How To Choose an Estate Planning Attorney

67% of Americans don’t have an estate plan in place.

What happens to your money and other assets when you pass away? In most cases, they’re inherited by your spouse.

If your spouse isn’t capable of managing your possessions, you must have an estate plan in place in case you become incapacitated.

Choosing the right estate planning attorney isn’t as simple as picking the first name listed in the phonebook. Here’s what you need to know when learning how to choose an estate planning attorney to draft your will.

Table of Contents

Research Different Attorneys in Your Area

When it comes to estate planning, you want to choose an attorney that is best suited to your needs. The first thing you need to do is research different attorneys in your area. Find out what services they offer, what their fees are, and what their success rate is.

You also want to make sure that they have experience in estate planning. Once you have done your research, you can then decide which attorney is right for you.

Get Referrals From Friends or Family

So, how to choose an estate planning attorney you can count on if not through the people you trust? If you have friends or family who has recently gone through the estate planning process, ask them for referrals to estate planning attorneys.

They can provide you with first-hand accounts of their experiences and let you know which attorneys they would recommend.

Schedule a Consultation With the Attorney

This will give you an opportunity to meet with the estate planning lawyer and discuss your goals for your estate plan. It is important to ask questions and make sure that you understand the process.

Once you have met with the attorney and decided to move forward, the next step is to begin working on your estate plan.

Ask About Fee Arrangements

When you are ready to choose an estate planning attorney, one of the first things you will want to consider is the fee arrangement. There are a couple of different options when it comes to fees, and you will want to choose the one that best fits your needs.

The first option is an hourly rate. With this option, you will be charged an hourly rate for the time that the attorney spends working on your case.

The second option is a flat fee. With this option, you will pay a set fee for the attorney to handle your case. The flat fee will be based on the complexity of your case and the amount of work that the attorney will need to do.

Be Sure to Keep Communication Open

Good communication is paramount when choosing an estate planning attorney. You want to be sure that your lawyer understands your goals and is able to provide clear and concise information to you.

Be sure to keep the lines of communication open with your attorney, so that you can make informed decisions about your estate.