Do not use CTM for probate. I hired the firm to take over a probate case that was 80% completed. I won't detail all the incompetence and fraudulent billing I experienced at the hands of CTM as no one has that time. But imagine your lawyer being so confused and incapable that he took three tries to file the substitute appearance!. And the attorney fraudulently charged me an excessive amount for 2 of the attempts and lied about it when asked. And on one attempt, he was so confused that he paid an appearance fee of $251, which was not due or owed. When I challenged the fee, the attorney lied and said it was not a mistake. He ridiculously claimed that I had not appeared yet in the probate case. I am a co-petitioner and paid to open the estate. I was named co-administrator of the estate and the client who hired the firm to take over and represent me as the estate attorney. After changing his story, he promised he was working on a refund and never did. Finally 2yrs, later, after repeatedly insisting I get refunded, a new assigned firm attorney agreed to get the $251 refunded from the court. This whole time the firm kept my misspent money. At the first hearing on the motion for a refund, the new attorney failed to follow any of the court's rules for motion hearings, so the judge would not even hear it. We returned a month later, followed the rules, and got the refund. I should have been refunded by the law firm two years earlier when the mistake was made. I should not have had to wait until they got refunded. When he finally admitted the error, the attorney assured me I would not pay any fees related to recovering those funds. The firm charged me over $1200 for the court and motion draft to get the refund and demanded payment under threat of withdrawal. So for filing a simple legal form for substitute appearance, which takes most people 2-3 minutes to fill out and file, this firm charged me over $1700.00. And sadly, that is not the worst, but it was just the easiest example to relay. Just do not do it to yourself!
Sarah Larson did not reply to my emails. She was supposed to send me the estimates for each case as she said on the phone and she has not sent me an email about them nor reply to my emails. I will look for a different law office.
We had a complex case that was swiftly and professionally addressed by Illinois Advocates -- they were patient, informative, and sharp in their communication. Above all, Bill & Jennifer were transparent and helped deliver an ideal outcome.
I Use them for their real estate service. The attorney that worked for me was great. He was very professional, and prompt. He was very responsive in answeringany questionsI had. Thanks again Neal.
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