Bernetich, Hatzell & Pascu, LLC

For local users in Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey, and surrounding communities seeking legal services, particularly in areas related to estate planning, elder law, and real estate, the "Nearby Lawyers" platform category is designed to connect them with suitable legal professionals. Bernetich, Hatzell & Pascu, LLC is a law firm with an office located at 4 Munn Ave, Cherry Hill Township, NJ 08034, USA. They can be contacted via phone at (856) 795-3535 or mobile at +1 856-795-3535. An objective introduction to this firm will synthesize information regarding their stated services and operational approach with direct client feedback, which in this case, presents a critical perspective.

Bernetich, Hatzell & Pascu, LLC is situated in Cherry Hill Township, New Jersey, a well-established and accessible area in South Jersey. The address, 4 Munn Ave, suggests a location within a professional or office park setting, common for legal practices. This type of environment typically offers dedicated office spaces for client consultations, ensuring privacy and a professional atmosphere. Being located in Cherry Hill, a major suburban center, indicates good accessibility for clients from various parts of Camden County and the broader South Jersey region. While details about the internal decor or specific client amenities are not publicly available, the firm's structure as an LLC with multiple named partners suggests a well-organized and established legal practice capable of handling a significant caseload. One review mentions that the firm "will not let you in the office," which, if accurate, would significantly impact the client experience regarding the physical environment and direct interaction. This unusual practice could be due to specific internal policies, security measures, or, as a negative interpretation, a reluctance for in-person meetings. It is crucial for prospective clients to verify current office access policies directly with the firm if in-person meetings are important to them.

Bernetich, Hatzell & Pascu, LLC identifies itself as a full-service estate firm, with a strong focus on planning for the future and navigating complex legal processes related to aging and wealth transfer. Their specific practice areas include:

• Estate & Trust Planning: Assisting clients in developing comprehensive estate plans, including drafting Wills, various types of Trusts (such as Revocable Trusts and Trusts for beneficiaries), Powers of Attorney, and Advanced Health Care Directives. The goal is to ensure clients' wishes are carried out regarding their assets and healthcare decisions.
• Estate & Trust Administration: Guiding executors and trustees through the process of gathering and managing assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing assets to beneficiaries according to wills and trusts. This may also involve tax minimization strategies and dispute resolution within estate administration.
• Elder Law & Medicaid Planning: Focusing on legal and financial planning for aging individuals. This includes strategies for Medicaid eligibility, asset preservation through insurance, trusts, asset titling, and gifting, as well as personal planning documents like Powers of Attorney and Advanced Directives for health care.
• Guardianship & Special Needs Trust Planning: Assisting in the process of obtaining court-approved guardianship for individuals unable to make personal and financial decisions. They also specialize in creating Special Needs Trusts to supplement public benefits for disabled individuals.
• Estate & Trust Litigation & Dispute Resolution: Handling disagreements among executors, heirs, trustees, and other interested parties. This includes Will contests, probate problems, document interpretation issues, and intestacy issues, which can be resolved through dispute resolution or litigation.
• Residential & Commercial Real Estate: Providing legal assistance for various real estate matters, including purchases, sales, leases, zoning and planning issues, and property tax appeals. The provided negative review specifically relates to a "home purchase," confirming this area of practice.

The firm emphasizes their expertise in these specialized areas, aiming to provide guidance and representation for clients navigating often complex and emotionally sensitive legal matters related to their assets, families, and future well-being.

Bernetich, Hatzell & Pascu, LLC promotes itself based on providing experienced guidance in their specialized fields. They aim to work closely with clients to develop effective plans, particularly in estate planning. Their focus areas, such as elder law and special needs trusts, demonstrate a commitment to serving specific demographic needs with tailored legal solutions. The firm's website suggests that they provide thorough and careful handling of complex legal documents and processes. While the provided information does not explicitly state unique approaches beyond their practice areas, a firm specializing in estate and elder law often emphasizes sensitivity, long-term planning, and a meticulous approach to detail to ensure legal documents accurately reflect client wishes and comply with regulations.

However, the direct client review provides a contrasting perspective on the firm's operational features and approach:

• Communication and Responsiveness: The review states, "slow to respond," which directly contradicts an expectation of prompt client service.
• Office Access: The claim, "Will not let you in the office," is highly unusual for a law firm and suggests a restrictive client interaction policy that could hinder effective collaboration or build distrust.
• Billing Practices: The most striking feature mentioned is their billing model: "Charges $50 for every email read. $100 for everyone sent. More than double the fees of any other lawyer." This indicates a highly granular and potentially expensive billing approach that differs significantly from standard hourly rates or flat fees for communication often integrated into overall service costs.

These features, particularly the billing practice and office access, are significant and directly impact the client experience, contrasting sharply with the general expectations of transparency and accessibility in legal services.

Based on their stated practice areas, Bernetich, Hatzell & Pascu, LLC would likely promote itself as a firm offering specialized and experienced legal counsel in estate planning, elder law, and real estate. Their promotional messaging would probably highlight:

• Their expertise in complex areas like Wills, Trusts, Medicaid Planning, and Guardianships.
• Their ability to provide comprehensive estate solutions for individuals and families.
• Their understanding of the nuances of elder law and special needs planning.
• Their experience in handling real estate transactions and disputes.

These promotional points would aim to attract clients seeking specialized knowledge and assistance in these critical life planning and asset management areas. They would likely emphasize the importance of careful planning to protect assets and ensure wishes are honored.

The single provided customer review for Bernetich, Hatzell & Pascu, LLC is severely negative and offers critical considerations for prospective clients:

• The reviewer describes having "Wasted a lot of my time and money using them for a home purchase." This indicates dissatisfaction with both the efficiency of service and the financial cost relative to the outcome or value received.
• The specific details about the billing practices – "$50 for every email read. $100 for everyone sent. More than double the fees of any other lawyer" – are highly unusual and point to a non-standard and potentially prohibitive fee structure. This level of granular billing for routine communication is a significant red flag for clients concerned about costs and transparency.
• The statement, "Stay FAR away. Worst experience of my life," conveys extreme dissatisfaction and regret.
• The additional criticisms, "Will not let you in the office and slow to respond also," suggest significant issues with client accessibility and communication responsiveness.

This review suggests that while the firm may possess expertise in their stated practice areas, their operational practices, particularly regarding communication and billing, are a major source of client dissatisfaction. For local users exploring the "Nearby Lawyers" category, this feedback indicates a need for extreme caution. It is imperative that any prospective client thoroughly inquire about and understand the firm's billing policies, communication protocols (including email charges), and office access policies before engaging their services. These are critical factors that directly impact the overall client experience and financial burden.

In conclusion, Bernetich, Hatzell & Pascu, LLC in Cherry Hill, NJ, positions itself as a specialized firm offering services in estate planning, elder law, and real estate. While they promote experienced guidance in these complex areas, the provided client review highlights serious concerns regarding their billing practices (charging for every email), communication responsiveness, and in-person office access. These aspects suggest a potentially difficult and expensive client experience, advising prospective clients to exercise significant due diligence and clarify all terms of engagement upfront.