How to choose an estate planning attorney

An estate planning attorney helps people to write documents that will govern what will happen to the assets of that person when he dies. The most common document an estate planning attorney writes is a will, but there are other documents that depend on the specific needs of the people.

The first step is to draw up a list of candidates. It is essential to hire the best estate planning attorney you find to help you plan your estate. If you do not know personally one or several Wills and estate planning lawyers, one of the best ways to find them is to ask for recommendations from other people.

If, on the other hand, you already know an estate planning attorney or have worked with a law firm that makes estate planning and had a good experience, include that lawyer or law firm on your list of candidates.

You can also ask for a recommendation from your family and friends. Estate planning is one of the most common reasons why a person will hire a lawyer, then you will have many opportunities to have family or friends who have previously worked with Wills and estate planning lawyers. Ask them if they recommend the lawyer they worked with and the reasons for recommending it or not recommending it.

If you do not have friends or family members who can recommend a lawyer, you can read the online references of different lawyers. This search can give you a list of lawyers who are properly trained or who specialize in estate planning.

Once you have drawn up the list of potential candidates, schedule an interview with each one. Typically, initial inquiries are free, so coordinate some meetings with the attorneys on your list. Before hiring a lawyer, you will want to know the experience and education that counts for estate planning. Interview different lawyers to know about them before you choose one.

Explain, in general, the type of equity plan you want to create. To give you more information about the fees and type of work the lawyer will do for you, the lawyer should know if your situation is simple (you have a modest amount of money and assets) or more complex (you have a great estate or unique needs). You should not give too many details in the consultation phase.

Remember that you probably will not receive specific legal advice at this stage, but the lawyer should be able to tell you if you only require a will or if you should consider setting up a trust or other legal documents to manage your estate.

See how much your fees will be. Will he charge you a flat fee for your fees or pay an hourly rate to the lawyer? If it is an hourly rate, how many hours will the lawyer need to write your documents?

After interviewing several estate planning attorneys on your list of recommended candidates, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each attorney. Compare the experience, education, reputation and costs of each one. Keep in mind that it may be that the most expensive or experienced lawyer is not suited to your specific needs.

Finally, choose an estate planning attorney among your candidates and start working with him in your estate planning.