Questions to Ask Your Estate Planning Attorney
December 19, 2018
In a sit-down conversation with an estate planning lawyer, you will want to have a sense of confidence and comfort in this person who will help steer you through the estate planning process. 
An estate planning lawyer serves in numerous different roles and may have different practice areas to assist you with all of the various estate, elder law and long-term planning needs for yourself as well as your business. Some of the common services provided by an estate planning attorney include:
- Asset protection planning.
- Business succession planning.
- Estate planning assistance.
- Medicaid knowledge and application preparation.
- Elder law concerns.
- Drafting of critical documents like power of attorney or a last will.
- Explanation of strategies, such as trusts to protect assets inside your estate and pass them on to beneficiaries.
There are several questions you should ask an estate planning attorney during your initial conversation. You are not obligated to work with an estate planning lawyer until you have signed a contract with him or her. Make sure that you consider these questions and ask them during your interview.
- How long have you been practicing?
- What percentage of your practice is dedicated to estate planning and elder law concerns?
- How frequently do you communicate with your clients?
- Do you host any seminars, workshops, or other educational opportunities for me to learn more about estate planning?
- How do you prefer to communicate with your clients?
- Why did you choose to practice area of estate planning and elder law?
- Will I be working with you directly or another person on your team?
These are all important questions to consider because not all attorneys choose to operate their law firm in the same manner or have the same experience, knowledge and passion for estate planning or elder law. Since this individual will be so personally involved in the development of plans for your present as well as your future, these questions can help you narrow down who to work with as an estate planning lawyer.
