HOW CAN YOU FIND A TRUSTED
ESTATE ATTORNEY?
If you’ve lost a loved
one and find yourself involved or facing some sort of estate or probate matter,
you will most likely be interested in finding a good estate attorney. Estate
and probate laws are often quite complex and archaic. In addition, if you’ve been named as the
Executor/Executrix of someone’s estate and you do not follow your state’s estate
laws and procedures correctly, the negative fallout to you can be significant
and costly. Resources exist to aid you in finding an experienced estate lawyer
to adequately and professionally serve your legal needs.
You can contact your
state bar association either by telephone or online through its website. If you
contact the bar association by telephone you can often request that they
provide you with a list of estate attorneys practicing in your area. Likewise, most bar association websites will
allow you to run a search for attorneys by their particular areas of
practice.
Develop a list of
three to five estate or probate lawyers from this initial search, using the
resources of your state bar. Schedule
initial consultations with as many of the attorneys on your list as may be
convenient and practical for you taking into account issues like proximity to
your home or work. Interview each
attorney you meet with, asking questions regarding specific experience in the
estate and probate arena, education and support staff available at the firm or
office. Obtain references from these
lawyers. Contact the references and obtain feedback from them regarding the
quality of the legal representation that they received.
Once you have met with
several of the attorneys on your list, eliminate the ones you felt did not
provide satisfactory answers to your questions or those who did not seem in a
position to best meet your needs. For example, cross off a lawyer that does not
seem to have the experience necessary to protect your interests in your specific
estate matter. Make a final selection of an estate attorney to represent you.
