Important Questions To Ask As You Look To Hire Estate Lawyers
There are many questions that you should consider asking anytime you are looking to hire a lawyer. Some of these questions have to do with how long the attorney has been practicing and how much they charge for these services. While these standard questions are great, there are a few additional, more specific questions that you should ask if you are looking to hire estate lawyers or estate planning attorneys. Read on to learn more about the questions you should ask estate lawyers.
What Documents Can You Help to Draft as Part of an Estate Plan?
One of the questions that you want to ask as you look to hire estate lawyers is what documents they can help you draft. A will or a trust are two of the most common documents that estate attorneys can assist with. But, you may need additional documents based on your circumstances, including a medical power of attorney, a healthcare power of attorney, and/or a living will. Always ensure you are working with a lawyer who can draft all of the documents you may need as part of your estate plan.
What Do You Do to Ensure That Last Wishes Are Not Contested?
Another important question to ask when you are looking to hire estate attorneys is what steps they take to ensure that your will or trust is not contested. Some of the different steps that may be taken include having you undergo a psychological evaluation prior to signing a new will to ensure you are competent, videotaping you signing the document to ensure no one can say you were under duress or your signature is fake, or having members of your family present to discuss the will and what your final wishes are.
Does Your Firm Offer Probate Services?
Lastly, you should consider asking estate lawyers if they also offer probate services. This is especially important if you think that there is a chance your will could be contested. An attorney that also handles probate services can represent your spouse or the individuals you are including in your will against a party you think may contest your will once you pass away. This is a great way to protect your loved ones in the unfortunate event that someone decides to contest your will or trust.
Estate lawyers can work with you to ensure that your last wishes are honored and that your property is disbursed in the way that you intend for it to be disbursed. Hiring a knowledgeable estate lawyer is one of the best ways to ensure that you cover your legal bases when it comes to your estate and minimizes the chances of your legal documents being challenged or contested. Reach out to local estate lawyers in your area and ask them the above questions to find the lawyer who is right for you.