Heartland Law FirmReviews of heartlandlawfirm.com

In 2009, Martin Fogarty of the Heartland Law firm created an irrevocable trust for my mother. Now in 2026, I had a question about the working of the irrevocable trust. I was told by the office staff, that I would have to pay a $250 fee to get my question answered by an assistant lawyer.

Horrible communication and lack of follow through. Scheduled free consultation with Chris Proctor 9/25/25, retained him, and signed the client agreement. Filled out intake form and sent pertinent documents for my mom's estate. Had discovery phone call with paralegal Jaclyn. It seemed that they were attentive at first until I called a week later. I was told Chris got married which is he hasn't called but I should here from someone at the end of the week. I didn't hear from anyone. I called back and left Chris and Jaclyn both a voicemail saying I wanted to know what is going on with the case or I might have to hire a different attorney. I got a voicemail from Jaclyn that the lawyers were working on my case and I should get the court documents soon. Around Halloween I get the certified copy of my mom's will filed 10/24/25. Thanksgiving and Christmas roll by and I heard nothing else from these guys. Mo phone call, no email, no letter, no telegraph, no smoke signal, nothing. I called the firm on December 30th asking for Chris Proctor to which I was informed by the receptionist he know longer works there. So I ask her who was working on the case, to which she tells me Sabrina. No last name just Sabrina. I left a message with the receptionist and was told I would get a call or email soon. I then try to get a hold of Jacklyn and wouldn't you know I got her voicemail to which I leave a message. I emailed her and messaged the team on Clio that I was concerned of getting in legal trouble being the named executor of the estate not properly managing my mom's affairs At this point it was almost 3 months and I still wasn't notified of any pending court dates , and I was still waiting for the letters of testamentary. I get a voicemail and ema back from Jaclyn saying that I should here from the lawyer by the end of the week. What ia it about the timeline always being by the end of the week with these people? I got tired of waiting and got a recommendation for a different law firm and booked a consultation. I looked up my mom's case on the wlll County courthouse website and just found my mom's will filed on 10/24/25 by Sabrina Valdez I saw no pending court dates or any probate cases listed under my mom's name. I almost was gonna cancel the consultation of the other lawyer, but didn't. I'm glad I didn't, because the other lawyer looked up my mom's case and only saw her will filed and no probate open. I was hoping that I was just overlooking the list, but sure enough, the 3 month I waited for The Heartland Lawfirm to open a probate case for my mom's estate was for nothing. I wish I didn't pay this lawfirm $600 to retain them. It was a mistake I consider a lesson learned. Never rely on Google ratings.