THIS IS AN UPDATE FROM MY 1 STAR POST OF 11/29/2017: Rosemond "Rosie" McNichol is one damn smart business woman! Plus she's thorough. I had a less than satisfactory experience with one other attorney in the firm in 2017. Rosie contacted me apologized for her associate's less than satisfactory efforts on my behalf. She then offered to get this straightened out for me....at no extra charge. She said their firm wants every client to be satisfied. I was upset and told her I was getting my trust corrected by another firm. Family issues and life happened. Other things became more important. I traveled quite a bit for 2 years becoming a bicoastal grandmother/guardian. Three years went by quickly. My trust became outdated once again. I remembered Rosie's offer. I called her and long story short, Rosie updated my trust and did it correctly. If you're a professional woman you will appreciate Rosie's direct, competent and efficient demeanor. She gets the job done and gets it right the first time! read more

They forgot to file papers. They don't return phone calls. Terrible customer service

My Mom swore by Len Tillem. He assured her that her wishes as spelled out in her trust and will would be followed. Then after she died they told us beneficiaries that my sister, the trustee's, wishes and direction was what mattered. Now we have to go through probate because of their dishonesty and violating my mother's trust. They said a court would NOT enforce the trust. But all their radio advertising says otherwise. Find an attorney you can trust. But not these jokers. read more

Recently, my sister and I spoke to David Brown regarding the possibility of making some changes to her trust that Tillem, McNichol and Brown had set up approximately 7 years ago. As we weren't certain what could or couldn't be done, we had questions for David. Apparently, questioning the possibility of changing the terms or one's trust is offensive as David acted as if his time was being wasted and he said, "Don't argue with me.", when simple inquiries were made. There was no argument taking place. I would not recommend using David or his firm, as unprovoked, blatant rudeness is not acceptable, particularly toward an established client who paid well over $3,000.00 to establish a trust through David's firm. read more

I was way past due planning my estate and asked around for a good law firm in Sonoma. The general consensus was Tillem McNichol & Brown was the best game in town, and my experience with them certainly proved it. What a gracious staff! And Rosie McNichol showed why the firm is so highly regarded. Ms. McNichol crafted a trust and a will that met every need I could envisage for the future, and more. I certainly learned we turn to professionals for a reason. I'm now secure that my family will be properly taken care of. I feel lucky we've got such quality here in Sonoma. Rosie and the whole crew at Tillem McNichol & Brown are the best. Yes, Len Tillem is retired, but clearly they haven't skipped a beat. Thank you! read more

I would highly recommend this law firm. Specifically they have a diverse group of experienced attorneys, which was extremely beneficial to my siblings and I, as circumstances changed throughout the probate process, and therefore we were able to move among attorneys within the same firm who had different areas of expertise that were needed at different times. This would not have been so seamless had we worked with just any attorney or law firm, and I firmly believe we would have not been as well represented and would have paid much higher fees. I was first referred to Rosie by a close friend, who immediately brought in Audrey as she was a better fit to represent my siblings and I. Audrey was extremely professional, direct, and knowledgable in her representation of us as beneficiaries. A change of Executorship resulted from Audrey's work on our behalf, at which point we then worked directly with David and Vanessa who handled all aspects of the process, kept us informed on a consistent basis, and closed out probate. Not only were the attorneys a pleasure to work with, but so was the entire staff at the firm. I also would like to highlight that I personally live in Sonoma, but during this lengthy 18+ month process, 3 of my siblings resided respectively in Chicago and NYC. One of them being the newly named Executor. Although I lived in Sonoma, I was not the one who was the main point of contact, nor was I the Power of Attorney for any of my siblings, but that did not seem to pose any issues for the firm. There was a constant stream of documents that they would send out to all respective parties and did a phenomenal job of not making it seem like the varied locations posed any burden. Should you live elsewhere, but need to be represented in Sonoma County, this firm is fully equipped to handle your needs. Their fees were extremely fair, and my siblings and I could not be more appreciative for the work they did on our behalf and for the outcome that we received. read more

I just got off the phone with a young lady and she was very helpful which took only 7 min. Probably saving me tons of money. The issue is my fathers who has sinced passed, mineral rights estate property in Oklahoma. It has been passed down to his children. I will take her advice and move forward with the issue. Hopefully things will work out. Thank you, read more

My wife and I sought the services of Tillem McNichol & Brown to prepare for us a will, power of attorney, and advance healthcare directives. We couldn't be happier with the service! David Brown took the time to meet with us via Zoom call for an hour where he explained the entire process of these documents. Due to COVID, our ability to meet with anyone in person has been drastically reduced, so we were very grateful for the chance to meet with our attorney and explain our exact situation to him. The uncertainty of legal processes was a little daunting to a newly married couple like us, so the one-on-one time with our attorney helped to significantly ease our worries. To top it all off, Tillem, McNichol & Brown processed and completed our paperwork with amazing speed. Seriously, we couldn't be happier with the service. 10/10 would definitely recommend them to anyone seeking legal counsel! read more

My family and I needed assistance with long term care planning, asset preservation, and the Medi-Cal application process on behalf of our elderly parents. There were some extenuating and unusual circumstances that further complicated our parents' situation. Arden Kwan, the Long Term Care specialist, is knowledgeable in this area, and provided a plan for us to follow that met our goals. However, over the many months it took to complete all the necessary steps, we were frequently frustrated and disappointed by the incomplete or vague answers to our questions by both Arden Kwan, and her assistant, Kim Gunter. They also did not adequately explain or detail several important things we should have been made aware of. As I told them, this area of long term care planning & MediCal is unnecessarily complicated and fragmented, and is the sort of situation where we can't possibly know what we don't know, or what very specific questions to ask, in order to receive the information we need. Ultimately, and without any advance notice, K Gunter resigned as the "liaison" or "Authorized Representative" to Medi-Cal. *It should be noted that K Gunter resigned after the Medi-Cal approval letter received, but before the placement process finalized and completed for our mother* read more

My family is so grateful to Tillem McNichol & Brown. Arden Kwan and Kim Gunter helped our family through our most challenging times. We could not have navigated the system without them. Quite honestly, we don't know how we could have survived financially if they had not held our hands. Thank you Arden and Kim. We are forever indebted to you and your firm. I wish our family had contacted you years ago, and not when things got so dire desperate. Despite the late timing, you were still able to help us, with the utmost professionalism and compassion. Thank you, a million times. Don't let your parents suffer. Call Arden for help. Thank you again! read more

We made the long trip from Orange County to Sonoma after hearing rave reviews about Tillem McNichol & Brown, specifically about attorney David Brown, from my brother and my sister-in-law; we were not disappointed. From the moment we contacted them until we left, David and the firm's staff gave us their full attention and provided expert detailed answers to our questions and concerns. David diligently and efficiently addressed every change that we had made; he advised us to make changes that fit our current lifestyle; and, followed up on a few questions that pertained to our children. They were prompt in filing the necessary paperwork for us and our updated Will of Trust was shipped to us within the week. Ours was an absolutely delightful experience and we have been recommending Tillem McNichol & Brown to all our friends. Thank you! read more

I am a Realtor and I had the pleasure of working with this office. My client had a home that I was hired to sell. Their home that was in probate. These types of sales can get pretty tough at times but their office navigated us through the process very smoothly and I feel it was the prompt and forthright communication starting with the front desk on up that made this a pleasant and successful transaction. Thank you Tillem McNichol & Brown! Tom Gore read more

My aunt and I worked with Arden regarding long term daily care. She is amazing and has a wealth of knowledge and Allen to explain it all in simple terms. Certainly recommend the valuable support they provide. read more

I went to this office to work on an Irrevocable Trust to protect my parents assets... They set up a meeting with me and Arden Kwan... She took very little time to setup up everything for me and at a very reasonable cost... She definitely knows what she is talking about and I will recommend to everyone who needs assistance with Senior planning to go and talk with her! She is amazing! Thank you Arden... and thank you Len for advertising your law office! read more

I just had a very pleasant conversation with this office and was given very helpful information to direct me in the right direction and prioritize what action to take first. After really listening without interruption, my needs were assessed and a fee quoted for the initial visit for after I complete the prerequisites. Direct and straightforward, no BS to have to translate! read more

Love listening to his legal advice on the radio. I learn a lot, and he's very entertaining.

I am ultimately disappointed with this firm. Started out consulting with Ms Kwan. She is resourceful and generous with her time. Now that a timely response is needed due to Dad being exposed to hucksters, it has been nine days since I initially called, described to an attorney what was going on and have yet to get any follow up call. I am moving on. read more

I got fantastic common-sense advice from Len Tillem's office. While Len himself wasn't on the line, it says a whole lot that his office doesn't answer their phone with the generic "law office" (if you've called a few attorneys, you know what I'm talking about). While I didn't retain them for the out-of-town estate matter in question, I would have in a heartbeat had they been local. read more

After the passing of my Dad, we used this firm to help with estate paperwork. Not only were they rushed and rude, the lawyer who worked with us was insensitive and unorganized. The copier machine didn't even work. What a waste of $425. way overrated and condescending place read more

I went into the office of David Brown to ask questions on how to structure a trust. I hoped to find an individual as open and friendly as I remember Len Tillem on the radio. Unfortunately I did not. David had what sounded like a stock narrative prepared, and was clearly irritated when I had a question or questions that interrupted his speech, most of which did not apply to my situation. I decided then and there that I did not need to work with someone who liked hearing his own voice more than hearing the client's needs. read more

My family turned to this law firm when my brother became ill two years ago. We needed help creating a trust for him and also getting him qualified for Medi-Cal. Arden Kwan and Kim Anderman got everything set up correctly. The Medi-Cal process is a nightmare but Kim handled everything, saving our family many thousands of dollars. If you think you can't afford to have this work done professionally, take my word for it: you can't afford NOT to have it done by pros. I can't recommend this firm highly enough. read more

I went to college in the Bay Area so when I am in the Bay Area frequently listen to KGO. I often am tuned to KGO when Len Tillem is on. One time when I was listening, he talked about D4 special needs trusts. I told a friend about this who was living in the Bay Area. She sent him an email message about that the special needs trust. He never answered her message. I sent him a message and also never received an answer. My friend saw an ad in the San Jose Mercury News about a seminar regarding these particular special needs trusts. It was sponsered by Len Tillem and Gilfix & LaPoll. She called the Gilfix & LaPoll office and was given an appointment with Barbara Loebner. Barbara Loebner took $500 from my friend and didn't provide any help. My friend eventually found an attorney in Orange County who set up the special needs trust. Many times when I listen to Len Tillem, I find that he doesn't listen to what the caller is saying. read more

Dealing with estates is never a fun subject but the entire team was amazing. David and particularly Vanessa were professional, compassionate and thorough. I honestly cannot thank them enough for everything they did for me and my family. I owe the entire firm a huge debt of gratitude and I don't say this lightly. I would recommend them to anyone. read more

5 Stars for the Len Tillem Program on KGO 810 AM.

KGO lost the best of the best when they let Len go and so happy to find him again on 910 radio. I do not listen to the station until Len comes on. I know Len doesn't want to work on weekends, but wish the station would play his old shows for 1 or 2 hrs on Sat and Sun. read more

I was so sad and filled with anxiety walking into this place. Ms. McNichol was so nice and helpful. Would recommend this attorney's office to anyone! read more

My aging and ailing elderly parents were in need of someone who could assist them with setting up a trust and apply for Medicaid. A relative who lives in the Bay Area highly recommended Arden Kwan. Being from Southern California, I was skeptical of the logistics in dealing with a law firm in Northern California. We have plenty of good law firms in SoCal that specializes in what my parents were seeking for, so why go with a firm so far away? But I decided to go with the referral and called Arden. And boy, I am so glad I did! Arden was professional and knowledgeable. She answered all my questions regarding setting up a trust for my parents. I was thoroughly impressed that she knew the in and outs of Medicaid. My concerns regarding the distance issue was non-existent. My parents and I were able to complete everything, from setting up the trust to applying for Medicaid, without ever having to travel to Northern California. Arden and the team at Tillem McNichol & Brown law firm were a pleasure to work with. They were prompt with addressing my questions during the process, and in the end, my parents achIeved their goals. I could not have done any of this without the assistance of Arden and her team. Without a doubt, I would highly recommend Arden Kwan and the Tillem McNichol & Brown law firm in a heartbeat...even to friends and families in Southern California! read more