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Danielle G. Van Ess

Open for Business
Virtual Consultation
also known as DGVE
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Avvo Rating9.6
  • Hingham, MA
  • Licensed for 19 years
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About Danielle

Danielle G. Van Ess is a top rated Massachusetts wills, trusts, estates, and probate lawyer helping people protect and preserve what matters most while they're living and leave a legacy rather than a mess when they're gone.

 

Practice areas

Estate planningProbateWills and living willsTrusts
  1. Trusts: 25%

    Revocable & Irrevocable Trusts; comprehensive estate planning and post-death trust and estate administration

    13 years

  2. Wills and living wills: 25%

    Last Wills & Testaments, Living Wills and Health Care Proxies, Trusts, comprehensive estate planning and post-death probate and trust and estate administration

    13 years

  3. Probate: 25%

    Post-death trust and estate administration

    13 years

  4. Estate planning: 25%

    including: Wills, Trusts, Living Wills & Health Care Proxies, Guardianship for Minor Children

    13 years

Languages spoken

Spanish, English

Photos and videos

1795911 1546570584

1795911 1546570761

1795911 1603466992

Contact

DGVE law

61 South Street
Hingham, MA, 02043-2047

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
MAActive200809/16/2019
VAAuthorized to Practice Law200102/13/2017
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers0
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
2020 Massachusetts Super LawyerSuper Lawyers2020
Award for Vision (trust & estate thought leadership)WealthCounsel2020
Reader's Choice #1 Lawyer/Law Firm in Hingham and #1 RegionalWicked Local2020
2019 Massachusetts Super LawyerSuper Lawyers2019
Reader's Choice #1 Lawyer/Law Firm in Hingham and #1 RegionalWicked Local2018
Reader's Choice #1 Lawyer/Law Firm in HinghamWicked Local2017
Reader's Choice #1 Lawyer/Law Firm in HinghamWicked Local2016
40 Under 40 AwardCape & Plymouth Business Magazine2011
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
AttorneyDGVE law, LLC2008 - Present
Independent Legal ConsultantSouthwest Center for Law and Policy2007 - 2008
Staff Attorney and Lead TrainerNational Center on Full Faith and Credit2002 - 2005
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Hingham Cemetery CorporationBoard of Directors2019 - Present
Massachusetts Forum of Estate Planning AttorneysBoard of Directors2013 - Present
Massachusetts Bar AssociationN/A2008 - Present
Virginia Bar AssociationN/A2001 - Present
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Boston University School of LawJD - Juris Doctor2001
The George Washington UniversityBA - Bachelor of Arts1998
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
What Can & Cannot Be Done Remotely in Estate PlanningRemote Estate Planning and Notarization2021
Next Level ProfitsSmall Businesses Are Assets in Their Owners' Estate Plans2021
Estate Planning for Families with Children Age 18 and OlderEstate Planning for Young Adults2021
WealthCounsel National Presentation for MembersSafeguarding Best Interests via Remote Document Signing2020
Boston Bar Association continuing legal education programSafeguarding Best Interests via Remote Document Review Signing Witnessing and Notarization2020
South Shore Conference for WomenBuilding your Financial & Legal Knowledge and Confidence2019
Estate Planning WorkshopsPeace of Mind Estate Planning for Parents: What you need to know to protect your family, yourself, and your stuff (TM)2017

Reviews

(14)
5 Star
100%
4 Star
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Review Danielle Van Ess

Highest Possible Recommendation

Posted by

Highest recommendation on every level. DGVE Law - Danielle G. Van Ess and her staff -- are the complete package. Extremely knowledgeable and effective, no-nonsense yet incredibly personable, honest, and ethical, and they always follow through. We felt like we were heard, understood, and advised perfectly.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Highly Recommend!

Posted by

My husband and I recently updated our will and I can say that I was not looking forward to it (hence, putting it off for more than 5 years!) Danielle made the whole thing painless. She is a smart, highly competent professional but also adds a "human factor" to her practice, and that is what makes her unique. Her staff is great to work with as well, and carry through her practice philosophy.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Amazing Experience

Posted by

We felt that all of our legal needs for which we sought were met. The main benefit from working with DGVE was that we know that in any event our wishes have been communicated via a will and will be carried out as written. Additionally, DGVE made sure to bring up scenarios and possibilities that we hadn't considered and now those are also planned for. We feel that our children's needs will be taken care of in the event of an emergency/tragedy and that our wishes will be communicated to our loved ones and executed. Additionally, the process was so easy. It was not difficult to understand the choices we were making, every step of the way was explained to us in language we understood and what we needed to do in order to have the best experience was given to us in a checklist. This made it so easy for us to complete while juggling work, pregnancy and life in general. In all, we felt that our wishes were heard and understood!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Established a family trust

Posted by

Not only are Danielle and her team consummate professionals, but they also helped personalize the creation of our trust in a way that made my wife and I feel that they had as much stake in the process as we did.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Thorough, personal, and beyond expectations

Posted by

My husband and I hired Danielle to help us with estate planning and trusts for our two children. She educated us on the issues we needed to know about and made sure our plan was completely customized. Her degree of detail and thoughtfulness were above and beyond our expectations. I would recommend her services to anyone!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

A gifted attorney with a personal touch!

Posted by

I think people avoid estate planning because it is a humble reminder of our mortality. When my husband and I finally got the courage to make an appointment to take care of the most important things in our lives, we had no idea what to expect. Danielle far exceeded our expectations. Her thorough knowledge of estate planning coupled with a genuine warmth and caring demeanor was the perfect combination for such an intimate task. We felt at ease as we worked through some of the more delicate questions and together we made informed decisions about our final wishes. I have such a sense of peace and well-being knowing that things are in place for the future. We are so grateful to Danielle and truly think of her as a life long friend.

Taking care of business!

Posted by

I refer clients to Danielle for real estate transactions. She is responsive at all hours and takes care of the client. She does high quality, customized work. I highly recommend hiring Danielle to take care of your estate planning and real estate needs!

Watts-DeCastro

Posted by

Danielle made the entire process of estate planning so easy and comfortable. She is incredibly warm, accepting, knowledgable and helpful. What seemed so scary and hard was set out in easy to follow steps and even became FUN!

Danielle Van Ess - Highly Recommend

Posted by

I recently went through an emotional personal legal issue, resulting from complications surrounding my deceased father's will. Danielle was incredibly helpful, giving me trustworthy advice based on her extensive experience. In addition to being knowledgeable, Danielle was tremendously compassionate, understanding that this situation was fraught with emotion and that I was upset, confused and unfamiliar with the complicated legal process. In contrast, I had to work with another attorney in my father's home state, who turned out to be the complete OPPOSITE of Danielle. His first questions were about how much money I had to cover his fees. The next words out of his mouth were about how I had to send a huge retainer up front before he'd even consider taking the case. He was clearly more interested in the money than he was in helping me through a tense, difficult situation. My conversations with him just spotlighted how unique and special Danielle is. It's rare, I think, to find a smart, savvy, experienced attorney who is also nice, personable and compassionate. I would enthusiastically recommend Danielle Van Ess.

Estate Planning Made Easy!

Posted by

Danielle assisted us with our Estate Plan, which was long over-due. Danielle made the process quick, easy and painless! We truly appreciated all the tips and advice to help us choose guardians for our children. Since Danielle is a mom, she knows how hard it is to choose an appropriate guardian! Her advice really helped! Danielle was very accomodating in setting up conference calls and meeting places! I am so glad we found her! I would, and have already, reccomended her to friends!
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Attorney endorsements

(12)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

William Smyth, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 22, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Danielle is an outstanding lawyer. I have known Danielle for a long time and have had the pleasure of working with her on several matters. She is professional, knowledgeable, and really cares about her clients. Her tech savvy is second to none! I recommend Danielle without reservation.

Amy Martell, Wills and living wills Attorney on Nov 21, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have known Danielle for many years as a fellow attorney-mama colleague, and most recently I became a client. Danielle has always impressed me with her insight and knowledge, but what really sets her apart as an estate planning attorney is how deeply she cares about her clients and the level of precision and personalization she brings to the plans she drafts. I enthusiastically recommend her!

George Constant, Trusts Attorney on Mar 29, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I wholeheartedly endorse Danielle Van Ess. Her qualities far exceed the requisite competence one would expect from an estate planning attorney. Danielle is a caring adviser who is single-minded in her desire to do what's right for her clients. Furthermore, she provides younger parents with excellent estate planning services - giving them and their children the level of protection that they need, but rarely receive because that demographic is so woefully under-served.

Michael Lichterman, Trusts Attorney on Mar 29, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I've had the privilege of knowing and brainstorming with Danielle for several years. I consider it a privilege because, not only is she more than competent in the estate planning services she provides her client, she truly cares for them and their families. I highly recommend her to anyone needing a caring and comprehensive plan for their family's future.

Daniel Surprenant, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 29, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Danielle impresses me as a skilled and hard working attorney who strives to stay current in the law and technology. She seems to be caring, knowledgable and dedicated to he clients. I wod recommend her to any estate planning clients in her area.

Rania Combs, Estate planning Attorney on Mar 23, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I've gotten to know Danielle online and offline over the past few years. She is intelligent and conscientious and is committed to making sure her clients estate planning needs are met.

Tiffany O'Connell, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 15, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have had the pleasure of getting to know Danielle over the last few years. I have found Danielle to be very competent and to be committed to making sure that her clients receive the utmost in service. It is my pleasure to endorse Attorney Van Ess!

Candice Aiston

I have known Danielle personally and professionally since 2009. She is extremely thorough in the work that she does for her clients, and her attention to detail is something that really sets her apart from many lawyers. I would not hesitate to refer a friend or client to see Danielle. I know that anyone who works with Danielle will have the best counsel possible.

Scott Zucker, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 27, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have gotten to know Danielle through our common membership in WealthCounsel. Danielle combines technical knowledge with a strong drive to seek and implement modern innovations so that she can provide thorough and compassionate service for her clients. She is also highly regarded by colleagues given her tireless enthusiasm and willingness to share and exchange ideas. I endorse her without hesitation.

Christopher Berry, Estate planning Attorney on Oct 15, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Danielle is a compassionate and experienced estate planning lawyer who I've had the pleasure to get to know through various on-line forums. I'd recommend her if you are looking for a great attorney in the Hingham, MA area.

Maura Curran, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 23, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer's work.

Jackie Bedard, Estate planning Attorney on Jan 5, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer's work.

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