Estate planning is the process of making arrangements for your assets to ensure they will go to your beneficiaries. It is also done to carry out your wishes upon death. These assets include your jewelry, vehicle, real properties, insurance and investments, bank accounts, and other valuable things you own.
Since estate planning can be laborious and complex, it is practical to have someone assist you. It’s better to hire an experienced estate planning attorney from the onset. They can advise you on what to create whether a will, trust, or both.
Due to the complexity of estate planning, questions may arise. That said, knowing which questions to ask your estate planning attorney can be an advantage.
What Should You Ask Your Estate Planning Attorney?
One of the common reasons that some legal matters take so long to show results is that a client fails to ask the right questions. So, to save time and ensure your effort counts, make a list to ask your estate planning attorney. Then, during your first meeting, you can fire away your questions, and listen attentively while taking notes of the answers.
To make things simple and easy, here are some of the frequently asked questions.
How Many Estate Plans Do You Prepare In A Year?
A prospective estate planning attorney may answer it is propriety information if asked about the number of estate plans they do per year. However, when establishing open communication they must be transparent. They can tell you if they want to. This information will give you an idea of how diligent and successful they are in handling estate-plan projects.
You can learn how many estate plans they make yearly and how long it would take them to show results or finish such projects. By knowing if they accept other practice areas, you can learn if they focus on estate planning or not. You must choose someone skilled, competent, and highly knowledgeable, and not a jack-of-all-trades (but a master of none).
Asking the first question can prepare you for the next one you need to ask. It will help you set expectations, especially from your timeline perspective. When you know the length of time it will take to create your estate plan; you may then decide if you still need the help of other professionals, such as an accountant and tax advisor.
What Is Your Success Rate?
Estate planning involves you and those people who matter to you. Therefore it is reasonable to seek reassurance by asking about the success rate of the law firm in Arizona, particularly its estate planning attorney.
Determining the success rate of an estate planning law firm in Arizona can be a complex and multi-faceted process. Here are a few key factors that may be considered.
Client reviews And Testimonials
One way to gauge the success of an estate planning law firm is to look at the reviews and testimonials left by their clients. Positive reviews and testimonials can indicate that the firm has a track record of delivering quality services. It can also indicate that they achieve positive outcomes for their clients.
Case Outcomes
Another way to determine the success rate of an estate planning law firm is to look at their case outcomes. Not all case outcomes are within the control of the law firm. However, firms that consistently achieve favorable outcomes for their clients may be considered more successful than those that do not.
Reputation Within The Legal Community
A law firm’s reputation within the legal community can also be an indicator of its success. If the firm is well-respected by other lawyers and judges, it may be viewed as more successful than a firm that is not.
Industry Recognition And Awards
Some estate planning law firms may receive industry recognition and awards for their work. These accolades can be an indicator of the firm’s success and expertise within the field.
Determining the success rate of an estate planning law firm in Arizona will likely involve a combination of these factors. It’s also important to keep in mind that success can be subjective and may mean different things to different people. Thus, it’s important to consider your own needs and goals when evaluating a law firm’s success.
As you learn about the success rate of the law firm, you will know how they handle every aspect of an estate plan. It includes how they manage other legal matters and keep your documents updated.
Do You Keep The Documents Updated?
Cooperation and transparency are two essential factors in estate planning. Moreover, you need to have good communication with your estate planning attorney, and by good communication, it means keeping them up to date.
As you arrange your estate with your attorney, you must update them about your investments. You also need to inform them about your life insurance and everything involved in your will.
It is also important that they help you keep your documents updated to keep them valid. It is because things change constantly over time. For example, moving to another state, getting married or divorced, and facing retirement eventually. These things need to get updated, and you can successfully do this by knowing the process with the guidance of your estate planning attorney.
What Is Your Estate Planning Process?
As mentioned, the process of estate planning can be time-consuming and complex. Your estate planning attorney may have a different strategy from other lawyers, and explaining the process point by point may eat a certain amount of time.
However, you must involve yourself in the process. Your estate planning attorney needs your cooperation as much as you need his guidance to navigate the legalities of estate planning. Patience is also important, particularly when adhering to what your estate planning attorney requires of you, such as providing necessary documents and keeping them updated.
It is important to ask this question as it involves making important decisions about how you want your assets to be distributed after your passing, as well as other matters such as medical directives and powers of attorney.
Since estate planning is an ongoing process, it would be helpful to have a dedicated estate planning attorney. They will stick with you every step of the way. To find the right estate planning for you, you can search for them in a reputable law firm, such as Keystone Law Firm.
Seeking An Experienced Estate Planning Law Firm
Your estate planning lawyer from Keystone Law Firm is dedicated to putting forth effort in assisting you with your estate planning. Their good track record proves they can navigate this matter’s complexities.
Experienced estate lawyers at the Keystone Law Firm are highly qualified and ready to answer your state planning questions. Keystone Law Firm has a team of dedicated and passionate attorneys. They will respond to your specific needs and ensure that they always involve you in the process. Moreover, they have a positive reputation and a history of successful outcomes for clients. These factors assure you that they will work diligently to achieve the best possible result.
Summary
For such a complex thing as estate planning, questions will arise one after another. So, asking the appropriate questions leads you to get the right answers. You can ask your attorney about the number of estate planning they do every year. This is so you can set expectations, particularly on the schedule for your estate plan.
You can also ask about their success rate. After all, it is a serious matter that involves you and your loved ones. You can be assured that they will get what you wish to give them when you die. Moreover, patience is necessary for estate planning, you can do your part by providing the necessary documents and keeping them updated.
