Questions to Ask Your Estate Planning Attorney in Florida
You have decided to draft or update your will. You have also wisely decided to seek assistance from an estate planning attorney. At your first meeting with your lawyer, it is important that you bring certain information, including materials and documents regarding your family and loved ones, finances and property.
Additionally, you should prepare a list of questions to ask your attorney. In fact, it is a good idea to learn as much information as possible about a lawyer before committing yourself to his or her services. To help you choose the attorney who can benefit you the most, you should ask potential candidates the following questions:
- What is your primary area of practice? When searching for a lawyer to help you plan your estate, you need someone who focuses specifically on trusts, wills, probate, advanced medical directives and other aspects of estate law.
- Are you board certified? The Florida Bar certifies lawyers as experts in the field of Wills, Trusts and Estates. Only a board certified lawyer is allowed to claim to be an expert in that field. You should seek the services of a Florida Bar board certified Wills, Trusts and Estates lawyer whenever you are planning your estate.
- How many years of experience do you have? A lawyer who has been practicing for many years knows the importance of a sound estate plan. A carefully thought out and well-drafted plan helps ensure that your intended beneficiaries receive their inheritance. A poorly created estate plan may lead to will contests and beneficiary disputes.
- What types of clients do you primarily represent? If your estate is highly complex, involves multiple real properties and a large amount of assets, you should be hiring a lawyer who has experience handling similarly intricate estates.
Remember, your attorney is there to help you set up and protect your legacy so that it can be enjoyed by generations to come. As such, you should never be afraid to ask your lawyer any question you have about wills, trusts, probate or other estate planning related matters that affect you. Moreover, your attorney should be accessible to you in Tampa or wherever else in Florida you reside.