Making the right decisions in planning your estate can help avoid headaches and disputes down the road. There are many planning areas that create the opportunity for errors. That is why it is so critical to seek the know-how and skills of an experienced New Hampshire estate planning attorney. When looking for a competent estate law attorney, you need an advocate that has been in the trenches, i.e., a legal professional who has created a variety of different plans and has experience balancing what the law allows and what a client wants to achieve.
When seeking to establish an estate plan, it is vital to consult an attorney who allows you to express how you want your affairs handled. After all, if you do nothing, the State will use its plan to decide how to handle your affairs – and most people do not like the State’s plan.
Establishing an estate plan is not like an adjustable ball cap. One size does not fit all. Typically, out of 20 people who want to create an estate plan, not one of their plans is exactly the same. That is why online cookie-cutter estate planning simply do not “cut it.” You need a professional who listens and wants to understand your family and concerns – from your perspective.
So how do you know whether you have found the right estate planning attorney? Luckily, you should be able to figure it out early on. After your first consultation with an estate planning attorney, you should know the following:
(1) Whether that lawyer is someone you want to work with (that is important);
(2) What the specific steps of your plan are;
(3) What is required of you to carry out the plan;
(4) What the timeline for completing your plan is; and
(5) What investment is required on your part.
It is also important to know what ongoing service the attorney, or his/her firm, provides. For example, will your attorney stay in touch to keep you advised of changes in the law and other important matters? Once you have a plan, it is important to review it regularly to ensure you include any additional assets you acquire. For example, if you only had a bank account with enough money to cover your funeral expenses, and then you win a lottery; you will need your estate plan to account for how those funds will be disbursed. Much like your doctor, this is a life-long relationship – not just a one-time visit.
Too often people think because someone is an attorney, he/she is qualified to create his/her estate plan. That is simply not the case. An inexperienced estate planning attorney may overlook critical details. An essential part of any estate plan is addressing all possible events that could impact the estate. That means you need an attorney who thinks critically and beyond what is staring him/her in the face. The quality of your estate plan has a lot to do with the quality of questions your attorney knows to ask.
When people seek out an attorney to plan their estate, they are looking for someone who can provide peace of mind and preserve their legacy for future generations. The last thing someone wants is for their estate plan to be carried out differently than they envisioned; or worse yet, fall by the wayside altogether.
Why The Crisp Law Firm, PLLC?
Everyone needs to establish an estate plan where they can express their desires. Everyone also deserves the peace of mind that comes from knowing your affairs are in order. Remember, if you do nothing, the State of your residence has a plan for you (known as intestate succession) – and you may not like its plan. That is why it is critical to contact the seasoned Concord Estate Planning Attorneys at The Crisp Law Firm, PLLC today at (603) 225-5252. We will take the time you need to discuss all of your options and develop a plan that best fits your set of circumstances, including your budget. Contact us now to learn more about how we can make a difference for you.