Choosing A Wills And Trust Lawyer Ventura County

By Steven Adams


Wills and trusts involve deciding what will happen to personal property after you pass on. The law usually provides a default scheme for property disposal. However, reliance on that will involve lengthy court processes and probably hefty tax consequences for heirs. The alternative is to ensure things are planned ahead of time. A lawyer will be needed to help in handling trusts and wills. When choosing a wills and trust lawyer Ventura county residents can benefit from some tips.

Among the first things to consider is what the attorney specializes in. You should choose an attorney who specializes in trusts and wills. There are various specialties in law and thus clients need to be very wary of attorneys who claim they are able to handle different legal issues in different fields. The fact that estate law is complex means you want the attorney to focus on specific issues and provide competent legal service.

You will need to do some research to be able to get the best attorneys. The internet comes very much in handy. Most attorneys have websites which have details of the services they offer. The website should have useful information on estate planning. You can also get valuable information from blog posts. Most importantly, the websites need to be updated so that you are certain the information therein is accurate. There are also reviews and testimonials from their previous clients which can give an idea of how knowledgeable an attorney is.

You will need to be on the lookout for tunnel vision. When you get to meet an attorney for the initial consultation, you want to be assured they take your financial and the family picture into account. Reputable attorneys will provide comprehensive analysis of tax consequences of the plan and whether any of the beneficiaries have special needs. They will also consider such issues as existence of non-probate assets and the retirement assets.

The strategy that will be used should be discussed when you meet the wills and trust attorney. You should be wary of pusher attorneys who recommend living trusts for their clients without considering whether there might be better options which are also cheaper and less costly. That also applies to lawyers who use same forms for all clients without customizing them to unique needs of their client.

It is important for clients to find out fees which will be charged. A reputable lawyer will have a rough idea of what the charges will be even before they get full details about the case. You however need to request for estimates which are best provided after the attorney has known what the case will cover. You also need to discuss payment structure.

It is important to check the records of attorneys before hiring them. That should actually happen before an interview is scheduled. You ought to check the state bar association website and check whether the attorney has good records. They should be licensed and in good standing.

When you meet a lawyer, they will request for all the important documents. They will usually provide a list of required records. That is what helps in evaluation of the case.




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