Planning who is going to be your assets and estate’s beneficiaries before you are incapable of doing so or pass helps a lot to come up with a smooth transition when the right time comes.
With the right will drafting and estate planning, you may help to reduce the number of disagreements, which can arise.
But not many individuals have an estate plan or will, leaving final wishes to the courtroom’s discretion. Although there are simple probate procedures when estates are valued under $75,000, there can as well be disputes as to assets distribution in the family when a person dies.
If you get yourself in a situation that requires the services of a probate lawyer, then you might want to ensure the expert has the following qualities:
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Probate Qualifications and Experience
Not every lawyer has experience with estate planning or probate. Even if the lawyer has probate experience, it might not be their field of professionalism. Probate is one of the highly specialized areas of the law. So it is vital to determine the lawyer’s experience before you seek their services.
The lawyer you hire should also meet the necessary qualifications. This means they need to be admitted to practice where your probate issues are going to be held.
If your probate case involves more than one state, look for a lawyer who has a license in those states or multiple states.
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Effective Communication
Effective communication is among the most basic yet important qualities to look for in an attorney. That is because all aspects of the job need an individual to communicate with the rest. This may include talking to the court, clients, and executors.
The world and terminologies of law are complex for every layman. This makes it difficult to understand the processes and technical terms.
So you shouldn’t just hire a probate attorney who can effectively communicate. You will also need a lawyer capable of explaining the probate process in a straightforward and simple way.
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Analytical Skills
Both the practice and study of law involve absorbing a lot of details, then distilling them into something logical and manageable.
Sometimes, there can be more than just one reasonable conclusion or precedent applicable to resolving situations. A good probate attorney should, therefore, have evaluative skills.
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Personable
Feeling more relaxed with an attorney is imperative since the relationship should be founded on trust. You must be able to depend on them and be confident that they always have your best interests in mind.
That is where free initial meetings and consultations are more valuable. Besides, you might be discussing sensitive and personal things with the attorney, like your financial details.
So when you meet an attorney, determine whether the expert makes you feel at ease and if he/she is someone you may sit down and take a cup of tea with.
Final Touches!
Choosing a lawyer for probate can take time. And you may always get one that you will click with right away. This is why it is important to look at some of these qualities in an attorney before you hire one.
