Looking for an Estate Planning Attorney near you?

How do you select the right one for you? There are a staggering number of practicing attorneys in the world today, according to https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2014/05/09/the-lawyer-bubble-pops-not-moment-too-soon/qAYzQ823qpfi4GQl2OiPZM/story.html; there are almost 1.3 million practicing attorneys in the United States alone.  With so many attorneys to choose from, how can you possibly find the right one for your needs?  If you are trying to locate an estate planning attorney in Arizona, you will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to find an experienced attorney that can meet your needs.  Read on for easy to use methods for finding reliable estate planning assistance and instances where an estate planning attorney’s help can be invaluable.

The How’s: How to find an Arizona estate planning attorney near you.

1. Your computer. The internet is an easy and powerful tool that can be leveraged to find a nearby experienced estate planning attorney. There are websites specifically designed to help you find legal assistance such as Avvo.com and Findlaw.com.  The internet also provides an opportunity to research potential law firms by reviewing their websites and social media.  A website should give you valuable information about the firm, its practicing attorneys, areas of expertise and contact information.  Some offices may also have Facebook or other social media pages that offer additional information as well.
2. Your cell phone. In this day and age many websites are now optimized for mobile devices. This means that regardless of where you are when you make the decision to reach out to an estate planning attorney, you have everything you need accessible to you via your cell phone.  You can perform the same searches, access the same sites and gain the same information as if you were on your computer.  A reputable attorney is literally a click or two away.
3. Word of mouth. If you have a friend that you trust and he or she has been in a similar situation, ask for a referral. A referral doesn’t guarantee a perfect match every time but can give you a useful place to start. If you receive a referral from a friend, do your due diligence and review the attorney’s website.  You should also call the office and ask for a consultation to make sure that the referred attorney is a good fit for your needs.

The Why’s:  Why you might need a local estate planning attorney

First and foremost, don’t underestimate the importance of specialization.  Estate planning can be greatly impacted by state law so a local, knowledgeable Arizona attorney can be an incredible asset.  When selecting your attorney make sure that he or she has experience and specializes in the area that you need assistance.  A criminal defense attorney may be the perfect choice if you are facing a DUI arrest but would not be much help when it comes to drafting your will or trust.  Experienced local estate planning lawyers handle a number of issues and can assist you with the following:

1. You need to setup a trust or will. Deciding what to you do with your estate after your death can be challenging. Work with an experienced attorney to make sure your wishes are laid out in proper, legal form.  Long term planning allows you to make your wishes known and executed via a legal document.
2. You would like to avoid family disputes. Creating a trust or will with the help of a professional can help eliminate family infighting. If your wishes are known and put into legal form, it minimizes the opportunity for loved ones to misinterpret your wishes and create disagreements.  Putting your plans on paper and communicating your wishes can pave the way for a peaceful disbursement of your estate.
3. You would like to setup a specialized trust. If you plan on giving a portion of your estate to charity or would like to setup any other type of specialized trust; consult an attorney.  For instance, a charitable remainder trust can be a useful vehicle for tax savings for you and can greatly benefit the charity of your choice.  You may also choose to put your home in a specialized trust.  These items have significant tax benefits but also have restrictions and may or may not be right for you depending on your situation.  Discuss all your options with an estate planning attorney to find the right choices for you.
4. You have special circumstances. Perhaps you have two children that you would like to designate as beneficiaries of your estate but each child has different needs. If you have one child that is very irresponsible with spending and another child that has looming educational expenses you will want the help of a qualified estate planning attorney.  You may choose to setup a trust that disburses funds to your first child on an annual basis or at the discretion of the trustee.  You may also elect to have your designated trustee pay funds directly to an educational institution of your second child’s choosing.  There are many options available to you.  You should partner with an expert to draft a legal document that disburses your assets to the best benefit or your beneficiaries.
5. 4. You want to establish power of attorney: financial, medical or both. Part of estate planning is strategizing for your long term medical and financial needs. Picking the right person to be in charge of your healthcare or your finances, in the event of your incapacitation, is extremely important.  Giving that person legal backing by completing and filing the correct forms is just as critical.  If you do not have proper paperwork in place your healthcare or financial representative may be appointed by the state and may not be the best person to act on your behalf.

There are many reasons you might need the services of a top notch estate planning attorney near you.  The good news is it’s easier than ever to find one.  If you have not yet taken care of your estate planning needs, use any of the methods above to find an experienced attorney and work together to address your needs.