William J. Benz

Wills and living wills Attorney at Southampton, PA

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Best of the Best

William Benz prepared new Wills, Advance Medical Directive, and Durable Power of Attorney for myself and my wife. He was very helpful in explaining the legalese in these documents and made it easy for us to understand how they apply to our needs. He was very friendly and easy to speak with, giving us a high level of confidence in the documents he prepared in meeting our needs and requirements. In summary, he is my kind of lawyer and I would look to him first in any legal matter that I might encounter in the future.

William Benz review.... Highly recommend

About William

Learn William’s areas of practice.

Practice areas

Estate planning

25%

Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Powers of Attorney asset protection. Helping clients plan for their family's future.

42 years, 2,000 cases
Probate

25%

Helping heirs wind up the affairs of their loved ones.

9 years, 200 cases
Real estate

25%

42 years, 1,000 cases
Wills and living wills

25%

42 years, 2,000 cases

BENZ LAW FIRM BECAUSE IT'S THAT IMPORTANT! ESTATE MANAGEMENT, WILL AND TRUST DRAFTING, POA'S

Began practicing with a general practice law firm in 1980 in Philadelphia. A seasoned attorney named David Karabel gave me great advice back then: to write as many wills as I could. For the past 30 years I have followed that advice. Have written over 2,000 wills, and counting.

In 2006 I became a Magisterial District Judge, a position that I continue to hold. My current term of office expires in 2018. Under court rules we are able to practice law woth certain limitations as to practice area.

Over the years I litigated hundreds of cases in civil court, represented dozens of businesses, performed hundreds of real estate and business transactions, represented Nextel, and land developers in zoning and land development matters, represented Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation. Represented Kimco Corporation in commercial evictions. So I've had a very extensive experience as an attorney and made the most of my education and abilities.

But I have to admit that the biggest thrill that I get from the practice of law is helping people plan their estates and helping families wind up their loved ones' estates. I love meeting and getting to know new people. I find their stories and their circumstances compelling. I am truly, deeply motivated to help people to improve their circumstances. That is why I went to law school: to use my skills and knowledge to improve the lives of others. I am at your service.

Photos and videos

Licensed for 42 years

State PA

Status Active

Acquired 1980

Updated 02/26/2023

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

Contact William

William J. Benz

(215) 268-7133 Office

307 Lakeside Drive

Southampton, PA, 18966-4050

benzlaw.com/

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Reviews

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4.5 / 5.0

11 customer reviews

4 Star

2 Star

Posted by Robert | February 7, 2014

Best of the Best

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Response from William Benz February 8, 2014

Thank you for your kind words Mr. Burnham!

Posted by Ron | January 28, 2014

William Benz review.... Highly recommend

Bill is great all around , trustworthy , intelligent, professional in his field. He was extremely helpful to my business in some difficult ,land development, and zoning cases.... He even helped my mother on a basic real estate transaction and made her comfortable thru the process. I would recommend him highly for many legal issues ..

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Posted by Joseph | September 12, 2016

Great Professional

Mr.Benz has been doing a wonderful job helping to settle my mother's estate.Very helpful and the lady Joanne who is his right arm is extremely helpful as I work a long time involving profession and am able to correspond between my hours of work. I would highly recommend Mr.Benz and Joanne to ALL the people in need of an excellent lawyer for wills and estate planning. I cannot say anything but a BIG thank you for all your help.

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Posted by Marc | April 16, 2016

Highly Recommended

I retained Bill to help me as the executor of my mom’s estate through the probate and estate process. Bill and his staff were great throughout the process. Not only did Bill prove to be very knowledgeable in this area, he was also very adept at working through some complicated issues that arose along the way. In addition, Bill and his staff were very accessible and responded quickly to any questions I had. He is a true professional and I would highly recommend him to anyone.

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Posted by anonymous | November 17, 2015

Excellent and thorough attorney

Mr. Benz is an excellent attorney and very thorough. He has done some excellent estate planning, real estate and litigation work for myself and family members.

Posted by Jim | December 22, 2014

In a league of his own

Not only have a used his services, I grown up a few doors away from him. William Benz has ALWAYS been one of the most professional individuals I've EVER known.

Posted by Frank | July 18, 2014

Will, Durable Healthcare Power of Attorney

Bill was extremely patient and knowledgeable in helping me update and prepare my will and healthcare legal work. Without attentiveness and considerations I don't know what I would have done. I have worked with attorneys before in other tax matters but Bill was the most patient and expert in his area of practice. Thank you again Bill.

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Posted by Tommy | March 25, 2014

Effective and Efficient

Bill and his Staff helped my Wife and I with an immediate appointment and efficient preparation of Wills and Power of Attorney. His professional and personal legal advice was effective and affordable. He has earned our trust and we will seek his counsel with any future family legal questions.

Response from William Benz April 21, 2020

Thank you Tom for this nice review. It was my pleasure dealing with you guys.

Posted by Aileen P. | February 6, 2014

Professional and knowledgable

I had a great experience with William Benz. He helped me write my will and I found him to be professional, trustworthy, and reliable. I will be calling him in regards to future legal matters.

Posted by anonymous | October 5, 2018

Consultation

When making your appointment, be sure to ask about his policy on free consultations. Mr. Benz seemed very knowledgeable in his field, however, there were certain areas where I realized he would not be a good fit for my specific case. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that until after I met with him. I also didn't realize he charges his hourly rate for consultations unless you hire him. This is my fault. I should have asked beforehand.

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Posted by anonymous | April 21, 2015

Pay up front.

I called and scheduled an appointment with Mr. Benz for a consultation regarding a Trust estate issue. I drove to his office a week ahead of my appointment and dropped off my documents. When I arrived at my appointment Mr. Benz had not even looked at my documents. His statement" well I am not going to spend 15 minutes reviewing a lot of paperwork because often people do not show up for an appointment." If his secretary had called me and informed me of this policy ,I would have been happy to write a check for a retainer for his time. As a result, all I learned from this appointment was that Mr. Benz is not a speed reader and I need to pay in advance.

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Response from William Benz April 18, 2016

I do not require payment up front. This is a misleading thing to publish on the internet. This person came in for a consultation and did not retain my services and so this person never became a client. The requirement of confidentiality prohibits me from completely addressing this comment. Suffice it to say my version of the facts would vary in such a way as to give rise to questioning the motivation behind this person's dissatisfaction.

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Cost

Resume

AVVO RATING 9.2 (Superb)

Work Experience

Managing Attorney
Benz Law Firm
1987 - Present

Attorney
Lipsky and Brandt, P.C.
1981 - 1987

Education

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
JD - Juris Doctor
1979

Legal Cases

LeFevre v Harrison Bakery
$370,000 jury verdict for Plaintiff

Motor Vehicle Accident Personal Injury
Settled one day prior to trial: 1,100,000.

Estate Litigation
Settlement

View all legal cases

Associations

American Inns of Court
Master
2012 - Present

Miracle League of Northampton
Board of Directors
2009 - Present

Bucks County Special Judges Association
Member
2006 - Present

Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania
Member
2006 - Present

Northampton Business and Professional Association
Member
2006 - Present

LaSalle College High School
Alumni Board of Directors
1986 - Present

Feasterville Business Association
Lifetime Member
1986 - Present

Bucks County Bar Association
Member
1980 - Present

Northampton Township Board of Supervisors
Former Chairman
1993 - 1999

Northampton Township Zoning Hearing Board
Past Chairman
1990 - 1993

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Languages Spoken

English

Honors and Awards

BV Rated
Martindale-Hubbell
2013

Citation for Community Service
PA House of Representatives
2012

William J. Whelan Service Award
LaSalle College High School Alumni Board
2012

Man of the Year 2002
Feasterville Business Association
2002

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Publications

Drafting Effective Wills and Trusts (CLE)
Planning Methods to Control Medical Treatment
2014

Practicing Municipal Law in the Magisterial District Court (CLE)
Municipal Law in the Magisterial District Court
2013

Bucks County American Inns of Court (CLE)
Spousal Privilege in Pennsylvania
2013

Bucks County Bar Association Seminar (CLE)
Practice Before the Magisterial District Court
2013

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Speaking Engagements

Drafting Effective Wills and Trusts
Advance Healthcare Directives
2014

Bucks County Paralegal Association
Powers of Attorney
2014

Bucks County Bar Association, CLE Committee
Handling Cases Before Magisterial District Judge
2013

Bucks County Bench-Bar Conference
Municipal Law in Magisterial District Court
2013

Bucks County American Inn of Court
Spousal Privilege in Criminal Casese In PA
2013

Bucks County American Inn of Court
Ethics for Attorneys
2012

Legal Ethics Seminar
Ethics for the Solo Practitioner
2005

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Attorney endorsements

Received (14)

Given (8)

Endorse William

John Cordisco

Unknown Attorney | May 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"William is an exceptional attorney. I strongly endorse him and would refer him without hesitation."

Lyle Dickson

Unknown Attorney | Jan 13
Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Dmitriy Shakhnevich

Estate planning Attorney | Sep 28
Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer."

Richard Geller

Unknown Attorney | Sep 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse William. Highly respected in the legal community with a strong reputation for client advocacy and dedication."

Giacomo Behar

Estate planning Attorney | Jul 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant attorney, highly respected in the legal community."

John O'Brien

Estate planning Attorney | Jun 04
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."

Sean Cleary

Estate planning Attorney | May 19
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community."

J. Shumaker

Estate planning Attorney | May 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"From reading Mr. Benz's comments and answers on Avvo, it is clear that he is a knowledgeable and experienced wills and estate attorney. I endorse him without reservation."

Joseph Pippen

Estate planning Attorney | Apr 20
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Attorney Benz has an excellent rating on AVVO and is a credit to the legal community."

Jeffrey Runge

Estate planning Attorney | Apr 17
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. A highly skilled and respected lawyer in the legal community."

Christian Lassen

Unknown Attorney | Apr 11
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Jon Fox

Wills and living wills Attorney | Mar 18
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. He goes the extra mile for his clients!"

Lawrence Kalikhman

Wills and living wills Attorney | Feb 09
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"William Benz is an excellent attorney. He is experienced, knowledgeable and looks out for his clients. I endorse this lawyer."

Kevin Zlock

Wills and living wills Attorney | Feb 05
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"William Benz has been practicing in the area of Wills and Trusts for 30 years. He is an exceptionally good attorney with great "people" skills. What makes his experience unique is that he is also a District Justice, and has a way of accessing legal complexities from both sides of the bench."

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John Cordisco

Personal injury