Our firm interviewed client Robin G. who was kind enough to offer her thoughts on navigating the guardianship experience in Florida. Read on to hear her advice to those with loved ones in need of a guardianship, what she learned from the firm, and her experience working with us in this educational and heartfelt interview.
How did you discover and ultimately choose the Monique M. Sadarangani, PLLC law firm?
When my father was still alive and his health was deteriorating I made an appointment for him with an estate planning attorney who worked with my father on his estate plan (my father passed away 6 months later). My mother had been placed in a nursing home less than two weeks prior to my dad’s passing, and the attorney recommended that I open up a guardianship for my mother. The attorney referred me to Monique M. Sadarangani, indicating that she is an excellent guardianship attorney who could help me.
What did you already know about Guardianships prior to working with the Monique M. Sadarangani, PLLC law firm?
I did not know anything about guardianships prior to working with Monique. I was completely lost on how to handle their estate, in addition to trying to manage the grief I was going through, and look out for my mother’s best interests and health issues.
Monique explained what steps needed to be taken and why. She educated me and made me feel confident that I was making the best decisions for my family. At that time, I was speaking to well-meaning friends and acquaintances who tried to give me legal advice, but it wasn’t exactly what I needed. I am very glad that I reached out to her firm so that she could provide me with the right steps to take. Throughout the process, I felt like she always had my best interests at heart.
Was there a specific instance during the process when you felt like you received greater education than expected from working with our law firm?
After my mother was placed into a nursing facility and my dad passed, I wanted to sell property they owned in Marion County, Florida. I spoke to a real estate agent who wanted to list the land on the market for a particular price he had come up with. However, I learned from Monique that in order to sell the land the court was going to require quotes on three comparable properties to ensure that it was listed at fair market value.
He wanted to list the land for a much lower price than what the three comps had come back as (about 25% lower). And I told him that even if I agreed to list the property at the price he had recommended I wouldn’t be able to because the court would see the comps and would not allow that listing price.
I felt very empowered learning this from Monique, and it felt good to tell the real estate agent that the land needed to be listed for a much higher price. I felt like Monique helped protect my interests and saved me from headaches down the road.
Was there something that Monique M. Sadarangani, PLLC did throughout the process that helped put you at ease with any of your concerns?
It’s the little things that helped me feel the most like the firm cared for my best interests. For example, in anticipation of my mother passing, I had learned in the guardianship training process that you cannot simply choose to have a decedent cremated. This is supposed to be indicated in the decedent’s will.
My mother neglected to indicate her wishes to be cremated in her will, but prior to her being declared legally incapacitated she had told my brother and I one day that she wished to be cremated. The court, however, does not merely accept your word on this. Monique helped make sure that my mother’s wishes were kept despite them not originally being clearly indicated in her estate plan.
Was there anything that you would have liked for our firm to have done differently during the process? A different outcome or approach?
No, this process has been so smooth that I really cannot come up with any constructive criticism. There have been issues that have come up inconveniently, such as at night and on the weekends, and all correspondence with Monique has been delightful since she is so quick to respond and help, even at inopportune times.
It means so much just to be acknowledged. I was worried because I live in New York City and I thought I might have to temporarily move to Florida during this process, but Monique eased my concerns and took care of everything without me needing to physically be there.
Have you worked with any other attorney offices? What was your experience like working with them?
I tripped on a sidewalk and broke my tibia. Being the retired police officer that I am, I went back to the location of the accident the next day while I was in a cast and took pictures of the crack and obtained a video of my fall at that location. I contacted a personal injury attorney and the case took many years. I would contact the attorney every 6 months to check in and see if any progress was made, but the entire time I felt like this individual did not care about my case at all.
That experience placed a really bad taste in my mouth for attorneys, but working with Monique thankfully changed all of that.
Is there anything you would like to add regarding your thoughts working with Monique M. Sadarangani, PLLC?
Looking back over the past year-and-a-half, if I had to give advice to someone seeking a guardianship I would recommend saving documentation on everything. Keep track of what you spend and save receipts for absolutely everything. Keep track of doctor’s appointments. You need to know all of the accounting that’s taking place and report that to the court.
