In our last post, we talked about when you might need a lawyer to settle an estate. It would be a mistake to assume that any lawyer would do. Estate planning and management requires specialized knowledge of the probate process as well as a diverse array of complementary legal areas, such as family law, tax law, state law, and evolving laws related to your digital legacy.
A capable, bar-certified estate lawyer will have the knowledge and the skills to ensure your legacy is protected and disbursed according to your wishes. He or she will help you draft and implement the legal document associated with end-of-life planning, and they’ll see that your assets are carefully inventoried, valued, and distributed when the time comes.
Aside from the obvious, an estate attorney assumes many roles and responsibilities that you may not have considered.
Offer counsel on sensitive subjects
Few subjects are as touchy as death and finances, and you’ll need to be able to speak openly and confidently about these matters with your estate planner. Your attorney should be someone you trust implicitly, and someone you feel comfortable sharing sensitive information with. Once you’ve found an attorney who fits the bill, you’ll benefit from a knowledgeable advisor on some of life’s most challenging questions.
Safeguard your legacy
You’ve worked a lifetime to build your assets for your family, but these can be put in jeopardy if your estate is not protected. An adept estate lawyers will develop strategies that reduce taxes and fees that might otherwise be imposed on your estate. In the event that your will is contested, a trusted attorney can mitigate the damages to your legacy that might come with a lawsuit. Your estate lawyer can also help your beneficiaries avoid probate proceedings through the assignment of death beneficiaries and the development of trusts.
Protect your peace of mind
Your estate lawyers gives you peace of mind that guardianship, conservatorship, and other estate-related issues won’t create hardship or bitterness among your family members when they’re already struggling with loss. He can ensure that your wishes about your own health and wellness as you age are honored and ease the transition of your legacy after your death. He can also help guard your assets from your beneficiaries’ creditors and guard your online assets from exposure. Knowing that your affairs are in order in the event of mental incapacity and the eventuality of death offers you a chance to live more confidently in the present.
If you’d like to move forward with confidence in your legacy’s security, schedule a consultation with the Law Offices of Jeffrey Lohman today.
Attorney Jeffrey Lohman is admitted to practice law in Arizona, not CA. For a list of attorneys licensed in California, please visit our team page.