Getting Your Affairs in Order – Finding the Right Estate Planning Lawyer in NYC
You run into tons of law practices at every corner of New York City, but is there a way of separating the competent from the incompetent? It turns out that there is! If you are looking for estate planning in NYC, it is only fair that you should know what questions to ask them in an interview. Your estate is about your entire life’s earning, and about your critical healthcare decisions– you can’t just hand over the mantle to someone without knowing everything about their credentials.Let us give you some detailed advice so you never have to worry about hiring the wrong attorney again.
Some Facets to Consider
If you want to ensure you trust the right person for the job, here are some aspects you should explore.
Confirm Area of Expertise
There are multiple different types of law practices and one lawyer cannot do the job of another. Establish that your lawyer has the right expertise to help you plan your estate by asking them relevant questions. Besides being an expert in estate law, they need to be updated with current events and the latest changes to help you manage your property needs in the best possible way. To begin, you can visit their website and see how credible it seems—the more comprehensive the site, the more likely they are to be professionals.
Academic and Legal Background
If you’re still unsure about whether or not you should go for a certain estate planning attorney in NYC, doing a background check might help. An attorney’s website or Facebook page usually has information about their clients, their academic background, and their professionalism. You can also ask the lawyer to let you know their credentials so you can make an informed decision for yourself.
Experience with Estate Planning Law
Ask your attorney how many years they have spent in the estate planning arena. The number of years does not really matter in this scenario; what matters is exposure to many different kinds of projects. A quick talk will reveal how much they know about various kinds of cases. And this information can be used to determine whether a particular attorney will be able to assist you with your estate plan.
Up-to-Date Knowledge
Dedicated attorneys keep themselves updated with the latest estate planning trends so they can offer progressive insight to their clients. Plus, they stay aware of the newest legal and tax-related changes and their implications for your future and your estate plan. If you see that their website is active and constantly up to date, take it as a positive sign.
Maintenance of the Estate Plan
For some attorneys, creating an estate plan is a one-time business, for which they charge a one-time fee. Ask the prospective estate planning attorney in NYC whether they have any maintenance packages you can subscribe to.
Free Consultation
There are some great firms and independent attorneys that offer a free consultation session for new clients. If you come across such an opportunity, we would advise you to not let it go. Call the attorney for a discussion and see if they are able to meet your estate planning needs.
Communication and Availability
For your relationship with your attorney to work out well, the flow of communication should be smooth between the two parties. If you find an estate planning attorney in NYC willing to hear you out, hold on with both hands. It is rare to come across a lawyer who is sympathetic to your needs and ready to accommodate you as much as possible. Just converse freely with them and be frank about your questions.
Availability is another main criterion. Although you might expect it from most legal representatives, they don’t necessarily have the time or commitment to see you through. Go for a firm that promises to be available for any queries or misgivings you may have.
One last tip: do your research!
Living in New York, you’re always waiting for the next big rip-off to come along. To be absolutely sure that you can trust your lawyer’s advice, read more about property and intestacy laws so you know what you are talking about. Once it is clear that you are not clueless but accurately informed about estate planning in NYC, any attorney is more likely to take you seriously. Besides, these big decisions in your life need your attention, so reading about them isn’t that far out. The blogs on our website can help you with some basics.
The search for the right attorney may be a lengthy process, but it has to be done just right. You better start looking around now!
