how to find a good estate attorney in alabama

How to find a good estate planning attorney?

Reliable and Experienced Probate Attorney for Estate, Trust & Conservatorship cases in Alabama. Call (833) 567-3853 Message Website Call (833) 567-3853 Message Website

Where can I find an attorney for a trust or estate?

You've come to the right place. If you are the executor of an estate, a probate & estate administration attorney can help. Probate & estate administration attorneys handle succession issues and can help you navigate court processes, payment of the deceased person's debts, distribution of property according to the will or estate plan, and probate litigation.

How do I find the right lawyer for me?

Find help with Super Lawyers. Estate and trust litigation attorneys primarily represent clients in litigated disputes over estate and trust assets or distributions. Estate litigation involves wills and matters arising from the death of an individual in relation to their assets.

Where can I find information about Alabama State Bar?

Robert Vargo. Estate Planning Lawyer Serving Alabama. (256) 539-7396. Huntsville, AL Estate Planning Attorney with 46 years of experience. Robert Vargo has over 35 years experience representing businesses and individuals in an extensive variety of corporate, commercial, technology and real estate law matters.

Does Alabama require a real estate attorney?

Alabama is one of the few states that requires a licensed real estate attorney to draft and prepare all legal documents involved in a real estate transaction (Ala. Code § 34-3-6(c)).Sep 5, 2018

Do you need a lawyer to probate a will in Alabama?

Yes, the Will must be probated to have legal effect. Before deciding not to probate a Will one should consult an attorney.

How do I find a good attorney?

You can run an attorney search at databases such as Avvo and Martindale Hubbell, which provide information such as practice areas, location, disciplinary records, and lawyer reviews. You might also consult your local or state bar association's attorney directory, which is a list of lawyers in your area.

How much does a will cost in Alabama?

Filing fees and court costs for probating a will differ based on where the case must be filed. For example, the filing fee to probate a will is about $57.00 in Jefferson County and $47.00 in Madison County, Alabama.Apr 24, 2019

How much does an estate have to be worth to go to probate in Alabama?

In Alabama, if an estate doesn't have any real property and the value doesn't exceed $25,000, after waiting 30 days, you can use what's known as a summary probate procedure.

How do you transfer a house after death in Alabama?

How to Transfer Alabama Real EstateFind the most recent deed to the property. ... Create the new deed. ... Sign and notarize the deed. ... Record the signed, notarized original deed with the Office of the Judge of Probate.

What kinds of questions would you ask a lawyer?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•Jan 29, 2017

What source online would you think is the most reliable for finding a quality lawyer?

Best for Finding a Lawyer FindLaw Every legal issue requires a different type of attorney and the best place to find them all is FindLaw. The online directory lists hundreds of U.S. attorneys in 119 specific areas of law, making it easy to find the most qualified practitioner for your case.

What should you ask your lawyer?

Questions you might ask your lawyerDo I have a problem that can be resolved by law?What legal risks am I facing?What documents do I need to support my case?Do I need statements from witnesses?What are my options for resolving the dispute out of court?How can I settle the case?More items...

Is a handwritten will valid in Alabama?

Alabama, unlike some states like Texas, doesn't recognized wills only handwritten by the testator. This is because of the statutory requirement that every will must be witnessed and attested to by at least two people.

Who inherits when there is no will in Alabama?

In Alabama, if you are married and you die without a will, what your spouse gets depends on whether or not you have living parents or children. If you don't, then your spouse inherits all of your intestate property.

How do you avoid probate in Alabama?

In Alabama, you can make a living trust to avoid probate for virtually any asset you own—real estate, bank accounts, vehicles, and so on. You need to create a trust document (it's similar to a will), naming someone to take over as trustee after your death (called a successor trustee).

How long has Robert Vargo been in the business world?

Robert Vargo has over 35 years experience representing businesses and individuals in an extensive variety of corporate, commercial, technology and real estate law matters. During that time, he has enjoyed long standing... Read More »

Who is Brooke Davis?

Brooke Davis is an associate attorney for Beckum Law LLC. Brooke received her license to practice law in 2017, but has been working in the legal field for more than 7 years. Before joining Beckum Law, Brooke gained... Read More »

Why are directories of specialists jokes?

Most of these “directories of specialists” are a joke because they are simply like a yellow pages ad on the internet. If you are going to vet out an attorney on-line, use sites that are third-party verified.

Do attorneys do estate planning?

There are many attorneys that say that they do estate planning. And of course there are many that do. The real question to ask however is “do they practice exclusively in this area of the law”? Just as there are doctors that specialize in certain areas of medicine such as general practice, cardiology or oncology, there are attorneys that are generalists and ones that limit their practices to a specific area of the law. The benefit to this is that the attorney is much more likely to be abreast of the current law and issues that surround that practice area. They are also more likely to correctly identify areas that could be problems down the road if the proper planning is not done.

How many tiers are there in law school?

Just like any other school, law schools that are harder to get into have higher standards and only accept the best students. There are four (4) tiers in the law school ranking system with the first tier being at the top and hardest to get into. Ask the attorney where he or she went to law school. 10.

Does an attorney have malpractice insurance?

Anyone can make a mistake and you should not make the mistake of hiring an attorney who does not have malpractice insurance. Remember, in many states, an attorney is not required to carry mal practice insurance.

Is it important to choose an estate attorney?

Choosing an attorney to represent you is obviously an important task. The decision certainly should not be made on the basis of advertising alone. There are certain questions to ask that will lead you to the best estate planning attorney for you and your family. Below is a summary of 10 Tips for Choosing the Right Estate Planning Attorney for You.

What is a message optional?

Message (Optional) Important legal information about the e-mail you will be sending. By using this service, you agree to input your real e-mail address and only send it to people you know. It is a violation of law in some jurisdictions to falsely identify yourself in an e-mail.

Do estate attorneys offer free consultations?

Some attorneys offer a free consultation; others don't. Some offer a free consultation for a set amount of time, such as the first hour, and begin charging after that. Find out what each attorney’s policy is before the first meeting. Fee structures for drafting an estate plan can vary as well.

Do people over 55 have a will?

"In fact, more than half of Americans age 55 to 64 don't have a will in place ...

What can an estate planner do for you?

An estate planner can help you prevent crucial missteps and assist you in adjusting your plans as your circumstances, and laws, change.

How much does an estate planning attorney charge?

Some estate-planning attorneys charge by the hour. As a rule of thumb, these lawyers typically have hourly fees of $250 to $550. If you’ll use one who charges this way, ask approximately how long the process will take, so you have an idea of the total cost from the outset.

Why add a trust?

Add on a trust, and the cost tends to get much steeper. A trust can help save on estate taxes, avoid probate (proving in court that a will is valid), save on time and court fees and put conditions on the disposition of your assets after you die.

Is estate planning a part of financial planning?

Estate planning is a critical part of financial planning, but something many Americans procrastinate about. Yet drafting a will and a health care proxy or power of attorney, maybe creating a trust, and maximizing your loved ones’ inheritances by minimizing taxes are all important matters you don’t want to leave to chance.