Blake Law Group, P.C. - Belleville, Illinois

cody C.

BEWARE! I acquired Jenifer Behme for my child custody case and after 3 months, nothing done, and $6000 they feel that "they no longer have the authority to handle my case" when I asked for a reasonable payment plan. Under their representation my ex took my kids away from me for 3 months, I was assaulted twice, once by my ex, and once by my ex's boyfriend and resulted in myself getting a broken jaw and undergoing surgery. Ms. Behme was very incentive and did not care one bit. When I emailed her about my ex going crazy, pending felony charges, and being homeless with my children, she responded with a billing statement. These people do not care about the lives of families and only want money. I trusted these people with my family and they showed their true colors.

Erika L.

This office did not do what they were told and did not do what they said they had done. I waited precious time and money with the promise that they were doing the job they agreed to do and were paid for.
Buyer beware. Go somewhere else. I had the top named attorney at this firm and he wouldn't even acknowledge that he and his staff had messed up leaving me no choice but to collect my information and items so I could take it to the attorney for the Executor of my grandmother's estate. They told me they would send this information over several months ago and they didn't so I was repeatedly charged for letters that never should have been sent to me.
They also chose to only send me some of the information from the other attorney but charged me for pages that I needed and didn't receive.

CG C.

I turned to the Blake Law group to assist with the affairs of a deceased relative. The hourly rate for this firm is fairly high, but I figured that meant they would be efficient and keep the billable hours to a reasonable amount. That was not the case.
I started to be suspicious of Mr. Blake's work after I was provided a document to review and it included information from a previous client. Even though Mr. Blake charged me as though he drafted a new document, it was apparent he just made a few edits to a draft he already had available. I was charged a few grand for something that was likely worked on for minutes. I suspect he did this with everything I paid for, make edits to recycled documents and charge a fortune.
Also, Mr. Blake will charge a full billable hour for any email you send him, no matter how short, and he will also charge for sending a response back simply acknowledging he received the email. Another clever trick of his, is to bait a client into communicating with him unnecessarily in order to increase his billable hours. For example, he'll provide a document for review and ask for input, but he'll charge for reading your input and if an error is shared, like the ones mentioned above, he'll charge to fix them. So it's almost like this was intentional. I was charged to proof read his work and he charges to correct his own mistakes. Truly an amazing system.
All in all, I had to move on from Mr. Blake's services because his fees were becoming too much. His fees were on track to exceed 50% of the total estate value. Something that shouldn't be allowed, especially in the case of modest estates. He may know what he is doing, but be warned, you will overpay for his services.

Tim T.

I have used the services of the Blake Law Group in the past for problems my son had with his ex-inlaws. We faced a serious problem concerning the custody of his children, my grandchildren, and the Blake Law Group was crucial in guiding us to our desired outcome. Due to their guidance and caring, I and my wife gained custody of my grandchildren and as a result they have grown to be excellant students and happy children with their father helping them in growing up. I cannot think of any situation that the Blake Law Group could not be a major assist in.

Cornelius A.

Had a very bad experience with the receptionist. Oh I'm sorry, she said she was neither a receptionist nor paralegal, simply a legal assistant with no formal legal background ( fron what she said). She proceeded to inform me that they don't take my particular case, before I even said what the case was. Now after working as a paralegal for 3 years, I can say her attitude was very confusing, rigid, and rude. Few times in my career have I been hung up on, but she did so with such shrillness it was uncomfortable. I don't care what the manner is, I wouldn't trust my case with people I can't even trust my time with. She gave off the sense that they aren't here to help, they just want money. If you don't at first resemble that, they will hang up with no problem. Beware of these sort of offices. Don't waste your money.

Robinson J.

I spoke with Mr. Blake and he was not interested in my case from the beginning and was not very caring!! I feel like I had did something wrong after talking to him and then he gave me another name and someone else to call that I couldn’t reach!! Not even I’m sorry this happened to you!! Do better

Sovereign L.

Ed Blake prepared a will and power of attorneys for me. I had not been involved in that process before and he explained the advantages of those documents to me and answered any questions I had. Sometimes when a person is not familiar with legal documents, experienced attorney is available to make sure the client understands everything. In particular, Blake Behme Links Raney, P.C. agreed to answer any questions I had at any time in regard to the drafts. They are very courteous and professional in regard to rendering legal service.

In regard to the health care power of attorney, they explained to me that primarily was used for situations when I am on a life support system and I have appointed a loved one as my agent to make key decisions with respect to continuation of life support or other matters. This has always been a concern of mine. They also prepared a property power of attorney. It was explained to me that it basically has to do with a situation whereby if I am in an auto accident, and not be able to exercise my mental health faculties, my agent would be in the position to step in and handle my finances and other matters, without the cost having to go to court in regard to a guardianship or other type of legal proceeding. Blake Behme Links Raney, P.C. explained to me that having these types of documents in place, that could save substantial amounts of money in the future, in the event matters arise which although not certain to occur in the near future, will probably occur at some point down the road. I felt very comfortable with their recommendations and advice. I believe I understand the documents that they prepared. If I do not, they have assured to me that at any point in the future they are more than willing to sit down with me, at no cost, and answer any questions or provide any further explanation as I may request.

Don B. B. A. F.

I have worked with Blake Law Group personally and through my company on several occasions over the last several years.
I personally have found them to be extremely professional as well as extremely intelligent in handling legal matters.
I have the most respect for Blake Law Group and would feel confident in referring anyone to them for assistance.