estate planning attorney isn’t a job for the elderly or wealthy. Anyone who wants their financial affairs arranged and their loved one’s cared for after their passing should give it some thought. But where do you start? Most often, you should start with a competent estate planning lawyer. The process of selecting the right attorney is like buying an avocado from the store. You need to gently apply pressure on the fruit in order for you to know if it’s a good avocado.
Let’s first examine the reasons for hiring a specialist. These professionals assist you in legal documentation–including wills, trusts, power of attorney, and healthcare directives–to prevent common pitfalls that could derail your wishes. Like navigators on your high seas financial assets, they guide you through the turbulent waters of law to safely bring your ship to port.
Peel your eyes first! Do they have specific experience? The laws governing estates vary from one state to another. You wouldn’t want to take a New York City walking tour with someone who only knows the Grand Canyon. Your attorney should know about local laws to guide you through the estate planning process.
An estate planning lawyer doesn’t only fill in forms. The strategies they create are tailored to your individual and financial goals. You could minimize estate taxes by setting up a special trust or set up a trust that benefits a child with a tendency to spend. The can help with the dynamics of your family and ensure that you final wishes are implemented without any family disputes.
This is where the cheese becomes binding. Talking about your end of life or potential incapacity can be uncomfortable, but it is necessary. A seasoned attorney can act as a “bartender”–not shaken by any of your stories. He will be able mix the right cocktail without spilling one drop. The attorneys will provide you with a confidential listening ear, and they can tailor your estate plan to meet your needs.
This is a short story. One man brought his estate plan with him to a planner. The plan was so tangled that it looked like a set of Christmas lights left over from the previous year. But rather than throw everything out, the attorney untangled each piece and addressed individual bulbs. Not only did he get it glowing, but it also synchronized to the beat of the client’s holiday favorite songs.
If you’re looking for a planning partner, do not just choose the person who appears on your search engine. Consider recommendations, look at reviews as if they were new toys, and then ask questions like you’re on your first date. After all, you’re setting up a partnership that will dictate how your personal affairs are handled.
A good attorney will also communicate clearly. He or she should not use legal jargon, and make sure that you understand. Maybe they are not right for you. You need someone who is not only familiar with estate law, but knows how to explain it in a way that you can understand.
When you find the right attorney for your estate, keep in mind that it is not something you can just set and forget. The estate plan is like a sourdough start, and it needs to be adjusted and re-evaluated as your life changes and laws change.