What You Need To Know To Hire An Estate Planning Attorney

To put together a total estate plan, it needs to start with information regarding your finances.
The reason is that it's very difficult for you and your estate planning lawyer to put together a
coherent plan that effectively transfers your financial assets upon your death without knowing
exactly what your assets are. In addition, it may not be possible to know if your beneficiaries
are up to date if you don't review them. And, it's difficult to figure out if your assets are
properly titled if you don't know what names are on these titles.

That's why to establish an accurate and complete estate plan, you need a list or inventory of
your assets and debts which includes the name or names currently on the title of each asset. And
you need a list or inventory of your life insurance policies and your retirement plans including
the names of the primary and secondary beneficiaries.

Here are some of the points that will help you in finding the right attorney for your estate
planning

It is recommend that you hire an experienced estate planning or elder law attorney to prepare
the legal documents that will make up your estate plan. It's penny-wise and pound-foolish to
"do-it-yourself."

However, it is also necessary that you control your estate plan. You tell your attorney what you
want your plan to accomplish. Ask your attorney what options you have, including the cost, and the
positives and negatives of each option. Then you decide (not your attorney) which options best
meet your objectives.

How to Locate an Estate Planning Attorney

You want an estate planning or elder law attorney - an attorney who does estate planning for a
living and not as a sideline. Your best source of information is a satisfied customer, so ask
family and friends for suggestions. Your accountant and financial planner are also good sources
of recommendations.
Another source is your local Bar Association; call and ask for the names of estate planning and
elder law attorneys in your area.

Cost of the Initial Consultation

Most estate planning and elder estate planning attorneys do not charge for an initial
consultation. Take advantage of a no cost consultation. It will give you the opportunity to judge
whether you feel comfortable with the attorney and what his or her fees will be for the documents
that you need prepared.

Here are some of the questions you need to ask an attorney before hiring him/her

1. Make sure that estate planning is the primary area of practice of the attorney you hire 

2. How will the advocate charge you, flat fee or hourly?

3. If you have questions will you be able to contact him personally by phone or email?

5. Do you return calls or emails promptly?

I'm sorry to say that some attorneys do not treat their clients well. If you are not treated
respectfully by the attorney and staff; if you are kept waiting for an unreasonable amount of
time; if fees are not readily and thoroughly explained; if your estate plan cannot be done in a
timely manner and if your phone calls are not returned promptly, find another attorney.
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Seflin Lawfirm - Experienced and Caring Estate Planning Attorney Delaware County PA.  Attorney
Seflin can assist you with all aspects of estate planning Delaware County Pa. Learn more at
http://www.seflinlawfirm.com

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