Probate Lawyer – Choosing a Good One

When someone you love dies without a trust, you will want to seek the services of a probate lawyer. This type of attorney is skilled in helping the process as the will or estate goes through the courts, helping keep as much of your inheritance as possible protected from the courts, also while protecting the written desires of the deceased individual.

The first step in choosing one of these attorneys is determining which type you need. If you anticipate any type of fight over who ends up with the estate or a contention of the will, you will want a litigator. This type of attorney will represent you in court as you fight out the estate with other potential heirs. If you just need someone to serve as the administrator of the will on your behalf, then you need a transactional attorney.

Once you have determined the type you need, consider any special needs you might have. For example, if someone in the family does not speak English well, you might want to look for a probate lawyer who has translation services available. If you need in-home consultations because of a physical disability for someone in your family, then find an attorney who offers this.

Once you know what you need, you will want to schedule some consultations with attorneys in your area. Many attorneys will offer this consultation for free, which is an added bonus because you can get to know them without worrying about high consultation fees. At this meeting, explain your situation and ask the attorney what plan he would utilize to help you get the best outcome. Listen to these suggestions, and then ask the same questions of the next attorney on your list. By hearing their plans, you will get a good feel for the way the process will work and the best possible attorney for the job.

Keep in mind that the best probate lawyer in your area is going to be busy. If you struggle to find time to get that initial consultation in, then you might be working with a particularly good attorney. Do not write one off because they cannot quickly find time for that initial consultation. A busy attorney is one who does his job well. On the other hand, if you cannot get in within a fairly reasonable time frame, chances are high that the attorney is going to be too busy to give your case his full attention.

Before you make your final decision, find out what others have to say about a particular probate lawyer. You can use third-party review websites and even good old Google to find out information about the attorney from others who have used his services. These reviews can give you excellent insight into how the attorney operates and the amount of success he has with cases similar to yours. If everything looks good from the consultation to these client reviews, then you have likely found a good attorney to handle your needs and protect your rights as you go through your loved one’s last wishes.