The Essentials of Estate Planning Before Hiring a Lawyer

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 1. HOW DO YOU BILL FOR YOUR SERVICES?

There’s no need to be intimidated when speaking with a lawyer. In fact, you should always ensure that understanding the billing structure is your first priority – so there are no surprises later on! If they don't provide any information regarding their fees and costs upfront, it's possible some hefty bills could await down the road.

When seeking legal representation, ensure your lawyer has a flat-fee, project billing system - no surprises! Ask them to guarantee that you won't receive unexpected bills for small inquiries through phone or email.

Securing a quality estate planning attorney in Savannah is an integral part of protecting your loved ones and ensuring that their future is cared for. By proactively developing an estate plan, you can ensure that the assets you have worked so hard to build are responsibly distributed after your passing or incapacity; without one, state regulations may override any desires expressed by yourself or family.




2. HOW ARE YOU ABLE TO BE RESPONSIVE TO MY NEEDS ON AN ONGOING BASIS?

Working with a lawyer should be an efficient and communicative experience, but many people find themselves disappointed due to their counsel's lack of responsiveness. In most cases, this is because the practitioner does not have enough administrative support in his or her office - resulting in too much work for one person. Without outsourced assistance helping manage paperwork, schedule meetings & calls, connect clients to other advisors and more; responding quickly often proves impossible as lawyers become overwhelmed by all that needs addressing at once.

Calling your prospective lawyer's office sets the tone for what you can expect going forward. If put through to a voicemail or not assisted properly, it could signal potential red flags. Instead, seek out an attorney who offers prompt and helpful service: someone willing to provide assistance on the spot if they're able, while scheduling focused attention when needed - that is truly invaluable!

To ensure you're working with a reliable lawyer – one who will prioritize your case and meet its demands– it's wise to test their responsiveness. Call the office, if possible directly speak with the attorney or be directed to someone on their team. If any callers are sent unduly into voicemail rather than receiving an offer of help, that might signal inadequate systems for handling inquiries and should give cause for reconsideration when hiring them as legal counsel.

3. HOW WILL YOU PROACTIVELY COMMUNICATE WITH ME ON AN ONGOING BASIS?

For the best attorney-client relationship, ensure your lawyer is willing to go beyond transactional service and proactively keep in touch. Effective communication should include at least quarterly mailers with bulletins that are concise yet informative plus regular email correspondence -whether its monthly or even weekly depending on requirements. It may take a while for lawyers to transition from outdated thinking towards faster progress but it's worth trying!

4. CAN I CALL ABOUT ANY LEGAL PROBLEM I HAVE OR JUST ABOUT MATTERS WITHIN YOUR SPECIALTY?

Expertise in a variety of legal and financial matters is essential for successful lawyers today. Working with an experienced attorney who can provide sophisticated counsel across numerous practice areas — such as divorce, bankruptcy, wills & trusts, estates, personal injury law business or criminal defense — will ensure you will have access to the insight needed to address whatever issues arise during your life.

5. WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DIE OR RETIRE?

When starting out with a service professional, asking the right questions is crucial. Even though it might be awkward to ask if they have contingency plans in case of an unforeseen event, having this knowledge can ensure that you receive top-quality customer care no matter what happens. A truly client-focused provider will always prepare for every eventuality – don't forget to enquire!

Seeking assurance that your lawyer can provide an uninterrupted service? Ensure they have a clear succession plan in place to guarantee continuity of care regarding any Will, Trust and estate planning documents you may possess or be working on. Also make sure there is another reliable professional available should you need further services through the current membership program set up with them.

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