The Hinson Law Firm, P.A.

Navigating the legal processes that arise after the passing of a loved one, or when dealing with matters involving minors and estates, can be incredibly complex and emotionally taxing. Probate, guardianship, and estate planning are areas of law that require meticulous attention to detail, a deep understanding of Florida's specific regulations, and a compassionate approach. For individuals and families across Florida, particularly in the Jacksonville area, finding a law firm that can effectively guide them through these sensitive matters is crucial.

The Hinson Law Firm, P.A., located in Jacksonville, Florida, focuses its practice on these intricate areas, often intersecting with personal injury and wrongful death cases. Led by Matthew H. Hinson, the firm aims to assist clients with the legal needs surrounding estates, trusts, and the protection of minors' interests. While the firm presents itself as a dedicated legal service, recent public reviews highlight significant concerns regarding client communication and responsiveness. This article will provide factual information about The Hinson Law Firm, P.A., including its location, reported services, and contact details, while also incorporating the publicly available feedback to offer a comprehensive and balanced overview for local users in Florida.

The Hinson Law Firm, P.A. is centrally located in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. Their office can be found at 300 W Adams St #500, Jacksonville, FL 32202, USA.

This address places the firm within a key business and legal district of Jacksonville, making it generally accessible for clients residing in the city and surrounding areas. The downtown location typically offers various transportation options, including proximity to major roadways for those driving, and potential access to public transit routes. While direct parking availability at the building should always be confirmed prior to a visit, downtown areas usually have nearby parking garages or street parking options. The professional setting of the office aims to provide a suitable environment for discussing confidential legal matters. This central location is designed to be convenient for clients seeking legal assistance in the firm's specialized areas across Florida.

The Hinson Law Firm, P.A. focuses its practice on specific areas of law, primarily related to estates, probate, and guardianship, often in conjunction with personal injury and wrongful death cases. Their services are designed to assist individuals and families in navigating these often sensitive and complex legal processes. Key services offered include:

• Probate Administration and Litigation: The firm assists clients with all aspects of probate, which is the legal process of validating a will and distributing a deceased person's assets. This includes formal administration, summary administration, and ancillary administration. They also handle probate-related litigation, which can arise from conflicts over an estate, such as will contests or disputes among beneficiaries.

• Guardianship Administration and Litigation: They provide legal support for guardianship matters, which involve appointing a guardian to manage the affairs of a minor or an incapacitated adult. This includes establishing guardianships, managing guardianship administration, and litigating guardianship disputes.

• Minor Settlements: The firm has a specific focus on handling legal procedures for settlements involving minors, particularly those arising from personal injury or wrongful death cases. This involves ensuring court approval for settlements and establishing appropriate safeguards for the minor's funds.

• Estate Planning: While heavily focused on post-death administration, the firm also offers estate planning services. This typically involves drafting essential documents such as wills, various types of trusts, living wills, durable powers of attorney, and designations of pre-need guardians for minors.

• Estate Litigation & Will Contests: They represent clients in disputes over wills and trusts, claims of breach of fiduciary duty by executors or trustees, and other conflicts that can arise during the estate administration process. This service is crucial when family members or beneficiaries disagree about the distribution of assets or the validity of estate documents.

• Assisting with Probate in Wrongful Death or Personal Injury Matters: A unique aspect of their practice is assisting other personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death legal practitioners with the probate and guardianship needs that often arise in such cases. This can involve establishing estates for deceased victims to allow for wrongful death claims or setting up guardianships for injured minors.

The Hinson Law Firm, P.A. and its managing partner, Matthew H. Hinson, bring specific qualifications and a particular focus to their practice areas. While public reviews indicate concerns regarding client communication, it is important to present the professional highlights based on available data:

• Experienced Managing Partner: Matthew H. Hinson has been practicing law across the state of Florida since 2011. He serves as the managing partner of The Hinson Law Firm, P.A.

• Focus on Probate & Guardianship for Personal Injury Cases: Mr. Hinson has handled hundreds of cases in conjunction with other personal injury practitioners, specifically focusing his practice on the probate and guardianship needs that arise in personal injury, medical malpractice, and wrongful death legal matters. This specialized intersection of practice areas is a key feature.

• "Superb" Rating on Avvo: Matthew H. Hinson holds a "Superb" rating of 10.0 on Avvo, a legal rating service. This rating is based on various factors, including an attorney's experience, industry recognition, and professional conduct. He was also selected to "Rising Stars" by Super Lawyers in 2021.

• Martindale-Hubbell Recognition: He has received the Martindale-Hubbell Client Distinction Award and Client Champion Silver Distinction, and holds a Peer Review Rated designation, indicating positive feedback from clients and peers on his legal ability and ethical standards.

• Involvement in Legal Community: Mr. Hinson is an active member of the Jacksonville Bar Association, having previously co-chaired its Solo Practitioner and Small Firm Committee, and sits on the board of directors of the Jacksonville Justice Association. He has also contributed as an attorney adviser for the mock trial team at The Bolles School.

• Author and Presenter of Legal Education: He has contributed to continuing legal education by presenting seminars and classes on topics such as estate planning and probate, demonstrating his commitment to sharing legal knowledge within the profession.

It is important to note the provided customer reviews which express significant dissatisfaction regarding communication and responsiveness:

• "Hinson Law Firm handled the probate case after my father in law passed away. I would NEVER recommend them to anyone in this situation! They do not answer phone calls or emails. They give inaccurate information and in the rare event they do follow up with you they do not provide the information you requested. Every single time they mailed paperwork for us to sign they would send my husband's copy to his brother and vice versa so we had to switch paperwork before we could sign. Our main contact was Amber Spearman, Administrative Assistant and she NEVER answered the phone and only answered emails after multiple attempts and usually when the information was no longer relevant. If I could give 0 stars, I would!"

• "My attorney recommended me to have this law firm to handle my twins trust. I have called several times trying to reach someone even left message no return phone call. The phone rang constantly and when I spoke to someone I think it's a 3rd party answering service and ask to speak to someone in the office I get transferred to Kathy voicemail and left messages no return callback. My next option will be for me and my children to go to the firm if I do not receive a return call. I highly recommend you to not go to his firm."

These reviews indicate a significant challenge in client communication and service delivery, which are critical aspects for individuals seeking legal support, especially in sensitive matters like probate and trust administration.

As a professional legal firm, The Hinson Law Firm, P.A. does not typically offer "promotions" or "special offers" in the retail sense. Legal services are tailored to the unique complexities of each case, and fees are generally structured based on the specific legal work required, the time invested, and the expertise involved.

However, it is common for law firms specializing in areas like estate planning and probate to offer initial consultations. While the provided information does not explicitly state "free consultations," it is a common practice in this field for attorneys to offer an initial meeting or phone call to discuss a potential client's needs and provide an overview of how the firm might assist them. During such a consultation, clients can inquire about the firm's fee structure, which might include hourly rates, flat fees for specific services (like drafting a will), or other arrangements. It is always advisable for prospective clients to clarify all financial aspects and terms of engagement directly with the firm before proceeding with any legal services.

For those in Florida seeking legal assistance with probate, guardianship, estate planning, or related matters, The Hinson Law Firm, P.A. can be reached using the following contact details:

• Address: 300 W Adams St #500, Jacksonville, FL 32202, USA

• Phone: (904) 527-1700

It is advisable to consider the publicly available reviews regarding communication when attempting to contact the firm and to be persistent if an immediate response is not received.

For residents and families across Florida, particularly those in Jacksonville, facing the complexities of probate, guardianship, or estate planning, The Hinson Law Firm, P.A. presents itself as a specialized legal option with a defined focus on these critical areas, especially when they intersect with personal injury and wrongful death matters. Its downtown Jacksonville location offers a convenient physical presence for local clients.

The firm’s suitability, based on its stated practice areas, lies in its specific expertise in handling intricate estate and guardianship proceedings, including the unique challenges that arise when minors or wrongful death claims are involved. Matthew H. Hinson's professional background, including his "Superb" Avvo rating and various legal community involvements, suggests a commitment to the legal field.

However, local users in Florida must also weigh this against the significant concerns raised in public reviews regarding client communication and responsiveness. These aspects are paramount in legal matters, particularly those as sensitive and time-critical as probate and trust administration. While the firm's stated areas of practice are undoubtedly important for many Floridians, the consistent feedback about unreturned calls and emails, inaccurate information, and difficulty reaching staff warrants a cautious approach. Therefore, while The Hinson Law Firm, P.A. offers specialized services that many locals may need, prospective clients are strongly advised to conduct thorough due diligence and prioritize clear communication expectations from the outset when considering this firm for their legal needs.