Lawyers map
>700
experienced lawyers
Filter by
04 Dec, 2018 by Cynthia
I consulted with Ms Rowen about a complex employment issue. She listened carefully and asked the right questions to allow me to decide whether to take action. She also was comfortable reaching out to another colleague for expertise. I elected not to proceed with the case, in part based on Ms Rowen's candor in describing the pros and cons. I appreciated that she genuinely wanted me to make the decision that would be best for me. I wouldn't consider retaining any other attorney for a complex issue such as this.
Read more
24 Oct, 2014 by Shmi
Sharon Rowen, the Probate Lawyer in Atlanta is a saint. Her consultation was thoughtful and backed with experience and insight. She eased my worry almost immediately. The entire litigation process was just as easy.
Read more
03 Apr, 2014 by Calvin
Sharon has helped me on three occasions and each one has been a great experience. She explained everything so that I understood and I thought went above and beyond the call of duty to help and meet me at MY convenience.
Read more
24 May, 2014 by Ms.harper
Attorney Moore did an excellent job on my divorce. She is very thorough and indeed focuses on the best interest of her clients. I'm glad I had her to fight for me in one of the toughest situations in my life. She is powerful and most definitely gets the job done. I HIGHLY recommend her services.
Read more
23 May, 2014 by Esther
I've consulted Stephanie several times over the past years, and I have referred her to friends and family. She represented me in a case that was very painful, stressful, and difficult. From our first conversations she proved herself to be knowledgeable of case law and procedures. I appreciate that she gave me detailed explanations and she was very patient in listening to me and in collecting evidence. Once the case went to trial, I was very thankful that she was on my side. She exhibited great skill in the court room - I watched as she presented my case and I was able to follow the logic and the case law that she presented. I wholeheartedly recommend Stephanie and if ever I need legal expertise, I will be sure to reach out to her.
Read more
22 May, 2014 by Betty
Ms. Moore is a professional, sharp, on time, patient and respectful. She handled my case in a very timely manner. If I needed a lawyer again in life I would definetly call on her and I would recommednd that you call her also. On a scale of 1-10 i would say that she is a 10. Thanks again and keep up the good work.
Read more
31 May, 2013 by Anonymous
Attorney Luther knows the law and quotes the case laws like the back of her hand. She is extremely knowledgeable, organized and thorough. I was facing the option of having to appeal a ruling or petitioning for the judge to vacate their ruling and grant a new case. In my case, the judge imediately vacated their ruling and granted a new case. Attorney Luther did more than I thought was possible. She was realistic with me about my options and the potential outcomes and I felt confident having her on my team. She was effective in arguing my case after only having a short amount of time to prepare. She located and subpoenad information that my previous attorney did not obtain and appears to be very respected by the courts. She has over 2 decades of experience and I pity the attorney that opposes her if they don't have their work done. I would hire her again and again and again should the need ever arise but hopefully the need doesn't arise.
Read more
11 Jan, 2013 by Jflutherfan
I would absolutely recommend Attorney Luther and her staff. She came as a recommendation from a close family friend whom has used her in the past. She is an amazing no nonsense type of lawyer with a great personality and supporting staff to match! Be prepared! You have expectations of her as a lawyer, and she has expectations of you as a client. If you are wanting her to work on your behalf, you need to be able to provide whatever she asks her within the deadline she has given to you
I hired Attorney Luther to handle my child custody/legitimization case. I was sued by my NCP. Both the NCP and I were originally filed as Pro Se until the NCP retained counsel. I didn't think much about retaining counsel due to financial reasons and my supporting documents to substantiate my case. But upon NCP obtaining counsel, the filing changed. My case went from the NCP trying to establish visitation to him wanting to take full custody of our child. I had to retain her at the last minute, and it was one best decisions I made in regards to this legal matter. She IMMEDIATELY went to work on my case! She filed motions within the 2 hours of being retained. With that being said, her 25 years of experience and good reputation with Judges was a determining factor in the judge allowing for a Continuance while I prepare with my attorney; the judge definitely made that known.
Attorney Luther is very upfront and direct and detailed. She works very hard for you but she also expects the same from her client. As a client, help her to help you! Communicate thoroughly your needs, wants and expectations and she will be very honest with you and work hard to achieve the requests of her clients.
She came to court prepared and ready! Every time opposing counsel tried to submit evidence that was not reviewed, lead a witness or imply negligent wrongdoing without supporting documentation and proof - Attorney Luther was on point to stop the opposing counsel dead in their tracks! I was very proud of her performance in Court and the overall outcome of the case. Her opening and closing arguments were phenomenal. The way she thoroughly questioned the witnesses and opposing parties were impressive.
My advice: Be prepared! You have expectations of her as a lawyer, and she has expectations of you as a client. If you are wanting her to work on your behalf, you need to be able to provide whatever she asks her within the deadline she has given to you. I had retained her at truly the last minute possible and therefore I had to beat feet and get her everything within a very tight deadline. But because I am thorough and detailed myself, I brought most of that information with me when I retained her. But I still had more to do. She explained that her deadlines are to allow her and her staff time to comply with her deadlines to file motions and submit requests and such with the court.
There is nothing negative that I can say about Attorney Luther or her staff. I would recommend her to anyone! I know that if I never hired her, that my case would not have come out the way that it did.
Read more
10 Aug, 2009 by Anonymous
Attny Luther was a Godsent to me in my time of need. I have to say that she is extremely thorough and gets down to the meat of things. I will definately refer others in similar situations to her!
Read more
17 Apr, 2022 by Jonathan
I got myself into some trouble and was sure that I would find myself in prison. I was referred to Stacy through a friend and was hesitant at first because she seemed to be a family attorney and was from a different county. She was really fair on her price and the consultation went really well so I chose to go with her. I couldn't be happier with my decision. She is a professional and did what alot of lawyers I spoke with said couldn't be done. Do yourself a favor and choose Stacy.
Read more
11 Aug, 2016 by Lisa
My significant other (SO) and I started a pre-nup using an online webform, and per GA law, I sought an attorney to review on my behalf.
During my initial consultation with Ms. Crittenden, she was very positive about the effort we were making and she listened to all of my concerns and questions. All of my questions and concerns were addressed in a very straightforward manner, with simple language, using examples to illustrate the point. This made it easy for me to share the ramifications of the web template language with my SO and for us to work through what we intended the document to say.
We ultimately hired Ms. Crittenden to reword the pre-nup based a document where we identified our intent and wishes. When my SO's attorney reviewed the document there were only minor updates to be made.
Ms. Crittenden made what could potentially be a difficult process easy! I would return to Ms. Crittenden for assistance - I trust her judgement and ability to help carry out my wishes!
Read more
20 Jun, 2014 by Matt
I met with Mrs. Crittenden, following a referral from a lawyer friend of mine that practices in another field. I was being brought back to court for a change in custody and child support. I met with Mrs. Crittenden for the initial appointment and was very impressed with the help that she offered, even prior to my agreement to retain her services. She has her heart in the right place and eventually, I had to admit that I could not afford her (very reasonable) retainer. She was able to offer several payment options, which also did not fit my current (limited) budget. However, she did provide very helpful advice around filing my initial response to the court on my own, so that I had more time to find an attorney that did fit my budget. I cannot say enough positive things about Mrs. Crittenden. I felt that she understood the importance of the continuation of my role in my child's life, especially as the NCP (Dad). I would recommend her to anyone - and I also feel that if I had been able to find a way to pay her reasonable retainer, I would have been very pleased with the outcome. Instead, I found an attorney that was willing to work within my budget. While the other attorney's services were appropriate, I feel that Mrs. Crittenden would have been a more present and qualified advocate for my rights. I do have a stack of her cards and hand them out to others that can benefit from her services. If I ever require the services of a family attorney again, I have no doubt that I will return to Mrs. Crittenden.
Read more
18 Aug, 2023 by Dylan
Julian filed for my LLC. Also helped answer some questions about how to setup my business.
Read more
19 Jul, 2023 by Alex
Julian was very timely, professional, and knowledgeable in helping me create my business entity and all the formalities associated with the process. He understood what I needed and provided the necessary solutions. He worked diligently to expedite my request and was very educational in explaining the entire process. I will be returning to him and and his team for my estate planning needs next. I would definitely recommend him.
Read more
13 Oct, 2018 by Karen
Danielle is thorough and very knowledgeable. She was responsive to my issues and helped me understand exactly what we needed to deal with. She helped me see the big picture and brought the problem to a good resolution. She made every effort to do this efficiently and in timely manner. She is a pleasure to work with.
Read more
27 Sep, 2018 by Anonymous
She answered all of my questions, encouraged me, and I was able to phone her for follow up questions. She is kind, compassionate and knowledgeable!!
Read more
09 Jan, 2013 by Anonymous
Amy took the time to walk us through very complicated processes and ideas. Our case was particularly twisted due to our mixed-immigration-status family. She not only provided us information based on our current situation, but on what may happen in the future with US citizenship. She really went above and beyond and I highly recommend her to anyone looking for an attorney in this area. Thank you!
Read more
08 Dec, 2010 by Megan
Amy is a consummate professional when it comes to business relationships. She took the time to listen to my concerns regarding estate planning and followed up by email with forms and informational documents I could review. She is attentive to her client's needs and wishes, while also providing the explanation behind what can at times be a very confusing legal process. She is sharp as a tack and detail-oriented, which is especially helpful when you have complex questions and issues. Amy is the type of lawyer who will double check things to make certain you receive the best information and advice.
While I hope it is a long time before I need Amy's help probating an estate or will, I know that she will provide a good blend of sympathy and dedication to someone during that difficult time.
I happily recommend Amy to my own friends, family, and personal acquaintances.
Read more
31 Jul, 2024 by Anonymous
Ms. Irani has worked very closely with me to establish my Estate Plan and correctly fund my Living Trust. She has offered exceptional guidance based on my individual needs. While maintaining a high level of professionalism, she is engaging, patient, an effective listener, attentive to details, very responsive and knowledgeable. Her willingness to take the time to understand my needs, address my concerns, educate and guide me, has made me very confident in her legal expertise.
Read more
12 Mar, 2024 by Anonymous
Zenia was very professional and made the whole process efficient and easy to understand. She addressed all my questions and was very knowledgeable to create a plan that was best suited for me. It was a pleasure working with Zenia and her team.
Read more
15 Jan, 2020 by Ty wirth
Great Attorney Excellent Job...Highly recommended I contacted a few law offices before … Finally, I choose Franklin D Hughes Law Offices…the way they greeted me made me feel like a very important client and took consideration for any conditions I had at the time. I am very grateful for their excellent job!
Thank you Mr.Frank Ms.Kim Ms.Mary I appreciate all you do for me. Sincerely:Ty WIRTH
Read more
28 Feb, 2019 by K m
My experience with Mr. Franklin Hughes was nothing less than excellent, as he is caring, ethical, innovative, and brilliant. I had never needed a lawyer in this capacity before so the whole process was new to me. When we did have questions, his responses were always very thoughtful and thorough.They were able to sort out every roadblock that came up in this case successfully and I don’t think most attorneys would have the experience, ability, or fight to do so. The outcome was even better than I had ever let myself hope for! I would recommend him highly.
K. Wilson
2/28/2019
Read more
19 Nov, 2015 by Julie
Raina initially wrote our wills and living will after the birth of our first child and subsequently updated them after the birth of our second. She was professional, efficient, and understanding. She was able to guide us through the process, making it effortless for us. I would highly recommend her to anyone!
Read more
19 Nov, 2015 by Daniel
Raina helped us prepare a will and living will. She was patient and listened to our needs throughout the process. In the end, the final products exceeded our expectations and we used her again to update our will after our second child was born.
Read more
06 Apr, 2023 by Ted
Katrenia has deep understanding of wills, which was my primary area of focus. Her knowledge, abilities and willingness to advise me, I found to be outstanding and very helpful. I highly recommend her.
Read more
22 Sep, 2017 by Constance
Excellent service provided. Everything was done with fidelity and to my expectations. In addition, all services were rendered in a timely fashion.
Read more
23 Jan, 2020 by Laura
I met with Mr. Clark to discuss several concerns that I had. He was extremely helpful. He and his staff went above and beyond to assist me and make me feel welcome. I received very helpful advice as well as completing my will and power of attorney documents. I highly recommend!
Read more
09 Feb, 2019 by Brenda
Very professional. Filed chapter 7 bankruptcy. Stopped my garnishment. Would recommend to friends.
Read more
06 May, 2015 by Kami
Ms. Robinson has been a joy to work with. Thru all the confusing and upsetting things of a custody case, she has been reassuring, present, and knowledgeable. No one could have handled my situation better. I have been kept up to date on everything going on with my case and she is quick to explain things that can be complicated about the custody process. The most important thing, is I can feel that my case was handled in the most ethical, thorough, and moral way. She was as aggressive as was necessary, but never will I ever feel that this was not handled in a way that I and she can be proud of.
Read more
13 Aug, 2013 by Andrea turner
I would recommend Heather to anyone. She is caring, smart and got everything handled for me in a timely manner. She was great!
Read more
16 Mar, 2015 by Scott
As a father, Mrs. Hovastak helped me win the biggest battle of my life after my divorce. She worked diligently and after a prolonged ordeal I was able to get custody of my daughters. I couldn't be happier with the outcome. She also worked with me financially to setup a monthly payment plan which allowed me to afford and fight for custody.
Read more
18 Aug, 2013 by Anonymous
Ms. Hovastak knows child support law. She was able to help me develop a plan that allowed me to care for my children and be involved in decision making.
Read more
07 Jan, 2020 by Matt fields
Charles "Chuck" Cole, Craig Bertschi, and Kimberly Bertschi at Mcrae, Bertschi & Cole are among the brightest FCRA lawyers in Georgia. Their knowledge of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (credit reporting and background checks) is truly unsurpassed, and their integrity and work ethic are beyond reproach. Simply put, McRae, Bertschi & Cole gets results!
Read more
18 Sep, 2012 by Joshua allen
Highly Recommended!
I cannot speak highly enough of Robert Moss, professionally or personally. From our first meeting, Robert listened with an ear of understanding and helped me weigh my options. Robert eventually settled my dispute in court with a successful outcome. I was extremely impressed with his professional abilities and the manner in which he executed his duties.
On a personal note: Every so often in life, we encounter people whose character, integrity, principle, and compassion surprise us. Robert Moss is one of these people. You will be truly glad to meet Robert and will not be disappointed in the services that he can provide. I can honestly say that, in regards to Robert Moss, the old jokes about lawyers just aren’t true.
Read more
18 Jan, 2023 by Shahirah hammond
Attorney Webster is amazing. She’s very attentive to her clients and does her best to ensure they get justice!
Read more
21 Sep, 2021 by Jay kinslow
I was particularly impressed by the firms ability to handle even the toughest situations—effortlessly. That skill often takes years to develop but it seemed to come naturally to them. This is a top notch firm!
Read more
08 Jul, 2021 by Adee
We are working with Jeff and his team on a few cases. He and his firm have been amazing. I have worked with many law firms of all sizes, styles, and specialties. Jeff is truly the top of the top. I think so highly of his firm that we worked with them when selling our business. I believe that they are competitively priced. I highly recommend Jeff and his team who have all been above and beyond. I cannot say enough good comments about Jeff.
Read more
11 Jul, 2011 by Almin
I had an opportunity to seek legal help from Jeff for a Guardianship case and I think there cannot be any other lawyer who could have handled it any better than he did. He was very responsive, went over every tiny little detail and made sure we knew exactly what would happen in the courtroom, so that we were comfortable and end up with a favorable decision. And that is exactly what happened. He is very knowlegeable and knew exactly what he was doing. I would not hesitate to seek his help in future if needed. Thank you Jeff!!
Read more
04 Nov, 2021 by Anonymous
My husband recently passed away and I was recommended to Nefertara by my Mom who used Clark and Clark for my grandfathers trust and will. She was courteous, easy to work with and was able to start our probate quickly and efficiently.
Read more
08 May, 2015 by Jessica
We referred to Atty. Clark by one of her previous client's (my son's golf coach). She addressed our concerns promptly and courteously. She helped us object to my father's garnishment quickly. She was always professional toward us and opposing counsel, but we definitely knew she was on our side. If I ever need a lawyer again, I will definitely return to her. I am also telling all my friends and family about her.
Read more
25 May, 2011 by Rj
Emerson helped my daughter when she was clocked doing 85 mph on 285. He knew the Asst. DA and the judge. He was able to get the speed dropped to 72 which allowed her to still be able to retain her license. He is very plugged in to the Atlanta/Dekalb network.
Read more
20 Oct, 2009 by Cheryl
Attorney Carey was very knowledgeable about my situation and kept me informed throughout the process. I was very satisfied with the outcome and would use him again.
Read more
18 Jun, 2013 by Anonymous
Did the job i needed him to do and helped with problems i was having. He went out of his way to make sure that i was satisfied. It brought joy to know that people are still respecting the lawyer field.
Read more
11 Apr, 2012 by Stuart
I used Michael when he came highly recommended to me by an attorney in Texas. I was put in a predicament with a company that Michael certainly took care of, and had questioning for them that I could have never dreamed of. I have also used him when I opened my business ans sold it as well.
Read more
15 Nov, 2011 by David
Doug was very helpful and really knew the law and was able to communicate in a way that helped me understand the issues.
Read more
15 Apr, 2009 by Anonymous
Doug went above and beyond -
Read more
20 Jun, 2014 by David
Richard Farnsworth is the sole reason I have my kids back in my life.
There are certain keywords a mother can utter in regards to a father in a separation that will make the legal system act in a manner that is "protective" to the child but only if the father is totally dismissed as the stereotypical caricature.
Richard was able to first expose the false accusations for what they were and get them dismissed. he worked in the best interest of my children and was able to get a fair custody split that ensures the children know the love of both parents and allows them to prosper as individuals instead of trophies in a financial dispute.
Read more
24 Jan, 2014 by Helga
The judge at the court told me: "You have a very good attorney", and I absolutely agree with her. Mr. Farnsworth has a lot of experience and knowledge and I would absolutely recommend him
.
He changed a contested divorce which seemed to be endless and never settled to an uncontested case within a short time and that for a reasonable prize. He kept me informed all the time and explained every detail of the process.
Read more
26 Jun, 2009 by Anonymous
Mr. McCord did an amazing job for us. We interviewed a number of attorneys before we hired him, and we were very pleased with his representation. HIGHLY recommended.
Read more
05 Mar, 2018 by Jeb
My wife and I worked with Kim Hoipkemier on our wills, medical directives, and powers of attorney. She was FANTASTIC. I would recommend Kim to anyone. She's caring, smart, responsive, and always on time. I am a lawyer myself so I appreciate good attorneys, and she is a great one.
Read more
15 Apr, 2019 by David
I have been with Greg Walling since 1989 and can't imagine my life (personal and professional) without him there to provide sage counsel. He has always been there for me on issues big and small to help me make wise decisions. He is professional, knowledgeable, thorough and a real gentleman! I seldom recommend anyone, but it is a pure joy refer Greg for those seeking a fine man and attorney all in one.
Read more
18 Feb, 2018 by Dave
I was looking for an estate planning lawyer in Atlanta to provide advice and draw up my Will. I contacted Ginger Arnold and received good initial advice, an understanding of what options i had, and a competitive price for the work. When i visited the offices on the agreed date everything was explained clearly and all my questions answered. I am very happy with the service provided and have no hesitation in recommended Ginger Arnold. Thank you.
Read more
15 Dec, 2015 by Anonymous
Mr. Reynolds provided a comprehensive estate plan for me which included will and trusts, tax advice and charitable planning. In addition to being an expert in trust and estate law and taxation, he is a creative thinker and can provide an overall business plan for multiple generations of a family. I found him to be a consummate professional and easy to work with. He also offers expertise in asset protection, both domestic and offshore, which I may consider in the future. I would not hesitate to highly recommend him to anyone seeking legal counsel in estate planning.
Read more
11 Feb, 2010 by Anonymous
As corporate counsel for a large financial institution headquartered in Atlanta, I retained Ms. Ashby to handle several trust termination and/or modification petitions with the Fulton County Court. Ms. Ashby did an excellent job at a very reasonable rate. She is knowledgeable, easy to work with and delivers results within a reasonable time. She has excellent academic credentials having attended the University of Virginia Law School, a top ten law school. Her work history is also impressive. Generally when hiring outside counsel, I consider all of these factors. I was very pleased with her services.
Read more
18 Aug, 2016 by Josh
We reached out to Daniel on the recommendation of others that have used his services and were very happy and I couldn't agree more. He handled our estate planning end to end taking the time to answer all of our questions thoroughly (and not using confusing legal jargon to do so) and the end result were documents that covered all contingencies for myself and my family in a way that represented our intentions. Will definitely use Daniel in the future for legal needs. He's also great with kids. We had to take our daughter to his office and he made sure she was happy, smiling and gave her a lollypop...so she approves of him as well!
Read more
28 Jul, 2011 by Anonymous
David was very trustworthy and honest. His approach is to be honest and fair and do "the right thing". He was in line with what I needed in order to negotiate a fair distribution of the estate inheritance of my mother's late husband.
Read more
Discover the ideal lawyer
You can search a lawyer by practice area, lawyer name, city, state, or ZIP code
FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What an Estate Planning Lawyer Can Do for You
An estate planning lawyer helps individuals plan for the management and distribution of their assets after death or during incapacitation. Their services involve drafting important legal documents, such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives. Estate planning attorneys work to ensure that your assets are transferred according to your wishes, minimize tax liabilities, and avoid probate court. They also help clients plan for potential long-term care needs and protect their estate from being diminished by healthcare costs.
By working with an estate planning lawyer, you can have peace of mind knowing that your loved ones will be cared for and that your estate will be managed efficiently and according to your desires.
When Should I Hire an Estate Planning Lawyer?
Hiring an estate planning lawyer is beneficial in many situations, especially when you want to ensure that your assets are handled properly after death. Common reasons to hire an estate planning lawyer include:
- Drafting a will: If you want to clearly define how your assets will be distributed after death, an attorney can draft a legally sound will.
- Creating a trust: For those looking to avoid probate or provide for loved ones over time, setting up a trust can help manage the distribution of assets.
- Planning for incapacity: An estate lawyer can help draft powers of attorney and healthcare directives so that your financial and medical decisions are made by someone you trust if you become incapacitated.
- Minimizing estate taxes: If your estate is large, a lawyer can help create strategies to reduce or eliminate federal and state estate taxes.
- Special circumstances: If you have minor children, blended families, or complex assets like businesses, an estate planning lawyer can create tailored solutions.
- Guardianship or conservatorship: If you want to designate guardians for minor children or ensure proper care for incapacitated adults, an attorney can help.
Hiring an estate planning lawyer is especially important if your estate is complex or if you want to ensure that your wishes are properly followed.
What Does an Estate Planning Lawyer Do?
An estate planning lawyer provides a range of services designed to help you organize your affairs and ensure your estate is managed according to your wishes. They can:
- Draft wills and trusts: Creating legally binding documents that dictate how your assets will be distributed and managed.
- Create powers of attorney and healthcare directives: Appointing someone to make financial or medical decisions for you if you become incapacitated.
- Minimize taxes: Developing strategies to reduce estate taxes, gift taxes, and other financial liabilities for your heirs.
- Help avoid probate: Structuring your estate plan to avoid probate, which can save time and money for your beneficiaries.
- Advise on long-term care planning: Helping you plan for potential healthcare needs in the future, including Medicaid planning and protecting assets from being depleted by nursing home costs.
- Assist with beneficiary designations: Ensuring that life insurance policies, retirement accounts, and other financial instruments are correctly designated.
- Handle probate and estate administration: If a loved one has passed away, an estate planning lawyer can help guide you through the probate process or act as an executor.
How Are Estate Planning Lawyers Paid?
Estate planning lawyers typically charge for their services in one of several ways, depending on the complexity of your estate and the type of services you need. Common payment structures include:
- Flat fee: Many estate planning services, such as drafting a will or trust, are charged on a flat-fee basis. The fee covers all work related to preparing the document.
- Hourly rate: For more complex planning, such as estate tax strategy or trust administration, lawyers may charge by the hour. Rates vary based on the lawyer’s experience and location.
- Retainer: Some lawyers require a retainer for more complex cases, such as ongoing trust management or estate administration. The retainer is an upfront payment that covers future legal services.
It’s important to discuss fees with your lawyer upfront to avoid unexpected costs.
How Much Does an Estate Planning Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an estate planning lawyer depends on the complexity of your estate and the services you require. Here are some general guidelines:
- Simple wills or powers of attorney: A straightforward will or power of attorney may cost between $300 and $1,500, depending on your location and the lawyer’s experience.
- Trust creation: Establishing a trust, such as a living trust or revocable trust, can cost between $1,000 and $3,000 or more, depending on the complexity of your assets and estate planning needs.
- Comprehensive estate planning packages: Some lawyers offer packages that include wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives, which may range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more, depending on the estate’s complexity.
- Hourly rates: For ongoing services like estate administration or tax planning, lawyers may charge hourly rates ranging from $150 to $500 or more, depending on the lawyer’s experience.
Always get a clear estimate of costs during your initial consultation to ensure the services fit within your budget.
Top Questions to Ask an Estate Planning Lawyer
Before hiring an estate planning lawyer, it’s important to ask questions to ensure they are the right fit for your needs. Here are key questions to ask during your consultation:
-
What is your experience with estate planning?
Ensure the lawyer has substantial experience drafting wills, creating trusts, and handling other estate planning services. -
How will you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges a flat fee or by the hour and ask for a detailed estimate of costs. -
What strategies do you recommend for my estate?
A good lawyer should be able to explain the best strategies for minimizing taxes, avoiding probate, and ensuring your assets are distributed according to your wishes. -
How often should I update my estate plan?
Ask how frequently you should revisit your estate plan, especially if your financial situation or family dynamics change. -
Do you offer ongoing support or updates?
Some lawyers provide periodic reviews or updates to ensure your estate plan stays current with changes in your circumstances or the law. -
How will you help my beneficiaries if something happens to me?
Ensure the lawyer is willing to guide your heirs through the estate administration process or help manage your trust after you’re gone.
How to Check the Credibility of an Estate Planning Lawyer
To ensure you’re hiring a credible estate planning lawyer, follow these steps:
- Verify their state bar license: Check with your state bar association to confirm that the lawyer is licensed and in good standing, with no history of disciplinary actions.
- Look for estate planning certifications: Some lawyers are certified as estate planning specialists, which indicates they have extensive knowledge in this area of law.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Online reviews on sites like Avvo, Google, or Martindale-Hubbell can provide insight into the lawyer’s professionalism and client satisfaction.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be able to provide references from previous clients who can speak to their expertise and client service.
- Check for membership in professional organizations: Lawyers who are members of organizations like the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) or the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC) often have a strong reputation in the field.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To get the most out of your first meeting with an estate planning lawyer, it’s important to come prepared. Here’s what you should bring:
- List of assets and liabilities: Provide a detailed inventory of your assets, including real estate, bank accounts, retirement funds, investments, and personal property, as well as any debts you may have.
- List of beneficiaries: Be ready to discuss who you want to receive your assets and in what proportions. This includes naming guardians for minor children if applicable.
- Existing estate documents: Bring copies of any existing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, or other relevant estate planning documents.
- Questions about your estate goals: Write down your goals, such as avoiding probate, reducing taxes, or setting up charitable donations, so your lawyer can tailor a plan to meet your needs.
- Information on medical and financial decision-makers: Be prepared to discuss who you want to appoint for healthcare and financial decisions if you become incapacitated.
By being well-prepared, you can ensure a productive consultation and begin building a comprehensive estate plan that meets your needs and protects your loved ones.
