Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Estate Planning Attorney
October 7, 2020
Presented by Kevin Moore and Jake Rivas
Before hiring an estate planning attorney, there are a variety of factors to consider, including your own needs and concerns and the experience level of the candidates. The following questions can help you arrive at the best possible decision.
Q: What is the attorney’s primary expertise? Is it estate planning?
A: Whether you need a simple will or a more complex estate plan, you should work with an attorney who is experienced in estate planning matters. Even a simple estate can have unexpected planning issues, which an experienced estate planning attorney can help you identify and address.
Q: How many years of experience does the attorney have?
A: The more estate planning documents an attorney has put in place, the more opportunity he or she has had to see the documents in action. The wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and health care documents used by attorneys who have been in business for a while have been revised to deal with the situations encountered when their clients die or incur a disability. This can give their clients peace of mind, knowing that the documents the attorney has prepared for them will be effective when they are needed.
Q: Does the attorney assist clients with properly funding assets into a revocable living trust?
A: Ask the attorney about the level of guidance that he or she can provide in assisting you with funding your trust. Some attorneys provide written instructions, with the expectation that their clients will handle the funding process themselves. Others may work through the entire process with their clients. Because the funding process can be long and complicated, it is highly recommended that you work with an attorney who will oversee the funding process even if you incur an extra fee.
Q: Does the attorney have a formal updating and maintenance program?
A: Many estate planning attorneys contact all of their clients once or twice a year to:
- Inform them about any changes in estate law
- Explain new estate planning techniques
- Ask about life changes that will require modifications in client documents
- Check the progress of clients who are funding their trusts
Q: Does the attorney charge a flat fee or an hourly rate for estate planning services?
A: This is an important question, as you don’t want to be surprised by hidden fees and costs. Knowing what to expect will enable you to concentrate on achieving your planning goals rather than on worrying about costs.
Q: Can you work closely with this attorney?
A: Once your prospective attorney has answered the previous questions to your satisfaction, you need to ask yourself one more important question: “Can I see myself working closely with this attorney?”
Even if the attorney has the experience you need, keep in mind that you’ll be sharing all of the intimate details of your life with this individual. If you don’t feel comfortable with him or her, you may end up holding certain things back. If you decide that he or she won’t be a good fit, move on until you find someone with whom you can work and whom you can trust.
This material has been provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute either tax or legal advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a tax preparer, professional tax advisor, or lawyer.
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Kevin Moore and Jake Rivas are financial advisors located at 1901 NW Military Hwy Ste. 102, San Antonio, TX 78213. They offer advisory services as an Investment Adviser Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®, a Registered Investment Adviser. They can be reached at 210-342-4346 or at kevin@youandifinancial.com / jake@youandifinancial.com.
© 2020 Commonwealth Financial Network®
