In some cases, estate planning goes beyond making a list of your assets and divvying them out to your heirs. However, it’s also not the right arrangement for everyone.
Here’s what you need to know before you spend money on finding an excellent estate planning attorney in Santa Barbara CA to help you out:
Do you need one?
This should be the first question on your mind. It’s never a bad thing to prepare for the future but if you only have a few assets and no children to speak of, then there are plenty of other options you can go with, cheaper ones than hiring a lawyer to help you get your legal affairs in order.
However, if you’ve got properties, a tangled financial situation or disabled dependents, then hiring a lawyer to help you sort the details out is your best bet. This helps ensure your family or heirs have the assistance or protection they need in the future.
Choosing the right one
Start with the state or local Bar Association and look for board certifications that say “National Association Estate Planners and Councils’ Accredited Estate Planner”, says Investopedia.
Those qualifications indicate that you’re asking the right people for help. During the initial consultation, make sure you ask about their practice. Know what fees and charges are involved to determine if their services are well within your budget or not.
Drawing up a contract
Always remember to put everything in writing. Clients have different needs so standard contracts are out. If you’ve got special conditions or considerations, then you’ll need to put all those in the contract.
Put in anything that has to do with the fees or charges as well. This way, you won’t get overcharged in the future or have to blow your budget, especially if you already agreed on a particular amount.
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