​Do you charge for an initial consultation?

We're Here to Help
Yes we do.  Our belief is that we are able to provide a great deal of information in that first visit, and that information is of value to you, not only to learn about the law in the particular area of your concern, but also so that you can meet with Attorney Grosskopf to determine that your working arrangement will be mutually beneficial.  We charge a $200.00 initial consultation fee which covers a 1 hour meeting with the attorney.  If you retain us for further matters, many estate planning documents are billed at a flat fee and in all other matters, we charge $280/hr. if you wish to retain our services.  A detailed list of recommended services or options and corresponding fees may be provided at your initial consultation for your review.
If your questions aren't answered on this page or you are ready to take the next step, get in touch with us.

​Should I get in to see you right away?

In many of our cases we will send you a questionnaire to fill out, prior to the initial consultation.  It’s our experience that the use of our time at the initial consultation will be that much more valuable and productive for both you and the attorney if that questionnaire has been largely completed ahead of time.  It also helps you know what kind of documents to bring with you to that consultation.

​Do you accept Credit Cards?

Yes we accept Visa, Master Card and Discover.

​My parents need an Elder Law Attorney, but who should come to that first appointment?
We prefer to meet with the parents in most cases and we will assume in most cases the parent will become our client.  In some cases, that is not realistic, where, for example, the parent has dementia or has other disabilities that prevent them from effectively participating in the meeting.  In many cases, the parent prefers to have a son or daughter or even a larger group of the family come with them to the appointment; while we’re happy to accommodate the wishes of that client and the family, it may become necessary to meet with the parent/client alone at some point.  This is for the protection for everyone involved.

​Are there alternatives to Probate?

There are many alternatives to Probate.  These can include Revocable Living Trusts,  Irrevocable Trusts, Transfer on Death Deeds, Life Estate Deeds, Beneficiary Designations and Marital Property Agreements.  There isn’t a one size fits all answer. It depends on your unique situation.

​What is a Supplemental Needs Trust?

Supplemental Needs Trusts, sometimes called Special Needs Trusts, are a generic term for the types of trust that can be set up for individuals who are disabled.  Both Federal and State Laws permit that Trusts can be established for the benefit of these individuals and yet those individuals can retain their eligibility for Governmental Benefits.  The money in trust can then be used to supplement or pay for things extra or beyond that which is provided by the Government Benefits.  There are several distinctive types of these trusts and which one works best in your situation must be carefully evaluated by someone familiar with these types of trusts.

Can I name someone as a life insurance beneficiary with a verbal agreement that they will use that to pay the funeral
bill ​and divide the rest between the family?

We see cases like this all the time and unfortunately the beneficiary often refuses or has forgotten about the agreement to pay the funeral bill and divide the monies with everyone else.  There is no enforceable agreement in that situation.  There are much better options available to accomplish this task.

​Isn’t Estate Planning expensive?

Not in compairison to the expenses that are incurred from the failure to do Estate Planning.  With proper Estate Planning, often the costs can be far less than the cost that accumulate for someone who has not done any Estate Planning and in some cases the tax savings can be enormous.