What is the best way to discover an excellent Estate Planning New York City attorney in your area? Selecting an attorney to represent you is a crucial decision. The decision should not be taken solely based on advertising. There are a few things you should ask to get the finest estate planning lawyer for you and your family. The 10 Tips for Choosing the Right Estate Planning Attorney for You are summarised below.

1. Don't Limit Your Search to Just Geography

First and foremost, while your attorney should be licensed in your state, you should not limit your search to that state. In your location, there are only a few estate planning attorneys. Don't be concerned about geography when looking for the most excellent attorney in your area for your family.

2. Obtain a referral from a lawyer or other professional advisor.

Get a recommendation from a friend or family member who is an attorney, financial advisor, or C.P.A. They are likely to know someone who is an experienced estate planning attorney who focuses on this area of the law.

3. Internet directories should be avoided.

Be wary of internet "directories" that promise to connect you with a skilled Probate Planning Attorney in Queens, NY Almost every day, we get calls from companies offering to list us in their directories for a charge. The majority of these "specialized directories" are a farce because they are nothing more than an online yellow pages ad. If you're looking for an attorney online, look for sites that a third party has vetted. This means that they are not compensated for listing the attorney, and the attorney is ranked according to criteria established by the legal directory on its own. www.avvo.com is one such verification site.

4. Is the attorney primarily concerned with estate planning?

Many Estate Lawyer Near Brooklyn NY claims to provide estate planning services. Of course, there are a lot of people who do. The fundamental question is, "do they just practice in this field of law?" There are generalists and those who specialize in a specific area of law, much as there are doctors who specialize in various areas of medicine such as general practice, cardiology, or oncology. The advantage is that the attorney will be far more likely to date on current law and concerns in that practice area. They are also more likely to correctly identify places that may become problematic in the future if proper planning is not implemented.

5. Be wary of referral hotlines run by bar associations.

Lawyer referral services are available through bar associations (in San Diego County, we have the San Diego County Bar Association Referral Service and North County San Diego County Bar Association Referral Service).

6. Is the lawyer an author in the field of estate planning?

Before you step in the door, ask each attorney if they have a book, published articles, or a website with pertinent content they have written so you can learn more about their qualifications and expertise.

7. Forget about fancy slogans and hype

Slogans like "we care about you," "we help you avoid probate," and "we assist you in securing your assets" are useless. After all, aren't they the kinds of things you'd anticipate from an estate planning lawyer?

8. Is the lawyer covered by malpractice insurance?

Does legal malpractice insurance cover the lawyer? This is an indication of responsibility. You should not hire an attorney who does not have malpractice insurance since anyone can make a mistake. Remember that an attorney is not required to carry malpractice insurance in many states.

9. Inquire about the attorney's legal education.

Law schools that are more difficult to get into, like any other school, have stricter standards and only take the top students. The law school ranking system is divided into four levels, with the first tier being the most prestigious and difficult to obtain. Inquire about the attorney's legal education.

10. Is the lawyer a member of any professional organization?

Membership in an association like WealthCounsel shows that the attorney you're working with is dedicated to remaining up to date on the most recent estate planning advancements. These organizations provide their members with significant education as well as peer networking opportunities.