Proper estate planning is one of the ways to ensure a seamless transition of your wealth from one generation to another. Estate planning also helps prevent the stress and hassles of probate and takes care of you through set directives you’ve laid down. If you haven’t already put an estate plan in place, now is the time to find a Nashville estate planning attorney. But what should you look for in an estate planning attorney?
You’re not alone if you’re wondering how to choose the right estate planning attorney. There are millions of searches annually on this, and this guide answers it all. Here are some important things to look out for.
Reputation
Your estate planning attorney’s reputation is an important part of their practice and individual life. A positive and solid reputation inspires confidence and improves your chances of experiencing excellent legal service.
When choosing an estate planning lawyer, look for online reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations about the attorney or law firm. Exceptional estate planning lawyers are often known in the community. Ask around about the lawyer and collect feedback.
Go the extra mile by asking for recommendations from friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors. Their recommendations can save time and put you on the right path.
Legal Background
Your prospective estate planning attorney’s legal background can hint at their career trajectory and competence. Attorneys that have attended Ivy League law schools are expected to deliver excellent services, thus automatically pushing them to the front of the line on the consideration list.
While the law school the estate planning attorney attended isn’t a deal breaker, ensure to ask. You’d be glad to know your attorney has attended one of the best law schools in the country.
Experience
Estate planning is a personalized service based on each client’s specific finances and family. The more experience the attorney has in the field, the better they are at their job and at creating the perfect estate plan for your situation.
So, when selecting an estate planning lawyer, look for an experienced attorney in the area of estate planning. The rule of thumb is to look for an attorney that has practiced in the field for no less than five years. You should also speak to the lawyer about their experience creating estate plans for people in similar financial brackets or family situations as yours.
The more experience the attorney has, the higher the chances of creating the appropriate plan for your wealth transfer.
Personality
Personality is a huge factor to consider when choosing an estate planning attorney. You want to make sure your estate planning lawyer is approachable, relatable, and professional in their dealings. You have a better chance of opening up about your financial and family life to a relatable attorney compared to one you don’t connect with.
To enjoy an excellent attorney-client relationship, look out for an attorney you’re most comfortable consulting with. Doing this makes it easier to discuss sensitive issues like family conflicts, changes in interest or preferences, selecting an executor, naming beneficiaries, etc.
Selecting an attorney with a great personality also improves your confidence in the quality of services rendered.
Malpractice Insurance
Estate planning is a sensitive topic, and you want to make sure you’re entrusting your wealth into the hands of capable professionals. Checking that the attorney holds malpractice insurance raises your confidence in their legitimacy and professionalism.
An estate planning attorney with malpractice insurance inspires confidence, especially as they’ve shown they are accountable. If you’re unsure whether the attorney holds this insurance, ask questions. The attorney is legally obligated to correctly answer this question, especially as it affects your ability to make a decision.
Cost
The legal cost of the attorney’s service is perhaps one of the most important outcome determinants. You want to ensure that the attorney’s costs are within your budget. Ensure you’ve researched the average attorney costs for estate planning services before inquiring about the attorney’s fees.
Compare the average cost researched to the attorney’s fees and determine whether the services are worth the amount demanded. Please note that more experienced attorneys and law firms may charge more based on their reputation and standing.
With attorney fees, consider the cost and the value delivered. It may be worth going forward if the attorney ticks all of your boxes and charges slightly more than the market average.
The factors above can help you narrow down your choice of estate planning attorney. Be sure to choose an attorney that ticks all or most boxes on your checklist.