By: Viraj Shah
Estate planning is never an easy subject, but it’s important to take action on it. Regardless of your age or health status, preparing for the future to protect your family and estate is crucial. It’s important to have an attorney help you so you can be sure your estate is legally protected. One of the premier ways to get started is to consider using these tips to choose an attorney to handle your estate planning.
Ensure Their Specialty in Estate Planning
Choosing an attorney to help you create an estate plan requires checking their specialty. Although some lawyers have more than one area of focus, it’s best to hire one who specializes in estate planning. At the same time, you’ll want to know what aspects of this law they know the best. For example, some estate planning attorneys know how to handle Medicaid-related issues and others specialize in elder law.
Consider Your Estate Planning Needs
No two estate plans are identical as each person has specific needs. Yours is probably no exception, so you must consider your estate planning legal needs. For instance, if you have children, you might want to create a trust for their benefit. Or if you’re chronically ill, you’ll want to plan a living will that dictates your desired medical treatment if you’re ever incapacitated. The right estate planning lawyer will know how best to accommodate you whatever your needs.
Ask for Recommendations
One of the premier ways to find an estate planning attorney is to ask around. Chances are people you know have already gone the route of creating their estate plans and had the help of lawyers to do it. Ask your friends, family members, acquaintances, and coworkers if they know anyone they trust. Word-of-mouth from people you know and trust can go a long way in helping you find the right professional.
Check Their Ratings
Check the ratings of any estate planning attorneys you’re considering hiring. Official sources like state bar associations are premier because they show how attorneys are rated by their peers and clients. This is a better way to learn about lawyers compared to doing a blanket Internet search that might show biased or fake reviews.
Request Free Consultations
Attorneys allow prospective clients to have free consultations to see whether they would be a good fit working together. If you have any attorney in mind that you’re considering hiring to help prepare your estate plan, take advantage of this so you can get a feel for them. It can help you better understand how they work and who meshes best with you.
Look Locally
Any estate planning attorney you choose should be local because the laws vary from state to state. If you plan to remain at your current residence, you should find someone in that area. If you have plans to move to another state, you’ll have to find an estate planning lawyer local to that area.
When you find the right attorney to handle your estate planning, you’ll be in good hands. You can enjoy the peace of mind that you’re taking positive steps for the future.
Disclaimer: “The content in this article is provided for general knowledge. It does not constitute legal advice, and readers should seek advice from qualified legal professionals regarding particular cases or situations.”
Published by: Holy Minoza
