Estate planning takes a very special kind of attorney, one who knows the financial markets and trends, as well as how they apply to your particular situation. Though it can be tempting to draw up your own plans and goals, you would be wise to have a legal consultant to guide you along the way. Read here about what to look for in a good estate attorney.
If you believe that you might have a legal case it is a good idea to seek a legal consult before pursuing any action. Many law firms offer a free consultation so make sure that you take advantage of this. This allows you to try out a couple different law firms before deciding on a lawyer.
Do not feel obligated to hire a lawyer because you met a few times and got some useful advice. You should sign a contract only after you agree on fees and feel comfortable with your lawyer. If you are hesitating because you have heard bad things about this lawyer or think the fees are too high, keep looking.
Use your professional network to find a reliable business lawyer. Companies that work with legal professionals are going to be able to help you locate good lawyers. When dealing with a small business legal situation, talk to your financial adviser or accountant. These kinds of people speak with lawyers all the time and they can assist you in making a judgement.
Communicate with your lawyer. A good lawyer should be easy to get in touch with and call you back quickly after you leave a voice-mail. You should not hesitate to call your lawyer to ask for some updates or schedule regular appointments so your lawyer can give you more details on what they have been working on.
Before you hire a lawyer, see if you can resolve any dispute without one. Often people are able to resolve their problems without having to find a lawyer. If you are not able to solve your problem without a lawyer, then it is in your best interest to have a lawyer on your side.
Discover the friendliness of people who work for your lawyer. Observe how fast you receive a call back and the friendliness of the secretary. If they take a long time to contact you after you’ve left them a message, it’s a pretty good indication that you are a low priority for them. In this case, you may want to look elsewhere for an attorney.
You should set up a face-to-face meeting with an attorney before you hire them to help you with your case. It is nice to talk to someone that is personable and sociable, but you really need to ask questions if you want to find out whether or not your lawyer knows what they are doing.
Now that you understand more about how estate planning works and how an attorney can help, you can move forward with a well-informed plan. Seek referrals, do your research and get your new attorney on board as soon as you can.It is never too late to plan your future.