Because you may have numerous legal options when crafting an estate plan in Forney, hiring a lawyer to provide you with tailored advice and to develop your estate planning documents can ensure you have a strategy tailored to your needs and goals. Selecting legal counsel to assist with estate planning can become one of the most important decisions that a Forney family can make. But how do you know you have found the right estate planning lawyer for you and your family?
Look for a Dedicated Estate Planning Practice
When you seek legal counsel for estate planning, you can benefit from hiring a law firm with a dedicated practice focused on estate planning matters. Attorneys who focus on estate planning will likely have more in-depth knowledge and experience in the field than general practitioners, who may handle estate planning cases only occasionally. Attorneys who routinely represent estate planning clients will have experience with various estate planning strategies, including wills, trusts, healthcare directives, and powers of attorney.
Prioritize Local Knowledge
An attorney helping you create an estate plan in Forney should also have extensive knowledge of Texas-specific laws, such as community property laws, the Texas Estates Code, and Texas’s Medicaid rules and regulations. A Forney estate planning lawyer will also have familiarity with how probate proceedings work in Kaufman County courts.
Evaluate Experience and Credentials
When choosing an estate planning lawyer, you and your family should also assess the attorney’s credentials and experience, including:
- Membership and standing in the State Bar of Texas
- Membership in trusts and estates-specific bar associations
- Certifications from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, which can denote an attorney’s specialized training and experience in estate planning
- Years of practice in law and in estate planning specifically
- Awards and recognitions, such as listings in publications like Super Lawyers or peer ratings from services such as Martindale-Hubbell
Assess Communication Style and Accessibility
Before hiring an estate planning attorney, you can request an initial consultation to meet with the lawyer to get a feel for their communication style and accessibility. You need an attorney who will listen to your needs, concerns, and goals and clearly explain your rights and options. Your attorney should take the time to answer your questions as they arise and ensure you understand everything in your case. Other green flags for an estate planning law firm include:
- Prompt responses to emails and voicemails
- Ability to get in touch with attorneys
- Clear timelines
- Willingness to involve family members as appropriate
Schedule a Consultation and Ask Questions
Many law firms offer prospective clients the opportunity to have an initial consultation, while some offer free consultations. While a consultation allows you to assess the attorney’s communication and working style, you can also use the consultation to ask questions you may have about hiring the attorney and firm, including whether the firm also offers representation with probate or trust administration matters, how the firm can help with keeping estate plans updated, and what kinds of estate planning strategies the attorney might recommend given your circumstances and goals.
Contact Our Firm to See How We Can Help You Build Your Estate Plan in Forney
Your choice of attorney when creating an estate plan can become an important first decision you make. Contact Guest & Gray today for a confidential consultation with a Forney estate planning attorney to learn more about the importance of legal counsel when undertaking estate planning and to discuss how our firm can provide you with the advice and support you need as you make plans to protect your and your family’s assets and interests.
