Estate Attorney

Choosing an Estate Attorney to represent your wishes in the form of a will, living trust or another form of estate planning is an important decision. There are estate planning services that are available online, but you should consider using the services of a respected estate attorney to handle your affairs.

Make sure that any estate attorney that you select is licensed in your state. If there are only a small number of estate attorneys in your area, check to see if there are larger firms that specialize in Trusts and Estates that might have satellite offices near your location. It never hurts to shop around for an attorney that you feel comfortable working with.

Ask around. Talk to your friends, CPA, financial advisors, and other types of attorneys to find out which estate planning attorney they might recommend.

Find out where the estate attorney went to law school. Law schools that are difficult to get into often have higher standards and only accept the best students.

Attorneys provide a free initial consultation so that you have a chance to get to know the estate attorney and decide if you want to retain their services. This also gives the attorney an opportunity to get to know you and to understand your needs and whether they will be able to provide you the assistance that you require.

When you decide to seek the advice and services of a qualified estate planning attorney, you will want to be prepared and have the necessary information that will save you time and money, especially if your estate attorney charges by the hour.

You should be able to provide a list of your assets and an estimate of their value. This will help the attorney decide if you need a will or a trust, and if it is a trust, the type of trust.

If you are unable to manage your assets, how will they be managed to your benefit and by whom. When will your assets be transferred to others. Will it be while you are still alive, upon your death, or after you have died. This information is important for tax planning and as well as controlling when and how money will be used for the intended beneficiaries.

When minors are involved, it is generally best to establish a living trust. This can be a complicated estate plan, and the trust needs to be properly funded in order to achieve your objectives. Due to the added level of complexity and to be sure that the trust is correctly established, it is important to consult with an estate planning attorney. There is no subsitute for the advice of a qualified estate attorney, and the cost is definitely worth it when you are trying to protect the interest of minor children.

Every person should have a General Durable Power of Attorney in place. The form names somebody to handle your affairs if you become incapacitated. It gets rid of the need for probate appointment of a conservator or guardian.

As you can see, proper estate planning allows you to be in control of your assets and finances if you become incapacitated or die, is important. Having the assistance of an estate attorney will make sure that your wishes are handled properly and that there is no misconception or confusion about your desires once you are unable to make the decisions on your own.