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Helene Patrice-Dreyer Koch

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Avvo Rating10
  • Indian Wells, CA
  • Licensed for 27 years
  • Free consultation
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About Helene

Practice areas

ProbateLitigationEstate planning
  1. Estate planning: 70%

    Estate Plannning, Wills, Trusts, and Trust Administration

    20 years

  2. Litigation: 15%

    Business / Civil disputes and Trial work - both plaintiff and defendant

    28 years

  3. Probate: 15%

    Probate of Wills, Estate Administration

    20 years

Languages spoken

English

Contact

45025 Manitou Dr
address map

Helene P.Dreyer Koch

45025 Manitou Dr
Indian Wells, CA, 92210

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive199201/18/2020
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers20
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Top LawyersPalm Springs Life Magazine2016
Top LawyersPalm Springs Life Magazine2015
Top LawyersPalm Springs Life Magazine2014
Certified Specialist (Estate Planning, Trust, and Probate)State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization2014
Top LawyersPalm Springs Life Magazine2013
Top LawyersPalm Springs Life Magazine2012
Top LawyersPalm Springs Life Magazine2011
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
PartnerRoemer & Harnik LLP2001 - Present
AttorneyLaw Office of Helene P. Dreyer1998 - 2001
Instructor, Paralegal Studies (Real Property)Chapman University1997 - 2001
AttorneyBest Best & Krieger LLP1992 - 1998
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
College of the Desert Foundation - Planned Giving CommitteeCommittee Member2013 - Present
American Mensa Ltd.Member1994 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember1992 - Present
Desert Bar AssociationMember1992 - Present
The Community Foundation - Riverside / San BernardinoCoachella Valley Fund - Committee Member2015 - 2016
Coachella Valley Volunteers in MedicineBoard of Direcotrs2013 - 2017
Boys & Girls Club of Coachella Valley -- Planned Giving CommitteeCommitee Member2012 - 2015
Desert Aids Project - Planned Giving CommitteeCommittee Member2011 - 2012
Warren Slaughter / Richard Roemer Inn of CourtBarristerN/A
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
The Public RecordNew Laws Ease Estate Tax Burden in 20112011
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Univ of Texas School of LawJ.D. (Juris Doctor)1992
University of MichiganUndergraduate1987
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Art of Finance - Morgan StanleyTop 10 Mistakes in Estate Planning2015
Various Homeowner AssociationsEstate Planning Basics2014

Reviews

(24)
5 Star
100%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Review Helene Koch

Estate Planning

Posted by

Helene guided us through the process of updating our estate plan in a very professional and personable manner. She was very patient in explaining all legal clauses and clarifying legal language. We felt very comfortable in making decisions based on Helene's advice and guidance, we highly recommend her services.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Excellent Probate Attorney

Posted by

Helene was recommended to me by a professional associate. Helene did an excellent job handling our ancillary probate matter. I appreciated her ability to clearly and accurately explain the process and what to expect. She and her staff were thorough, yet efficient. I felt she was fair in her use of billable hours. She is very experienced in handling probate matters and I would highly recommend her.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Looking for a great attorney....look no further!!!

Posted by

Helen was fabulous!! My brother had just died unexpectedly without a will. My mother was adamant it was time for me to get my affairs in order. Helene prepared all the documents, trusts and will. Helene answered all my questions and I had plenty. Helene was professional, fees were appropriate, and everything was completed in a timely manner. I strongly recommend Helene.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

TRUST/ESTATE PLANNING.

Posted by

I was referred to Helene to re-write my Family's Trust and Estate Plan. Helene spent time with me to gather personal information regarding my needs in a.professional and timely manner. Her knowledge and guidance were exceptional. Secondary to her style of communication, she helped me feel less anxious in making decisions. If I need further assistance in her areas of expertise I will definitely have Helene as my lawyer. I will not hesitate to recommend her to other people requiring Helene's professional skills. Thank you Helene for making a challenging situation less intense.

Excellent estate planner

Posted by

Helene was recommended to us by a friend who has practiced in the Valley for years. She helped us develop a complete estate plan in a very short period of time. I felt her fees were very reasonable. Helene has a very organized and thorough approach. She is extremely knowledgeable and very straight forward. She gives recommendations as well as explaining options which I found very refreshing having been through this process before. Helene has an excellent understanding of current issues which was very helpful. She approaches the process both practically and with compassion. She also has good contacts for other issues which is very helpful. I appreciate the fact that she is part of a firm so you do not have to worry about transition issues which can be a problem. We could not be happier with our experience and feel that our estate is in better shape legally than ever before.

Inherited Property and Property Tax Issues

Posted by

My brother and I inherited our grandparents' home and there were some legal issues involving property taxes. We met with over 10 lawyers throughout the valley. Not one of them knew how to handle our situation. We FINALLY met with Helene Dreyer-Koch. Within minutes she knew exactly what was needed to get our situation corrected. Within months, our situation was resolved (in OUR favor). Words can not express how truly happy we are with her. She is one of a kind. She is a professional and caring lawyer. I would highly recommend her. If I ever need a lawyer again, she will be the first person I call.

High Praise For the Epitome of a Good Estate Attorney

Posted by

My wife and I found Helene to be all that we were looking for for our Estate Plannning needs. She is thoroughly Professional,Caring, and efficient and greatly inspired our trust. And we considered her fee more than warranted considering her high level of performance. What a great find.....a shining flower on the Desert Landscape.

Highly recommend Helene Dreyer Koch

Posted by

I would highly recommend Helene for matters of estate planning and trust creation. She is very dedicated to exploring all alternatives to insure my desires and plans are carried out for my beneficiaries. She also provided me alternatives to insure the estate is protected according to our family wishes. She met all of her commitments to timely provide solutions to my estate planning requirements.

Great Attorney

Posted by

Helene helped my husband and I update our Wills, appoint a Medical Fiduciary, Living Wills and Powers of Attorney. She is extremely knowledgeable and most helpful. She was able to answer any and all our questions and concerns at a fair price. I have no reservations with Helene and we will use her again when the need arises.

An outstanding attorney. Knowledgeable, thorough, and complete.

Posted by

Helene updated our Living Trust and other estate planning documents. She thoroughly understood this complicated area, and did an outstanding job on the documentation. I would recommend her to anyone who needs a terrific estate-planning attorney.
See all reviews

Attorney endorsements

(17)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Heidi Clerc, Estate planning Attorney on Sep 11, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Helene is an exceptional attorney. She is wonderful with clients and highly experienced in estate planning and probate law.

Malcolm Campbell, Chapter 7 bankruptcy Attorney on Mar 19, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse Helene Dreyer with great enthusiasm. I have known Helene for many years and I am extremely impressed with her ethics, intellect and legal acumen. She is extremely bright and one of the finest lawyers I know.

Robert Bernheimer, Land use and zoning Attorney on Jan 11, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I've known Helene for many years. We have worked together on cases and I have referred people to her. She is incredibly thorough with exceptional research and writing skills. I endorse her in Estate Planning, Probate and Litigation.

Robert Hargreaves, Energy and utilities Attorney on Jan 6, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Joseph Gibbs, Litigation Attorney on Jan 4, 2012
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Helene is an outstanding lawyer. If either I or any of my clients had a problem within the scope of her expertise, she would be the first person I would call. She is a lawyer's lawyer.

Brian Harnik, Litigation Attorney on Jan 4, 2012
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer. she is brilliant, thorough and fabulous. She is a member of Mensa. Clients think the world of her.

Diane Blasdel, Litigation Attorney on Dec 30, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have known Helene for over 15 years. I have worked with her, and adverse to her. I wholeheartedly endorse Helene, as she is a bright and experienced lawyer, with incredible writing skills, a thorough anaysis of legal issues, and just a great person.

Zara Kilmurray

I endorse this lawyer. I am an attorney in Massachusetts, and needed the assistance of an attorney in California with experience in both probate and real estate matters. Attorney Helene Patrice-Dreyer Koch handled a complicated, international probate matter including the successful conclusion of the ancillary estate, as well as negotiating a remarkable settlement when a contest appeared inevitable. She was knowledgeable, clear and collegial. I am confident in endorsing Attorney Dreyer Koch.

Kimberly Lee, Estate planning Attorney on Jun 12, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I've known Helene for several years and she is an excellent estate planning attorney. She is intelligent, caring, and would always do what she believes is best for her clients. I endorse Helene with no reservation.

Marc Empey, Business Attorney on Jun 9, 2011
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer. I have had the pleasure of working with Helene over many years. She is a smart, talented and experienced lawyer that represents her clients extremely well.

Virginia Criste, Family Attorney on Jun 8, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Helene is a highly intelligent and amazingly thorough practitioner whose work product is always of the highest caliber. She can be trusted to be caring and thoughtful.

Julia Burt, Estate planning Attorney on Jun 4, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Helene is an honest, reputable and intelligent attorney. I would not hesitate to refer her on a matter for which I have a conflict.

David Erwin, State, local, and municipal law Attorney on Jun 3, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Helene is very attentive to her clients and is very capable in her field whether Probate or any other.

Madeline Gauthier, Estate planning Attorney on Jun 3, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. I had to refer a client from Washington to the new home of my client when he moved to California. Then later, I referred another client who moved to the same area. She did a wonderful job in both cases. I'm happy to refer her both to the public, and to refer my clients who move to her area. She was responsive, and clearly did a great job.

G. Welles, Litigation Attorney on Jan 5, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Helene is an excellent lawyer

Mary Gilstrap, Litigation Attorney on Mar 22, 2010
Relationship: Co-worker

Brilliant, totally ethical. Smartest lawyer I know. Unhesitatingly recommend Helene for anyone who needs estate planning.

James Dreyer, Car accident Attorney on Mar 22, 2010
Relationship: Family member

A brilliant lawyer, recommended without reservation. I endorse this lawyer's work.

Cost

RATES
  • Hourly Rates$400-$425/hour
  • Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs15 minutes
PAYMENT METHODS

Cash, Check, Credit Card