Danielle G. Van Ess

Danielle G. Van Ess

Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Probate - DGVE law, LLC
  • Estate Planning, Probate
  • Massachusetts, Virginia
Review This Lawyer
Client Reviews
Anthony S. Dell, JD, LLM May 15, 2020
Danielle G. Van Ess -- Comprehensive & Compassionate Estate Planning The Way It's Supposed To Be When our family of four needed a full estate plan -- wills, powers of attorneys, trusts, etc. -- we were incredibly fortunate to have so many people recommend Danielle G. Van Ess as the best and right lawyer for the job. We soon learned why her clients provide such enthusiastic reviews. Ms. Van Ess's sharp and encyclopedic knowledge of the myriad applicable laws and rules is superb and the pinnacle of expertise. Were this her main attribute, we still would have been in excellent hands. I could stop here and have zero hesitation in recommending Ms. Van Ess on pure skill and talent alone. But there is so much more. Ms. Van Ess's client relationship management, compassion, ability to connect, and inspiring way she can draw out the most important concerns and needs unique to each client...these are rare and powerful characteristics one seldom encounters in lawyers (or many other professional service providers, for that matter). The estate planning process, when done correctly, comprehensively, and thoroughly, is a serious undertaking for a client on many levels: organizational, decision-making, and, yes, emotional and psychological as well. In most estate planning processes, one must confront one's mortality, and those with children must contemplate what their children's lives might be should something happen to their parents. Many times, the questions around one's wishes in the event of disability, incapacity, or death have not yet been examined, and these are crucial elements that guide an estate planning client's decisions, many of which do not have easy answers. Ms. Van Ess has a unique ability to guide her clients safely and professionally through that process, somehow maintaining a perfect balance between the pragmatic steps that must be completed for full effectiveness and the inevitable emotional ups-and-downs most clients experience as they work with their lawyer on their plan. In all sincerity and candor, we firmly believe that Danielle G. Van Ess epitomizes the ideal constitution of what genuine, thorough, professional, and personal estate planning legal services should be. We cannot overstate our genuine enthusiasm and conviction in our recommendation of Ms. Van Ess as a lawyer.
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Biography

Danielle has been a licensed attorney since 2001. She earned her B.A. with honors from The George Washington University in Washington, DC in 1998, and her J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 2001 where she returned in 2021 to pursue her Legal Masters Degree (LLM) in Taxation with a concentration in Trusts and Estates.

Danielle founded DGVE law, LLC in Hingham in 2008 and has helped hundreds of Massachusetts families plan for their families with wills, trusts, and comprehensive estate plans.

Danielle emphasizes deeply with her clients. As a mother of 4 daughters, she understands all too well the time constraints and pressing legal needs of families. And as an older sister who had to settle the estate of her younger brother, she knows how hard it is to wrap up a close loved one's final affairs.

Danielle has served on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Forum of Estate Planning Attorneys since 2012, and on the Board of Directors of the Hingham Cemetery since 2019.

Practice Areas
Estate Planning
Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
Probate
Probate Administration
Video Conferencing
  • GoToMeeting
Fees
  • Credit Cards Accepted
  • Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
    Mostly flat fees. Hourly billing for Probate.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Massachusetts
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Virginia
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Languages
  • English: Spoken, Written
  • Spanish: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
Board of Directors - Member and Officer
Massachusetts Forum of Estate Planning Attorneys
- Current
The Massachusetts Forum of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. is professional group of New England lawyers practicing trust & estate planning and administration, elder law, asset protection planning, taxation, and business succession planning. Members enhance professional competence via quarterly educational programming and regular collaboration.
Founding Owner, Attorney and Counselor at Law
DGVE law, LLC
- Current
Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Administration
Independent Legal Consultant
Southwest Center for Law & Policy
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Part-time independent legal consultant on a wide range of issues related especially to domestic and sexual violence against Native American women and children. Conducted research for SWCLAP to prepare and present materials for trainings, national teleconferences, and publication.
Staff Attorney and Lead Trainer
National Center on Full Faith and Credit
-
Staff Attorney and Lead Trainer for the NCFFC, a national project formerly of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (now part of the Battered Women's Justice Project). Focused on the interjurisdictional enforcement of protection/restraining orders, custody and support orders, and the federal and corresponding state laws on interjurisdictional domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault. Responded to requests for technical assistance from and traveled extensively to conduct trainings for a wide variety of disciplines including judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers, civil legal services attorneys, and lay advocates. Responded to direct requests for assistance from survivors of domestic violence. Wrote articles for judicial newsletters and other publications. Conducted site visits nationally to research best practices regarding firearms in domestic violence cases for subsequent publication.
Education
Boston University School of Law
LL.M. | Legal Master's Degree (LL.M.) in Taxation with a concentration in Trusts and Estates
- present
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Boston University School of Law
J.D. | Juris Doctorate program
-
Boston University School of Law Logo
The George Washington University
B.A. | Spanish Language and Literature; Philosophy; Women's Studies
-
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Awards
Massachusetts SuperLawyer
SuperLawyers
Massachusetts SuperLawyer
SuperLawyers
Massachusetts SuperLawyer
SuperLawyers
Massachusetts SuperLawyer
SuperLawyers
Reader's Choice Award
Wicked Local
Reader's Choice Award
Wicked Local
#1 choice attorney / lawyer in Hingham 2017
Reader's Choice Award
Wicked Local
#1 choice attorney / lawyer in Hingham 2016
40 Under 40 Award
Cape & Plymouth Business Magazine
Cape & Plymouth Business 40 Under 40 Awards spotlight the region's top young business leaders who excel in their industry and show dynamic leadership. Working in conjunction with the Cape Cod Young Professionals and South Shore Young Professionals, hundreds of nominees were culled down to the 40 who best exemplified an entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to community service and potential to positively contribute to the future of our region.
Professional Associations
Hingham Cemetery Corporation
Board of Directors
- Current
Activities: Active member of the Board of Directors for the Hingham Cemetery.
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Massachusetts Forum of Estate Planning Attorneys
Secretary (2020-2023), Immediate Past President (2019), President (2018), Vice-President (2017)
- Current
Activities: Design, plan, implement, and participate in ongoing continuing legal education in the area of trusts and estates law.
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Speaking Engagements
Who is Danielle G. Van Ess of DGVE law, Hingham, Massachusetts
Hingham Downtown Association
https://www.facebook.com/DowntownHingham/videos/get-to-know-attorney-danielle-g-van-ess-the-founding-owner-of-dgve-law-since-200/782750706017452/
Estate Planning with Danielle G. Van Ess of DGVE law, Part 2, radio show
McNamara on Money
https://soundcloud.com/user-901426612/estate-planning-with-danielle-van-ess-of-dgve-law-part-2
Next Level Profits
Small Businesses Are Assets in Their Owners' Estate Plans
What Can & Cannot Be Done Remotely in Estate Planning, Remote
Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) New England
Program for MCLE lawyer members to learn about the benefits, limits and best practices for remote lawyering in the estate planning world. Co-presented with Attorney Ruth A. Mattson.
Estate Planning for Families with Children Age 18 and Older, Video Conference
Daniel J. Galli & Associates
https://vimeo.com/555287696
Websites & Blogs
Website
Website
Blog
DGVE law
Contact & Map
DGVE law, LLC
61 South Street
Hingham, MA 02043
Telephone: (781) 740-0848
Monday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Tuesday: 9 AM - 6 PM
Wednesday: 9 AM - 9 PM
Thursday: 9 AM - 6 PM (Today)
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed