I called Lynk Law and was told the cost was $2500 for a Trust. A few months later I went in for a consultation/first meeting for about an hour. Sona and Linda were so nice, friendly and welcoming. I gave them a chart with all my accounts/financials. As I was leaving I confirmed that it was $2,500 to which Sona told me it's now $3,000. My biggest regret is that I signed with them. It completely wasn't worth it and their welcoming facade didn't last past the consultation/contract. I have no real estate so it's not as much work and I'm a single individual with no children. It's not just the money, the increased cost, but it's the undervalued treatment once I was locked in. Anyway, during the next few days after the meeting I changed the beneficiaries on my accounts per our conversation.
For the second meeting I was rushed in and out within twenty minutes. I told them I updated the beneficiaries per our last meeting. Sona said something totally different now and seems there was a miscommunication which resulted in a loss of my time and other peoples' time making these changes that we discussed. Anyway, they also said I could consolidate the third and fourth meetings together and review and sign at at the same time. I asked if I would have enough time for questions and changes if needed and they said yes, of course.
It took three weeks until the third meeting which I later realized was due to them moving offices. I had thought it was because they have to put so much work and time into this, but turns out that's not the case...I received calls from an assistant the day before my appt who was just now doing my trust! She was asking questions which I had discussed with Sona during the prior meeting. They waited until the last minute to fill in the blanks in the Trust template and forgot much info that we discussed three weeks ago. I guess they were focusing on their move.
During that final meeting (3rd and 4th meetings combined. Supposed to have enough time to sign off on Major decisions) I was completely rushed. I had to review a binder of papers which had many terms that I hadn't heard of as they didn't mention during the first two meetings. There were errors on a couple pages, didn't have the correct order of executors. I was thrown off because I just learned that the trust was only valid in California so if I move it's no longer valid! What?! I sure wish I knew this before singing and paying because I don't think I'll remain in CA. I was under pressure as I felt they were rushing. Sure enough, within an hour another couple was sitting outside the room for their appointment. Linda took me out to her office to rush through signing while Sona took in the next clients. Time is money I guess and that's their focus. Linda, who is so sweet, had me sign the docs then she rushed to the other meeting. My head was spinning. I didn't know what had happened and was so upset. I certainly did not have enough time as promised and they didn't care. I felt completely shunned. And I just noticed now that one page is missing her signature!
2 hours and 20 minutes plus probably less than an hour for an Assistant to plug my info into the template for $3,000!!? And I certainly did not feel good or confident walking away.
Now onto changing all of my accounts to the trust which Sona said was so easy and every place would know how to do it no problem...Wrong!! I only have six accounts and the last two are finally only now finished six months later! This is for a small brokerage account and a very tiny life insurance policy and have been kicked back a few times needing completely different paperwork, 15-18 page forms etc. One local bank account with only $800 had to be closed and open a new one. None of this was worth all the time and trouble. In my personal situation with no property and no children I would have been fine just keeping all accounts signed to beneficiaries as I had and save so much time and money.
This has been so time consuming, frustrating, unnecessary and costly. Please think about this and your personal situation before you make this mistake also because of course someone wanting your money will not tell you it's not necessary for you and/or they should not rush you through such an important process while charging such a huge cost.
A couple friends were shocked to hear my situation, yet they also wanted to do wills/trusts. So they searched Yelp, called around and found the most amazing lawyers with five-star ratings for much cheaper ranging $1,200 to $2,500 for more complicated situations: own real estate, couples instead of just individual and with children. Five star reviews, five star service, friendly, the lawyers do not rush, they explain everything, they get on the phone, they are completely available and guide thru every step And They Follow-Up Afterwards! Oh there is even a document place for only $300 that is five star and highly recommended also. I'm kicking myself and regretting my choice. read more