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When Writing a Will…Consult An Attorney – Part II
When planning your estate it is best to choose the counsel of a lawyer—rather than do-it-yourself software and kits—to help guide you through the complexities of property and tax laws, wills, trusts and probate. You are much more likely to meet all of your objectives with the help of a lawyer.
If you are concerned about saving time and money in your estate planning, the American Bar Association (ABA) (see link above) recommends that you organize all pertinent information and documents before meeting with the lawyer. This includes information on assets, liabilities and title arrangements and copies of important documents such as previous wills or trusts, powers-of-attorney, life insurance policies, employment benefits, and prenuptial agreements or divorce decrees.
The ABA advises that since not all states have programs that require or allow attorneys to designate a specialty area of practice, you should carefully look into the level of experience and qualifications a lawyer has in estate planning and seek recommendations from friends or other professional advisors. Membership in certain estate planning organizations often indicates a lawyer’s dedication to keeping up-to-date in the specialty.
Make sure the lawyer addresses legal fees to your satisfaction in an engagement letter before proceeding.
