Estate planning is a crucial step to protect your family and assets, and coordinating it with your property possessions, bank accounts and insurance accounts is a wise approach. To find a lawyer who can assist you in this process, you can follow these steps:
Get Referrals and Do Research
Seek recommendations from your trusted family members, friends, or work colleagues who have gone through estate planning or have knowledge of reliable estate planning attorneys. Their firsthand experience can help you identify potential candidates.
Reach out to your financial advisor, accountant, or other professionals you trust and inquire if they can recommend an estate planning attorney. Professionals often have a network of contacts and can provide valuable referrals.
Conduct an online search for estate planning attorneys in your area. Review their Google reviews and websites to gather info client testimonials.
The Initial Consultation
Schedule an initial consultation with your chosen candidate. During the meeting, discuss your objectives and ask questions about their experience working with clients similar to you. Make sure to cover topics such as the attorney’s fees, the services they could provide, and how quickly they can complete your estate planning needs.
Finalizing Your Decision for Estate Planning
Once you have shortlisted a few potential attorneys, schedule initial consultations to discuss your needs. The experienced attorneys of Blizzard and Zimmerman Attorneys do charge a small fee as your initial meeting will take at least an hour to review your situation and goals to then provide you with your options moving forward. Make sure you meet one-on-one with an estate planning attorney and not office staff during your search. During these meetings, inquire about their experience with estates, insurance coordination, and their approach to aligning these two aspects. Clarify your goals, ask about their fee structure, and assess if you feel comfortable working with them as you will likely be working with them for years to come.
Ensure the attorney you choose does have experience in estate planning, trusts, powers of attorney, and has experience in dealing with Texas Probate. It also helps if they actually have had courtroom experience going to trial with civil cases. Look for qualifications that demonstrate their commitment to staying updated on estate planning matters.
Be sure you choose an attorney with whom you feel comfortable sharing personal information and discussing your family’s complex financial matters. Assess their communication style, responsiveness, and willingness to educate and involve you in the decision-making process.
It’s important to remember that estate planning is not a one-time thing.
Rather, it’s something that needs to be revisited often. As situations in your life change, you may want to adjust your will. Planning for what will happen with your estate is a highly personalized process, so finding an attorney who can effectively coordinate your estate plan is essential.
Take your time to find a lawyer who not only possesses the necessary expertise but also demonstrates a genuine commitment to protecting your family and assets.
Here at Blizzard and Zimmerman Attorneys, we have years of experience helping others secure the future of their loved ones. We know how much it matters to have your wishes carried out, and we can walk you through the planning process.
If you’re ready to get started, give us a call today and set up a one-on-one consultation with one of our lawyers.
Helpful Link – Texas State Law Library – Estate Planning-Probate
