Strictly speaking, it’s not necessary to hire a will and trust attorney. Legally speaking, you’re within your rights to handle your core estate planning documents on your own. However, this may put you at a disadvantage; estate planning is complicated, and a wills trusts and estates attorney will provide you with the right strategic focus and clarity.
So, under what circumstances should you hire a professional? In this post, we’ll outline some of the specific times when we’d recommend enlisting the expertise of a will and trust attorney.
When to Call a Will and Estate Planning Attorney
- If you have a large estate. Some estates are more complicated than others. If you have a lot of high-value monetary assets, including real estate, it may be to your advantage to hire a lawyer. That’s because an attorney will be able to help you plan for taxation and maintain the full value of your estate.
- If you have children who are still minors. Estate planning isn’t just about your fiscal assets. It’s also about ensuring your loved ones are taken care of, particularly kids who are still minors. An attorney can help you ensure their guardianship isn’t disputed.
- If you need to establish a trust. For most people, just having a will is insufficient. A trust is needed to keep your estate from entering into probate; by avoiding probate, you can avoid court fees, spare your beneficiaries some hassle, and ensure your estate remains confidential. You may need a trust and living will attorney to assist you in properly establishing and administering a trust.
- If you need an advance health directive. Another aspect of estate planning is ensuring that your wishes are met, even in the event of medical incapacitation. Advance health directives are essential tools in this regard. If that’s something that’s important to you, we highly recommend meeting with a living wills lawyer.
- If you need help selecting a trustee. When you set up a trust, you may also need to appoint someone who can serve as its custodian. Picking the right trustee can be fraught, but a trust and living will attorney can provide invaluable assistance.
- If you have any special considerations regarding your estate or your family dynamic. There are a number of complexities that can make estate planning a little bit less linear, ranging from blended family dynamics to the presence of a special needs child. Make sure you work with an attorney who can help you account for these complexities.
- If you have an estate plan that you made in another state. Estate planning guidelines vary by state, and if you’ve recently moved to a new geographic locale, it may be worth it to review your estate plan with a local professional.
- If you’ve never done estate planning before or have any questions. Basically, there’s no one who doesn’t need an estate plan. If you’re unsure of how to proceed, or just want to make sure you have the optimal strategy in place, it is wise to contact a living wills lawyer.
Reach Out to Singh Law Firm
Singh is proud to be a top Fremont wills and trusts lawyer. We have helped countless families find peace of mind through effective estate planning. We’re here to help you develop a plan, review a plan, revise a plan, or simply clear up any questions.
If you’re ready to hire a living trust attorney, we welcome you to contact Singh Law Firm at your next opportunity. We can help you get started on your last will and testament and beyond.
