what to ask a lawyer when getting a will

by Rasheed Shanahan 4 min read

Ask how many years of experience the attorney has in estate planning. The more experience, the more likely your lawyer will know how to deal with your specific situation. Also, ask specifically about cases similar to yours. 3. Make sure the lawyer gives you a list of documents that he/she will need to see in order to evaluate your situation.

5 Questions You Should Ask a Lawyer When Making Your Will
  1. Is Estate Planning Your Field Of Specialisation? ...
  2. What Should Be Included In The Will? ...
  3. Do You Also Execute The Will? ...
  4. Who Will Receive My Assets And How Much Will They Get? ...
  5. Do You Conduct Periodic Reviews?
Sep 8, 2020

Full Answer

What are the best questions to ask a lawyer?

Don’t hesitate to ask your attorney questions such as:

  • What is the timeline of this process?
  • What sort of paperwork must I have prepared for closing?
  • What do I need to arrange with my bank/ mortgage lender?
  • What available funds must I have in my bank account?

What questions should I Ask my Lawyer?

You seem to mainly want an acknowledgment and (presumably) an apology from your cousin. You should also explore with your therapist any other options you might have, including legal options.

What questions to ask a DUI lawyer?

Some relevant questions to ask include:

  • Are you available to represent me?
  • Will anybody else work on my case? If so, who else will work on my case? ...
  • Will you be the one representing me in court or will someone else be there? If so, who else will represent me in court?
  • Whom do I call with questions? ...
  • How do you prefer to be contacted?
  • Will I receive regular status updates? ...

What are good questions to ask a personal injury lawyer?

Here are the peer review rating systems that you should check out:

  • The Martindale-Hubbell Bar Registry ( www.martindale.com) has peer review ratings of more than 1 million lawyers across the country. It publishes short biographies of these lawyers. ...
  • The Best Lawyers in America. ...
  • Superlawyers. ...

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What questions to ask when setting up a will?

5 Questions to Ask Before Writing Your WillHow should I express my intentions? ... Who makes sure my intentions are carried out? ... What is a trust? ... How much inheritance tax will my heirs owe? ... What if I want to leave money to charity?

Will preparation questions?

5 Questions An Attorney Will Ask When Drafting A WillWhat Do You Hope To Achieve With A Will? ... What Is Your Family Situation? ... What Assets Do You Own? ... Where Do You Want Your Assets To Be Distributed? ... Who Will Be Responsible For Your Estate?

What questions to ask when setting up a trust?

Questions to ask your parentsWhat were your intentions in creating this trust? Ask why this trust was set up. ... How do you think this trust will impact me? ... Who else has access to the trust? ... What is your relationship with the trustee and/or trust administrator? ... How will I work with the trustee and/or trust administrator?

Do and don'ts of making a will?

Ten Do's and Don'ts for Writing Your Will1.) Don't put it off. ... 2.) Don't get lost in the weeds. ... 3.) Don't bestow honors. ... 4.) Do name alternates. ... 5.) Don't let the choice of alternates bog you down. ... 6.) Do express your wishes for charities and friends. ... 7.) Don't think that other documents or statements will suffice. ... 8.)More items...•

What are 3 estate planning questions you may want to consider either for yourself or your parents?

You might not think this is relevant to estate planning....Thinking about the following issues in advance can help you prepare for a meeting about your estate plan.Who will raise your children if both parents die? ... What if you all die in a common disaster? ... Are there any other descendants you haven't yet mentioned?More items...•

How does a beneficiary get money from a trust?

How can a beneficiary claim money from a bare/absolute trust? If a beneficiary of a bare trust is over the age of 18 years then they can simply ask the trustees to pay the money out to them that they are entitled to. As long as there is no other criteria to satisfy, the trustees should not refuse.

What should you not put in a trust?

Assets That Can And Cannot Go Into Revocable TrustsReal estate. ... Financial accounts. ... Retirement accounts. ... Medical savings accounts. ... Life insurance. ... Questionable assets.

What are the disadvantages of a trust?

What are the Disadvantages of a Trust?Costs. When a decedent passes with only a will in place, the decedent's estate is subject to probate. ... Record Keeping. It is essential to maintain detailed records of property transferred into and out of a trust. ... No Protection from Creditors.

When Should I Write My Will?

To best understand the questions to ask a lawyer when writing a will you first need to know when is best to start writing a will to begin with.

Questions To Ask A Lawyer When Writing A Will

These questions, as with the timing of writing your will, will depend on the specific financial situation you are in at the time.

A Question Of Property

What happens to your property after your death is known as estate planning, and is often one of the most important parts of will-writing given how much of an investment property is today.

What is a will?

A will is one of the most important documents you’re going to make in your lifetime, even if you’re not necessarily a millionaire. As long as you’ve got assets to leave behind to your loved ones, a will can help ensure that these are distributed according to your wishes after your death. Estate Planning. By Lawyer Monthly Last updated Sep 8, 2020.

What to do after death?

Once you sit down, talk through what you want to be done after your death, provide your lawyer with the right documents, and ask what else should be included in the will. This will help you figure out which provisions should and shouldn’t be part of your will.

What to do if you can't decide on a beneficiary?

If they can't decide, you could suggest that attributes like age or immediacy in the family could be factors to help them choose. Once you decide how "much" each beneficiary deserves (the term 'value' here could be monetary, sentimental, or both), you can begin to decide what to give them.

What is the role of executor of a will?

They must also ensure that the beneficiaries receive the proper amount that they're entitled to. Other duties of the will executor include:

Can you divide things up easily among beneficiaries?

But, it's often not an easy task to divide things up easily among your beneficiaries. For example, if you make a blanket statement like "Tyler is entitled to all of the possessions in the house," you could potentially cause issues if there is valuable jewelry, antiques, etc. Similarly, trying to allocate everything as evenly as possible can still ...

Is it hard to write a will?

As previously mentioned, writing a will is often a difficult process for those who are seeking to plan their estate. It's not uncommon for emotions to serve as a significant obstacle in the process. You should make it clear to your clients that you respect how often they want to communicate and how involved they want you to be in the process.

In Order to Move Forward With Any Lawyer, First Ask These Ten Questions

Think of the consultation as an interview. You’re hiring the lawyer. Put the attorney to the test, starting with this question….

Finding the Right Lawyer Is The First Step in Winning Your Case

You are, after all, as good as your representation. Your lawyer speaks for you. Therefore make sure you speak with that lawyer first to ensure he/she is the right one for the job. Find the best lawyer for you today.

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Is Estate Planning Your Field of Specialisation?

What Should Be Included in The Will?

  • Once you sit down, talk through what you want to be done after your death, provide your lawyer with the right documents, and ask what else should be included in the will. This will help you figure out which provisions should and shouldn’t be part of your will. In general, most people include the following in their will: 1. Funeral arrangements 2. D...
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Do You Also Execute The Will?

  • There are some will and estate planningattorneys who merely draft wills, while others can also execute them. Ask this question early on, because it’s best to work with the latter group. It’s more convenient to hire a lawyer who can also execute wills. That way, you’re guaranteed your will shall be executed exactly as you planned. After all, they’re the same lawyer who will work with you fro…
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Who Will Receive My Assets and How Much Will They get?

  • The question of how much each of your beneficiaries are going to receive will often be guided by your local laws. It’s best to ask your lawyer about this so that you have an absolute say on the distribution of your assets. This question becomes all the more compelling when your familial relationships are quite complicated, such as when you have illegitimate or adopted children.
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Do You Conduct Periodic Reviews?

  • Some lawyers conduct periodic reviews, while others don’t. A periodic review is done when the lawyer does a regular check for updates regarding any changes in your life situation. For example, have you acquired any significant assets after the time your will was made? Do you have new children? There could also be amendments in the law that can apply to you. Work with a lawyer …
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Conclusion

  • If you have no idea how to start drafting your will, the advice above provides you with a great starting point. The most important takeaway is for you to remember to leave this task in an expert lawyer’s hands. In doing so, you’re assured that your will is accurate, legal, and will be accepted in the probate proceedings. A will is one of the most important documents you’re going to make in …
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