Affordable, Competent Legal Services
I didn't become a lawyer to get rich; I became a lawyer to help people.
Areas of Practice
Estate Planning
I have been working in the Estate Planning field for four years. When we discuss your plans, I will focus on you and your goals. Together, we will assess your assets and determine the best way to preserve your legacy using a variety of tools. If you're looking for a trusted legal partner, don't hesitate to contact me to discuss Wills, Trusts, and other asset management tools!
Probate and Estate Management
When we lose a loved one, it is easy to become quickly overwhelmed - there is much to do, and we must do it despite our grief. I make it my priority to lessen the burden on my clients by clearly and cleanly explaining the probate process, and then taking on as much of the work as I can. If you have lost someone, please reach out to me for help.
Mental Health Litigation
I am passionate about protecting the rights of those in our community with mental health issues. If you or someone you know is facing civil commitment, I encourage you to contact me at AJ Law. In Massachusetts, all individuals facing civil commitment are presumed indigent and have the right to appointed counsel. However, if you prefer to hire your own attorney, I am here. Together, we will work toward the goals you want to see for yourself and fight for your ability to retain decision making. We can also discuss less restrictive planning options to ensure that you get the help you need.
Guardianship and Special Needs Planning
If you or someone you love is struggling to make daily decisions, I can assist with creating a comprehensive plan allowing a trusted caregiver to make decisions. There are levels of restriction to be aware of when trying to help an incapacitated person, and I am happy to explain the various legal tools and their risks and benefits to find the right fit for your situation.
Compassionate Legal Support
A note on prices in the legal industry...
Attorneys get a bad rap sometimes for their fees. Perhaps this is rightfully so. 80% of Americans who needed legal services in the last year opted against hiring anyone, in part due to a lack of affordability. This is problematic, because the legal system is not designed to be navigated by the layperson; it was designed by lawyers, for lawyers. I view this as a massive barrier to justice. We live in a country that prides itself on the access to freedom and justice! Nothing about the current legal services framework supports that fundamental ideal. I did not become an attorney to become wealthy - I did it to help people navigate complex problems. I became an attorney to help make people's lives easier during some of the biggest challenges they face. As such, I charge far less than the average legal rate in Massachusetts. The average hourly rate ranges from $350 - $600! It is unrealistic. According to Federal Reserve data, one third of Americans cannot come up with $400 in the event of an emergency. How can we expect them to come up with $400 an hour to solve a legal issue? We can't. I don't. My commitment to you is that I will represent you with the fullest fidelity for a fraction of the cost, because that aligns with my morality. I seek to actively challenge the notion that attorneys are only in their line of work to get rich, and that we will go to any lengths to charge as much as we can. At AJ Law, my approach is different, it is about you! To that end, I offer pricing plans based on the area mean income level, and all of my rates are far lower than the average.
Full Trust Plans
A Full Trust Plan includes a Revocable Living Trust, Pour-over Will, Durable Power of Attorney and Healthcare Documents. My pricing for an individual is $2000. For a married couple, a reciprocal plan is $4500. If you require tax-planning, I charge an additional $150 per hour to prepare specialized tax-shelter trusts.
Simple Will and Agency Powers
This plan is well suited to individuals with modest assets or few heirs. It assists survivors by leaving clear directions for how assets are to be distributed upon death, and allows you to appoint trusted decision makers for financial and medical decisions during your lifetime. I charge $800 for a Simple Will and Agency Powers.
Special Needs Trusts
A Special Needs Trust is designed to assist an incapacitated person with supplemental funds. These trusts explicitly do not affect eligibility for government services. My fees for these trusts are billed hourly, and my rate is $90 an hour for people with income falling below 80% of the area mean income, or $150 an hour for those at or above mean income.
Litigation
Sometimes, we end up in court. If you require assistance in court for a probate matter, guardianship matter, or land/lord tenant dispute, I charge $200 an hour.
Miscellaneous Legal Services
While I specialize in Mental Health law and Estate Planning, I will take other matters on a case by case basis. My usual fee for representing clients is $110 an hour for those falling below 80% of the area mean income, and $200 an hour for those at or above.
Pro Bono Services
Did you know that lawyers are encouraged to take a certain number of pro bono hours a year? Pro bono means FREE! If you qualify for free legal services and I have the available hours, I may be able to help you. Please reach out to discuss this with me.
About Me
Meet Alisa
I am an alumna of New England Law | Boston and have been working in Estate Planning and Probate Law for four years. As a committed advocate for mental health issues and social justice, I strive to be a trusted legal partner for my clients. When I am not practicing law, you can find me parenting three beautiful children, herding three cats
I am an alumna of New England Law | Boston and have been working in Estate Planning and Probate Law for four years. As a committed advocate for mental health issues and social justice, I strive to be a trusted legal partner for my clients. When I am not practicing law, you can find me parenting three beautiful children, herding three cats, and enjoying the outdoors. If you need assistance, feel free to contact me!