how to find the right estate planning attorney

by Nels Haley 7 min read

How To Choose The Right Estate Planning Attorney.
  • Choose To Hire An Attorney. When planning your estate, the truth is, that you don’t have to hire an attorney. You can create the necessary estate ...
  • Ask For Recommendations.
  • Call First.
  • Gather All Necessary Documents And Information.
  • Schedule An In-Person Meeting.

Full Answer

What should you look for in an estate planning attorney?

Apr 16, 2021 · Search for candidates. 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.

How to choose the best estate planning attorney for You?

Feb 04, 2016 · Another excellent place to look when trying to find the best estate planning attorney for you is local, state, and national attorney associations. For example, the “ Find a Lawyer” program is a service of the North Carolina Bar Association that helps people who are in need of an attorney locate the right attorney for their needs.

What are the qualities of a good estate planning attorney?

Choosing an lawyer to represent you is obviously an authoritative job. The decision surely should not be made on the basis of advertise alone. There are certain questions to ask that will lead you to the best estate of the realm plan lawyer for you and your family. Below is a summary of 10 Tips for Choosing the good Estate Planning Attorney for ...

Should I hire an estate planning attorney?

Finding the Right Estate Planning Attorney. “Losing a parent or grandparent can put into perspective the need for careful planning to avoid surprises, protect young children and spouses and properly execute the decedent’s wishes.”. The Norman Transcript ’s recent article, “The right attorney is needed for wills and estate planning ...

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How do I choose an estate planner?

How To Find A Good Estate PlannerBy Elizabeth Alterman, Next Avenue Contributor. ... Look For a Specialist. ... Also on Forbes: ... Ask About the Attorney's Experience. ... Ask What, and How, the Estate Planner Charges. ... Recognize This Is an Ongoing Relationship. ... Ask About Support Staff and Succession Planning.Sep 11, 2019

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

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.

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

Outright distribution You and your spouse may have one of the most common types of estate plans between married couples, which is a simple will leaving everything to each other. With this type of plan, you leave all of your assets outright to your surviving spouse.Feb 20, 2017

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.

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.

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 happens if you don't have liability insurance?

Without liability insurance, you and your heirs could lose everything.

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.

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.

Stephen Heuston

Providing Florida with quality, responsive, and cost-effective legal services for Estate, Trust and Probate Matters since 1993.

John Farina

Since 1971, our attorneys have developed thousands of unique estate plans that protect and preserve.

Elaine N. McGinnis

Elaine N. McGinnis represents clients in estate planning & probate cases on behalf of Tampa, FL area clients.

Michael J. Faehner

Choose Michael J. Faehner for experienced, diligent estate planning & probate representation in the Tampa, FL area.

Alexa Larkin

Experienced, assertive estate planning & probate representation in the Tampa, FL area.

William B. McQueen

William B. McQueen is experienced handling Florida estate planning & probate cases in the Tampa area.

Javier A. Centonzio

Assisting people in Tampa with their Florida estate planning & probate issues.

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