what to look for in an estate planning attorney

by Jude Johns Jr. 4 min read

  • Trust. Because the subject matter is so delicate in nature, it is important that you have a sense of trust of the lawyer that you are working with.
  • Teacher. An additional quality that is important for any estate planning attorney to have is their ability to teach and explain difficult legal concepts in easy to understand terms.
  • Experience. Another quality that is important to consider is experience. You want your attorney to be someone who has the perfect blend of years in the field but also passion ...

Full Answer

What questions should I ask when meeting with an estate planning lawyer?

Jan 27, 2020 · Planning your estate is both challenging and difficult due to the nature of the subject. Your attorney needs to be sensitive and caring enough to support you through the process of thinking about your end of life and your end of life obligations. At Andrews & Arbenz we provide a perfect blend of all four qualities.

How do I choose the best estate planning attorney?

What Should I Look For in an Estate Planning Lawyer? Reasons you need an estate planning lawyer. People hire estate planning lawyers for a variety of reasons. Some of these... Do your research. The first step in selecting the right estate planning lawyer is to compile a list of attorneys in your... ...

How do I choose a lawyer after a client dies?

Sep 17, 2019 · Look for a Specialist. Many attorneys will possess some knowledge relevant to estate planning, but it is only a dedicated estate planning attorney that will bring all of this knowledge together and have the experience to apply that knowledge appropriately. The first thing to look for in an estate planning attorney is a specialty in this particular area of law.

Why is estate planning so important?

May 06, 2021 · Reasons to hire an estate planning attorney. You’re interested in setting up an irrevocable trust. “Irrevocable” means you will not be able to adjust the trust’s terms and you give up control of ... You need to appoint a guardian for an immediate family member. If you are a primary caregiver for a ...

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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 important factors to consider in estate planning?

When deciding the assets you want to leave for your beneficiaries, consider their age, financial status, and gift or estate tax. An accurate evaluation of the person's financial situation is the foundation of a well-rounded estate plan. Collect documents related to your investments and every asset that you own.

What is the most important decision in estate planning?

A will or trust should be one of the main components of every estate plan, even if you don't have substantial assets. Wills ensure property is distributed according to an individual's wishes (if drafted according to state laws).

What are the 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

What are the 4 major components of a will?

The 4 Major Components of a Will ExplainedTestator Information and Execution.The Executor and Their Powers.Guardianship of Dependents.Disposition of Assets.

How do I organize my estate documents?

Organize Your Informationfuneral plans (arrangements and whom to notify)insurance policies.wills, living trusts, deeds, and other important documents.pensions and retirement accounts.bank, money market, and mutual fund accounts.stocks and bonds.items in safes, safe deposit boxes, and other locked or hidden places, and.More items...

What assets to include in a will?

Types Of Property And Assets To Include In A Will Cash, including money in checking accounts, savings accounts, and money market accounts, etc. Intangible personal property, such as stocks, bonds, and other forms of business ownership, as well as intellectual property, royalties, patents, and copyrights, etc.

What are the most important things to put in a will?

What are the Most Important Things to Put in a Will?Personal Information. This should go without saying, but your will should include basic information about you to be official. ... Last Will and Testament Verbiage. ... Property and Assets. ... Beneficiaries. ... Executor. ... Guardianship. ... Signatures.

Reasons you need an estate planning lawyer

People hire estate planning lawyers for a variety of reasons. Some of these include decreasing the size of their estate tax, avoiding probate, making a living trust, understanding the difference between a trust and a will, establishing a power of attorney, and making sure their heirs will be taken care of.

Do your research

The first step in selecting the right estate planning lawyer is to compile a list of attorneys in your area. You can make this list by doing a google search for estate planning lawyers and you can ask friends and family for referrals for lawyers they have used previously.

Questions to ask an estate planning attorney

After you complete your research, you should have a list of 2-3 lawyers that you really like. The next step is to interview them. This is usually done by calling their office. Don’t be alarmed if a paralegal or assistant takes your information and has a lawyer call you back. This just means the lawyer is working on a case – and that is a good sign.

Finding a good fit

Once you have interviewed 2-3 attorneys, it is time to make a choice. There may be a clear lawyer that meets your needs and that you got a great feeling about. However, it may also be the case that you like all of them and don’t know how to choose.

Free Consultation with Estate Planning Attorney

If you have additional questions on how an estate planning lawyer can help you protest your estate, call us today for a free consultation with our experienced 5-star rated estate planning attorneys in Las Vegas!

What is the importance of estate planning as you age?

As you age, the importance of estate planning becomes clearer and clearer. What will you leave behind to loved ones, and how will you divide your assets in a way that ensures your legacy will be carried on the way you want?

Is Mercer Advisors a law firm?

[1] Mercer Advisors is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice to clients. All estate planning documentation preparation and other legal advice is provided through Advanced Services Law Group, Inc.

What is an Estate Planning Attorney?

Estate Planning attorneys are licensed legal professionals who have a clear and thorough understanding of federal and individual state laws surrounding everything having to do with an estate.

5 Tips for Choosing an Estate Planning Attorney

Now that you understand what, exactly, an Estate Planning attorney is, you may be wondering how to find an Estate Planning attorney who’s right for you, your situation and your estate. You can find the perfect attorney for all your needs by following five simple steps.

Find the Right Estate Planning Attorney for You

Creating your estate plan is one of the most important things you’ll do in life. Finding the right Estate Planning attorney can help you do it. Your estate plan protects you. It helps ensure that your loved ones will have the comfort of knowing you cared enough to prepare for their future.

How to build an estate plan?

When building an estate plan, you may have a variety of concerns, including the following: 1 Maintaining an orderly administration of assets while you are living 2 Managing estate assets flexibly while you are living 3 Reviewing estates involving tenants in common or community property 4 Considering assets in multiple states 5 Examining small business assets 6 Naming your children’s legal guardian 7 Ensuring that your heirs and loved ones receive your assets 8 Helping to reduce or avoid conflicts and confusion 9 Minimizing legal expenses and taxes 10 Assessing wealth preservation

Why is it important to have an estate plan?

It's important to have a solid estate plan in place to ensure that your loved ones receive your assets without a hassle or undue delay after your death. There are many questions you should ask prospective estate-planning attorneys before hiring one to craft your estate plan. Above all, make sure you hire an attorney who demonstrates ...

Can a lawyer draw up a will?

Although any lawyer can draw up a simple will for straightforward situations, such as naming the beneficiary of one's 401 (k), seasoned trust-and-estate lawyers can help navigate more complicated situations involving several trusts and multiple heirs. 1:21.

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1 – Areas of Practice

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Some attorneys cover broad areas of practice (i.e. estate planning, personal injury, business law, criminal law, etc.) whereas others specialize in just a few related fields. There’s a saying that you can know a little about a lot or a lot about a little. Attorneys specializing in fewer fields have a greater depth of knowledge in those f…
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2 – Experience

  • Experience is just as valuable as education. Before hiring an attorney, inquire about the years and types of experience that contribute to that attorney’s knowledge base. Given that every estate plan is unique, an attorney with more experience has a greater understanding of how to handle a variety of circumstances,… especially the unusual ones.
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3 – Approach

  • Another thing to look for in an estate planning attorney is their service approach. Some attorneys work with a client just one time to create an estate plan. Others create an ongoing relationship to perform yearly reviews and update their clients’ plans based on changes to federal laws, state laws, and court cases that may set legal precedent in the interpretation of those laws. Working …
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More on What to Look For in An Estate Planning Attorney

  • To know what to look for in an estate planning attorney, you must also think about other aspects of your personal life and needs. For example, if you have a family business, you might want an attorney with knowledge of business succession planning. If you are tech savvy, selecting an attorney who uses tech tools to communicate and share information can be appealing. Even per…
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