The first step in deciding to make an estate plan isn’t necessarily calling up the first lawyer you find on the Internet and asking him or her to help you create a plan. The attorney you select should be someone with whom you feel comfortable, especially when you consider that the estate planning process will often require you to think about some fairly personal issues. To find the attorney that best suits you, your needs, and your individual circumstances, you should develop a plan. Here’s what you can do.
Step 1: Make a list of lawyers.
You should find a number of attorneys in your area who have experience with estate planning issues. Call their offices and schedule a meeting where you can go in and speak to the attorney in person.
Step 2: Make a list of questions.
The attorney should be willing to answer questions you have, but don’t expect lengthy advice about your legal situation. The questions you should ask include such topics as how the attorney works, what you will be expected to do, and, of course, how much you can expect pay.
Step 3: Take notes.
After meeting with each lawyer you should write down notes about how you felt about the interaction. Would the lawyer be someone with whom you feel comfortable enough to discuss personal issues? If not, perhaps you need to look elsewhere.
On the other hand, if you feel comfortable with someone, you should go ahead and plan another meeting so you can get started on creating your plan as soon as possible.
Michael Robinson, Estate Planning Attorney
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