Do I Need an Estate Planning Attorney?

What does an estate lawyer do?

Estate planning attorneys help you create legal documents that explain what should happen to your belongings and responsibilities if you pass away or can't make decisions for yourself. Here are some of the main things they do:

• Wills and trusts: They help you write a will, which is a document that says who gets your belongings when you pass away. They can also help you set up a trust, a legal arrangement for managing your property and money for the benefit of your family or other people you care about.
• Power of attorney: They help you create a power of attorney (POA), which lets someone you choose make financial or legal decisions for you if you can't make them yourself.
• Healthcare directives: They help you create a document that explains what kind of medical care you want if you can't speak for yourself.
• Updating plans: Life changes, like getting married, getting divorced, or having kids, might mean you need to update your estate plan. An attorney can help you make those changes.

How do I know if I need an estate planning attorney?

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do you have family members or dependents who rely on you?
• Do you own property, investments, or a business that you want to protect?
• Do you want to help prevent family disputes over your estate?
• Are you concerned about how taxes on your estate could affect your family?
• Do you have specific wishes for your assets that you want followed?

If you answered yes to any of these, an estate planning attorney may be able to help.

How much does an estate attorney cost?

Many estate planning attorneys charge a flat fee for drafting a document or creating an estate plan. More complex work, like settling disagreements or helping carry out an estate after someone passes away, usually costs more and is often billed by the hour. What you pay depends on what you need and where you live.

It's a good idea to talk about costs before you start so you know what to expect. Even if it feels like a big expense now, an estate plan can save your family money and stress later on.

What should I expect when working with an estate planning attorney?

When you work with an estate planning attorney, the process usually follows these steps:

1. Initial meeting: You'll talk with the attorney about your goals and share details about your family, property, and finances. This helps them understand what you need.
2. Creating a plan: Based on what you share, the attorney will recommend the tools that fit your goals, like a will, trust, or power of attorney, and explain how each one works.
3. Drafting documents: The attorney will prepare the legal documents your plan needs.
4. Reviewing and signing: You'll go over the documents with your attorney to confirm they reflect your wishes. Once everything looks right, you'll sign them.
5. Ongoing support: Some attorneys offer ongoing support, like updating your plan when your life changes or keeping your documents safe.

Estate planning can feel overwhelming at first, but your attorney can guide you through each step, so you can feel confident about the future.