When choosing an estate planning lawyer, there are a number of factors you should consider in order to make sure you choose the right one for you.
While a lawyer may have experience in an area such as business or personal injury law, estate planning attorneys deal with wills, trusts, and other documents that detail how your assets will be distributed upon your death or if you become incapacitated.
As with any other type of lawyer, it’s important to find one who has the experience and knowledge necessary to help you through this process. Here are some things to consider when looking for an estate planning lawyer near you.
How to Choose the Right Estate Planning Lawyer
Don’t choose the first lawyer you find
First of all, don’t just hire the first estate planning lawyer you find. You want someone who is confident and knowledgeable about the type of law they practice – and that means finding someone who is an expert in estate planning law. It doesn’t matter how many years they’ve been practicing law or how many cases they’ve won; if they’re not an expert in estate planning law, it can be a huge risk for you.
Do your research
It is important for an individual seeking assistance from an estate planning lawyer to do their research. There are two major ways in which someone should do their research.
Firstly, they should take a look at how many years of experience practicing estate planning law the lawyer has. Secondly, they should find out what services they provide and if those services would be beneficial to them.
Make sure the lawyer is licensed
The first thing to do when looking for a lawyer is to make sure they are licensed. A licensed lawyer means that they have been cleared by their state’s bar association and have passed a series of exams.
Once you find a list of lawyers in your area, you can start narrowing down which ones to contact based on their experience in estate planning or other related fields. If you are not sure what kind of lawyer you need, it is important to hire an estate planning lawyer.
Check the lawyer’s experience
Experience is an important factor when looking for an estate planning lawyer. When you are seeking legal counsel, it is in your best interest that the lawyer has experience in the areas of law in which you require assistance. This way, they will be able to help you with the most pressing matters and provide a better service than someone who does not have estate planning experience.
Ask for referrals
There are many reasons why someone seeking an attorney to manage their estate plan should ask for referrals. For one, it allows you to find someone with a proven track record who is skilled in their craft. Additionally, this saves you time and money by not having to interview potential candidates. By asking for referrals, you can also reduce your risk of choosing an unqualified lawyer because people often share their opinions on what makes a good estate planning lawyer and what does not.
Interview the lawyer
The benefits of interviewing an estate planning lawyer before hiring them are extensive.
For example, if you’re seeking help with a will, an estate planning lawyer can advise you on what types of provisions may be necessary or advantageous. Further, they can explain how these provisions would affect your assets and heirs.
When it comes to trusts, they can offer insight into the various trust structures and their implications.
Finally, they can provide direction on other legal matters like probate administration or creating a power of attorney.
Consider the cost
Anyone seeking the assistance of an attorney to manage their estate plan should consider the cost. It is important to find an estate planning lawyer that you are comfortable with and that will be able to work with you on your budget.
Finding a lawyer that is knowledgeable in the area of law as well as one who is affordable can be difficult. However, it is crucial that you find someone who meets these two criteria because they will be working closely with you and will have access to your personal information.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when it comes to estate planning, it is important that you find a lawyer that can help you. Weidner Law located in St. Petersburg Florida provides professional estate planning services and will be able to answer all of your questions.
Why Weidner Law? We provide you with helpful, legal advice and will represent your best interests. Estate planning is a field of law that requires great attention to detail, so it is important that you find an estate attorney that knows how to deal with all aspects of estate planning. Call us today at Weidner Law 727-954-8752 for estate planning help.
