An estate planning attorney is exactly what it sounds like: someone who deals with estate planning matters. It’s a field of law that many people don’t understand, and that’s because it deals with the issues that touch the lives of your loved ones after you are gone. For this reason, it can be a little tricky to figure out when to talk to an estate planning attorney. If you need help, there are several people you can call for help. Lawyers, accountants, and real estate agents can all be helpful when you need to talk to an estate planning attorney.
When you’re talking to a real estate lawyer, estate planning attorney, and accountant, make sure that you’re ready to open up and tell them everything that you know. Get as much information about your family members and your estate as possible. Your lawyer, or estate planning attorney, won’t be able to prepare an accurate plan if they don’t know everything that you have to say. When you’re talking to an accountant or lawyer, be sure to give them information on your finances, any current debts that you have, and your retirement funds. By giving them this kind of information up front, you’ll allow them to provide you with accurate advice on your financial situation.
In some situations, you might find that an estate planning attorney isn’t immediately available. This could happen if you are in a situation where you’re not sure what will happen to your assets, your estate, or even your family in the event of an incapacitated person living with you. In these kinds of cases, your attorney can suggest other people that might be able to act as a caregiver. While an incapacitated person shouldn’t be alone, neither should they be left by themselves in your home. If an incapacitated people can’t take care of themselves, they may become unresponsive and need assistance to keep themselves alive and safe.
When looking for estate planning lawyers, contact local law offices and ask them about whether or not they offer this kind of legal representation. While there is some estate planning lawyers who do provide this kind of legal representation, many don’t because it is a time-consuming process that they don’t feel comfortable with. If you do feel comfortable with the idea of seeking the help of an estate planning attorney, your lawyer can walk you through the process so that you can make the best decisions possible regarding your future, the future of your family, and your assets.
Once you’ve contacted an estate planning attorney, they’ll be able to assist you in creating your final will and your final healthcare plans. They’ll also be able to assist you in filling out the appropriate forms with the IRS, your creditors, and other entities. They may even be able to help you find the right probate attorneys or other individuals who can handle your final affairs while you are still alive. Because this is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make, it’s a good idea to let a lawyer help you make it.
It may seem very difficult to find the time to find an estate planning lawyer, especially if you’re in a state of full-blown dementia. You may think that the more time you spend researching your estate plans, the better your chances are of making an informed decision that respects the wishes of those whom you love. Sadly, this simply isn’t true. There are far too many people who end up neglecting their own needs or those of their families simply because they didn’t have the foresight to hire a lawyer in the first place. If you can’t think of anyone you trust right now who could help you with your financial affairs, consider hiring a lawyer first and then enlisting the help of a financial advisor.
This article was written by Alla Tenina. Alla is a top estate planning attorney in Sherman Oaks, CA in Los Angeles California, and the founder of Tenina law. She has experience in bankruptcies, real estate planning, and complex tax matters. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; the ABA and its members do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.