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Rice & Rice, Attorneys at Law, LLCFounder
Clifford J. Rice
Pro

Clifford J. Rice

4.7
23 reviews

100 Lincolnway, Suite 1, Valparaiso, IN 46383

Estate Planning, Trusts, Wills and 28 more

About Clifford J. Rice

I have the best job in the world. Every day, I meet with wonderful people who love their families, and want to protect their loved ones, keep them out of court, save money, and make things easier for them in the future. Our estate plans enable our clients to help avoid unnecessary placement in nursing homes. This alone can save up to $7500 every month, while allowing the clients to preserve their privacy, dignity and quality of life by remaining in their own homes as long as possible. In the unlikely event that nursing home care IS required, our estate plans contain the tools necessary to do Medicaid Planning. Typically, this allows the client to qualify for Medicaid much more quickly, without having to SPEND DOWN everything they have been working for their entire lives. All we do at Rice & Rice is estate planning, and we have been practicing law for almost 42 years.

Awards

Best of the Region - Estate Planning Law Firm, Times Publications, 2009

Practicum Mentor, 1994 – 1997, National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, 1997

Publications

Senior Life, Protect Your Family, 2014

National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, The Estate Planning Tool Kit, 1994

Associations

Wealth Counsel, Charter Member, Instructor, 1997 - Present

National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys, Teacher, Mentor, Developer of The Practicum Course, 1993 - Present

National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Member, 1993 - Present

American Bar Association, Real Property Trusts and Estate Law, 1973 - Present

Indiana State Bar Association, Probate, Trusts and Real Property

 

Clifford J. Rice (Valparaiso, Indiana) View website

Awards

Silver Client Champion
This award is granted to attorneys who have received at least 3 client reviews, and have an average review score of 4.0 or higher.
Champion Badge Silver
AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Clifford J. Rice got this award in 2021

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Clifford J. Rice got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

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Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for Clifford J.

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Overall Rating
4.7
See All Reviews
23
4.0
Lawyers.com
4
5.0
Martindale
9
4.6
Avvo
10
Showing 1-4 of 4 client reviews from Lawyers.com
Lawyers.com Rating Snapshot
5 stars
75%
4 stars
0%
3 stars
0%
2 stars
0%
1 star
25%
What do people say on Lawyers.com?
Communication
4.0
Quality of Service
4.0
Responsiveness
4.0
Value for Money
4.0
Estate Planning
Posted by anonymous
August 24, 2023
Hired Attorney

We are SO glad we had Rice & Rice do our estate planning, specifically a living trust. Does anyone besides an attorney have any idea all the ins and outs that need to be addressed? I doubt it. It is incredible what they know and care for...and Rice & Rice seem to be truly above and beyond!

Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
August 04, 2020
Hired Attorney

We went to a seminar in Dyer a couple years ago followed by an hour and a half in Mr. Rice's office to decide on a living trust. We had already met a couple times with a competitor regarding this plus we wanted to feel comfortable about asset protection. Mr. Rice was very organized, professional, detail oriented and answered all questions without ambiguity. After this meeting in his office we signed papers which began the process of formulating our living trust. The process moved along from that point to what I describe as a well oiled process of signing paperwork through paralegal Mr. Tom Noe. He was also very organized and has answered additional questions including recent ones within the last several days. Mr. Noe processes many clients and does so with polite accuracy and reassurance as was our recent experience. Having gone through a competitors process which resulted in too much ambiguity and doubt, it has been our pleasure to work with the Rice team of professionals.

 
Trusts and Estates
Posted by anonymous
September 28, 2019
Hired Attorney

Mr. Rice is very knowledgeable and explained things to me in simple to understand language. He listened to my needs and did an excellent Estate Plan for me. I highly recommend Mr. Rice and his firm

Estate Planning
Posted by Karen
November 29, 2025
Hired Attorney

Rice & Rice deserves ZERO Stars. I went to rice and rice asking them to protect me, and they did the exact opposite. They promised me you control the trust if your spouse passes away, and then had me sign papers saying the opposite. Now that my husband's passed away, and I've lost control of my home, they refuse to help me. Horrible people. I had to hire a new estate attorney. Their exact words "You've been scammed". If you have a trust with them and your spouse hasn't passed away, I suggest you go to another attorney and have him look at it before it's too late

 
From the Martindale-Avvo Legal Network

Services

Areas of Law

  • Trusts and Estates 1
    • Estate Planning
  • Elder Law
  • Other 29
    • Trusts
    • Wills
    • Probate
    • Probate Avoidance
    • Business and Farmland Succession Planning
    • Long-Term Care Planning
    • Avoiding Nursing Homes
    • In-Home Healthcare Planning
    • Medicaid Planning
    • Spenddown Protection
    • Estate Administration
    • Living Trusts
    • IRA Preservation Trusts
    • Supplemental/Special Needs Trusts
    • Pet Care Trusts
    • Protective (Spendthrift-provisioned) Trusts
    • Education Expense Trusts
    • Last Wills and Testament
    • Pour-Over Will Provisions
    • Business Ownership, Interest, Asset, & Succession Planning
    • Transitioning from Medicare-covered Skilled Facility (Rehab) to a Non-Skilled Facility Nursing Home
    • Medicaid Application Representation
    • Medicaid Spend-Down Planning
    • Guidance for using Payable/Transferable on Death provisions
    • Trust Funding
    • Health Care, Funding, and General Powers-of-Attorney
    • HIPAA Waivers
    • Funeral Directives
    • Guardianships for Incapacitated Adults

Practice Details

  • Payment Information
    Payment & Cost Features
    Free initial consultation
    Fixed fees available
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Founder
    Firm Name
    Rice & Rice, Attorneys at Law, LLC
  • Additional Links
    http://www.RiceandRice.com

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1972, Indiana
    1993, Illinois
    2015, Michigan
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Valparaiso University School of Law
    Class of 1972
    J.D.
    Other Education
    Indiana University
    Class of 1969
    B.S.
    Legal Certifications
    Award name Best of the Region - Estate Planning Law Firm Grantor Times Publications, Practicum Mentor Grantor- National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys

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  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Clifford J. Rice has a 5.0 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    Clifford J. Rice attended Valparaiso University School of Law.

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