An Estate Planning Attorney is the legal professional who assists you in creating a solid and thorough estate plan. They can create wills, trusts and other related documents that help you avoid estate taxes and ensure that your assets are distributed as intended. They can also prepare power-of-attorney documents and advance directives for health care matters.
The best way to hire an estate planning attorney is by using a referral from a trusted friend or family member. This will eliminate the burden of navigating through a large number of lawyers to find the right one for your needs.
A reputable attorney should offer you a flat fee for their services. This will ensure that you are not surprised by unexpected fees after the fact, especially if someone challenges your estate plan.
They should have years of experience handling cases similar to yours. It is essential that the estate planning lawyer you select has a thorough understanding of all aspects of the law, including tax issues, property laws, and probate matters. They should also have a good grasp of elder law and how it impacts your estate plan.
Ask for references and testimonials from past clients. These can provide you with a lot of information about an estate planning attorney’s work and reputation. They can also give you an idea of how well he or she communicates with clients.
You can also search online for a local estate planning attorney. Some of the top websites for these professionals include the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils and Lawyer Rating Services.
The right lawyer will know how to best protect your assets, and they will be able to ensure that the people you love most are taken care of after your death or incapacity. They can also help you make charitable donations and set up trusts to benefit your favorite causes.
A good estate planning lawyer will have experience dealing with many different types of legal issues, as most attorneys practice in several areas of law. They will be able to advise you on tax and exemption issues, probate and estate issues, as well as other fields that may arise in connection with your estate plan or probate.
They will also be able to explain how different legal issues affect your plan and how to prevent potential problems down the road. They will also be able to help you determine how to best allocate your assets so that you can maximize your gift tax credit and minimize your estate taxes.
The best estate planning attorney should have extensive experience in drafting wills, trusts and powers of attorney. They should have a clear understanding of the laws in your area, and they should be knowledgeable about specialized legal issues, such as Medicaid.
An experienced estate planning lawyer will be able to advise you on how to protect your assets, and they will be empathetic to the needs of your family and friends. They will be able to help you decide what to do with your home, and what to do with your investments and other assets.
