How To Find A Good Probate Attorney
After losing a loved one, it’s overwhelming to consider the responsibilities and obligations to take care of affairs after such a loss. In addition to coping with your grief, you also need to handle the stress that comes with distributing the estate of the deceased. The probate process is challenging and time-consuming. Fortunately, the right lawyer makes all the difference. Learn how to find a good probate attorney and how to navigate the process with a professional at your side.
Where Should You Hire a Probate Attorney?
One of the first things you need to do after the death of your family member is to find a probate attorney. But where should you start your search? There are a few ways in which you can begin to look for an experienced lawyer.
Ask for Recommendations
To get started, ask for recommendations. Turn to your financial advisor, accountant, and friends for advice. If they have any suggestions for how to find a good probate attorney, heed their words. Ask them about their experience with the firm they recommend.
When asking for recommendations, it’s important to only look for lawyers who have specific experience with estate planning. While an attorney could be great at criminal law defense, they may know nothing about probate.
Research Online
To learn how to find a good probate attorney, you need to rely on technology. Get on your phone or computer and search for local probate lawyers.
Keep in mind that everyone has unique experiences. Just because a law firm has one bad review doesn’t mean they don’t know what they’re doing. As you learn how to find a good probate attorney, look for general trends in the reviews. Does everyone have the same complaints? If so, you may have reason to be concerned. Or does the firm offer transparent, honest and free consultations to ensure the right path is taken from day one?
Know What to Look For
Once you have a few prospective law firms, it’s time to delve deeper into how they do business. You can read reviews until your eyes hurt, but reviews don’t substitute for personal experience. Before hiring an attorney, you should speak with someone from the firm. As you do, look for all of the following traits. It’s crucial if you want to know how to find a good probate attorney.
Direct Communication
You and your lawyer will communicate frequently to get through probate. But sometimes, attorneys are too busy to take your calls or respond to your emails directly. Instead of speaking with you, they have a staff member handle the communication.
Unfortunately, this makes getting answers difficult. You have to go through several channels to receive or give a message, and that message could become misconstrued. For the best results, you should seek out an attorney who handles communication directly.
Instead of wondering how to find a good probate attorney, be proactive. Contact a prospective firm and pay attention to who answers the phone.
No False Promises
If a lawyer makes guarantees or promises that seem too good to be true, you should think twice about using them. When it comes to law, there are no guarantees. You should work with an attorney who is honest and tells you the facts, not speculation. They should also be open about their fees.
Compassionate
Perhaps the most important step in how to find a good probate attorney is to find someone who is compassionate and understands your struggle. Your lawyer should listen to you and make you feel comfortable in your time of need.
Working with the Law Office of Michael C. MacNeil
I’ve spent years handling estate planning cases, including situations involving probate. Because I have first-hand experience with probate, I know the importance of direct and open communication. I usually answer all of my clients directly, with no middle-man.
I treat all of my clients with respect and compassion. You deserve more from your probate attorney, so stop wondering how to find a good probate attorney and give me a call or visit my website.
With 11.8% of San Diego’s population aged 65 or over, there’s a high demand for estate planning and probate lawyers. Contact my office today and don’t hesitate to get the help you need.
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