We are honored that you've chosen our firm to assist you during this time. This page will guide you through everything you need before your first consultation — at your own pace, with no pressure.
We understand that contacting an attorney about estate matters is rarely something you planned for. Most of our clients arrive at our door during one of life's most difficult chapters. We are here to make the legal portion of that chapter as clear and uncomplicated as possible.
This is your private guide to working with Giro & Associates. It contains everything you need to know before, during, and after your first consultation with Mr. Giro. There is no rush — read what's relevant, skip what isn't, and return anytime.
You may share this link only with immediate family members or trusted advisors. The information here is specific to your matter.
Probate and estate matters do not need to be resolved overnight. Most New Jersey estates are administered over six to twelve months. There is time for you to grieve, gather your thoughts, and make considered decisions.
If at any point this process feels overwhelming, please tell us. We can pause, slow down, or break the work into smaller steps.
Gather what you can. Do not worry about completeness — we have helped families work through estates with very few records. Bring originals if available, copies if not.
That is more common than you think. Many wills are misplaced; account statements are lost; safe deposit boxes are sealed. Do not delay your consultation trying to find missing pieces.
Mr. Giro and our team have decades of experience helping families locate, recreate, or work around missing documents. We will solve it together.
A few practical details to make your visit as comfortable as possible.
Free parking is available in the lot behind the building, accessed from Bogert Road. Additional metered street parking is available along Main Street.
Please allow ten minutes from parking to our suite to account for the elevator and brief check-in with our receptionist.
The River Edge station on NJ Transit's Pascack Valley Line is a six-minute walk to our office. Trains from Hoboken Terminal run approximately every 30 minutes during business hours.
You are welcome to bring up to two family members or trusted advisors to your consultation. Many of our clients find it helpful to have someone present who can take notes and ask follow-up questions.
If more than two will accompany you, please call ahead so we can prepare the larger conference room.
Our office is fully ADA-accessible. The building has an elevator, and our suite has wide doorways. If you have specific accessibility requirements or would prefer a meeting at your home, please let us know in advance — Mr. Giro makes house calls for clients when circumstances require it.
Tea and coffee will be ready when you arrive. If you would prefer water, sparkling water, or something else, our paralegal Crystal can accommodate. Please do not hesitate to ask.
A general outline of how your first consultation will unfold. Each meeting is unique, but the framework is consistent.
Initial consultations are confidential and create no obligation on your part. If, after meeting Mr. Giro, you wish to consult other firms or take time to decide, that is entirely your prerogative.
We would only ever ask that you let us know your decision — so we can either prepare your file or close it with our records.
There are no hidden costs. Below is a general overview of how our firm charges for probate work. Your specific engagement letter will provide exact figures based on your matter.
Complimentary. Your first meeting with Mr. Giro is free of charge, regardless of whether you retain our firm afterward.
This is our standard for matters involving recent loss. You should not have to pay simply to learn whether you need an attorney.
Probate and estate administration work in New Jersey is typically billed in one of three ways:
Separate from legal fees, certain costs are paid to third parties — court filing fees, certified copies, publication notices. These are reimbursed by the estate when funds become available. We do not mark them up.
We understand that legal fees can be a hardship — particularly when an estate is asset-rich but cash-poor. Mr. Giro can arrange for fees to be paid from the estate once probate is complete, or set up a monthly payment plan.
Please discuss any concerns about cost openly during your consultation. This is a topic we are comfortable with and want you to be too.
Most new clients arrive with similar concerns. Here are answers to questions we hear most often. If yours isn't listed, write it down and bring it Friday.
The professionals who will be working on your matter.
Everything you share with our firm is protected by attorney-client privilege from the moment our consultation begins. This privilege extends to documents, communications, and decisions discussed in our offices. Our entire team is bound by professional rules of confidentiality.
For matters before Friday, please reach out to Crystal:
Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM, with Saturday hours by appointment. Please do not hesitate to call.
What you just scrolled is a sample digital client onboarding guide, built specifically for Giro & Associates using only publicly available information from girolaw.com.
The concept: every new client matter gets its own personalized welcome page. Names, dates, document checklists, FAQs — all customized to their specific situation. You send one link. Your clients arrive prepared, less anxious, and more confident in your firm.
For an elder law and estate planning practice, the impact would be substantial — fewer panicked phone calls before consultations, more complete document gathering, and clients who feel cared for from the first click.
Built as a friend, no pressure. If you'd like to talk over coffee in Bergen County, I'd be glad to. If not, take whatever ideas resonate.
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