Putting an estate plan in place is an important part of protecting your legacy. When you decide to get serious, here are some things to look for in an estate planning attorney.
Specialization
Too many people see writing a will as a simple task. For example, they may hire their real estate lawyer to draft a wil,. That can be a disaster. Only a lawyer that regularly works in estate planning and administration can guide you through the realities of the process. Experience helps a lawyer anticipate the challenges that accompany losing a loved one and tending to their affairs. Expertise also helps a lawyer be more efficient.
Clear Fee Structures
Everyone knows that feeling of taking your car to the shop and having no idea what it will cost you. Waiting for the bill can be scary. You do not want that same feeling when you are planning your estate. A good estate planning attorney will be able to efficiently evaluate your situation and provide you with a clear explanation for the costs you will incur in creating an estate plan.
A Strong Support System
You do not want your lawyer to fumble around trying to put your estate plan together. Good estate planning attorneys are systematic. In the old days, this often meant having a large support staff handling clerical tasks. In today’s world, an efficient practice management software can replace much of that staff work. Different lawyers work different ways. The bottom line is the same, though, you want a lawyer that knows what he or she is doing.
The Local Touch
The internet has led to a proliferation of downloadable wills. That might be better than nothing for some people, but they have at least two major problems. The most obvious problem is you cannot get your questions answered by a knowledgeable human being. The other major problem is that it is virtually impossible to find a will that takes your specific circumstances into account. Not only are you unique, but every state also has its own laws, and every court acts a little bit different.
Happy Customers
Word of mouth from happy clients is one of the best ways to find a good lawyer. There are a lot of lawyers out there. Just getting a license is not enough to make a lawyer good at a specific skill, though. The best thing is to find endorsements from real people that had a good interaction with a specific lawyer on the task you need help with. In short, if you should try to find someone who is happy with their estate planning attorney. If that fails, you should at least find a lawyer with glowing testimonials from previous clients.
Call Jesse Thomas at Idaho Legal Estates and Probate
Jesse Thomas launched his practice in 2013, and his exclusive area of practice is estates and probate. He is conveniently located in Boise, and he provides free consultations. Read some testimonials from previous clients, and then call us to book an appointment today!