James P. Plitz

We found this firm via Avvo, then by first finding out about a free seminar on estate planning being held in Albuquerque. We have experience hiring law firms and I think we know good lawyers when we see one by now. Jim is a nice person with finely honed communication skills and a deep knowledge base.... Our situation is not simple and we know we are in good hands. The only downside is that we think this firm is a bit expensive, but, as my mother used to say, you're not paying for what they do, you're paying for what they know.

Attorney Jim Plitz has been my legal counsel since late 2013. Attorney Jim Plitz collaborated with both the Arizona probate court and the California tax consultants following death of a family member, an Arizona resident. I was executor of the probate and a resident of New Mexico employed full time... in Albuquerque. Mr. Plitz negotiated the extreme challenges of the lingering process of probate to closure. During this time, Mr. Plitz patiently guided completing of my personal trust so my family members would not have such a difficult time when I pass. Additionally during this time, a grandson in Texas died of melanoma, a young nephew in Colorado died in an accident, and out-of-state sister became ill. Her illness required selling her home to enable moving her to a facility. During our recent review/revision of my trust (after 3 years) I was diagnosed with three illnesses causing me to reevaluate some of my prior decisions. Attorney Plitz, assisted by his office manager/paralegal Heather, efficiently revised my trust to accommodate my intent. Mr. Plitz and paralegal, Heather, host regular question and answer seminars open to our community. I continue to benefit as a consumer of current and authentic legal information applicable to my estate and trust. Conversation and interaction between participants lend to continued engagement of all stakeholders at these seminars. Informative presentations by other community professionals, invited by Attorney Jim Plitz, have included: "what goes into a trust and how it works", guardianship, incapacitation, personal financial plans/reviews, personal and home insurance, tax planning/tax law changes, home health care, beneficiary dilemmas, trustee responsibility/choices, and planning our final services. Robust problem solving "stories" amongst seminar attendees are stimulating and continue my pursuit of legal "trust/estate literacy"!!!

After consulting with Mr. Plitz, regarding setting up our trust, I invited our in-laws to meet with him. I felt it would be the right move for our family, but I wanted the blessing of our son in law (Harvard business grad). As a result of this conference, our children not only agreed with our decisio...n, but then worked with Jim on their own estate plan. I have consulted with Jim several times since and found him willing and able to answer questions regarding the trust.

Jim was extremely helpful in creating our trusts and other legal documents. Since I have some training in contracts, Jim was very accommodating and worked with me on changes that I suggested. If I did not understand some aspects of the legal documents, he was very willing to provide a thorough and ...clear explanation. Recently we required an amendment to our trust to accommodate a family member who was having major surgery, Jim was able to do this work even though it was short notice. He delivered exactly what we needed and in a very timely way.

We would recommend James as a Trust Attorney without hesitation. While he is extremely knowledgeable, he is also down to earth. He takes the time to educate you using every-day layman's language. He is genuinely interested in you and not just interested in only what he needs to know to do the job and... receive payment. He listens and asks questions until he has a thorough understanding of your needs and wants. Because a trust attorney is an attorney you can have for a long time and the attorney helping you navigate the loss of a loved one, it is especially important that you can have complete and total trust in him or her. With James we have found an attorney we can have that trust in, and we both feel safe knowing that when losses happen to either one of us or our children it is James we are turning to.