It's was news to me that Darrell is professional and altough apparently he may be good at working on estate plans and living trusts, if you are looking for a probate attorney who is compassionate, trustworthy, respectful and his number one intrest is to fulfull the last wishes of your deceased loved one, then without a doubt stay clear from him and his office.
Unfortunately, as one of five beneficiaries, and not an beneficiary/executor with the right to hire a probate attorney for representation, we at least thought that he would be professional. He was vary evasive with answering legitimate questions, and failed to follow-through some basic, yet critically important processes:filing documentation, notifying all beneficiariries with matters of the estate with regards to the sale of properties, and notifications, and our approval of sale price, etc. The list is endless, and I feel that I have already spent far too much of my energy and time expecting professionalism and a level of work ethics that just was never coming.
Although the list is long, I would defintely like to mention that Darrell does Darell, his interests and knowledge to manipulate his words, and situations for his benefit can only come with practice. Here is only one example of what I and my other siblings had to deal with; Closing of the probate case, and I received the petition for my inheritance dispersement check, and I find the following:
1. My name spelled incorrectly (after a year and a half dealing with his office, and yet there it is. (I thought well, mistakes happen, no big deal).
2. Received an updated notice, and this time the address where my check will be mailed is also incorrect (again this address has been on all the "Proof of Service forms for the last year and a half!".
So of course, I emailed him and his office requesting that it be corrected, and asked him to please verify and review these very important documents prior to sending them out to me again. Now mind you, he has a very small office, and so this was a feasible request, especially when he racked up $40,000 of attorney fees and extraordinary fees (fees for work and hours he claimed he spent on ensuring that all was done correctly, etc.). Unfortunately, my siblings and I, minus our executor, learned quickly that there is much to be worked on with our probate legal system in upholding what is "fair". The written answer via email that I received from Darrell was "chill out , you will be getting your check."
If after reading this, you consider this presssional conduct from an attorney that is representing your loved ones' estate, then by all means you should hire him. I am thankful that this nightmare is finally over with, and that my mother can finally hopefully rest in peace, and that I never have to deal with his man ever again!
Unfortunately I had to give him one star in order to submit the rating. read more