What to Look For in an Estate Planning Attorney
What to Look For in an Estate Planning Attorney
When establishing a will, people should make sure to name an executor, legal guardian, and healthcare proxy. They should also create any necessary trusts. However, wills don’t account for everything and it’s important to review all accounts and share assets to ensure your wishes are met. You can also assign a power of attorney and healthcare proxy, or write a letter including any information that is not accounted for.
Questions to ask a prospective estate planning attorney
While a qualified attorney is essential for estate planning, you should ask a number of questions before making a commitment. Ultimately, you will want someone who has a plan for your illness, death, and retirement. These questions should be answered before you sign a contract or engage in a deeper conversation.
You should also make sure you find out how much a potential estate planning attorney charges. Many attorneys charge an hourly rate or a flat fee, and you should make sure that you understand what you are paying. You should also find out whether your fee covers any revisions to your estate plan. A lack of responsiveness is often one of the most frustrating aspects of working with a lawyer.
Areas of emphasis
In addition to being a licensed attorney, an estate planning attorney should also have good organizational skills. This is because they need to manage client documents and their workload effectively. The ability to organize time is essential for this job. An estate planning attorney should also be able to deal with a high volume of work, and must know how to balance work and time.
Fees
When comparing the fees of different estate planning attorneys, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. While you might be attracted to the lowest price, you should also consider the attorney’s expertise and experience. This way, you can avoid getting ripped off. While you’re comparing their fees, you can also get a sense of how much they charge per hour.
The cost of an estate planning attorney’s services depends on the value of your estate. While an hourly fee may be more convenient, it’s also more likely to leave you wondering how much you’ll have to pay. If the attorney charges by the hour, make sure to ask how many hours it’ll take to complete the process.