An estate lawyer is a legal professional who specializes in helping clients plan for the distribution of their assets and property after death, as well as handle any legal issues that may arise during the probate process. An estate lawyer can help clients create a will, a trust, a power of attorney, a living will, and other estate planning documents. An estate lawyer can also advise clients on how to minimize estate taxes, avoid probate, protect their assets from creditors, and deal with any disputes or challenges to their estate plan.

There are several ways to find a good estate lawyer, such as asking for referrals from friends, family, or other professionals, such as your accountant, financial planner, or insurance agent. You can also search online for estate lawyers in your area, using websites such as Justia, American Bar Association, or [Avvo]. You can also contact your local or state bar association for a list of estate lawyers who are licensed and in good standing. We offer estate planning services and are top rated in the industry.

The cost of hiring an estate lawyer depends on several factors, such as the complexity of your estate plan, the experience and reputation of the lawyer, the location and size of the law firm, and the type and amount of work involved. Some estate lawyers charge a flat fee for certain services, such as drafting a simple will or trust, while others charge an hourly rate for more complicated or customized services. Some estate lawyers may also charge a percentage of the value of your estate or a retainer fee for ongoing representation. You should always ask for a written fee agreement before hiring an estate lawyer and discuss any questions or concerns you have about the fees. You can sign up for a free consultation with us above to get a estimate.

Hiring an estate lawyer can provide you with several benefits, such as:

Ensuring that your estate plan is legally valid and enforceable, and that it reflects your wishes and goals.

Avoiding or reducing potential conflicts, disputes, or challenges to your estate plan by your heirs, beneficiaries, creditors, or the government.

Saving time and money by avoiding or minimizing probate, estate taxes, and other costs and fees associated with your estate administration.

Protecting your privacy and confidentiality by keeping your estate plan and personal information out of the public record.

Providing you with peace of mind and confidence that your estate plan is in good hands and that your loved ones will be taken care of after your death.

Before hiring an estate lawyer, you should ask them some questions to learn more about their qualifications, experience, services, fees, and expectations, such as:

How long have you been practicing estate law and what are your areas of expertise?

How many estate planning cases have you handled and what were the outcomes?

How do you communicate with your clients and how often do you update them on their case?

What are the services that you offer and what are the fees for each service?

How do you charge for your services and what are the payment options and terms?

How do you handle conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and ethical issues?

How do you handle revisions, changes, or updates to the estate plan?

How do you work with other professionals, such as accountants, financial planners, or insurance agents, who may be involved in the estate plan?

How do you handle disputes, challenges, or litigation that may arise regarding the estate plan?

What are your expectations from me as a client and what are your goals for my estate plan?

To help an estate lawyer create an effective and comprehensive estate plan for you, you will need to provide them with some documents and information, such as:

A list of your assets and liabilities, including their values, locations, ownership, and beneficiaries.

A list of your family members, heirs, and beneficiaries, including their names, ages, relationships, and contact information.

A copy of your current will, trust, power of attorney, living will, or any other estate planning documents that you have.

A copy of your birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or any other documents that may affect your estate plan.

A copy of your tax returns, bank statements, investment accounts, insurance policies, retirement plans, or any other financial documents that may affect your estate plan.

A statement of your wishes and goals for your estate plan, such as who you want to inherit your property, who you want to manage your affairs, and what you want to happen to your body and funeral arrangements.

You should review and update your estate plan with an estate lawyer regularly, at least every few years, or whenever there is a significant change in your personal or financial situation, such as:

Marriage, divorce, remarriage, or death of a spouse or partner.

Birth, adoption, death, or disability of a child or grandchild.

Change in your health or medical condition.

Change in your income, expenses, assets, liabilities, or taxes.

Change in your residence, citizenship, or domicile.

Change in your beneficiaries, heirs, or personal representatives.

Change in your wishes or goals for your estate plan.

Change in the laws or regulations that may affect your estate plan.

Some common estate planning mistakes that an estate lawyer can help you avoid are:

Not having an estate plan at all, or having an outdated or incomplete estate plan.

Not naming or updating your beneficiaries, heirs, or personal representatives.

Not considering the tax implications or consequences of your estate plan.

Not coordinating your estate plan with your other financial plans, such as your insurance, retirement, or business plans.

Not protecting your assets from creditors, predators, or lawsuits.

Not providing for the care of your minor children, dependents, or pets.

Not following the legal formalities or requirements for creating, executing, or storing your estate plan.

Not communicating your estate plan to your loved ones or other relevant parties.

You can find out more about estate planning and estate lawyers by:

Reading books, articles, blogs, or websites that provide information and advice on estate planning and estate lawyers, such as Investopedia, The Balance, or [Nolo].

Attending seminars, workshops, or webinars that offer education and guidance on estate planning and estate lawyers, such as those offered by American Bar Association, [National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys], or [Estate Planning Council].

Consulting with other professionals, such as your accountant, financial planner, insurance agent, or banker, who may have experience or knowledge on estate planning and estate lawyers.

Talking to your friends, family, or colleagues who have gone through the estate planning process or have hired an estate lawyer, and asking them for their feedback and recommendations.