How to Choose an Estate Planning Attorney

When it comes to wills, trusts, and estate planning, hiring the right lawyer is essential. Here are five tips on how to choose an estate planning attorney.

Tip 1: Know What You Want

Before you even start looking for an estate planning attorney, identify your needs first. Knowing the specific goals for your estate plan will help you choose the right attorney. Determine whether you want to create a real estate plan from scratch or want to update or revise an exciting plan. Besides, you should know whether you need advice or help to reduce tax liabilities for your real estate property. This information will point you to the right man for the job.

Tip 2: Inquire from Friends and Family

Recommendations are highly valuable when looking for an estate planning attorney. When you have an attorney you can trust, you will have peace of mind and focus on other things. You will relax knowing that a family member or friend worked with the attorney and was satisfied with their services.

Therefore, you should use your network to develop a shortlist of potential attorneys you can work with. You can get recommendations from your friends, family, work colleagues, or even neighbors. Doing so will give you valuable information you need in choosing your next estate planning attorney.

Tip 3: Local Searches are Helpful

It is helpful to limit your search for an attorney to your local area. You might be tempted to work with the first attorney that pops up on your search list, despite their location. Even though it is a good approach for some services, it is better to work with a local attorney when it comes to estate law. Finding an attorney licensed in Illinois and a great understanding of Illinois state law or where you live is crucial for success.

This is because laws governing estate planning vary from one state to another — Illinois estate planning laws might not be the same as Texas estate planning laws. Therefore, you should work with a local attorney that understands the specific legal implications of estate laws in your local area. Failure to do so might end up working with an attorney from another area that lacks sufficient knowledge of local estate laws.

Tip 4: Interview Potential Candidates

After creating a list of potential candidates, take time to interview them. You shouldn’t hire the first name that pops up on the list but interview them to see if they are the right fit for your case. After identifying prospects from recommendations and other means, hold interviews to pick the best candidate.

Tip 5: Ensure the Attorney Focuses on Estate Planning

There are many attorneys that say they practice estate planning law, but not all of them are specialized in the field. Ensure that the attorney you hire practices exclusively in the estate planning field. By doing so, you will get to work with a specialized attorney that understands every aspect of the estate planning field.

They have probably worked on many similar cases before and will increase your chances of success. Get in touch with our experienced and dedicated attorneys at the Law Offices of Glenn & West, LLC, to discuss your estate planning legal options.