James C. Higgs

James C. Higgs

2.6
Rating: 7.1

Licensed for 19 years

Estate planning Lawyer at Mount Pleasant, MI
Practice Areas: Estate Planning, Elder Law, Probate ... +2 more

117 S University Ave, Mount Pleasant, MI

About James

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Elder Law 30%

Assisting the elderly and disabled with issues of the aging process, including estate planning and medicaid qualification for nursing home stays.

18 years | 30 cases

30%
Estate Planning 30%

Basic drafting of trusts, wills, powers of attorney, health care directives, and other estate planning documents.

18 years | 180 cases

30%
Probate 20%

Probating of Wills and handling of guardianship, conservatorships, and Protective Orders.

18 years | 60 cases

20%
Trusts 15%

Drafting of Trusts and additional funding documents and after death administration.

18 years | 100 cases

15%
Guardianship 5%

Filing Guardianships for the disabled, elderly and people in need of protection.

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 240-240 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Michigan for 19 years

State: Michigan

Acquired: 2006

Active in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

Stein and Higgs, PLLC

117 S University Ave, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48858

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James C. Higgs's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

2.6 /5.0

8 Client Reviews

Posted by Lori | August 28, 2024 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Shitty lawyer scammer

Mr Higgs made an error on a quit claim with one number and would not correct when asked and he said he would.3 months later I had to go elsewhere and pay another lawyer because he wouldn't fix his error .

Posted by Matt | October 31, 2023 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Seek representation elsewhere

I spent around $15,000 on his representation and it would be one thing if we lost the case but that wasn't what happened, he failed to even file the paperwork right to set up a court hearing, so I spent 15,000 to get a hearing date that i never got and then once you fire this attorney they send you... a bill for $400 to sign a paper saying they are fired, seek representation elsewhere save your money He may be a great person and this may have just been a bad couple of months for him but in my experience very poor performance over all.

Posted by Christopher | September 4, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Beware

This p.•.s. Cost me a year with my kids never filed one paper right when I did all work and handed it to him gonna sue this firm and I got video proof picture whole nine he got paid by the defendant to f$$& me over and worst of all he is a pastor and I paid up front see u in court hope james hope u ...can explain why u r scamming as***** my kids losing hope because of u any lawyer reading this and wanna help me sue I’m contact me money is not a worry ...

Posted by anonymous | September 2, 2021 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

After the consult he didn't respond for a month

After the free consult (that was nice) he said he'd write a letter on my behalf. I called and emailed weekly with questions like what was the status, etc. and they were all ignored just an occasional email back from staff stating they were understaffed. Finally after a month he sent an email suggesti...ng I find someone else as he was too busy. I lost 6 weeks of time because it took 2 weeks to get the consult. Very disappointing. I don't understand how someone can stay in business who operates that way. I contacted Attorney Mark Pasquali who was very professional and responsive to all my communication.

Posted by Cathy | February 23, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

What a Joke!

This guy is a terrible lawyer! Beware: DO NOT HIRE HIM! He drew up a land contract for the sale of my business, charged me for filing a UC-1 with the state, but neglected to do it. It cost me 120,000 because he did not do his job! He is a joke.

James Higgs

Replied last April 24, 2018

This is not accurate at all and Cathy knows it. There was a very public going out of business sale at the store which is around the corner from my office. All of the goods were sold and nothing was left. The purchaser very publicly then declared Bankruptcy. A UC-1 does not help in that situation. With a UC-1 you have to file for the lien then use it. UC-1 only puts a lien on actual personal property left over. We did not file the UC-1 because neither party returned with an inventory list to attach, nor did either party sign the document. Without the list and documents it cannot be filed. My fault, if any exists, was to not call and remind the parties that the transaction was not complete until all the paperwork was done. The file was placed in the file cabinet waiting for them to act.

See All Client Reviews

James C. Higgs's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse James
Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Mar 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

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

Howard M Lewis headshot
Howard Lewis

Estate planning lawyer | Jan 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Higgs is an outstanding attorney with an excepional reputation. He is a strong and zelaous advocate for his cients and a credit to the legal profession. I highly recommend his legal services."

James P. Frederick headshot
James Frederick

Probate lawyer | Jan 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Higgs and I practice in a lot of the same areas of law, so I have had the opportunity to review a great many of his responses to Avvo questions. His responses demonstrate a solid understanding of the law and a desire to help people with good, practical solutions to their legal problems. He is a great resource for the Avvo community and I am happy to endorse him and his services. James Frederick"

View All Endorsements
Floyd W. Steele headshot
Floyd Steele

Workers compensation lawyer

James P. Frederick headshot
James Frederick

Probate lawyer

Experience

Rating:  7.1 (Very Good)

Honors

2005

Magna Cum Laude, Thomas M Cooley Law School

Work Experience

2008 - Present

Attorney, Stein and Higgs, PLLC

2006 - 2008

Attorney, Davidson Breen & Doud

Associations

2011 - Present

Sixth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals

Member

2010 - Present

Federal Bar Association (Western District of Michigan chapter)

Member

2009 - Present

Central Michigan Home Builders Association

Member

2009 - Present

Institute for Continuing Legal Education

Partner

2009 - Present

Federal Bar Association (Eastern District of Michigan chapter)

Member

2006 - Present

State Bar of Michigan

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Mulholland vs. Isabella Bank

Recovered 75% of the money taken.

Shugg vs. Chase

Full recovery for the client.

See More Legal Cases

Education

2005

Thomas M. Cooley Law School

JD - Juris Doctor

1996

Great Lakes Christian College

Bachelor of Religious Education

Speaking Engagements

2017

Estate Planning in Central Michigan

Preparing for Long Term Care

2010

Commission Lunch Seminars

Estate Planning for Asset Retention

Languages

Spanish

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
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