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Leanna Hamill

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Avvo Rating10
  • Hingham, MA
  • Licensed for 15 years
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About Leanna

I help strong families through trying times – to protect your choices, preserve your relationships and pass down the things that matter. I take care of the legal matters so you can take care of your family.

 

I know that the best attorney-client relationships are collaborations, and that the greatest partnerships (professional or otherwise) are built on communication. For this reason, communication and collaboration are the foundations of each area of my practice, and are central to your experience when we work together. The value I provide my clients comes not only from my years of legal experience, but also from my understanding that every family has a myriad of intertwined goals—personal and professional, financial and familial—that should not be separated, but rather approached holistically.

 

When working with blended families or families with elderly parents, I clearly establish who my client is while recognizing that each member has a crucial role to play. I understand that the encouragement and preservation of strong family ties is essential when creating a legacy strong enough to last for generations.


As we work together toward your goals my role is to draft the legal documents you need to memorialize your wishes, provide analysis of laws and regulations to help you determine a course of action, give compassionate guidance in carrying out the wishes of a loved one (via Power of Attorney, Trust or Will administration, or Healthcare Directives), be your legal representation during proceedings for a protected person, and provide legal assistance in planning for and paying for long term care expenses.

 

My practice focuses on planning for those people who understand that the time to act is now, even if you have put it off in the past. My guidance and legal expertise are the perfect complement to those clients who know their goals and recognize the need for legal assistance as they work toward those goals.

 

http://www.hamilllawoffice.com/

 

Education and Accomplishments

 

My education, experience, and ties to the community can help you accomplish your goals. I graduated cum laude from Suffolk University Law School, and have a degree in Sociology from the University of California, Davis. Prior to practicing law, I worked at Tufts Health Plan for over seven years, in the Appeals and Grievances Department. I live in Hingham and am a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the South Shore Coalition of Workers with the Elderly. I am a co-founder of the Women Attorneys Network of the South Shore (http://www.wanss.org/) and enjoy cooking, doing yoga and hiking.

 

 

Practice areas

GuardianshipProbateElder lawEstate planning
  1. Estate planning: 40%

  2. Elder law: 25%

    I begin my representation of many clients with a comprehensive estate and long-term care planning evaluation. This evaluation determines the best planning strategies to pursue in order to meet the estate planning and long-term health care objectives of the client. Elder law can involve estate planning, implementing an estate plan, reviewing options for paying for long term care, and may sometimes include Medicaid planning and application.

  3. Probate: 25%

    I provide full representation of fiduciaries administering estates. Probate administration includes filing the petition for appointment of the personal representative, preparing and filing the inventory of estate assets, paying decedent’s debts, distributing assets, filing tax returns, and filing accounts with the Probate Court.

  4. Guardianship: 10%

    I represent clients seeking guardianship and conservatorship of relatives who can no longer manage their personal or financial affairs and assist family members in fulfilling the duties imposed by these new roles. I also assist parents who need to become guardians of their minor children's estates for purposes of inheritance.

Languages spoken

English

Contact

190 Old Derby St.
address map

190 Old Derby St.
Suite 211
Hingham, MA, 02043

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
MAActive200408/31/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers39
Legal guides2
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Rising StarSuper Lawyers Magazine2012
Rising StarSuper Lawyers2011
Rising StarSuper Lawyers2010
ABA Top 100 Law BlogAmerican Bar Association2009
American Jurisprudence Award - Civil ProcedureSuffolk University Law School2002
American Jurisprudence Award - Fiduciary RelationsSuffolk University Law School2002
Honorable Mention: Oral ArgumentSuffolk University Law School2001
Distinguished Brief - Legal Practice Skills ClassSuffolk University Law School2001
Academic Leadership ScholarshipSuffolk University Law School2001
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Principal AttorneyLeanna Hamill, Attorney at Law2005 - Present
AssociateLoring and Robinson2004 - 2005
Appeals & Grievances SpecialistTufts Health Plan1997 - 2004
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Crossroads for Kids10Event Committee Member2013 - Present
South Shore Chamber of CommerceMember2012 - Present
Anodyne CorporationHuman Rights Committee, Member2009 - Present
Women Attorneys Network of the South ShorePresident2007 - Present
South Shore Coalition of Workers with the ElderlyMember2005 - Present
Massachusetts Bar AssociationMember2004 - Present
Massachusetts Bar AssociationLaw Practice Management Council2009 - 2010
Public Policy Committee of Mass. NAELAMember2008 - 2011
National Academy of Elder Law AttorneysMember2004 - 2011
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (Massachusetts Chapter)Member2004 - 2011
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
Patriot LedgerTo Your Children As They Turn 182016
Wicked Local papers, variousHealth Care Proxies2016
Kiplinger'sHow To Find a Missing Will (quoted)2016
Wicked Local Papers, variousDon't Put Off Getting a Will2015
Wicked Local papers, variousEstate Planning and Divorce2015
AARPHow To Leave An Inheritance To Your Kids2013
American Bar Association GPSolo MagazineElder Abuse2013
Lexis Nexis PublishingHow To Manage Your Law Practice, contributor.2013
Lawyers USAVirtual Assistants for Solos, Small Firms2012
AARP4 Costly Estate Planning Blunders2011
New York TimesHow To Choose The Right Executor for Your Estate2011
Massachusetts Bar AssociationMarketing Your Law Practice for Little or No Money2010
Kiplingers Retirement NewsletterPlanning Can Be Tricky For Childless Seniors2010
Lexis Nexis PublishingEstate Planning During Divorce (Podcast)2010
Money MagazineRethink Your Legacy2009
JD SupraProtecting Yourself & Your Property Before, During and After Divorce With a Properly Prepared Estate Plan2009
BankRateEight Life Stages of Estate Planning2009
Kidding AroundHow to Choose a Guardian For Your Children2007
Massachusetts Estate Planning and Elder LawMassachusetts Estate Planning and Elder LawN/A
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Suffolk University Law SchoolJD - Juris Doctor2004
University of California - DavisBA - Bachelor of Arts1996
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Parkinson's Support GroupEstate Planning and Progressive Illnesses2016
Caregiver Support GroupEstate Planning for Caregivers2016
Inservice for staffGuardianships & Eating Disorders2014
Living Longer: Aging with Intellectual DisabilitiesGuardianship and its Alternatives2014
Friendship HomePlanning for Your Child With Special Needs2013
New BeginningsEstate Planning for The Widowed & Divorce2012
Elder Law MonthTake Control of Your Future2012
What if...Workbook WorkshopEnd of Life Planning2012
First Parish Church, NorwellWhat If...Workbook Workshop2011
Quincy Ward 4 SeniorsMedicaid Myths & Facts2011
Allerton House Assisted LivingThe 7 Things Adult Children Need To Know About Caring for Aging Parents2011
Stafford Hill Assisted LivingProtecting and Caring for an Incapacitated Adult2011
Multi-Service Eating Disorder Association Annual ConferenceGuardianships & Health Care Decisions In the Eating Disorder Field2011
Avvo WebinarDivorce & Estate Planning: Basic Planning Tips2010
Multiservice Eating Disorders Association 2010 National ConferenceEmpowerment In Health Care Decisions2010
Mass Bar. Annual ConferenceThe Most Bang for Your Grand - Practice Building For Under $10002010
Divorce Talk RadioDivorce & Estate Planning - Protecting Yourself, Your Kids and Your Property2009
Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing Guardians for Your ChildrenEstate Planning for Parents of Young Children2009
Starting a Solo Law PracticeLaw Practice Management2009
Women's Bar AssociationPlanning for the New Law Office2009
Parents of Transitional Age Youth - Parents Info. NetworkEssential Planning for Young Adults-Alternative to Guardianship2009
Surviving Divorce: The Road AheadProtecting Yourself Before, During and After Divorce with a Properly Prepared Estate Plan2009
Military Officers Association of AmericaEstate Planning Basics2009
Money Matters RadioEstate Planning For All Ages2009
Why & How To Avoid Guardianship or ConservatorshipConservatorship & Guardianship2009
Smash The LadderBlogging for Business2008
Women Attorneys Network of the South ShoreEstate Planning and Divorce: What the Family Law Attorney Needs to Know2008
New BeginningsEstate Planning After Divorce2007
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Estate Plan & Long Term Care AssistanceHelped client preserve funds & receive care.

Reviews

(11)
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Review Leanna Hamill

Exactly What We Needed!

Posted by

My wife and I engaged Leanna to update and establish several legal documents. We found her to be quite knowledgeable and sincerely interested in helping us to achieve our goals. Our meetings with Leanna were very helpful in arriving at a number of decisions and her follow up was both timely and thorough. We are very pleased with the advice and service that we received and we recommend Leanna Hamill without hesitation.

Now I can truly rest in peace!

Posted by

I came to Leanna because I wanted to ensure that my wishes would be followed upon my passing. Leanna listened with a keen ear to my intentions and suggested doing a Will, Power of Attorney, and Health Care Proxy. She met with me and listened to my wishes, took that information and within a short time called me in to review. Leanna took the time to not only listen to my needs but to consider the family dynamic (considering carefully the fact that my husband and I have a blended family). She explained everything to me in lay men's terms so I truly understood the purpose of each document. I would highly recommend Leanna to anyone looking to have peace of mind. Leanna is trustworthy, thorough and considerate. No better choice for your peace of mind.

Nothing like peace of mind.

Posted by

I had been struggling for over a year to find someone local who does family law. Messages not returned, etc. Found Ms. Hamill in the Hingham Journal. Under "Responsive" I would underscore that by saying "prompt" which is kind of the same, but maybe not. She counseled my husband and me about what documents we needed, beyond what we realized we needed, and now everything is nailed down: wills, POAs, & names changed out to include our sons, now grown, in legal matters. I not only would recommend her, but I have. And the office is elegant!

Great Special Needs Lawyer

Posted by

I am so grateful I found Leanna! I needed a fresh look at my will and my son’s special needs trust, since it was about five years from when I had them originally done. She took the time to review my old documents and made some very valid suggestions of what I might think about changing and updating. Because of Leanna’s background and up-to-date knowledge in regards to special needs, guardianships and trusts, I felt confident that she would lead me in the right direction and she did. Not only did she update my will and my son’s special needs trust, she also work with me on things I didn’t even think of such as an Emergency Guardianship Proxy, Durable Power of Attorney and a HIPAA Release. My biggest concern is my son’s well-being after I’m gone and I truly sleep better at night now knowing that everything is in place to make sure he is taken care of. I am so appreciative of Leanna and highly recommend her.

Great estate lawyer; knowledgeable and flexible

Posted by

Leanna was very helpful with estate planning for our family (myself, my husband, and our 2 minor children). She created all the documents we would need for all life events and explained them in an easy-to-understand manner. She also didn't have a problem when we needed to bring our 2 children to the signing! She's very knowledgeable and helpful and I would highly recommend her for estate planning.

Very capable lawyer

Posted by

Leanna is a pleasure to work with. She helped me with my mother's estate following the death of my sister, who first had responsibility for the estate. Leanna was responsive, knowledgeable and very capable. Most important perhaps, she was pragmatic - she understood the scope of her engagement and got the job done in a straighforward, no-nonsense way. I thought her fees were quite reasonable. I offer these thoughts as a satisfied client of Leanna's, although I will note that I have practiced as an attorney for more than 30 years and recognize quality performance in the profession.

Layman's Friend

Posted by

Leanna is an excellent listener as well as being knowledgable and understanding the complexities that families can present when seeking to establishing a family trust. She instinctively seems to know how to guide her clients through the maze of legalities and finding that which will best suport her client's needs. She is very thorough and efficient and I appreciated how fast the documents were processed and finalized.

Professional, knowledgeable and detailed estate planner

Posted by

Excellent choice... Ms. Hamill understood our nerves and confusion in planning our estate. We had multiple concerns about the blending of my fiance and my assets, care for our children, and their financial futures. She invited us into a serene and comforting environment and immediately put us at ease by ensuring she was able to understand and meet each of our needs and goals. Ms. Hamill took the time to explain the impact of our choices, advised the precautions needed to avoid potential difficulties in the execution of our estate (set up of trusts, detailed child-care plans that could avoid custody battles, financial plans for their education and care, etc.) and ensured that a great deal of care went into the protection of our loved ones. She was a strong and comforting adviser, and made the process feel remarkably easy. I felt that she was an advocate for our families, ensuring that they did not have to endure any additional stress or pain in our absence. Additionally, she provided anything we needed related to healthcare proxies, living wills, and documentation to leave for our final wishes. She took care of paperwork for property deeds and explained each step in detail as we finalized. When the process was complete, it was an enormous relief. We felt fortunate to have worked with Ms. Hamill and we continue to recommend her to friends and colleagues.

Terrific, Kid-friendly, and Flexible!

Posted by

Leanna was great from the get-go. She is very tech-savvy, which was helpful for the busy schedules of my wife and me. Leanna replied to my initial email within a day, and she was very helpful in helping us gather the preliminary information needed for our wills. On top of that, Leanna was more than flexible when it came time for us to meet with her; we got stuck in a daycare pinch, and she had no problem with our seven-year old son tagging along. The service was great. Leanna reviewed all the facts and options, and we trusted her opinions. We were able to quickly and confidently get what we wanted. She was also very patient with my many (and often far-fetched) questions. Really, I cannot recommend her enough!

Excellent Service

Posted by

Leanna has been so helpful with several major family occasions where legal advice was needed: Home sale to assisted living, long term care insurance, estate protection, wills. She is very personable, responds quickly to your needs, and always follows through as promised. I highly recommend her.
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Attorney endorsements

(17)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Gail Otis, Elder law Attorney on Jul 28, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Leanna is an outstanding elder law and trust/estate attorney. She is very active in the legal community, professional, and well regarded by clients and colleagues alike. I refer all clients with estate planning or elder law issues to Leanna. I can recommend her without reservation.

Jennifer Sawday, Elder law Attorney on Apr 7, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Leanna is an excellent attorney practicing elder law and related matters in Mass. She is a great source for my California clients who need an attorney in the Boston area. I highly recommend her services for those in need. She is also the author of an excellent blog focusing on elder law and related matters.

Bryce Fetter, Guardianship Attorney on Feb 20, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Howard Roitman, Probate Attorney on Feb 14, 2013
Relationship: Other

I endorse this lawyer.

Steven Ballard, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 7, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I highly endorse this lawyer. She has an excellent legal blog in her area of estate planning. She is quite obviously an excellent lawyer and very dedicated to her field. She is at the top of my list when my clients need an attorney for estate planning.

Charles Thomas

Leanna is committed to professionalism and client service. It clearly shows as she guides her clients through planning for their senior years.

Carolan Hardy, Guardianship Attorney on Jun 26, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Leanna is bright, organized and articulate. She was personally provided invaluable assistance on a complicated guardianship matter.

Jennifer Deland, Estate planning Attorney on Jun 9, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. She clearly has a practice that centers on the needs of the client. She is knowledgeable, and seems kind.

James Riley, Elder law Attorney on May 7, 2011
Relationship: Other

I endorse this lawyer.She is an excellent example of the importance of effective communication with clients and helping them in their moments of need for legal assistance. James K. Riley

Patricia Bloom-McDonald, Elder law Attorney on Nov 2, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Leanna Hamill is a very knowledgeable and competent attorney. I have worked with her on a couple of occasions and would not hesitate to work with her again in the future. She is enthusiastic and treats each client with the utmost respect.

Ellen Victor, Estate planning Attorney on Oct 31, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Leanna is a dedicated attorney who expresses genuine concern in providing the best possible estate plans for her clients. I am fortunate to count Leanna as a colleague who I can go to for advice, and know I will always receive a generous response. Her clients benefit from her expertise and compassion as well.

Stephen McDonough, Elder law Attorney on Feb 25, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have known Leanna since law school. She is a bright and well-respected attorney, and a nice person as well.

Gail Otis, Elder law Attorney on Jul 28, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Leanna is an outstanding elder law and trust/estate attorney. She is very active in the legal community, professional, and well regarded by clients and colleagues alike. I refer all clients with estate planning or elder law issues to Leanna. I can recommend her without reservation.

Jessica Foley, Elder law Attorney on Apr 9, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Leanna Hamill is an excellent Estate Planning and Elder Law attorney. She takes good care of her clients and really enjoys helping them plan their futures. She is a published expert in her field.

Eugene Lee, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 8, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Leanna and I are both on a lawyer discussion group. Leanna consistently displays a superior knowledge of elder law. I am happy to endorse her work.

Kimberly DeCarrera, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 8, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer's work.

Carolyn Elefant, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 8, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I am a lawyer in the Washington D.C. area and a frequent reader of Leanna's estate planning blog. Although her blog addresses Massachusetts issues, it offers a wealth of practical advice on estate planning and record keeping that are valuable to anyone. I can tell from the blog that Leanna is at the top of her game and can provide a wealth of information to her clients.

Joshua Paulin, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 7, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I know Leanna through a discussion group of some of the most aware, client-centered lawyers practicing today. If you're looking for a good, experienced attorney, I highly recommend Leanna!

Jennifer Sawday, Elder law Attorney on Apr 7, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Leanna is an excellent attorney practicing elder law and related matters in Mass. She is a great source for my California clients who need an attorney in the Boston area. I highly recommend her services for those in need. She is also the author of an excellent blog focusing on elder law and related matters.

Cost

RATES
  • Hourly Rates$325-$325/hour
    PAYMENT METHODS

    Cash, Check, Credit Card

    Legal guides written by Leanna Hamill