2020 and 2021 have been turbulent years as individuals and business owners have tried to survive the coronavirus pandemic. Many people have considered what would happen to them if they were hospitalized or passed away. If you are considering creating an estate plan to protect yourself and your loved ones, you need an experienced estate planning lawyer on your side.
When your state line is properly drafted, you will be able to protect and grow your assets during their working years, protect your assets during your retirement years, and provide your loved ones or the charities of your choice your assets when you are no longer here. The first step toward creating your estate plan is to find an experienced estate planning lawyer who will help you fulfill your goals. The following tips can help you choose the right estate planning lawyer for you.
Ask Family, Friends, and Co-WorkersWord of mouth is an excellent way to learn about effective estate planning attorneys. When it comes to choosing an attorney, asking your family members, friends, and co-workers for a referral can be helpful. Your friends and family will give you an honest assessment of the estate planning attorney, and they may be able to point you in the right direction. You can hear how the attorney communicates with his or her clients, what cases he or she handles, and other important information straight from a client who has experienced it.
Attorney AssociationsAnother way to find an estate planning lawyer is to look into local, state, and National associations for estate planning lawyers. The North Carolina Bar Association has a find a lawyer program that helps people find lawyers to meet their legal needs. Nationally, you can look at the American Bar Association's search engine for finding an attorney. The American Academy of estate planning attorneys can also help you find an attorney in your area that practice is the type of law all you need.
Search the InternetMore clients than ever are using the internet to find an attorney. It is rare for attorneys not to have a significant internet presence. It is wise to avoid relying entirely on the internet when choosing your estate planning lawyer. However, the internet can be a helpful tool to research your potential attorney and help you narrow down your search. You could search for estate planning lawyers in your geographic area and narrow your search down to the top five listed. Then you can look through the lawyers’ websites and learn more about their philosophy and what types of cases they handle. If English is your second language, you can search for attorneys who speak your language.
When looking at attorney websites, think about how long the attorney has been in practice. Consider how much of his or her legal practice is devoted to estate planning matters. You can also look at any awards the law firm has earned in past years. Using the internet to search for an estate planning lawyer can help you narrow down your options quickly and effectively. You can also use Google Maps to see how far the law firm is from your location and assess whether it is convenient for you to travel to the lawyer's office. If you are interested in doing Zoom calls, check and see if the law firm offers remote appointments.
Schedule Your Initial ConsultationsIf you narrow down your search for an estate planning lawyer to a few options, you can schedule your initial consultations. Remember, during the initial consultation, you are interviewing the law firm as much as the law firm decides whether to take your case. Many estate planning attorneys offer a free initial consultation, so you will not have to invest your money to begin your search. Prepare for your initial consultation by writing down your most important questions and concerns. The time will go by fast, and it will help you significantly to know what questions you would like to ask up front.
Choose an Estate Planning AttorneyAfter attending the initial consultations, you can decide which law firm you would like to hire. Consider the law firm’s answers to your questions and your general impression of the law firm and attorneys who work there. Your estate planning lawyer will have a significant impact on your future, and it is crucial that you choose someone who is compatible. If you would like to schedule a free initial consultation with an experienced estate planning law firm, contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC, today.