Martindale Awards
AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that 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.
Client Champion Platinum is awarded to lawyers/firms with at least 10 reviews, with an average score of 4.5 or higher.
Reviews (122)
A very hard working and industrious attorney. A longstanding member of the Philadelphia legal community working in the estate and tax area and always trying to do right by his clients.
2016/12/10
I needed a lawyer because I needed a Power of Attorney regarding my Mother. Mr. Whalen was very knowledgeable and extremely helpful with and to my Mother. It made it easier for my Mother to understand what he was...
2023/03/17
Mr. Whalen was phenomenal - I could not have wished for anything more. His knowledge of Probate Law is second to none.
2020/10/23
John has been helpful and understanding of my issue. He knows what the laws are and knows what has to be done for each next step.
2020/01/03
John is very knowledgeable and was able to give me high quality legal service at a reasonable price point.
2020/01/02
John is extremely easy to contact, very responsive to messages and most important to our situation, spoke in laymens terms. He is attentive and makes you feel comfortable asking questions and seeking clarity. I...
2020/01/02
John is a great down to earth guy . He’s very professional and reliable and I have already recommend his services to several of my friends. He is extremely thorough and explained everything in a way I could...
2020/01/02
John is extremely knowledgeable and highly ethical. You feel immediately like you are in good hands. For me nobody is better!
2020/01/02
We hired John to draw up my father's will and any other necessary documents he needed prepared. John took the time to sit and listen to my 90 year old father's requests/needs. He was extremely patient,...
2019/12/30
When my father passed unexpectedly in 2008, I had no idea what to do. I contacted John, who I found his name on the Interweb. John helped me through the process of closing my fathers estate. John always was...
2017/11/26
Explained all the legal terms so we understood completely and felt comfortable. Great guy.
2017/11/26
John is a highly knowledgeable and professional in the estate legal area. He has provided me as an executor and the estate's beneficiaries over a five year period with outstanding guidance. He is available on both...
2017/11/15
John has always provided timely assistance whenever requested. He takes the time to provide complete explanations and is thorough. He is congenial and professional. We have personally recommended him to other...
2017/11/13
John is a wonderful attorney and great person. During hard times our family was going through he made the experience with the legal issues as pleasant as possible. When you need him he's only a phone call away, and...
2017/11/09
John did an outstanding job on our power of attorney, living will, and will. He gave us all the time that we needed with questions. When additional questions came to light, he promptly returned our call. We...
2017/11/06
He guided me through probating of my mothers estate after her death with extraordinary care and compassion. Came to my father to change and draw up necessary documents. excellent service and true friendship. .
2017/11/02
John has been an exceptional man to work with. His professionalism and eagerness to accommodate his clients is beyond words. He has a laid back personal relationship with his clients and is always available to...
2017/10/31
Mr. Whalen is extremely knowledgeable and takes as much time as needed to ensure that one understands what needs to be done.
2009/01/07
When my father died I contacted John. I was in the most frantic state of my life. John gentley went over the estate laws. He assured me that my family could not be put out on the street. He advised me step by step...
2009/01/06
He completed our wills and power of attorney efficiently and effectively in a short period of time and we were able to settle our mothers estate with no problems. We have recommended him to several friends.
2009/01/06
Mr. Whalen was sincerely caring and offered appropriate counsel. He made himself available outside of office hours during a trying time. I would recommend him to anyone without reservation.
2008/12/30
John is very responsive and answers calls in a timely manner. He is always professional and comforting.
2008/12/30
John was amazing, his professionalism was exemplary and his knowledge and dedication were part none.
2020/01/02
Living out of state, and not knowing how Pennsylvania laws work, John has been a very valuable asset on making sure we knew what had to be done and doing everything properly. He is very busy but always made sure...
2017/11/27
A great communicator and very responsive. Extremely knowledgeable and courteous. He was very flexible with meetibg times.
2020/01/02
John has been a Godsend to the family, handling a very emotionally-draining estate administration for a disabled surviving spouse. He has been extremely patient. He provides more than basic legal services; he's...
2009/01/04
John is one of the most level headed people I have met. He is very knowledgeable about his area of law, and can break it down to the most simple definitions, making it very easy to understand. He is patient and...
2010/08/27
Mr. Whalen, Jr., is all of the above and more. Over the years I've learned that I have never been misled, sold a bill of goods, or placated by John. If he can't solve a problem or answer a question, he says so....
2010/09/15
We became acquainted with John a number of years ago when my father passed away and my brother and I became executors of my parents trusts. John worked closely with us through the whole legal process instructing,...
2010/09/18
I needed a lawyer for my fathers estate, so I started looking on the internet. John was the 3rd that I contacted, and he spent 1.5 hours on phone with him for the initial contact. John visited me at my fathers...
2010/09/19
John Whalen is a wonderful caring dedicated supportive lawyer. He helped get my father the medicaid benefits he deserved.
2010/09/19
John was referred to me by a friend and came with high expectations. John not only met the expectations but exceeding them. I will pass forward John's name to others because I am 100% confident in his abilities.
2010/09/19
I have worked with John for approximately 7 months. I have found John to be very helpful and attentive. I have felt comfortable sharing things with John. John has been a great confidant in this matter.
2010/09/19
John helped us review, update and rewrite our Wills, Living Wills and Powers of Attorney. All of our meetings with John took place in our own home. John was a pleasant surprise from what we were expecting from an...
2010/09/20
John and I met accidently about four years ago, and what a great coincidence it turned out to be! John mentioned he handled estate planning amongst his other skills, and the timing of our initial conversation...
2010/09/25
I worked with John many years ago and as a very close friend he will guide you in the right direction and be there for you should you have any questions he will always give you an answer. My mom just had her will...
2010/09/26
John is an extremely knowledgeable Wills, Trusts and Estates attorney. He has always answered our questions, regarding our wills and living wills, in a way that makes us understand the legal issues at hand, while...
2010/09/26
John Whalen is the kind of attorney that everyone would want to have on their side. He took over my case when I was at the end of my rope with another attorney. I am extremely pleased with the way he has handled...
2010/09/26
Attention to detail, responsiveness, great results. I don't know what more you could ask for. John simply is tops!
2010/09/27
Mr. Whalen has always treated my husband and I as if we were his only clients. He has shown both care and concern for our needs and as well as our family's needs, but at the same time maintains a professional...
2010/09/27
‘Labor omnia vincit’ - Hard work conquers all. I met John over 10 years ago as a client and I am proud to call him a friend. My occupation allows me to cross paths with attorneys on a daily basis and of the...
2010/09/27
Mr. Whalen is a very conscious attorney. He treats all of his clients like they are his friends and/or family when they are going through the loss of a loved one. He walks them through the process step-by-step and...
2010/09/29
I used John for setting up my will and power of attorney. I found him to be well informed and explained everything to me so I understood what I needed. He is also a lawyer for other of my family members and I...
2010/10/21
There is not enough room in this review to list all of the dealings that we have had with John Whalen. He has been a friend of our family for 20+ years and as our life changed, John was the one that we turned to...
2010/10/21
Mr. Whalen on two occasions gave guidance and prepared my living will, Power of Attorney and Last Will and Testament. He was always professional, competent, clear, and patient with my many questions.
2010/10/22
When my mother passed away, I knew I would need an attorney to help probate the will and guide me through the maze of responsibilities I had as executrix. John is not only a skilled and knowledgeable attorney, he...
2010/10/25
John helped me teach an Ethical Wills course at Widener University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. His preparation and presentation were excellent and he held the class's attention for an hour and a half.
2010/10/27
I have yet to meet an attorney more dedicated to his clients. Mr. Whalen has not only advised me on issues related to unmarried couples, as a fellow blogger he has also advised me on copyright law. I have a child...
2011/02/10
John and I went to high school together; it’s no surprise to me that John is at the top of his game in PA Estate Planning, Estate Administration, Fiduciary Law Representation and Estate Taxation. John...
2011/10/26
I needed some last minute advice as my siblings and I were reaching the final stages of my parents estate settlement. Though the whole process had run fairly smoothly, the last details (especially after the house...
2011/10/26
I used John's experience to set up my will, power of attorney and living will and recently revising them after the passing of a loved one. He was very caring and understanding of my needs and was very helpful in...
2011/10/27
John and I have had the privilege of not only being business colleagues, but personal friends. I have watched John work with many clients and have always been impressed with his ability to put clients at ease with...
2011/11/09
My interaction with John began when I was promoted to the Estates Department of the firm that John and I both worked at. I was new to the firm and field and Paralegal world. There are certain areas of estate law...
2012/01/24
I have known John for twelve years, and during that time I have utilized his services on four occasions including probate and trust planning matters. He is extremely knowledgeable in matters of the law, and his...
2012/04/02
Mr Whalen handled my mother's estate almost 2 years ago. He was both ernest and forthright in direction and helped make, what could have been a nightmare, a very pleasant experience. I felt reassured and found a...
2012/04/13
John's assistance was invaluable to me recently during a sudden and rather emotional event in my family's life. Our beloved mother suffered a massive stroke, literally days before she had "planned" to sign her...
2012/04/15
John was extremely helpful and caring in his response to my/our situation...he really listened and offered advice during our phone consultation and he made me laugh for the first time in awhile....thank-you for...
2012/05/07
Dealing with one's mortality is never an easy subject to broach. John's ability to zero in on what is important, while remaining compassionate and caring are attributes that hard to come by these days. He made the...
2012/06/26
Mr. Whalen helped me get out of an unhealthy living situation that involved a lease with a landlord. The landlord was not helpful or cooperative until Mr. Whalen stepped in and we did not even have to go to court....
2012/10/15
John was easy to deal with. We worked with him on a rewrite of our will, living will, etc... He clearly explained the options, made recommendations, and delivered a high quality product when he said he would for...
2012/10/29
I found John to be extremely helpful and forthcoming with his legal knowledge. He was willing to understand the issues and to give professional insight into possible options for a solution. Not only did he answer...
2012/10/31
I didn't have much information to provide to him, Mr. Whalen helped find out what I needed to know. He made me feel confident that my case would settle fairly, and did not succumb to the scare tactics of the other...
2012/11/07
John is simply terrific to work with. I needed to overhaul my estate planning in a relatively short amount of time and wasn't sure where to start or what considerations needed to be made. John took as much time...
2013/02/12
I had an Estate Income Tax situation that required a legal interpretation, where as the beneficiaries were in disagreement with the Executor over who should report the income. Mr. Wahlen started working on the...
2013/04/02
John prepared a will, living will, and power of attorney for me. He explained everything thoroughly, with kindness and patience. He was very accommodating and got back to me in a timely fashion. He had a very...
2013/04/16
If you want to work with someone who will take time to understand your issue/request, who will offer professional advice, who deeply understands law, flexible and friendly, hire John. You will not be disappointed....
2013/04/19
John presents with a high degree of ethical behavior. His knowledge of the law coupled with his sincerity and concern make him an excellent attorney. He is responsive and he truly listens to what one has to...
2013/08/02
John Whalen brought a wealth of experience, knowledge and integrity to my situation, and was able to answer all my questions honestly, whether the answer was favorable to my case or no. In a situation dealing with...
2013/09/19
John wrote an Informal Settlement Agreement for me to use while settling my mother's estate. John did an excellent job, was easy to get a hold of, and explained everything I needed to know. I have three sisters...
2014/06/18
I am extremely grateful to attorney John B. Whalen's guidance, support and generosity during a very harrowing time in my life. Phone calls were answered in a timely manner and information requested was promptly...
2014/09/15
I've gone to John with several questions and he's always knowledgable, quick and explains in language I understand. He's always helpful and very easy to talk with. there's no airs here, just a nice man who you...
2014/10/12
Grieving the loss of a loved one is painful enough, but coping with the added responsibilities that come with being executor of your loved one's estate can be truly overwhelming. John is compassionate and...
2014/10/13
I have known John for many, many years. Being an attorney takes not only a thorough understanding of the law, but a compassion for the people as well. John is the most knowledgeable and compassionate person and...
2014/10/14
John is an expert attorney, bar none, in matters of wills, estates, probate, powers of attorney, and trusts. John is the most sincere, down to earth, and trustworthy attorney one can hire. John is an excellent...
2014/10/15
Attorney Whalen gained my trust up front by being very open about his professional background (with some personal anecdotes thrown in). I had been dealing with a very difficult and emotional estate matter, and he...
2014/12/24
I had a very complex issue regarding my mom's estate that I ran by John. He was the most patient, attentive, and responsive lawyer I have ever dealt with. There is no doubt that John is an exceptional lawyer. ...
2015/03/20
John visited us to help with my mother-in-law's estate planning and gave us some VERY good advise contrary to what we were about to do. Saved us thousands of dollars in the future by not making the mistakes we...
2015/04/30
John is a very knowledgeable Attorney in his specialties and very professional and pleasant in his people skills. He makes you feel like you are his most important client.
2015/09/09
I never had a friend who was an attorney, now I do. Mr. Whalen's approach was collaborative and guided. He stayed the course and never waivered on a situation that lasted almost 3 years. Mr. Whalen is talented...
2015/09/30
John is a fantastic lawyer. He's very knowledgable in many aspects of law, and was very polite and courteous in helping with my situation- I'd rather not share specifics. I would definitely recommend his services...
2015/10/02
John provided us the documents we needed quickly and efficiently. He came to our house for two consults, assessed our needs, and followed up with a complete package that put our minds at ease. And all with a...
2016/02/18
I first met Mr. Whalen over 20 years ago when my parents needed an attorney to revise their will and to assist with estate planning. He was extremely knowledgeable and considerate at that time which is why I chose...
2016/10/18
Thank you John. I can't express enough gratitude for what you have done for me. In this world today, there are few people today that would help others when they are down and out. Even fewer would have seen this...
2017/03/14
John was courteous, prompt, accessible, professional, and fun. He helped us with elderly care documents (Durable power of attorney, Last Will, and Living Will. He came to the house, which made life much easier...
2017/03/23
John has helped me resolve many estate issues over the years. He's always quick to answer and to explain all my options. I've talked with John about issues for over 5 years!! I'll be using John for years to come,...
2017/08/09
Many thanks my friend for a job well done. We were very pleased with your work and also impressed with you as a person. Your mother would be very proud of you. She did a fantastic job of raising you. If my mother...
2017/09/20
I am extremely grateful to attorney John B. Whalen's guidance, support and generosity during a very difficult time in my life. Phone calls were answered in a timely manner and information requested was promptly...
2018/08/11
John was very helpful in explaining why this was not needed and also helped to clarify other legal issues on powers of attorney. Thanks to his advice we did not need to spend on excessive legal fees and can...
2019/01/14
It is so rare to find an attorney who is willing to meet you at your place of convenience rather than always having to go to their office. I am extremely impressed with how John is so personable and service...
2019/01/15
Professional, and full of reassurance. He is seasoned at estate law and provides much needed comic relief as well as amazing piece of mind. I thoroughly enjoyed each conversation we had and felt that he truly...
2019/01/15
John B. Whalen was very helpful to me and my Mother. He explained everything to her and made her feel at ease with the details of our situation.
2019/01/15
John Whalen was awesome, as I have a home business he helped me get things in order and correctly choose a beneficiary for my home, business and pets.
2019/01/16
I contacted John Whalen when I had some legal questions over my grandfather's estate. I learned of him through Avvo, and was impressed by his many great reviews. He promptly contacted me. Over numerous phone calls...
2020/02/21
I asked several questions without Atty Whalen pushing for a consultation which I would have to pay for / his answers were quite helpful / I believe his answers were truthful / I did not hire Atty Whalen but it was...
2020/07/05
I have known John for many years, since High School. The way he approaches his job is grounded in the highest ethical and moral standards and his experience and demeanor create an instantly comfortable situation. ...
2021/02/26
Mr. Whalen is professional, intellectually superior, and reassuring. He is seasoned at estate law and provides piece of mind. I highly recommend his services!
2021/02/27
John was a great help to me as he helped me and my Uncle through all the details of his will. I felt he listened and understood the issues that we were concerned about and explained things to us in a very...
2021/02/27
John Whalen Jr handled our estate needs with integrity and expertise. We are highly satisfied and would definitely recommend his services.
2021/02/28
My mother passed away in 2019 and I needed a lawyer to handle probate. I didn’t have any referrals so I went to AVVO and chose John B Whalen Jr. Thankfully AVVO didn’t let me down! John was professional,...
2021/02/28
John took care of my elderly father's Will, and that was extremely happy with the choice we made. John came to my father's house to take care of all the paperwork, which made it so much easier for us. He is...
2021/03/02
