Estate Planning

Wills, trusts, probate, and asset protection planning.

Counsel

12+

Avg. experience

14 yrs

Free consultations

68%

Sub-practices

§ Editorial

What to look for in a estate planning attorney.

— The Counsel editors

Wills, trusts, probate, and asset protection planning.

Finding the right estate planning attorney requires careful consideration of experience, communication style, and fee structure. The attorneys listed here represent a broad cross-section of practitioners serving clients in this area of law.

“A will alone is often insufficient to accomplish what most people want. Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance policies supersede your will — if they are out of date, assets go to the wrong person regardless of what your will says. A comprehensive estate plan reviews every account and asset, not just what happens in probate court.”
— The Counsel editors

§ What to look for

01Specific focus on estate planning and probate — not a general practitioner doing it on the side
02Experience with the size and complexity of estate you are planning for
03Knowledge of your state's specific inheritance and estate tax rules
04Ability to coordinate with your financial advisor and accountant
05Plain-language explanations — estate documents are complex and you need to understand what you're signing
06Ongoing relationship availability for updates as your life circumstances change

§ Questions to ask at your consultation

›What documents do I need — will, trust, power of attorney, healthcare directive?
›Should I use a revocable living trust to avoid probate?
›How does my state's estate tax threshold affect my planning?
›What happens to my minor children if I die without guardianship designations?
›How should I title my assets to ensure they flow through my plan correctly?
›How often should we review and update these documents?