Dennis A W Fordham

Dennis A W Fordham

5.0
Rating: 8.7

Licensed for 34 years

Estate planning Lawyer at Lakeport, CA
Practice Areas: Estate Planning, Trusts, Probate

870 South Main Street, Lakeport, CA

About Dennis

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Estate Planning 50%

Drafting Wills and Trusts.

22 years | 700 cases

50%
Trusts 30%

Trust Administration upon death or incapacity of settlor who established the trust.

22 years | 40 cases

30%
Probate 20%

Court supervised administration of a deceased person's probate estate, It can either be testate (with a will) or intestate (without a will).

22 years | 20 cases

20%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 22 years

State: California

Acquired: 2003

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in New York for 34 years

State: New York

Acquired: 1992

Due to Reregister within 30 days of Birthday

No misconduct found

Location

Law Office of Dennis A Fordham

870 South Main Street, Lakeport, CA, 95453

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Dennis A W Fordham's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

53 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (53) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 6 - 9 of 9 reviews | Compassion

Posted by Irene | November 12, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Trusts

My trust

I really appreciated all his help. I did not know how to do this trust at all. Mr. Fordham took the time to explain everything simple for me to understand each step. I know he is a busy man yet he made me feel like he had all the time I needed. He did not rush me like I was suppose to know all this. ...What was also nice he didn't make me feel badly not knowing what I was doing. He was very kind.

Posted by JoAnn | December 07, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Trusts

went smoothly

Dennis made out our current trust. In the year and a half since my husband's death, he has guided me very efficiently and kindly through the process of selling properties, getting an accountant, and dealing with the entities that are so hard to navigate on one's own. He included me in all the emails... regarding the trust, was available when I needed help, and explained things that I didn't understand (sometimes more than once!). I found him, and his secretary to be good listeners and always of good humor. I am very pleased that I have a surviver's trust so I don't have anything to worry about. I recommend him highly.

Posted by Tom | July 21, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Probate

Dennis Fordham review

Dennis provided excellent guidance and advice during a very difficult time of my Mother's passing. He was always very prompt and helpful. He helped me through both the legal and ethical aspects of settling the estate.

Posted by Debbie | June 05, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Trusts

starting and finishing a special needs trust

Dennis Fordham was a very big asset in setting up a special needs trust for my disabled brother so that he could remain eligible for SSI in 2009. In 2019 Dennis again helped to resolve trust issues that arose after the death of my brother. He is a kind and compassionate lawyer and I would recommend... him to anybody.

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Dennis A W Fordham's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Dennis
Kevin Thomas O'Connor headshot
Kevin O'Connor

Estate planning lawyer | Nov 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Dennis is super knowledgeable and has a very accessible and personable way of sharing information."

Jeffrey David Markham headshot
Jeffrey Markham

Estate planning lawyer | Mar 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

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This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  8.7 (Excellent)

Honors

2009

Specialization - Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Law, California State Bar

Work Experience

2004 - Present

Attorney, Law Office of Dennis A. Fordham

1994 - 2002

Senior Attorney, New York State Department of Taxation - Office of Counsel

Associations

2010 - Present

Lake County Law Library

Trustee

2006 - Present

Redwood Empire Estate Planning Council

Member

1996 - Present

Lakeport Rotary

Member

Education

1994

New York University School of Law

LL.M - Master of Laws (Taxation)

1991

State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law

J.D.

1988

Columbia Univ

History

Speaking Engagements

2016

Lake County Bar Association

Revocable Transfer on Death Deed

2010

Speaker's Panel

Financial Elder Abuse

Publications

2010

California State Bar Trusts and Estates Quarterly Using Private Retirement Plans to Protect your Assets from Creditors
Avvo Rating

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