How to Find the Right Estate Planning Attorney

Choosing an estate planning attorney can be a daunting task. Few of us like to think about our own mortality, let alone tackle all the details that come along with planning for it. Plus, putting together a truly effective estate plan means sharing financial and personal information that you may very well be accustomed to keeping private. We all know, however, that making sure our loved ones are taken care of after we're gone is the right thing to do. So, how do you go about finding the right estate planning attorney?

1. Ask around. Check with family members, friends, colleagues, even your financial advisor or banker. Find out whether they've had a particularly good experience with an estate planning attorney - if they have, they'll likely be more than happy to share that attorney's name and phone number with you.

2. Check Online. Search online for estate planning attorneys in your area. You'll probably find that you have a variety of options, and you can use law firm websites to get a feel for each attorney's practice and narrow down your options. Avvo.com is also a wonderful attorney search engine.

3. Meet With the Attorney. You'll want to make sure that the attorney's personality, fee structure and areas of expertise match your needs.

First, it's a good idea to ask how much of his or her practice an attorney actually devotes to estate planning. Lawyers who focus on elder law and estate planning are generally more up-to-speed on the ever-changing tax laws and other regulations that can affect your estate plan and are likely aware of current strategies for making sure that your plan meets your needs. Plus, an attorney who focuses on this complex area of the law is likely to have more experience in dealing with issues that might crop up in planning your estate than would an attorney whose attention is divided among several practice areas.

Once you're satisfied with an attorney's knowledge and experience, you'll want to make sure you feel comfortable dealing with him or her, person-to-person. You should feel satisfied that your questions are listened to and answered carefully and in an understandable manner, and your attorney should put you at ease when it comes to tackling difficult family or financial issues.

If you're not comfortable during an initial consultation, this may be a sign to keep looking until you find an estate planning attorney who's right for you.

Cheryl David is a leading provider of expert estate planning guidance in Greensboro, NC. For more information on estate planning and other estate planning services, visit our website.