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William D. Block

Estate planning Attorney at Brookfield, WI

4.5   8 reviews
  • Licensed for 13 years
    State WI
    Acquired 2010
    Status
    Good Standing No misconduct found

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

About William

Learn William’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  1. Estate planning
    20%
    I will give you the information you need to decide on the best plan for you. Includes trusts, wills, powers of attorney and probate avoidance. I also help coordinate your assets to make sure that your plan will function correctly.

    13 years

  2. Power of attorney
    20%
    As a subset of estate planning, I will help you make sure that you are protected during your lifetime so that others can step up and help you if you need it.

    13 years

  3. Probate
    20%
    I help with the administration of any type of estate, whether it is through the probate courts, outside of them, or both. I will give you information about your rights and responsibilities as the administrator of the estate or as a beneficiary.

    11 years

  4. Trusts
    20%
    As a subset of estate planning, we can work together to customize your revocable trust to ease the administrative burden of handling your estate and to make sure that your assets are dealt with properly.

    13 years

  5. Wills and living wills
    20%
    As a subset of estate planning, I will help you coordinate your documents so that you leave a clear message to your loved ones about the decisions that should be made for you and your estate.

    13 years

My practice focuses on estate planning and probate, helping clients navigate through will and trust planning, probate court, powers of attorney, and everything in between.  As much as possible, I help my clients and their families avoid conflicts through comprehensive estate planning, probate-avoidance techniques, powers of attorney, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements. I believe that preventative measures are always better than trying to fix a problem after it happens.  That's not always possible, though.  For situations where a conflict cannot be avoided, my approach is to limit emotionally draining and expensive legal battles to the extent possible while still fighting for you to make sure your interests are protected. 

Before opening my own practice, I worked at several other firms, including a small family-owned office, a medium-sized multi-attorney general practice firm, and high-end firm on the top floor of an office building in downtown Milwaukee.  I learned a lot from each of these experiences and was motivated by the successes of those I worked with to venture out and design a business that matched my own vision.  

I received my law degree from Marquette University Law School in 2010.  I focused my legal education on estate planning, dispute resolution, mediation, and restorative justice. While at Marquette, I founded and served as the President of the Restorative Justice Society. I also served on the boards of the Alternate Dispute Resolution Society and the Client Skills Board.  I was inducted into the Pro Bono Society with high honors for outstanding volunteer involvement with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program and the Milwaukee Foreclosure Mediation Program. I also mediated small claims disputes at the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. 

I received my undergraduate degree from Marquette University in 2005 with a triple major in English Composition, Philosophy, and Comparative Theology. I live in Wauwatosa with my wife and three children.

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Contact William

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Block Legal Services, LLC
2505 North 124th Street
Suite 106
Brookfield, WI, 53005

Reviews

4.5 / 5.0
  8 customer reviews
5 Star
 
88%
4 Star
 
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1 Star
 
13%
Posted by Sean | October 17, 2018
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Marital property agreement
I was going to get married and had some questions regarding a prenup. William seemed very knowledgeable and sincere in helping to educated me through the process. I decided to hire him because of the comfort I felt in him having my best interest in mind. He offered personalized care in setting up the documents and I felt like I was properly represented. I would recommend him to any of my friends.
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Posted by Katie | July 26, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Very Good
Mr. Block provided my family with comprehensive estate planning services. He was prompt when responding to inquiries, and very thorough when explaining our options and the meaning of documents. I would recommend him to anyone needing assistance with their estate planning.
Posted by Amy | March 23, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Quick and Thorough
William was very willing to help us out when one of our relatives passed. We don't live in WI and he made everything very easy and was extremely helpful in interpreting laws and codes into layman's terms.
Posted by Michael | February 12, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Highly Recommended
Will did an excellent job of first identifying our estate planning needs. He then clearly laid out our options in simple terms. The whole process was very smooth. At signing, he made what had once seemed like difficult decisions much easier to make. I highly recommend his practice.
Posted by anonymous | January 8, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Trusted Lawyer
William provided a high level of confidence and support that I needed while dealing with stressful legal issues; specifically divorce and financials in my experience. I appreciated his ability to sort through the details, and provide a thorough, honest explanation of the situation and options. I would recommend William based on his ability to provide the satisfactory guidance and support that was needed in order to work toward a resolution.
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Posted by Karen | December 23, 2015
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
incredibly reliable
In the time I had worked with Mr. Block, he has been extremely professional yet personable and made me feel completely comfortable. He came across as very confident and knowledgeable and I never needed to worry who was on my team. He represented himself in a professional manner and I knew, regardless of the circumstance, he was a family man and could certainly relate to the situation. Very caring.
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Posted by Wendy | October 31, 2014
Excellent estate planning experience
William Block provided us with excellent estate planning service. He is knowledgable, responsive, patient, attentive; the process was as easy and pleasant as one could expect. Documents were prepared in under two weeks. Flat rate billing was reasonable and we appreciated knowing the cost up front. Meetings were productive and William spent all the time we needed explaining everything and answering our questions. We recommend William Block for estate planning services.
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Posted by Jessica | July 17, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Very Poor Representation
My interests were adversely affected by Attorney Block’s inattention to detail, lack of promptness, and negligence. Even when my interests were not affected in substance, his unreasonable delay and inattention to legal matters caused me needless anxiety and undermined my confidence in his trustworthiness. Mr. Block charged me attorney fees for simple secretarial and paralegal work such as scanning and printing documents. He made glaringly obvious mistakes, he did not provide competent representation, lacks family law knowledge, and did not act with reasonable diligence and promptness in representing me.
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Response from William Block July 21, 2016
It saddens me that a client of mine has been less than completely satisfied with my representation. In this particular case, I brought this client's matter to trial and won, defeating a counter motion in the process and getting a ruling from the judge setting a precedent that will make future litigation in the matter unlikely. None of the issues mentioned here were raised during the representation, when I could have addressed them or changed the course or style of representation. Had I known of this client's unease or displeasure, I would have tailored the nature and frequency of my communications with her to make sure that she felt more comfortable and informed, or changed the course of the litigation to meet her changing concerns. These issues were only raised after the trial had been completed when the final bill became due. I have communicated directly with this client about her dissatisfaction and have tried to offer her options to address her problems, but she has been unwilling to work with me in any sort of way. I truly regret that this case ended the way it did. I like this client and enjoyed representing her, and I was thrilled at the excellent result we were able to get at trial.
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Cost

Rates
  • Hourly Rates $ 200-300 per hour
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 9.2 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Of Counsel
  • Stippich, Selin and Cain, LLC
  • 2016 - Present
  • Owner
  • Block Legal Services, LLC
  • 2015 - Present
  • Associate Attorney
  • Becker, Hickey & Poster, S.C.
  • 2015 - 2015
  • Associate Attorney
  • The Law Offices of Mark S. Knutson, S.C.
  • 2012 - 2015
  • Attorney
  • Hudson Legal
  • 2011 - 2012
  • Associate Attorney
  • Storm, Balgeman, Miller & Klippel, S.C.
  • 2010 - 2011
View all work experience

Education

  • Marquette University Law School
  • JD - Juris Doctor
  • 2010
  • Marquette University
  • BA - Bachelor of Arts
  • 2005

Legal Cases

  • Family Trying to Cut Out Beneficiary
  • Successful settlement payment to my client

Associations

  • American Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2017 - Present
  • Collaborative Family Law Council of Wisconsin
  • Member
  • 2015 - Present
  • Waukesha County Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2012 - Present
  • Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section
  • Member
  • 2010 - Present
  • Milwaukee Bar Association
  • Member
  • 2010 - Present
  • Divorce Cooperation Institute
  • Member
  • 2014 - 2016
View all associations

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Pro Bono High Honors
  • Marquette University Law School
  • 2010

Speaking Engagements

  • Legal Ethics in Estate Planning
  • Legal Ethics in Estate Planning
  • 2017
  • Probate for Paralegals
  • Understanding the Laws of Intestate Succession
  • 2016
  • Probate for Paralegals
  • How to Prepare and File the Inventory
  • 2016
  • Probate for Paralegals
  • Ethical Perils in the Probate Practice
  • 2016
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (8)
Given (5)
Endorse William
Trusts Attorney | Jul 21
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Will and I were co-presenters at a CE/CLE course through the National Business Institute (NBI). Will was very knowledgeable, well organized, personable and truly a pleasure to work with! I would recommend him without hesitation."
Estate planning Attorney | Jan 28
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I not only know Will but I chose him to do my personal Estate Planning. As a colleague and a counselor, Will is knowledgeable, thoughtful, and demonstrates integrity."
Divorce and separation Attorney | Sep 20
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"Attorney Block and I were opposing counsel on a divorce. Throughout the case, he was always prompt and professional. I would have no hesitation referring clients to Attorney Block for any estate planning or family law matter."
Divorce and separation Attorney | Aug 15
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Attorney Block is knowledgeable and truly cares about his clients. I have no hesitation endorsing this lawyer."
Estate planning Attorney | Feb 09
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Will is an excellent attorney. I know him personally and professionally. I have referred several people to him. He has a great working knowledge of the law. He cares about his clients and goes above-and-beyond to help them achieve their personal goals."
Estate planning Attorney | Jan 28
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"I endorse this lawyer. Although he is a relatively young lawyer, Mr. Block has had the experience necessary to become a good estate planning lawyer, and will serve clients well in this practice area."
Estate planning Attorney | Jan 28
Relationship: Friend
"I've known Will for eight years having met him in law school at Marquette University. He is a competent and effective attorney with a well-developed skill set in estate planning and family law. I admire his honest and direct approach to the practice of law."
Litigation Attorney | Jul 03
Relationship: Other
"I endorse this lawyer. I went to law school with William. He is very hard working and intelligent."
View more endorsements
Brookfield Estate planning Lawyer William D. Block
William D. Block
Estate planning Attorney
Brookfield, WI
Licensed for 13 years