Attorney Patrick Smith - Clermont, FL

Shannon H.

My initial meeting felt rushed. Patrick felt like a slick car salesmen just trying to collect my money. Before being able to execute the final draft, I had to update my name and address. I let the office know this. The changes occurred three months after their usual one year draft period, so they insisted I would have to pay them another $695. At no point did the office remind me of this when I called before that deadline. They agreed it was an easy change, that the cost hadn't changed from when I initially paid, but that was our contract. This is the worst professional service I have ever experienced. I am going to make sure my church knows to not bring him back. If I could give a 0 rating I would. I don't remember ever leaving a bad rating for a business.

Sami W.

I am writing this review to hopefully save someone and their family for what happens AFTER he drafts up your will and when you actually need to use Patrick Smith to carry out said will once someone has passed. To give a background both my parents worked at Disney and found Patrick Smith on the Disney website that suggestion lawyers and people that are in network. They found Patrick in Clermont years ago in 2015 and remember them saying he was super helpful, knowledgeable and nice up front when drafting up their will. Unfortunately, our dad passed away in 2020 and mom unexpectedly in 2023, we called Patrick Smith to help with the legal proceedings and settling their affairs.
To start, his office and secretary really need a class on common respect and basic customer service. I would love to tell you her name but she never gave it, gave her condolences and just flat out rude. When we FINALLY were able to have a quick 15 min phone call with Patrick about next steps and talk about what to do and answer our questions (we are all in our early 30’s and have never had to do this so we weren’t sure what to expect) he never gave his condolences, felt very rushed off the phone and annoyed he was even talking to us and just talked about his fees $4500 base fee plus court fees and 3% of whatever is in the estate to settle. He also said it would take about a year! This is when his secretary sent us an email addressed in our dead mother’s name outlining all this. This rubbed my sisters and I the wrong way! Again, this whole practice has no empathy for the family period. We began asking friends around town about Patrick and reading reviews. The consensus we got wasn’t a good one. He is a snake and only cares about himself and money. He will drag out any legal proceedings and drain as much money out of the estate as he can. He will be nice upfront but when it comes time to actually doing the work he’s a lazy money hungry lawyer. The one thing we are very grateful for is our parents DID NOT set him as executor of the will or access to execute the will “to help out” the family after the lost loved one. Please for your family sake do not do this your family, they will never get any money you planned to leave for them.

In our case, we had all got a bad vibe from him and his office along with the communities responses which makes me laugh his website says “peace of mind business and every family matters” we decided to go with another lawyer. Our new lawyer charged a flat $4000 and no court or percentage taken out of the estate. It has also taken him 4 months which Patrick said would take him a year! The new lawyer was so empathetic about our situation and went above and beyond to help us out. When filing my parents will he did need Patrick Smith to sign an addendum and tried reaching out to his office almost everyday for 3 weeks and got the same rude secretary, if they answered, and never heard from Patrick or got the form he needed. He even told us Patrick is one of the most difficult lawyers and rudest staff he has ever dealt with in his 25 years of practice. Even though our experience was short with Patrick Smith we instantly got a bad money hungry vibe from him and his rude office staff. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE if you care about your family and children do not use Patrick Smith for Estate planning and drafting your will! There are a lot better lawyers out there!!

Builderman

Recently, we decided that it was time to put all of our affairs into order, our wheels, moving our assets into trust, and just preparing for the eventual expiration date. Patrick Smith is a great estate attorney. He’s funny he’s very knowledgeable, and better yet he gets you in and get you out and he knows exactly what he’s doing. He specializes in justice and his team of paralegals, they’re the best so if you’re looking to do your well little estate, planning or whatever this is your guy for sure

Jeanne B.

Recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Attorney Patrick Smith. Patrick guided me through updating my Trust, Will and other legal documents. Patrick paid special attention to the fact I am a senior citizen and made certain I understood everything clearly. He is very professional and I trust him like family. He quotes his fees upfront and honors them. I have already recommended him to several of my friends.

Valerie B.

Very knowledgeable about trusts and wills. All staff members are pleasant, professional, and courteous. I felt very comfortable asking questions and receiving honest feedback.

Bryan C.

The short and sweet review look for a different office for representation. Your time is not seen as valuable as a client with the Law offices of Patrick L. Smith.

I booked an initial appointment on April 25th 2024 for today May 22nd at 230pm. I wanted to meet in his Clermont office however he works out of Fruitland on Wednesday. This is far for me as I live in South Clermont.

We showed up at the Fruitland office located within Family Financial Planners. The receptionist was very confused as we told her we were there to see Patrick and that we had an appointment. She then calls the Clermont office where Aubrey or Audrey ask to speak us saying there was a cancelation left by voicemail. At first I thought they canceled on me. She said no I called to cancel leaving a voicemail. I explained I did not and where is the person I am to meet today. This appointment was made a month ago. I have cleared my schedule to do this and I am off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays only. She put me on hold. I am standing at the reception counter in Fruitland.

A woman came out to see what is going on. She then starts to reprimand the receptionist that I should be calling on my personal phone. That she should never give the phone to a client that it needs to stay open for their paying clients. Patrick only rents space here that they do not work for him. He bolts out of here as quick as he can. That she has to explain to her boss why her employee is helping me. That we are not important enough. It was highly inappropriate. She works for Family Financial Planners under Dan Zebrowski. The receptionist was trying to understand as we were not on their list and trying to assist. The so called boss was saying she is new and knows nothing. Which was disgusting. The receptionist should recieve a raise.

The line comes back for Patrick Smith law offices after 10 minutes on hold and it was not the initial person Aubrey. It was a man named Charles who claimed to be the operation manager. That we will conduct this meeting over the phone, zoom, or they will try to squeeze me in tomorrow at the Clermont office. I said wait slow down. Where is the person I was speaking to. He said I was turned to him as I was not ok with the options presented before me. That he has spoken to Pattrick and Para- legal. They are good to go. I said I am not and the way this law office is handling this is poor in my opinion. That I think I will be looking elsewhere. Charles said well if you change your mind call us again. Then click. Hangs up the phone. Again I am still standing in the offices where the meeting was to take place.

I suggest look elsewhere for assistance.

Raina J.

Patrick has been working on two different estates for me and has been responsive, professional and empathetic to the needs of two complicated matters. He and his staff have spent countless hours working on so many different issues that have arisen, and family strife and has provided great counsel and advice on navigating these tenuous issues. I am pleased to recommend Patrick for all of your estate needs!

Vickie C.

Patrick has been our Lawyer for 9 years. We found him very knowledgeable and caring during the process of sitting up a Will, Trust, Power of Attorney etc. He has helped us with a variety of issues over the past years and has been a real support to our family at all times. We would highly recommend Patrick Smith.