When seeking an estate planning attorney, they must balance price, experience, and scope of services. The following questions can help individuals get to know an attorney before deciding. They also may prefer email, phone, or video communication. It can be important when unforeseen circumstances or emergencies must be addressed quickly.
Are You Available to Answer My Questions in Your Absence?
A reasonable estate-planning attorney can answer your questions on the spot. Your assets could go through a lengthy probate process and be subject to estate taxes, resulting in the loss of assets your beneficiaries could have otherwise received. You should also ask your attorney how to reach them if you need to speak with them in the future. Some lawyers prefer email, while others might be available by phone or video.
How Much of Your Practice Involved Estate Planning?
A will and a trust are the core of any estate plan. However, estate planning goes well beyond simply these papers. It includes determining how property will be distributed and the names of executors and guardians for children. It also includes avoiding probate, and it involves taxation and asset management. An estate planning lawyer Queens NY with much knowledge in this field, may assist people in developing an all-encompassing strategy that suits their circumstances. Individuals should also ask about an attorney’s education and training in estate planning. For example, if an attorney offers a living trust, they should explain the process to clients. They should also discuss whether they have a team dedicated to this area of law. These questions ensure that an attorney is prepared to address an individual’s needs promptly and cost-effectively.
What Is Included in Your Plan?
The most straightforward kind of estate planning entails creating legal agreements that specify who will manage your money and make medical choices if you become incapacitated. It would help if you also named guardians for your children and pets. Create an estate plan because it ensures that your wishes will be followed. It also helps reduce costs, taxes, and delays arising after your death. To create your estate plan, list all your natural and personal property. Also, be sure to include debts such as mortgages and credit cards.
Can You Provide References From Clients You Have Helped With Estate Planning?
A good estate planning attorney can provide non-confidential references and testimonials from satisfied clients. Obtaining this information should help you feel comfortable working with the attorney and ensure the prepared documents will be carried out according to your wishes. It’s also essential to determine whether the attorney has experience with probate law, as this process is necessary for distributing property after your death. Finally, you’ll want to ask the attorney how they communicate with their clients. Learn how to reach them and how quickly they respond to calls or emails. It will guarantee that, in an emergency, you can always reach them.
Do You Conduct Periodic Reviews of Your Clients’ Plans?
Attorneys may charge a flat fee for creating primary estate documents or an hourly rate to prepare a more complex plan. Many attorneys also offer “packages” of document preparation that vary in cost, depending on how complicated the documentation is. Some attorneys will require a retainer, an initial payment that covers the time the firm will spend working on your matter.
