Maria did a phenomenal job bringing our living trust up to date. A pleasure to work with her.read more

This review is a bit overdue. Originally we got into touch with Maria to do our living trusts just…read morebefore the Covid pandemic hit. She was one of a few attorneys we were considering. She seemed attentive, pleasant, thorough, and on top of it. She answered all our questions very thoroughly. Once the pandemic hit, we put our search for a trust attorney on hold because it was just a weird time for everyone and we basically put our lives on hold in general and since we were still in the early stages of our search for an attorney, it seemed a reasonable thing to do as effects of the pandemic played it out. We got back in touch with Maria in 2022 as we picked up our search for a trust attorney again. Maria originally had been our top pick before we paused the first time, but Maria's style had completely changed. I guess her business had picked up a lot because of the pandemic with many people concerned about protecting their property and legacies. It's possible this is what caused the noticeable shift in her attitude. Her emails were brusque and she often ignored questions. When she did answer questions, her answers seemed very generic or just completely off base, like it was copypasta or she perhaps didn't even read the questions thoroughly before answering. She even addressed me by the wrong name in an email once (called me Sarah). I was a bit taken aback but good-naturedly brought it to her attention and even included a smile emoji to let her know there were no hard feelings. This was right before we were about to sign a contract and I wanted to make sure she had the right file and the right clients in mind. She didn't even apologize or address it, just blew it off entirely. I was willing to overlook it, but my business partner put his foot down and decided Maria was not the right choice for us. Like me, he noticed the change in her and her increasing lack of professionalism the more we interacted, so we cut ties before any contract was signed. Good thing because we ended up with a different attorney who was not only more affordable but more agreeable and helpful. Edited in reply to Maria Jonsson's response: ZERO free work was provided by her firm. Back in the beginning of 2020, we filled out her generic questionnaire, there was one Zoom introductory call, and a few follow-up emails with general questions about the process. How else are we supposed to decide how to pick an attorney for something as important as our trusts if we don't engage with her and ask questions first? You don't pick an attorney by pulling a name out of a hat! Ask yourself if an attorney in business ever goes around doing "free work" for random people who haven't signed any type of contract and you will arrive to the logical conclusion that not only is Maria rude, she is also a LIAR. When we actually did hire an attorney, we started from scratch. The attorney we chose also had us fill out a questionnaire, did a Zoom introductory call, and answered all our questions as well before we signed a contract. Just standard professional engagement when you look to bring on a new client, not "free work." Maria is clearly either high on her own supply, or she still has me confused with Sarah!

Left a message with a brief description of my situation - she couldn't assist but texted me same…read moreday with a referral. That's helpful

Why would you have some contracts saying you represented me with no payment that's funny why don't…read moreyou ask Jason Stillman he is the one saying you represented me lol I can collect my own funds I needed a lawyer to have my back to defend me u did none of that if you were such a good lawyer you would of looked into the case and said your the spouse and your entitled to it or figured out that the chain of title is contaminated and fraud is in it !!

I have been working with Michelangelo for many years, and I highly recommend his services. He is…read morevery professional, responsive,has a lot of knowledge, and very pleasant to work with. He has successfully helped me with every case I hired him for. If you are looking for a great lawyer who will have your interests in mind, look no further!

Michelangelo is on it, attentive! Very smart, makes decisions via a solid knowledge of law and…read moreapplicable precedents. He was exceptionally valuable in helping me navigate through completely unfamiliar and unfair issues. Was firm but fair in dealing with opposing counsel. His price/value equation is outstanding!

Stone & Sallus has my highest recommendation. I recently worked with them on a sensitive real…read moreestate matter, and Jason Stone and team exceeded my expectations. Two highlights: first, Jason is a true industry expert who prevailed against very challenging opposing counsel. Second, he made me feel like a partner rather than a transaction. Jason listened to my concerns and my background, and he provided a level of dedicated support that made me feel like I had a true teammate, not just legal counsel.I confidently recommend him.

Jason and his team were so easy to work with! I had reached out to several attorneys/firms and 2 of…read morethem actually referred me to Stone & Stallus also. So I was like heyyy okay referrals back also! The front desk always answered the phone and promptly returned calls and emails. A lot of places you call and its a recording or you dont hear from them for days. I was super stressed out and they made me feel such at ease during the whole process/knowing the next steps to take. I highly recommend this firm and will be using them for anything I need in the future!

This is a wonderful company to deal with. They are so professional and honest handled my paperwork…read morevery quickly. They are very fair and honest with their pricing also. I would recommend them very highly. I was able to make payment arrangement today once again Thank You Very Much

Great communication. I unfortunately had to stop my services with them because it got complicated…read moreand I needed to hire an attorney. However I highly recommend freelancers paralegal services, they were professional, affordable, transparent, and accommodating.

Excellent sensitivity for adults with disabilities…read more Personable and knowledgeable. Publishes a free , valuable , user friendly resource guide covering the many challenges facing parents of special needs children. A true advocate.

I met Art at at a free informational presentation in Marina Del Rey and felt very comfortable with…read morehim. I was visiting in California and just 'killing time' by attending the free workshop offered at my then boyfriends apartment complex. I was the only person there, so I got to pick his brains for a whole hour! A year and a half later, now married and living in California we needed to set up a trust. I had no question about who to go to. He, his law clerk, and his amazing secretary Niki have taken very good care of us. I have read the first 6 Yelp reviews, and could simply say 'read those reviews' because I agree 100%. Art is very kind, explains the pros/cons of every issue well. I have every confidence he is working to help my husband and me.

They advertise an initial free consultation and they don't give you one with an attorney. Instead,…read moreI'm on the phone with someone who can't answer my questions.

Laura will get it done. Take notes because everything she says will unfold exactly how she says it…read morewill. It was a very complicated (ALW then Zero Share plus a successful backdate appeal) process that was completely new to me and I was out of the country and when back was in a different state from my father for the duration. She was very very good and I highly recommend her!

Kristen was incredibly helpful and very knowledgeable, we were very impressed. It can be a…read moredifficult and emotional process, but Kristen is also very supportive and that adds to the wonderful experience. Thank you.

I've started down the estate planning road before, and this time I chose to work with Kristen Wong…read morebecause I knew she could help me complete the process. I found her to be very knowledgeable, kind, and good at helping me meet deadlines. Highly recommend!

I wouldn't hire Mr Barnes . He says he's going to do things and he doesn't do them . He's not a…read morefighter he likes to roll over . Don't waste your money or your time . I'm still waiting for him to get back to me and it's been years . Because he said he was going to do something . I lost my case cuz he just rolls over I would give him a negative star if i could . There will be more to come if I ever hear back from that guy . Now I have to hire a new attorney to finish the job . This is not cool . It's tough enough out there we don't need lawyers to take advantage of us . This is not my first rodeo so I do kind of know what I'm talking about . In my case . Save your money go somewhere else .

Very slow. Doesn't return phone calls. Unprofessional. I had to constantly call court house for…read moreanswers. The one time I received a reply from him is when I got angry with his staff. It should never had got to that level. I found another attorney. Shes wonderful. Did everything. Mr. Barnes is extremely cheap so. "You get what you pay for"

Update: It has been a year since my last post. My parent died isolated, neglected, and abused--left…read morealone in his own filth--largely as a result of Joe's impulsive actions and following inaction. Joseph Girard recklessly handed full control of my parent to his abuser. Worse, he sent my private concerns directly to that abuser, which immediately escalated the abuse. From that point forward, my parent declined rapidly as his isolation and mistreatment intensified. I was forced to step away because any attempt to help resulted in my parent being punished: his medication, food, and social interaction were withheld. I could do nothing but watch him deteriorate, overwhelmed by sadness and depression. Last time I spoke to Joe, I still had access to my parent's Apple Health updates. I called Joe because it was clear, once again, my parent's medication was being withheld, and his caretaker wasnt responding. Joe was on vacation and he told me "Is it an emergency? Is your dad dead or in the hospital? Im on vacation" Joe did nothing and my parent ended up in the hospital a week later because he wasnt getting his heart medicine. After that Joe disappeared once he could no longer extract more money--after my parent lost access to his own finances when Joe drafted a POA that granted control to the abuser. That POA was weaponized against my parent, who was confused about what it meant and what rights he still had. HIs caretaker would tell him he has no choice in anything now that he has POA. For the final year of his life, my parent was effectively held hostage, denied proper healthcare, visitors, and even adequate food. Joe never completed the trust my parent paid for. Instead, his actions destroyed my father's final years-- and caused a permanent rift in our family. This man's reckless behavior, dishonesty, and exploitation of a vulnerable elderly person and their family are unconscionable. Joe Girard of LA Elder Law should be disbarred as an attorney and not allowed to practice law. No human being with a conscience does what Joe does. I will never recover from the trauma of the abuse I witnessed my parent endure--abuse Joe essentially enabled through his reckless and incompetent legal practice. Makes me wonder how many people he is collecting $3000 from and stringing along since he's never in the office and cant remember anything he says --- after he gets your money

RUN!!! DO NOT HIRE THIS MAN!! He totally screwed my parents when redoing their trust in 2023. He…read moremade multiple mistakes, would not own up to them. The mistakes caused delays with my parents closing on a reverse mortgage. My mother died before we could finish the process thanks to his mistakes causing drama in my family. He would never admit to the mistakes nor fix them. He inserted himself as trust protector and then has the nerve to tell me "I am not the trust protector". He "diagnosed" my parents after a social visit telling my brother privately that he feels my parents are capacitated enough to handle their own affairs when they are clearly not. He sewed discord between me and my brother and then wants his wife to mediate. We paid over $3500 for a restated trust that is now useless thanks to the numerous errors including a missing signature. I never got the asset protection help we paid for. His notary/fiduciary person (who missed that my mom didn't sign in both places) recently gave me horrible advice that I should sell my dad's house and kick him to a nursing home when he wants to stay in his house and should. His assets are HIS..not to live miserably so his assets can be passed on. Stupid AF advice. She needs to stop doing this to people!! I had a much longer drawn out review with details..but gave up and just advise to run from these folks. We found him through St Mark Church in venice. They have known my parents for years. He has an ad for his services in the church bulletin. I think he goes there to just prey on the seniors. He forgets what he tells you..may have dementia himself. Very bad advice..he takes your money and takes no accoutability for his mistakes..a wrong date on the previous trust, missing signature, a disability panel getting changed from 2/3 to unanimous. I want my parents $3500 back and him disbarred. From the other reviews here...seems like a pattern of legal malpractice!! RUN FAR AWAY!!!