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22 Oct, 2024 by Rodolfo cuevas
I had the best experience with Andrew. He was very professional attorney and explained everything so well. I definitely recommend him.
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21 Oct, 2024 by Nick gray
They are straightforward with knowledge and expertise on the law to help with any legal needs. The process was simple and quick. They provide a positive and comfortable place to meet and discuss legal matters.
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20 Oct, 2024 by Samuel
Pacific estate planning is what people should be on the search for young or old to make sure they want to make sure their loved one are taken care of when we past because we never know when our time is done. But Andrew is such an amazing attorney and is a wonderful person at heart.
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31 Jul, 2022 by Jason
Samuel Lockhart has handled our family case with expedience and finality. A professional in the art of understanding his clients case. It is good to have him on the right side of the table. He always does the right thing. A honest professional Lawyer : Samuel Lockhart
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15 Aug, 2014 by Kraig
Sam has been a great resource for several years now. We have had the opportunity to work with mutual clients. Sam is able to explain complex legal strategies in way that makes sense without losing the important details that clients and advisors need to know.
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29 Jul, 2014 by Anonymous
We have been a client of Sam Lockhart for a few years now, and he has been great! He is extremely sharp, always willing & able to answer any questions or concerns we have, and offer professional advice related to our needs. He came highly recommended to us, and we would certainly recommend him to any of our friends.
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07 Oct, 2024 by Jessica geschrei
After a serious injury at the warehouse, I didn’t know how I’d pay my bills. Kevin Cortright’s office took over, and from day one, they reassured me that everything would be handled. As a seasoned Workers Compensation Attorney, Kevin understands the physical demands of warehouse work and ensured my employer’s insurance paid for all the medical care I needed. I’m incredibly grateful for his hard work. Warehouse employees, Kevin is the one to call!
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29 Jun, 2019 by Mario s
16 Jun, 2018 by Don
We badly needed to update our estate plan and we wanted to establish a special needs trust for two children. The update was a vast improvement in its content and in the format. In the process we learned a great deal. We went ahead with one child’s special needs trust but held off on the other — a helpful suggestion.
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01 Dec, 2014 by Ken
I used Todd for the first time on a matter pertaining to a shady pool contractor. Wow, was he effecient at his job. With just a few phone calls and a few emails, he was able to settle my dispute in a matter of weeks. I received the settlement I was asking for with little effort due to the fact that Todd new the law right off the top of his head. Todd was quoting law to me and the violations of the other guy in seconds. The other side settled quickly because of his expertice. Choose this lawyer. You won't regret it.
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01 Dec, 2014 by Alyssa
Not knowing where to begin, I came to Todd with a complex situation involving some "tenants" that would not vacate a real estate property I owned. Todd was able to reassure me that the situation would be rectified and he acted with a sense of urgency. He was able to explain the whole process to me in layman's terms and all the possible directions the case could go. His communication and knowledge is top notch and he is someone I would trust for future legal matters and comes highly recommended to family and friends.
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28 Nov, 2014 by Fred
Mr. Frahm was understanding, empathetic, and well versed in his field. He was instrumental in resolving a very difficult inheritance distribution. I would recommend his services to anyone needing representation with trust cases, beneficiary distributions, or other estate issues.
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19 Jan, 2018 by Leslea
Ms. Shoup was great at walking me through the process and answered all my questions. She was professional and very patient during all the steps. I would recommend her to everyone who hasn't established an estate plan for their family. I feel so much better now knowing my family will be taken care of after my passing.
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19 Jan, 2018 by Priscilla daniels
Andrea and her team helped me and my husband with our Estate Planning. At first we felt the process would be very complicated since we both have our own businesses and a blended family with 4 kids. Andrea made the process simple and timely. We have a peace of mind and great confidence in the documents that were prepared, but mostly for the peace of mind and comfort that we have in knowing our family's future is protected.
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30 Mar, 2016 by Phil
Greg completed my trust quickly and completely. He carefully walked me through each document and provided proper context so that I completely understood the nature of the trust. He carefully researched all aspects of my estate and found information that I was not aware of. I trust him and I highly recommend him. In fact, he is now working with other family members based on my recommendation.
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24 Aug, 2016 by Rachael s.
John represented me during my child custody hearing. I was very pleased with his professionalism and extensive knowledge. I highly recommend him.
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28 Aug, 2024 by Aresh
Great service, very knowledgeable. Professional office and staff. Would recommend to family and friends.
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25 May, 2024 by Cory mandas
Great lawyer and team. Highly recommend!
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14 May, 2024 by Anthony gutierrez
Attorney Nic Cocis is the best criminal defense lawyer! I highly recommend him if you get into some legal trouble! You won’t be making a mistake be having Nic as your lawyer. He’s really good at his job and I thankful I hired him!
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17 Nov, 2023 by Troy d
I have been a client of Tyler Law for almost 2 years and have been very happy with their services and counsel. They advise us on multiple business and real-estate matters and have always been effective and easy to work with.
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02 Oct, 2024 by James caldwell
We used Pickford Law to create a living trust. The process was explained at the initial meeting. This included pricing, answering quesitons about the process, and suggestions. There was email communication between the initial visit and the signing of the final copy. While I believe our trust was farily routine for their law office, I left very satisfied. I also thought the price was very fair. I would recommend Pickford Law to any of my friends or family.
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22 Sep, 2024 by Matin aghania
I came across Parwana's profile through a Google Search. I went through a list of at least 10 other attorney's and called each one of them. Many of those lawyers I spoke with sounded like they knew what they were doing and had a lot of experience. But Parwana's thorough explanation about the entire process, the details she provided, her knowledge and experience stood out right away. I definitely felt more comfortable to give my case to someone like Parwana who cared, had confidence, and fully elaborated all options and scenarios regarding my case. Not to mention the price she offered was a lot more reasonable than some other folks. I totally recommend her if you want a peace of mind about your case.
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12 Sep, 2024 by Peggy izumigawa
Attorney Iverson is very personable and compassionate and good company. Very professional and knowledgeable. Easy to talk to. His staff gets back to you immediately and is extremely helpful in every situation. I highly recommend this law office.
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01 Feb, 2024 by Darren
Margie is amazing! She has helped me with all my legal needs for the past 6 years. I recently went through a complicated divorce and Margie's experience guided me to get the results I wanted. She has successfully helped me with Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, and TRO.
I always felt protected and in good hands while working with Margie throughout this painful experience. She looked out for my best interest when I wasn't able to myself. I cannot thank her enough!
I highly recommend hiring Margie if you need a professional Family Law Attorney that is willing to fight for you and gets results.
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01 Apr, 2021 by Bryan
Margie was wonderful helping me with my child custody case. She was able to help me resolve my case without having to go to the lengthy court process. She even helped me with other matters. I would highly recommend her for your legal needs as she always went out of her way to help me.
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07 Aug, 2020 by Rafael
MargieBrakhage represents me she is very professional show a great knowledge, I find no issues at all
I am very grateful
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07 Sep, 2022 by Anonymous
I hired Michelle during one of the most vulnerable and traumatic times of mine and my children’s lives. She made big promises, didn’t deliver, and drug things out for billable hours, while she knew my kids were going through hell when with their dad. I was never in the courtroom with her, always made to wait outside of it. I remember one court date, where I became very frustrated as the court was once AGAIN postponed, and she turned around, away from me, and said to her associate, “She’s so I unappreciative”, referring to me. Very unprofessional at times. I finally had to fire her and retained another lawyer who had my children’s best interest at heart and got results and resolution, and always had me in the courtroom with him. If you can, try to work things out in your marriage. If you can’t, try to keep it out of the courts, and work out an agreement that’s good for the kids.
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10 May, 2021 by Ryan
Being a business owner, I typically only leave reviews for one of two reasons; Either what I experienced was above average, exceeded expectations, & the business deserves the shout out. Secondary, as a forewarning to others the business was such a letdown & did so horribly, avoid wasting your money. Unfortunately, my experience with Michelle & her firm was the latter.
Custody is never easy and conflict was high with my case as I was barely able to see my kids for almost 2 months. I reached out to Penna Coker Law & spoke with Michelle, once & only once with an initial free consultation. After listening to my case, she provided pieces of an aggressive game plan & some guidance that gave me hope. I retained Michelle's firm & she assured me along with her team, she would be there to continue providing legal guidance. She couldn't have been more wrong.
I spent the next 3 weeks with unanswered questions, confused, afraid, & completely left in the dark without a single word from Michelle until I terminated her firm. Things started off rocky with over 20 misspellings on the initial filing, including several of my son's name which would be correct on one line, incorrect on another, correct, then incorrect. Other misspellings included commonly used words or incorrect grammar. If you're going to charge $350/hr for a paralegal's work, at least have them run spell-check. Even Windows 98 had spell check... After that, they filed a document I never saw until after they filed with court & misspelled CALLIFORNIA. The state they're practicing law in. I emailed my attorney directly 6 times & called 6 times requesting to speak with Michelle over a 3 week period. I always got the same excuses of why she wasn't available & after taking my money, Michelle didn't see my case fit enough to take even one more second of her time on me.
Michelle was so uninvolved & out of the loop, in one of her final emails to me she made several references to my "child". I have two children Michelle. After being fired, Michelle was so kind as to take the liberty of filling in my new attorney, then bill me for her time. Neither my new attorney nor I requested Michelle to inform my new counsel how to do their job. $4,500 initial retainer, then Michelle informed me "there was so much work done on my case" & then I got another $3k bill a month later. I just hit the same total amount with my current attorney after 7 weeks, who also got me custody orders & overnight alternate weekends with my kids after 11 days.
Michelle advised me to file an aggressive restraining order, then admitted to me in an email (after termination) that evidence wasn't concrete enough. Had I pursued what Michelle advised with fantastic odds of losing, I was potentially liable to pay the opposing side's legal fees if I hadn't decided to drop the case.
If you're looking for help with your family law case, I would recommend any firm but this one.
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19 Apr, 2019 by Anonymous
Michelle Penna and her staff all worked very hard to help resolve my issues. When looking for an attorney, you want to find one that will be fair and is capable of providing you with accurate information. Michelle and her staff will go above and beyond to help you find a fair resolution. If you want an attorney that has no heart and will just crush the other party then don't go to her. If you want someone that will help you through a tough situation and do everything possible to provide a very fair result, then Michelle Penna is who you want to hire. As angry as we can be with our former partners, at one point we loved them. It can be difficult to remember that, especially in the heat of battle. For me, the most important thing was getting though my custody situation with a fair outcome. Michelle made that possible for me! Now me and my ex both feel good about the situation and are able to communicate well again and work together on matters regarding our daughter. Everyone's situation is different, and it wasn't an easy road getting to this point. It took us over a year to get to where we are today. On the other hand, I have recommended people to Michelle that were able to resolve their issues in a matter of weeks. I would recommend Michelle and her staff to absolutely anyone I know. Thank you very much Michelle, for everything you did for us!
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04 May, 2023 by Ben
I don’t post reviews too often, but I had such a bad experience here that I felt the need to leave a review. I had chosen this firm after having free consultations with many places. I was told that the firm had dealt with cases like mine before and that it would be a very easy divorce. Their price seemed fair compared to other places and I was told that I most likely would get some money back from the original estimate/retainer. The timeframe for completing the divorce also seemed good; I had been told I would be in the waiting period in about 3-4 months. Based on what I was told by the firm I went with their services. I started the process in February 2022. In July 2022, after things were already taking longer than expected, and I was not receiving updates to why there was a delay, I talked with the attorney on my case and was told that within three weeks my case should be in default, which would have been around the end of August. August comes and goes, and I hear nothing, so on September 9 I called for an update and was told that the default would now be filed in a week or two. To make a very long story short, they got rid of the attorneys that were on my case and then totally forgot about my case. As a result, the timeframe to enter the default had passed and therefore they had to refile it. The worst part is that they were not even aware that my case was never handed off to another attorney until I called wondering why nothing was happening on my case. Furthermore, the person I spoke to on the phone tried to give me the run around, lying to me, like everything was happening the way it was supposed to, until she finally had to admit that they completely forgot about my case. This made the rest of the process very confusing and take much longer than what I was originally told, as they basically had to start the process over. I received a call from Ms. King, the owner of the firm, apologizing for their mistake but not offering anything to make right their mistake. I wasn’t sure what I had been charged for from the original attorney and now, with it needing to be redone if I would be charged twice for the same services. After combing through the invoices, I did find a few things that were double charged that they did refund me for, but I had to go back through the receipts and look very carefully. At this point I was already to the original estimate. I am aware that the initial estimate is only an estimate, but in the end, it cost me 3 times as much as I was quoted, which is frustrating after being told that I would probably get money refunded to me from the original amount I was first quoted. This was an uncontested divorce with all terms mutually agreed upon by me and my ex, so not complicated. In addition, it also took almost 3 times as long as what I was originally told, mainly due to the firm dropping my case after the attorneys working on it were let go. When I addressed this issue with them, about how it was costing much more and taking much more time than what I was initially told during my consultation, primarily due to their mess up with dropping my case, they would not take any responsibility or compensate me in any way. Their reasoning was that they let the two attorneys that messed my case up go so they were not responsible for what those attorneys told me. How can a firm not be responsible for what their lawyers say just because they fired them? How can a firm not take any responsibility as far as trying to make things right after completely forgetting about someone’s case? Finally, how can a firm charge their client for the time it takes to redo paperwork and filings due to their lawyer’s/staff’s negligence, regardless that they fired those lawyers? In the end I felt completely taken advantage of. Did I expect my case to be handled for free? No, of course not, but I did expect my case to be handled professionally, which it was not, and no effort was given to adjust for the firm’s errors nor was anyone fort
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10 Nov, 2018 by Tiffany
Rachel and her team are amazing. They were not only knowledgeable, communicative and responsive but also the best support system I could have had on my case. Rachel was instrumental in the successful outcome, leading me throughout the process and helping me to understand every option available. While she allowed me to make the final call with every decision, her candid advice and suggestions along with her ability to predict the outcome of every angle proved her to be trustworthy and I was always confident in her ability to fight for my best interest. I can't speak highly enough of Rachel and her firm. I'm thankful to have had her in my corner through the most challenging time in my life.
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20 Apr, 2015 by Denis
Rachel really knows how to connect with her clients. She is not the stereotypical fact-only seeking attorney. She really seeks to understand who she is working with so she can be of greater service to them. I highly recommend!
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15 Oct, 2024 by Russell
Always will recommend this firm been a client for a long time. Mr Shaun hanson is great! Never a doubt with him, takes care of business, very professional, very trusting, honest, and caring. You'll always have the peace of mind you're in good hands here. Tony the paralegal is awesome here to he is very attentive and determined to have clients minds at ease through situations, takes care of business, very professional, caring, honest and trusting. You will definitely be in good hands here
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03 Sep, 2024 by Chris richardson
Constant charges for useless communication. Every email with a miniscule update cost me a few hundred dollars. I am taking my ex back to court with a new lawyer and have some much better results coming forth. They were much more interested in passing the buck and going to the gym. 2 stars because he did come up with a decent idea about how to split alimony and child support. $40k+ for a two star result. I would check elsewhere before committing to this group.
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10 Jun, 2024 by Cindy lopez
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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.
