hited an attorney for estate planning who takes a week or more to get back to me

When should you hire an estate planning attorney?

Time: 2 to 4 weeks. Once the attorney has your information, your estate planning documents will be prepared. Basically, these are what you’re paying for. In many law firms, your documents will not actually be prepared by the attorney; they will be prepared by an assistant based on a template that the law firm uses.

What type of lawyer prepares Wills and trusts?

Jul 22, 2019 · Read on for seven reasons you should hire an estate planning attorney. 1. Estate Planning Is More Than Just a Will. Once you've drafted your last will and testament, estate planning doesn't stop there. It's an ongoing process that can change as new things happen in your life. Maybe you acquire new property, or your children begin to have ...

How much does an estate planning attorney cost?

Jun 20, 2018 · When planning your estate, the truth is, that you don’t have to hire an attorney. You can create the necessary estate arrangements on your own, however the process is often complicated and confusing. The more assets you have, the more complicated and confusing it is.

Should you hire an estate planning attorney for special needs?

Mar 24, 2017 · Trust your gut and hire an attorney that is right for you. Contact the Marchese Law Firm to let us help you Plan Today. At the Marchese Law Firm, we are experienced estate planning attorneys, who specialize in quality legal services. We do this by handling your case with personal attention to deliver you the best results.

What is the consequence of not writing a will and planning for your estate after your death?

A will is a legal document that spells out your wishes regarding the care of your children, as well as the distribution of your assets after your death. Failure to prepare a will typically leaves decisions about your estate in the hands of judges or state officials and may also cause family strife.

What are the four important estate planning factors?

Here is a list of items every estate plan should include:Will/trust.Durable power of attorney.Beneficiary designations.Letter of intent.Healthcare power of attorney.Guardianship designations.

What does an estate lawyer do?

An estate lawyer is trained in matters related to passing on your assets after you die, and planning for situations where you can no longer care for yourself. They are experts in wills, trusts, and your local probate process. Some estate lawyers may also have specialties, like planning the succession of a business.

What are the 5 components of estate planning?

A good estate plan is comprised of five key elements: Will, Trust(s), Power of Attorney, Health Care or Medical Directive and Beneficiary Designation. A will is a legally binding document that directs who will receive your property and assets after your death.Nov 8, 2017

What are the main steps in estate planning?

The Estate Planning Process: 6 Steps to TakeCREATE AN INVENTORY OF WHAT YOU OWN AND WHAT YOU OWE. ... DEVELOP A CONTINGENCY PLAN. ... PROVIDE FOR CHILDREN AND DEPENDENTS. ... PROTECT YOUR ASSETS. ... DOCUMENT YOUR WISHES. ... APPOINT FIDUCIARIES.Mar 2, 2020

Under what type of will does everything pass to your spouse?

As a community property state, California law presumes all the property you or your spouse acquire during your marriage to be marital property, regardless of how it is titled. ... And if your spouse died without a will, you will automatically inherit all community property, including the home.

Why have an estate planning law?

An estate plan aims to preserve the maximum amount of wealth possible for the intended beneficiaries and flexibility for the individual prior to death. A major concern for drafters of estate plans is federal and state tax law.

What do planning lawyers do?

Negotiating and drafting planning obligations for landowners, developers, local authorities and funders. Planning appeals, including advocacy at public inquiries and hearings. Interpretation of planning permissions and conditions, and advice on safeguarding planning consents.

How long does probate usually take?

Typically, after death, the process will take between 6 months to a year, with 9 months being the average time for probate to complete.Feb 1, 2022

What are assets for estate planning?

Assets that could make up an individual's estate include houses, cars, stocks, artwork, life insurance, pensions, and debt.

How do you avoid probate?

How can you avoid probate?Have a small estate. Most states set an exemption level for probate, offering at least an expedited process for what is deemed a small estate. ... Give away your assets while you're alive. ... Establish a living trust. ... Make accounts payable on death. ... Own property jointly.

What is the most important part of a will?

However, Wills typically contain the following: The testator's full legal name, marital status, and information about children, if any. A section stating how estate assets should be distributed. The name of a guardian, if the testator has minor children.

How do you find a good real estate lawyer?

If buying or selling property feels overwhelming and the thought of finding a good real estate lawyer seems daunting, you’re in luck. There are som...

What does a real estate lawyer do?

A real estate lawyer represents their client’s best interest in all matters related to the sale, purchase and ownership of real estate. They are ex...

What kind of lawyer does wills?

No one likes talking about death, but it’s better than leaving your children or siblings to sort out your estate. A clearly planned will can make t...

How much does an attorney charge to do a will?

On average, attorneys charge $940-$1,500 to create a will. However, different factors (complexity, assets, hourly rates, etc.) can impact the cos...

How do you find a good attorney for wills?

To find the best attorney to create your will, start your search on Thumbtack. With Thumbtack, you can quickly locate lawyers near you . As you’re...

How do you find a good lawyer for wills?

Estate planning is an important part of financial planning, so it’s important to find the right attorney to prepare your will. Although most family...

How much do real estate lawyers cost?

The cost to hire a real estate lawyer depends on your needs. The national average cost for real estate lawyers ranges between $350 and $550 , alth...

How much should an estate plan cost?

The cost of an estate plan depends largely on the number of parts it includes and the complexity of the documents. The most basic estate plan is si...

How much does it cost to have a living will?

Either a family attorney or an estate, or wills, attorney can help you prepare a living will, either as part of your general estate planning or as...

Is estate planning as simple as saying who should get the good china when you're gone?

Estate planning isn't as simple as saying who should get the good china when you're gone. There are lots of situations that could make your planning a little more complicated.

Should I set up a trust for my kids?

If you have younger children, you might want to set up a trust to make sure that they're taken care of in case you pass away. This is a little bit more complicated than just leaving money to your kids since they can't be responsible for it until they become adults.

Do I need to include business in estate planning?

If you own a business, you'll need to include that in your estate planning, too. This is another factor that can make planning a major headache -- which is where attorneys are so helpful.

What to do before meeting with potential attorney?

Before you meet with your potential candidates in person, they may give you a list of information they need to be able to evaluate your case. It’s a good sign when your potential attorney gives you a questionnaire or goal form to send back before the meeting. This is a good indication that they take your case seriously and want to get to know you.

Do estate attorneys disclose their fees?

Sometimes attorneys won’t disclose their fees prior to your appointment with them. It may be difficult for attorneys to quote you an exact fee without knowing the particulars of your case. However, it’s not impossible for them to give you an estimated fee range, so you’re not left in the dark when it comes to what your attorney will charge you. At the same time, be careful of attorneys who quote a fixed fee without looking at your case. This is an indicator that they give everyone the same estate plan instead of meeting your personal needs.

What is an estate planning lawyer?

Your estate planning lawyer is someone that you’ll be working with, and sharing intimate details of your life with, potentially for the duration of your life, so it’s critical that you like and trust this individual. Make sure that they’re truly listening to you and are interested in what you have to say and make you feel comfortable.

What is estate of deceased?

The estate of a deceased person refers to all of the assets that they own at the time of their death. These are generally left to the heirs. But, there are instances when the handing down of these assets get more complicated when heirs contest each other’s shares, especially when there are quite a number of assets to be dived, ...

How many children does an estate planning lawyer have?

For instance, client A may have four children that are all legitimate and recognized. That makes the task easy for the estate planning lawyer. But, on the one hand, client B has three legitimate children, one adopted child, and two illegitimate children. This makes the process trickier. Hence, a good estate planning lawyer should take the time to get to know every client in detail.

Do lawyers specialize in estate planning?

While estate planning isn’t their area of specialization, because of their knowledge in the field of law, they are still qualified to do this.

What is the purpose of an estate plan?

Note that the primary purpose of an estate plan is for you to have full control over the proper distribution of your assets in the time of your death. So, a good estate planning attorney should take the time to get to know more about you, the particulars of your family, and other intricacies, to ensure that all of these are addressed in your estate ...

How to choose an estate planning attorney?

Another fail-proof way for you to choose an estate planning attorney is to ask for referrals. If you’ve got family or friends whom you know to have recently hired one, phone them. Take the time to ask for suggestions, references, and feedback. If you have particular attorneys in mind, also ask if they know anything about that lawyer.

Is death inevitable?

Death is inevitable for everybody, but the uncertainty lies in the matter of when. The saying does say that death comes like a thief in the night, when you least expect it, or when you may not even be ready for it. While you can’t control when it’s going to come, you can control the effects of your death.

Estate Planning is Not a Do-it-Yourself Project

When you look at online websites that promise cheap estate planning, click away. Quickly. Estate planning affects your life and the lives of your loved ones. Do you really want to trust that to an algorithm or a one-size-fits-all estate plan? Bad estate planning can lead to higher costs, longer probate, depreciation of your assets, and stress.

Great Estate Planning is Key

And for that, you need an expert. Don’t take a chance by hiring an attorney who doesn’t have the experience and knowledge to help you develop the best estate plan possible.

Contact an Experienced Florida Estate Planning Lawyer

A properly developed estate plan made with the assistance of an experienced estate planning attorney is an investment in your future.

Why do people hire estate lawyers?

Most people hire an estate law attorney to avoid probate. If you end up having to manage this process of fighting over the validity of legal documents anyhow, you’ll want to double down on your attorney investment to help ensure the probate process goes well for you.

What to do when someone passes away?

When people pass away, many of them worry about how their loved ones will get on without them. An estate law attorney can take that pressure off of passing and give you, your loved ones, and friends the peace of mind that comes with knowing everything will transition as expected .

Should I be careful about my legal documents?

When it comes to your livelihood landing in the right hands, you can never be too careful about the quality of your legal documents. That’s why many people hire estate legal professionals to review their already drafted documents to see if they can find any holes in them.

What are the benefits of estate planning?

A well-developed estate plan can have many additional benefits. For instance, a clear plan can minimize your loved one’s tax burden and the need for probate court proceedings. While most people associate estate planning with wills and trusts, it can also address other issues such as: 1 How you are to receive medical treatment; 2 Organ donation; 3 Who will make legal and financial decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated; 4 Who will care for your minor children; 5 Who will take over your business interests; and 6 Your funeral arrangements.

Why should I have an estate plan?

The plan should ensure their physical, emotional, and financial welfare. You also might consider purchasing a life insurance plan to protect your spouse and child. Middle-Aged: As your income and assets grow over time, you will want an estate plan that helps your loved ones avoid probate.

What happens if you don't have an estate plan?

If you do not create an estate plan for yourself, your estate will be distributed according to your state’s intestate succession laws. These laws may vary from state to state, and can sometimes result in property distributions that aren’t quite in line with what you may have wanted.

Who is Jose from LegalMatch?

Jose (Jay) is a Senior Staff writer and team Editor for LegalMatch. He has been with LegalMatch since March of 2010. He contributes to the law library section of the company website by writing on a wide range of legal topics.

Do I need an estate plan if I am single?

A Young, Single Person: You might not need an estate plan yet unless you are very wealthy or have a serious illness. Unmarried, but have a Committed Partner: Estate planning is a necessity in such a situation. Without a will or trust, your unmarried partner will not receive any of your property when you pass away.

What can an estate lawyer do?

Your estate planning lawyer can help you draft a will, trust, power of attorney, or other documents. These will all work together to help protect your assets and distribute them according to your wishes. While all estate plans will be different, here are some general elements of a successful plan:

Can a special needs trust be used for a disabled child?

A Parent of a Child with Special Needs: Your estate plan might contain a special needs trust, which can provide for your disabled child without disrupting their other benefits. Elderly or Ill: You absolutely should have an estate plan in place.

What can a real estate lawyer do?

A real estate lawyer can help with negotiation, addressing mortgage fraud, managing foreclosures and bankruptcy, transfers of titles and deeds, property ownership disputes, zoning issues, creating a co-ownership contract for joint purchase of a property, and much more.

How much does it cost to write a living will?

The cost typically ranges from $250 to $500, depending on your attorney’s fees; some charge by the hour, while others have a flat rate for writing a living will. Some states require living wills to be notarized, which adds an average of $5 to $15.

Do you need a real estate attorney for closing?

Many states require a real estate attorney to handle sale closing documents. For more complex matters such as a real estate deal gone awry or foreclosure, you’ll want to find an attorney who has successfully handled cases like yours. Look for online reviews of real estate lawyers in your area.

What is an estate attorney?

An estate attorney will develop a legal will, create trusts on your behalf, and ensure the proper execution of your estate after you pass away. Family attorneys and estate attorneys, also called probate and wills attorneys, can each prepare wills. The type of lawyer best suited to prepare your will depends on your situation.

How much does a real estate lawyer cost?

The national average cost for real estate lawyers ranges between $350 and $550, although prices can vary greatly based on the individual case. Many states, such as New York and Georgia, require that a real estate lawyer handle the closing documents when buying or selling a house.

What is the best way to prepare a will?

Estate planning is an important part of financial planning, so it’s important to find the right attorney to prepare your will. Although most family attorneys can put together a basic will, you may want one who specializes in wills and estate planning, especially if you have a lot of assets or a dependent to take care of.

Understand The Specific Tasks of The Attorney

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