After my longtime partner, the father of my child, and my fiancé passed away, my young daughter and I were navigating the hardest period of our lives. I came to Legacy Lawyers for help with his probate. My experience became a prolonged financial and emotional nightmare that affects me to this day.
I was the sole beneficiary and nominated executor under a signed, witnessed, and notarized will. I paid Legacy Lawyers a substantial amount of my hard-earned money. My experience with Matthew Stidham and Savannah Andre left me deeply disappointed in the communication, handling of my case, and progress. The expense contributed to such severe financial strain that my daughter and I had to leave California for somewhere with a lower cost of living.
Missed Court Date
Matthew Stidham missed the December 26, 2023 probate hearing and did not tell me. When I raised my concerns, I felt the firm downplayed what had happened.
My case was subsequently handed to Savannah Andre, a junior attorney. I did not feel I had been meaningfully consulted about that change. I was concerned about being billed for probate research while important paperwork and issues remained unresolved.
Delays and Outstanding Paperwork
I came to Legacy with a will naming me as sole beneficiary and executor. Matthew told me to wait because of an anticipated creditor claim. Meanwhile, the bills continued, and I remained uncertain about when the probate would move forward.
In June 2024, Savannah filed a supplement acknowledging that proof of publication and proof of mailing notice were still outstanding. She requested additional time for proper notice to be given.
I had hired this firm to help me through probate while I was grieving and newly raising my child alone. Instead, I felt increasingly overwhelmed, financially strained, and unsure of where my case stood.
Feeling Unprotected
Savannah allowed opposing counsel to contact me directly, and I found those conversations distressing and a violation of my privacy.
Because the other side was able to talk to me directly, I did not feel adequately supported by the attorneys I was paying to represent me.
Leaving With Unresolved Problems
In August 2024, Savannah filed a motion to withdraw, describing a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship and communication. I had been communicating with the firm and raising concerns about my case, and I did not feel that description fairly reflected my experience.
Legacy asked me to sign substitution-of-attorney paperwork. I felt pressured to sign while important matters remained unresolved.
In September 2024, I signed the substitution and was left representing myself.
After paying a substantial amount, I still had not obtained my appointment as executor, and the probate was far from finished.
Moving Forward After Legacy
In January 2025, while I was representing myself, the court granted the petition to admit the will and appoint me executor, subject to posting bond and issuance of letters testamentary.
I later hired replacement counsel, who entered the case in July 2025. My letters testamentary issued in August. Within six months of entering the case, my new attorney handled the case with efficiency and care.
The progress I experienced with replacement counsel stood in sharp contrast to my experience with Legacy. I finally felt that the remaining work was moving toward completion and my goals were being met.
In the end, I paid Legacy a substantial amount expecting reliable communication, attendance at scheduled hearings, and meaningful forward progress. My experience fell far short of those expectations.
I believe Legacy Lawyers should provide a substantial refund. My daughter and I are still living with the financial and emotional impact of this experience. I regret trusting this firm with something so important to our lives, and I would never recommend them to anyone.