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Robert S. Temple
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Robert S. Temple
Temple & Temple
211 N. Center Street
East Syracuse, NY 13057
Phone: (315) 437-2684 | Fax: (315) 437-3430
http://www.templelaw.com
Wills, Trusts, Elder Law and Real Estate in Central NY
Legal Topic
Wills, Trusts & Estates
Preferred New Clients
Wills and trusts drafting; elder law and Medicaid issues; probate of wills and administering estates; purchase and sale of residential and commercial real estate; real estate title issues.
Sub-Categories
Wills, Trusts & Estates
- Nolo Document Review
- Credit Unions
- Savings & Thrifts
- Auto Accident & Property Claims
- Life Insurance
- Property & Casualty
- Estate Taxes & Gift Taxes
- Property Taxes
- Tax Planning
- Charitable Giving
- Charitable Trusts
- Drafting Trusts
- Drafting Wills
- Estate Administration
- Estate Planning
- Living Trusts
- Living Wills
- Probate
- Asset Protection
- Guardianship
- Power of Attorney
- Business Succession Planning
- Special Needs Trust
- Supplemental Needs Trust
- Revocable Trust & Irrevocable Trust
Legal Topic
Real Estate
Preferred New Clients
Wills and trusts drafting; elder law and Medicaid issues; probate of wills and administering estates; purchase and sale of residential and commercial real estate; real estate title issues.
Sub-Categories
Commercial Real Estate
- Architectural & Engineering
- Building Codes
- Buying & Selling
- Condominiums & Cooperatives
- Construction Contracts
- Construction Financing
- Conveyancing
- Homeowners' Associations
- Insurance
- Land Contracts
- Land Use & Zoning
- Mechanics' Liens
- Mortgages
- Property Taxes
- Real Estate Loans
- Renting & Leasing
- Title Insurance
- Title Litigation
- Landlord
- Tenant
- Tenants' Rights
- Architectural & Engineering
- Building Codes
- Buying & Selling
- Condominiums & Cooperatives
- Construction Contracts
- Construction Financing
- Conveyancing
- Homeowners' Associations
- Insurance
- Land Contracts
- Land Use & Zoning
- Mechanics' Liens
- Mortgages
- Property Taxes
- Real Estate Loans
- Renting & Leasing
- Title Insurance
- Title Litigation
- Landlord
- Tenant
- Tenants' Rights
Bar Admissions
NY, Aug 1988
Bar Number: 2219616
Other Court Admissions
New York State and Northern District of New York Federal District Court.
Association Memberships
None.
Continuing Education
I attend continuing legal education seminars on estates and trusts law, elder law, real estate law and commercial transactions. I always exceed the required amount of continuing education hours.
Papers and Publications
I wrote a chapter in a book titled: "Strength in Caring: Giving Power Back to the Alzheimer's Caregiver." The chapter concerned legal issues and solutions for patients with Alzheimer's disease and their families. The book is available from Amazon or as an e-book from www.strengthincaring.com/.
Example Cases
A recent case is a good example. I am helping a family protect assets by using an irrevocable trust, and am creating a separate supplemental special needs trust to provide additional resources for a mentally disabled adult child.
Another example: I am presently helping a client buy a lot adjoining his existing business, combine the lots, get the requisite local governmental permissions and obtain financing for a new commercial building.
Education
Degree:
Doctor of Jurisprudence
School:
Syracuse University Law School
City:
Syracuse
State:
NY
Year:
1987
Honors:
Magna Cum Laude, Justinian Society
Focus and Accomplishments:
Law Review
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
Stanford University
City:
Stanford
State:
CA
Year:
1976
Honors:
Magna Cum Laude, Fellowship at the American School for Classical Studies in Athens
Degree:
Master of Science
School:
Bank Street College of Education
City:
New York
State:
NY
Year:
1980
Honors:
Elected as student member of the Board of Trustees
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
New York
Firm Focus and History
The firm was established in 1948 by Douglas Temple, my father. I joined as a partner in 1989, and my wife Marisa joined in 2001.
We conduct the general practice of law, with an emphasis on getting our clients practical results at a reasonable cost. I emphasize good service and availability and responsiveness to my clients.
Previous Employment Summary
Information coming soon.
Activities and Awards
Prior to my position in my family law firm, I clerked for two years at the New York Court of Appeals in Albany after law school. Prior to law school I taught school in New York City and Colorado.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I am supportive of clients educating themselves about their legal problems. I often explain to clients how they can solve their problems without a lawyer, if they are so inclined. Some clients want to try; many succeed. Some would rather a lawyer take care of the issue even if they could do it themselves.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am willing to review documents prepared by clients.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I am perfectly happy to coach clients who wish to represent themselves. For example, I have taught several landlords how to handle their own evictions. I have also helped clients prepare for small claims court cases, where it was not cost-effective to hire me to appear in court.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
First and foremost, practicing law the way I do is about solving people's problems. I like bringing my expertise to different challenges and getting the best possible outcomes for my clients.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I was a school teacher for five years before I went to law school. Practicing law involves many of the same skills: communicating clearly, helping clients or students appreciate other people's viewpoints and seeing the value of a practical compromise.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I don't especially enjoy litigation; I prefer spending my time solving client problems in my office rather than in the courthouse.
What do you like best about your career?
I like best my clients and my connections to the community.
Tell us about your law firm:
I practice law with my wife. She does criminal and family court law and is in court a great deal. I am in the office most of the time. I have an experienced staff of two paralegals, both of whom have been with me for a long time. My clients can expect returned phone calls and my personal attention to their issues.
What are your strengths and style?
I pursue my client's interests with great energy and intelligence. I am very clear on the kinds of matters in which I can help, and refer clients to other lawyers when the client is better served by my doing so.
Personal Interests:
I read widely in history and current affairs. I am a practicing martial artist with a fourth degree black belt in Aikido. My wife and I study Italian language and culture and make regular trips to Italy.
Office Manager/Assistant
Jan Finnie
Fax
(315) 437-3430
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I do simple wills for a flat fee between $250 and $350 dollars. I will review a Quicken Willmaker Plus will or living trust for $150. I represent clients in real estate closings for a flat fee of $600, subject to additional charges for exceptional circumstances. In general, if my clients do not think I earned the fee or that they received good service, I am willing to let them pay whatever they think is fair.
Hourly Rates
I charge $200 per hour for estate work; $175 per hour for everything else.
Free Initial Consultation?
I generally do not offer a free initial consultation. A sign in my office quotes Abraham Lincoln: "A lawyer's time and advice are his stock in trade." If the consultation was not valuable to the client, they should pay nothing. If it had value, they should pay for my time. With some issues, I can often help clients reach a solution in one consultation.
Typical Retainer
I generally do not require a retainer for existing clients; and, in any event, no retainer is required in real estate transactions, or for estate work. Payment is due when the work is complete.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
