How Do I Choose An Estate Planning Attorney Near Me?

Have you recently asked yourself, “How do I choose an estate planning attorney near me?” It is a great question and an important one as well. Finding the right estate planning attorney may involve reviewing an attorney’s experience, accessibility, and your comfort level with the attorney.

There are usually numerous estate planning attorneys in almost every geographic area. First, you need to select a few candidates, which can be accomplished via word of mouth of trusted friends and family, a local bar association’s referral service, which usually has reviewed the attorney’s experience in qualifying them for their panel, or through internet research. With the latter, take time to look over the attorney’s homepage and any feedback from other clients, which exists on neutral review sites, such as Yelp or Google.

Next up, experience. When asking, “How do I choose an estate planning attorney near me?,” it is usually recommended that you ask the attorney directly about his or her level of experience with the precise type of estate planning you are seeking. Do you need a will? A power of attorney? A trust to manage multiple properties? Do not be shy. Estate planning is a broad practice area and it is vital to be certain the attorney has significant experience in the area you are seeking to hire him or her for.

The next thing to discuss when asking, “How do I choose an estate planning attorney near me?,” is accessibility. Is his or her office local? Was the attorney and his or her staff quick to respond to your request for a consultation? There is a good chance their responsiveness reflects their competence, organization and respect for you as a client.

Finally, when asking “How do I choose an estate planning attorney near me?,” always check your comfort level. The saying, “trust your gut”, can be excellent criteria. By the time you have conducted your research on the attorney and met with him or her, you should have a good idea of what working with the attorney will be like. Understand, it can be important to be comfortable with him or her, as estate planning typically involves two topics that can be very personal, money and family.

Speaking of money, it can also be important to discuss the attorney’s fees upfront, so you understand the cost and no issues arise down the road.

I hope this information has assisted you in answering, “How do I choose an estate planning attorney near me?” Estate planning can be a vital step in both asset protection and planning for your loved ones.

We want you to know that we are a results-oriented firm, committed to being recognized as leaders by our clients, other legal professionals and the community in which we live and work. We devote our practice entirely to serving clients throughout Williamsburg and the Northern Virginia area. For assistance in developing a strong estate plan, our office is here to help. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.