how to find estate attorney

How to find a good estate planning attorney?

Apr 16, 2021 · Start by identifying what you need to accomplish with your estate plan. That information will help you determine the type of attorney you'll need. Most people need a generalist who can help draft a will, powers of attorney, and basic trusts. But some situations call for attorneys with certain specializations.

What are the duties of an estate attorney?

Knowing how to find an estate attorney is a lot like knowing how to trust a person. You need to talk to them and get a sense of their character. You also need to see examples of how they manage their work, and whether people tend to be satisfied with it. You can reach out to us to schedule a time to speak about what you are looking for in an estate lawyer. We understand …

How to become an estate attorney?

An estate planning attorney will be able to help you legally determine how your assets will be managed during your lifetime and how to distribute them after your death. A good attorney will also adjust your estate plan so that it minimizes taxes and eliminates court costs and interference. You can create a legally binding document that ensures ...

What to look for in an estate planning attorney?

Best Estate Attorneys near you. LegalShield (pre-paid Legal Service) 5.0 (3) LegalShield gives you the ability to talk to an attorney on any matter without worrying about high hourly costs. For one flat monthly fee $24.95 you can access legal advice,no matter how traumatic or trivial the issue. LegalShield has been in the market for 40 years ...

What is estate attorney?

Estate attorneys ensure, through planning, that a person’s assets, debts, and property are taken care of after they pass away. In short, they are responsible for making sure everything you want to be passed down is passed down correctly.

Do law firms have reviews?

Most law firms have reviews from actual clients either on their website or on their Google page. These reviews are usually from clients who felt compelled enough, positively or negatively, to share their experiences. Read up on different law firms, including what they specialize in and what they are known for.

Can you tell if an estate attorney is working?

It requires you to have a keen sense of character and to be able to tell whether someone will be there when you need them. In the worst of cases, you are not going to be able to tell if your estate attorney has done does their job or not, after all – it will be your heirs, your family & children who will need to work with them.

Can a personal injury lawyer evaluate an estate?

A personal injury lawyer or a corporate lawyer likely will not have much particular interest at stake in giving you a fair assessment of an estate lawyer’s office. Check your network. You might be able to get both an honest opinion and a skillful evaluation of estate lawyers just by asking other lawyers about them.

How to plan your estate on your own?

1. Decide whether you need an attorney. If you own very little real estate or personal property, you may be able to use a document kit and plan your estate on your own. However, if you own real estate, have retirement or investment accounts, or own your own business, you should seek professional legal assistance.

What is estate planning?

Planning your estate involves deciding what will happen to your personal property and real estate after you die. The law provides a default scheme for disposing of property, but relying on that involves a lengthy court process and potentially hefty tax consequences for your heirs. The alternative is to plan things out ahead ...

How to narrow your list of potential attorneys?

1. Have a preliminary phone consultation. Many attorneys will hold a brief interview with you over the phone. Since these take up less time and require less effort than in-person consultations, you can talk to more attorneys this way and use the phone interviews to narrow your list of possible contenders.

What is the state bar association?

State bar associations often offer a lawyer referral service that enables you to meet briefly with a pre-screened attorney after answering a few general questions about your needs.

Who is Jennifer Mueller?

Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. This article has been viewed 35,595 times.

What factors affect the cost of an estate plan?

Many factors will affect the cost of your estate plans, including the experience of the attorney, the type and amount of assets you have, and the complexity of any tax planning. Each attorney should be able to explain clearly how costs are assessed and how rates are computed.

When do you expect to pay a retainer?

If you are expected to pay a retainer or other up-front fee for her services, she'll expect payment when the agreement is signed. If a retainer is required, make sure you know how much will be returned to you if you decide to go with someone else or abandon your plan before the attorney has finished his work.

Why is it important to have an estate attorney?

A good attorney will also adjust your estate plan so that it minimizes taxes and eliminates court costs and interference. You can create a legally binding document that ensures that you have control of your finances, taxes, and medical plans.

What can an estate planning attorney do for you?

An estate planning attorney will be able to help you legally determine how your assets will be managed during your lifetime and how to distribute them after your death. A good attorney will also adjust your estate plan so that it minimizes taxes and eliminates court costs and interference.

What is Glass Law Group?

Glass Law Group is a small boutique style practice with big firm experience! Our goal is to take the fear out of Estate Planning, put folks at ease w... Read More#N#hen having to deal with Estate Adminstration once their loved one passes away and help entrepreneurs start their businesses as well help long time business people develop their business all the way to succession planning. We strive to make a difference in the community and support many local charities and have even helped form 501c3 tax-exempt non-profits for several charities in our area. Attorney F. Stephen "Steve" Glass is our founder and CEO. Steve has a long list of accolad ... View Profile

Is Corini Law Office family owned?

The Corini Law Office is a family owned and operated law firm. The relationships formed are closer and more personalized than that of larger and non-... Read More#N#family run firms. We take a personal interest in helping our clients resolve their legal issues promptly and effectively!

How to find a good attorney?

We can employ tactics in our search to increase the odds that the person we choose will be a winner. For seeking an attorney, here are the steps to take: 1 Review your contact list for people whose work or interests would put them in contact with attorneys. A real estate person, title company employee, mortgage banker, businessperson, court reporter; to name a few. If necessary, walk into a title company or a real estate office and ask if anyone knows a good lawyer. 2 When you have a list of three attorneys, call them on the phone or email them. Prepare in advance a one page “white paper” that briefly describes your situation. The first question is: “I need legal advice and looking for a lawyer who has successful real estate experience. Do you do that kind of work?” If the answer is “yes,” the second question is: “Great, I have a description of the situation and some questions to ask, can I email them to you?” Email is the best, because they have time to see your circumstances and consider the questions, and you will have their answers in writing.

Is someone better at their job?

Some people are clearly better at their jobs . Your goal is to find someone who is honest first and effective second. Following this process greatly increases your chances of hiring a winner. You will know whom to choose.

Is word of mouth tainted?

Many referrals are given with “helping” in mind, but referrals can be tainted. While “word of mouth” is said to be the best advertising, it does not consider the motive behind the mouth from which the “word” is coming. Listen carefully for the reason the referrer is suggesting the name.

Is referral a good indicator?

While that comment is no guarantee it will go smoothly for you, it is a better indicator than being a nice person. It is hard to know if a referral originates for remuneration, in ignorance or as the path of least resistance.

What is an estate lawyer?

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.

How to leave assets to stepchild?

To leave assets to a stepchild, stepparent, or half-sibling, consider working with an estate lawyer. Most people could benefit from working with an estate planning attorney, but it may not be necessary (and you may not want to pay for it) in many situations. On the other hand, people in certain situations may need the help ...

Can you pass on your estate if you aren't survived?

This only happens if you aren’t survived by a spouse or child, but a solid estate plan will protect your assets and allow you to pass on as much of your estate as possible. If this is your situation, you may want to look for an estate lawyer who specializes in elder law. You want to set up an irrevocable trust .

Can you pass on assets to a business partner?

You have out-of-state property or assets . Passing on assets can get tricky if they’re crossing state boundaries, since two states may have different tax codes or other legal requirements for how to transfer an asset.

Who is Derek from Policygenius?

Derek is a personal finance editor at Policygenius in New York City, and an expert in taxes. He has been writing about estate planning, investing, and other personal finance topics since 2017. He especially loves using data to tell a story. His work has been covered by Yahoo Finance, MSN, Business Insider, and CNBC.

Do you need a guardian if you have a special needs person?

You have immediate family members with special needs or who will require a guardian . If you provide care for anyone who has special needs or is incapacitated ( cannot care for themselves) then you probably need to appoint a guardian for them in your estate planning documents.

Can you bequeath assets to someone who isn't a citizen?

You have foreign property or assets . You’re planning to bequeath assets to someone who isn’t a citizen . You could also run into issues if you plan to name an executor who isn't a legal U.S. resident. Certain tasks, like getting a tax ID to open an estate account, may not be possible for nonresidents.

How to help a deceased person?

Ask them if they know about events in the deceased's life that would have required legal representation, like an arrest or a lawsuit. Follow up on any leads.

What is a state bar ad?

Place an ad that asks any lawyer who represented the deceased to contact you, and list your email address, your telephone number, and your postal address .

What documents require notarization?

Signatures on deeds, divorce settlement agreements and affidavits are examples of documents that require notarization. If the deceased's signature was notarized, that means that he signed the document before a notary public.