Finding the best estate planning attorney might seem like a tall order. Boynton Beach has numerous lawyers who handle wills, trusts, and estate planning. Which one is right for you?

Ultimately, choosing an estate planning lawyer is a very personal decision. You need an attorney who fits well with your needs and preferences, in addition to the experience, knowledge, and skill to help with your unique situation.

The best estate planning attorney will never take a cookie-cutter approach. At Fischetti Law Group, we customize each estate plan to our client’s specific requirements. Call 833-645-3247 today to get started. Our estate planning lawyers serve clients in Boynton Beach, Fort Pierce, and all of South Florida.

What Does an Estate Planning Attorney Do?

An estate lawyer helps you take the necessary steps to ensure that your wishes are respected and your loved ones are provided for if you are incapacitated or pass away. They can help you with decisions such as:

• Specifying who will inherit your property and other assets
• Designating beneficiaries for life insurance policies, retirement accounts, etc.
• Assigning a Power of Attorney to handle financial and medical decisions on your behalf
• Setting up healthcare directives that outline your wishes for medical care
• Naming a guardian or guardians for minor children
• Establishing trusts to manage and distribute assets, potentially bypassing probate

Because estate planning attorneys have in-depth knowledge of Florida’s estate laws, they are able to make all documents legally enforceable as well as tailored to your specific needs. This is critical for avoiding the mistakes people make when they try to handle estate planning on their own.

How to Find a Reputable Estate Planning Attorney

Reputation matters when it comes to finding an estate planning attorney. For many people, hiring a lawyer is a new experience. It can be difficult to know what to look for and how to make an informed decision.

Fortunately, you have a number of different sources of information to choose from:

Referrals from Family & Friends

The people you know and trust the most are likely to provide you with the best recommendations. Ask if they hired a lawyer to make their estate plan, and what the experience was like. Not only will friends and loved ones provide you with honest insights, but they know you. That means they can provide an honest opinion of whether you’ll like the lawyer they used.

Attorney Websites

You’ll see no shortage of estate planning attorneys when you search online. As you comb through the results, be sure to check out the websites of any firms that catch your eye.

Look at the lawyers’ bios to get a sense of their experience with estate planning. Read pages on the website to see if the information expands your understanding of the subject. Also see if there are written reviews or video testimonials from satisfied clients. Their stories may align with yours and help you know what the client experience is like.

The Florida Bar

Wills, Trusts & Estates is one of the legal specialties recognized by The Florida Bar. Board-certified lawyers exhibit significant knowledge and skills in their area(s) of practice. You can find a board-certified lawyer on The Florida Bar’s website.

Attorney Directories

Websites such as Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, etc. can help you find local lawyers across a wide range of practice areas. Many of these legal directories include reviews from clients as well as fellow attorneys, which can help you determine a prospective lawyer’s reputation within the legal profession.

One-on-One Consultation

There is no substitute for meeting with an attorney one-on-one. Many lawyers offer FREE consultations, giving you the chance to ask questions and discuss your situation without cost.

It is important to think of the initial consultation like an interview. You should feel free to ask any questions that can help you decide whether to hire this particular lawyer. Likewise, the attorney will ask you questions to understand the specifics of your situation and determine how they can best represent you.

Questions to Ask an Estate Planning Attorney

After you’ve narrowed your search to a few candidates, it’s time to think about what you need to know before choosing an estate planning lawyer. Important questions to ask at the consultation include:

Questions About Experience

• How many years have you been practicing estate law?
• What percentage of your practice is devoted to estate planning, wills, and trusts?
• Are you familiar with the Florida-specific estate planning laws that apply to me?

Questions About Expectations

• Can you give me guidance on the documents I need, the decisions I have to make, etc.?
• Do you handle my estate plan yourself, or is the work performed by an associate?
• Will I be communicating with you directly, or does your staff handle communications?
• How quickly do you respond to calls and emails?

Questions About Services

• How do you prepare my estate plan?
• Can you help me write my last will and testament?
• Do you transfer assets and see to the funding of any trusts?
• How should my assets be distributed?
• Do I need a Power of Attorney? Who should be granted this power?
• What kind of healthcare directives do I need, and can you help me set them up?
• Do you handle probate in addition to wills and trusts?

Questions About Cost

• Based on your experience, how complicated is my estate plan? Will this be reflected in the cost?
• How are attorney fees structured, and when will I be expected to pay?

The best estate planning attorney will not hesitate to provide complete, honest answers to these and any other questions. Remember, this is their opportunity to earn your business, so it behooves them to put their best foot forward even before you retain their services.

A reputable lawyer should provide you with materials describing their services, fees, and other key details. Read all of this information carefully so you can include it in your decision making.

Contact Fischetti Law Group Today

Most people don’t know how to choose an estate planning attorney. While we hope this guide has been helpful, we invite you to reach out to Fischetti Law Group and learn how our skilled lawyers can help you plan for life’s contingencies.

We help clients in Boynton Beach, Fort Pierce, West Palm Beach, and other communities in South Florida cement their legacy goals. Our attorneys can help you make the best decisions for you and your family.

Communication is the cornerstone of Fischetti Law Group. We communicate with you regularly via phone call, email, and text to ensure every last detail is correct. Our ultimate goal is to give you peace of mind by ensuring that you have a complete, personalized estate plan in place.