Hiring the right estate planning attorney can make you feel empowered to make the best decisions for yourself and your family regarding your future. It’s important, however, that you make sure you hire a legal professional who will meet your specific needs. In this blog, we share six common mistakes to avoid when hiring an estate planning attorney.
Mistake #1: Seeking Online Options
Avoid using online resources and programs that claim to be “easy to use.” The reality is, you’ll pay a high price upfront and it’s more than likely that you’ll end up hiring an attorney to undo the errors caused by the program. You’d be surprised at how many “hidden saving” opportunities there are when you hire a true estate planning attorney.
Mistake #2: Hiring a Lawyer Who Charges Hourly
A lawyer who is competent and knowledgable on the area should be able to give you a quote for a comprehensive service package. Furthermore, you should be especially hesitant of attorneys who are charging you less than $1,000 – they are either cutting corners or providing a service that is less than what you and your family deserve.
Mistake #3: Failing to Ensure There is a Plan as Your Life Changes
It’s expected that your life, assets, and the law are expected to change as time goes on. You’ll want to make sure your lawyer keeps in touch with you about any changes that can impact your financial future.
Mistake #4: Addressing Only “Obvious” Assets
Some lawyers will only discuss obvious assets, such as money and property, and fail to mention the values and insights that are most important to you to leave behind to your children. You want to make sure you include intangible assets in your plan.
Mistake #5: Expecting and Receiving Poor Service
As a client, you deserve more than an attorney who constantly dodges your phone calls and overcharges you in legal fees. The right type of lawyer will return your calls and emails in a timely manner and be backed by a team of supportive staff to help with your needs.
Mistake #6: Hiring an Attorney Who is Not an Area Expert
One of the biggest misconceptions regarding estate planning lawyers is that they’re all the same – this couldn’t be further from the truth. Each lawyer will have their own qualifications, but it boils down to what you’re specifically looking for out of an attorney.
Call Adler Law to speak to our dedicated Long Island estate planning lawyer at (516) 740-1184 today.