Do you need help finding an estate planning attorney? You can read about the advantages of working with these professionals.
Imagine leaving your loved ones behind with more questions than answers about your end-of-life wishes. They could spend days searching through scraps of paper, only to feel more confused. While guessing at your last wishes, they’re also struggling with grief.
Instead of leaving your loved ones without direction, consider hiring an estate planning attorney. Hiring a lawyer now can benefit your loved ones later. It also gives you the chance to protect your assets and communicate your wishes.
Not convinced you need help from estate planning attorneys? Read on to discover the benefits of hiring a lawyer first!
1. Maintain Documents
Do you have a will or living trust? Only 33% of Americans have put these plans in place! In other words, 67% are leaving what happens to them and their assets up to others.
If you do have the proper paperwork in order, it’s important to maintain your documents over time. Drafting a will or trust isn’t a one-time task. Between the time you draft these documents and actually need them, decades could pass.
During that time, your end-of-life goals and wishes could dramatically change. Life events that might encourage you to make updates include:
- Retirement plans
- Marriage
- The death of a spouse
- Divorce
- Receiving an inheritance
- Major purchases (like property)
- Starting or selling a business
You’ll need to review your estate documents if you’ve experienced a change in your financial circumstances. With adjustments, you can minimize the impact that estate taxes and probate costs will have on your assets.
Hiring an estate planning lawyer will allow you to update your estate planning documents over time.
They’ll help by conducting regular reviews and suggesting relevant changes. Their edits will ensure the documents still reflect the realities of your estate and your end-of-life wishes.
2. Convey Your Wishes
Neglecting to hire an estate planning attorney could encourage you to follow the “do-it-yourself” route instead. However, the complexities of laws and legal jargon could lead you to make mistakes. Hire estate planning lawyers who understand the intricacies of legal language.
They’ll ensure your forms and documents are completed properly.
Otherwise, you could fail to communicate your end-of-life wishes accurately with the necessary legal terms. Hiring an estate planning lawyer from the start will save you time and energy. You won’t need to redo your documents later.
Your loved ones might not encounter issues with your documents until your death or incapacitation. They could struggle to allocate assets or carry out your final wishes. Have a lawyer review your documents now to ensure everything is in order.
Don’t purchase a “fill-in-the-blank” will, trust, or other estate planning document. These documents only accommodate individuals with basic assets or simple needs. For a document that completely addresses your wishes, hire an estate planning attorney.
They’ll customize your estate planning documents to suit your unique circumstances. For example, perhaps you need help with disability trusts. Maybe you have controlling interests in your business ventures.
Meeting with an estate planning attorney will allow you to communicate these unique circumstances. They’ll tailor your documents based on your needs when a cookie-cutter form can’t.
3. Legal Compliance
Probate and trust laws are complex and, if you lack the necessary expertise, confusing. These laws and procedures also vary between states. Do-it-yourself options leave a significant margin for error.
Laws and legal codes change constantly. Neglecting to update your documents based on new laws could cause problems.
You can trust your estate planning lawyers to ensure your legal compliance. Their years of experience and expertise will work to your benefit. They’ll monitor changes to local trust and probate laws.
When necessary, they’ll adjust the phrasing or structure of your documents for legal adherence.
4. Informed Advice
Many people assume that creating a will or trust will cover all the bases. However, that’s not usually the case. An estate planning document that seems comprehensive might not cover certain accounts.
For example, you may need help with independent beneficiary designations.
Hiring an estate planning lawyer will allow you to lean on their expertise. They’ll first conduct a thorough review of your property and assets. The information they gather will help them determine which items require special language.
Then, they’ll customize your estate planning documents. Your lawyer can also help your beneficiaries in the future.
Relying on their legal advice can help your loved ones avoid probate proceeding delays or excessive costs. At the same time, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your final wishes will be honored.
It’s important to note that there are over 201,100 estate lawyer businesses working in the US. Make sure you’re hiring a lawyer with years of experience. They’ll leverage their experience to answer your estate planning questions and help you make more informed choices.
5. Help Your Loved Ones
Neglecting to draft a will could put more weight on your loved ones’ shoulders later. Without these documents, they could struggle to make decisions on your behalf. They won’t have a lawyer’s experience and expertise to guide them, either.
Drafting these documents can take some of the strain off their shoulders. They won’t have to navigate their grief and legal complexities.
Hire the best estate planning attorney in the area now to help your family in the future. They’ll act as a guide for your family during this difficult time.
Your loved ones will have someone they can turn to for answers. For example, a lawyer can break down legal language and complex documents.
Your estate planning documents will make it easier for loved ones to carry out your wishes.
Hire Your Estate Planning Attorney Today
Don’t try to draft your will, trust, or estate planning documents alone. Instead, prepare for the future by hiring an experienced estate planning lawyer. With their help, you can protect your assets and loved ones.
Remember, it’s important to hire estate planning lawyers with years of experience and expertise. Our estate planning lawyers know you’re putting your legacy in our hands. It’s a responsibility we don’t take lightly.
Schedule a consultation today to learn how we can guide you through the state planning process.
