What Are Estate Planning Attorney Responsibilities?

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Tomorrow is never guaranteed, which is why it’s so important to get an estate plan in place today that is customized to your specific needs.

Whether you need a living trust, last will and testament, comprehensive estate plan, or help with a probate – an estate planning attorney can help you prepare plans that keep your money, family and property safe after you pass away.

How Can an Estate Planning Attorney be Best Described?

An estate planning attorney is a lawyer who is well versed in advising their clients on how to put together legal plans to protect themselves, their families, and their estates in cases of incapacity or death.

It’s a common misconception that all lawyers practice the same type of law. This couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s rare that legal professionals cover every area of law. Estate planning lawyers focus their practices on will, trust, estate, and probate law.

What are the key features and functions of an estate planning attorney?

An estate planning attorney doesn’t only help in the preparation of a last will and testament. They can help you ...
... achieve other goals as well such as minimizing your estate taxes depending on the size of your estate, writing a will, and drafting of a living trust to avoid probate, and planning for family members with special needs.

Additionally, they can help you prepare a financial and medical power of attorney which appoints an individual to legally manage your affairs if you were to become incapacitated.

Qualities to look for in Your Estate Planning Lawyer

An attorney that does not focus their practice in estate planning may lack the adequate experience and knowledge needed to help you and your family with your financial affairs. There are several things to look for when searching for an estate planning attorney.

Some of these qualities include…

• Devotion of their practice to estate planning
• A friendly demeanor and makes you feel comfortable
• Up to date on all estate planning procedures and current laws in your state

Where To Find an Estate Planning Attorney

There are several ways to find a efficient estate planning attorney. If you have worked with a lawyer or financial advisor in the past, they should be able to provide a good referral.

Additionally, ask friends and family if they have done any estate planning in the past and if there is anyone they can refer you to. If you don’t know anyone who has planned before, a simple google search is always a great way to find one.

Just search for “estate planning attorney” or “estate planning attorney near me”. The results will bring up local professionals who will be able to help you. If all else fails, call your state bar association.

They will be able to refer you to a number of professionals who are in good standing with the bar.

Conclusion

Finding the right estate planning attorney is an important step to make sure that your family, money, and property are protected.

They can help you draft a last will and testament, living trust, comprehensive estate plan, or help you with probate matters.Not all lawyers practice the same type of law, so make sure that you find one that focuses on wills, trusts, and estates.

Schedule an initial consultation to get information custom tailored to your unique situation. This will help you build rapport with an attorney and it will also help the lawyer give you an accurate quote.

Clea Smith is a USA-based author on Legal issues related to estate planning, will & trust, business law, and elder law. Clea Smith does her best writing on these topics that help users to find the best solutions to their FAQ on estate planning, probate, living trust vs will and more about legal family issues. Author Clea Smith can be reached through rochesterlawcenter.com