What does a estate planning attorney do?
Estate planning attorneys prepare the documents that control what happens to your property and decisions if you become incapacitated or pass away — wills, living trusts, powers of attorney and healthcare directives. A well-drafted plan can reduce taxes, avoid probate, and spare your family difficult decisions.
Plans should be reviewed after major life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, a move to another state or a significant change in assets.
Common estate planning cases
- Wills
- Revocable and irrevocable trusts
- Powers of attorney
- Healthcare directives
- Special needs planning
- Business succession planning
When should you hire a estate planning attorney?
- You have children, own a home or have significant savings
- You want to avoid probate or reduce estate taxes
- You own a business or have a family member with special needs
- Your existing plan is more than a few years old
How much does a estate planning attorney cost?
Many estate planning attorneys charge flat fees for wills and trust packages, which makes costs predictable. Complex plans may be billed hourly.
Questions to ask in your consultation
- Do I need a trust, or is a will enough for my situation?
- Is your fee flat, and what does it include?
- How do you help clients fund a trust after it is signed?