I have been practicing as a solo practitioner since 1993. Currently I have an of counsel arrangement with Attorney Sarah Meinhart and an assistant, Linda Calderone. I am also affiliated with Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge on a fee sharing basis for estate planning, elder law, and real estate law referrals.
My firm focuses on estate planning, estate settlement and real estate law including living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, medical directives, probate, elder law and the purchase and sale of real estate.
Over the years I have represented a wide variety of clients. Singles, couples, LGBT, young, middle, old. I truly enjoy the diversity and variety of people and legal needs I am fortunate to represent. I do a lot of estate planning which includes wills, advance directives for medical and financial needs, creating and funding revocable living trusts and special needs trusts for disabled children. Partner planning is another area I think is very important if a couple is not in a traditional marriage. My real estate practice involves everything from "For Sale by Owner" to reviewing documents for sellers and buyers, as well as helping clients maintain long-held family vacation homes for successive generations.
Main
3100 West Liberty Road
Suite E
Ann Arbor
MI
48103
For new estate planning matters I offer a free one hour initial consultation.
Estate planning, probate and real estate matters are usually done on a fixed-fee basis.
$300.
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Linda A. Calderone, Office Manager
Yes
I enjoy solving problems and I enjoy the substantive issues in my area of practice.
It is often helpful when clients have studied up on their legal issue, but I caution clients not to have a pre-formed opinion of the best course of action as that's why they are retaining me! I am comfortable meeting clients where they are in terms of what they know or don't know about their legal issues and believe a crucial part of my job is to educate them to the point where they understand why I recommend a particular course of action.
I do review documents prepared by other attorneys and self-prepared at an hourly charge.
Not applicable.
Before I practiced law, I taught part-time while raising my children. I taught history and beginning French in a private middle school and U.S. Government at a community college. This experience was a great fit for me as I am passionate about U.S. History and the unique role our nation plays in the world at large. Also, I feel I'm still "teaching" when I help clients understand the purpose and nature of estate planning and elder care issues and the complexities of real estate law.
Certainly being a parent and spouse have been the crucible experiences of my life. I also take great stock in attending two wonderful universities, The University of Michigan and Wayne State University. Travel and reading are my favorite hobbies which, together with a strong liberal arts and legal education have contributed to my broad world view of people and their experiences.
I am a good listener, patient, and attentive to clients' needs. Clients comment that they are comfortable confiding in me because I try to be empathetic to their needs. I believe every client is a unique individual with a unique story. I value the confidence clients place in me and endeavor to earn their trust.
Clients also often comment that they appreciate the relaxed environment of my office, including the presence of my dog, Scout. Scout is a lovely little lady, a Cavalier Spaniel all of 9.5 pounds. She's named after one of my favorite heroines, the daughter in "To Kill a Mockingbird."
I enjoy traveling, reading, cooking and gardening. I especially treasure family time as my grown children all live a plane ride away!
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