The job of finding an attorney to help you build a solid estate plan can seem like a daunting task. However, with a pre-plan and some help you should be able to find a selection of highly qualified candidates for your consideration. Let’s take a look at a list of seven tips for finding a good Queens, NY Estate Administration Attorney.
- Check with family members: your friends and your coworkers by asking them to suggest an attorney they feel can help you with your estate planning. It’s a very good complement for your final choice to find out that he or she was recommended by a satisfied client. And don’t limit yourself to just the local or close by referrals. Your needs can be handled over the Internet or by phone.
- Check with the person who handles your taxes: While many people do not have a financial adviser, should you have one you would definitely want to check for a recommendation. Financial advisers are knowledgeable in many areas and sometimes add estate planning to their business card. It is important, in this situation, for you to find a specialist. Ask for a referral.
- Give your income tax preparer a call and ask for a referral: You’ll want to cast a wide net and use every resource you can think of for this important task. Often real estate attorneys work with tax preparers in regard to trusts and estate income taxes. This provides you with many additional opportunities to gain valuable insights to add to your search for a qualified and experienced estate planning attorney.
- Ask for referrals from a real estate attorney: During the process of purchases and sales of real estate in addition to business or home sales, real estate attorneys will often find themselves working with an estate planning attorney. Don’t hesitate to ask for a referral.
- Make a call to your state or local Bar Association: Each state has a bar with literally thousands of members. The additional benefit of searching by way of the Bar Association is found in their database. You will find the ratings given to attorneys can truly help you in making your final decision. The Bar Association is an excellent and reliable resource for your search.
- Don’t forget your local yellow pages or the classified section of your newspaper: You’ll also find searching on the Internet or via radio and TV ads are good additional sources for finding estate planning attorneys.
- When all else slows down or you’re beginning to panic: just do some old fashioned walking and drop by your local city hall. Especially in smaller communities, city employees tend to know attorneys in the area and can provide solid information about their capabilities and personalities. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn in your search to find an estate planning attorneys through casual conversation at your city’s administration building.
Please consider this list as the starting foundation for your search. Talk to professionals in other areas and don’t be fearful of walking into real estate offices and speaking with a broker. It’s all about networking and seeking information.
Knowledge is power when it comes to making a good decision about an estate planning attorney.
What Happens When An Estate Goes to Probate
When someone dies intestate, it does not necessarily mean that all of the deceased’s assets and liabilities should go unaccounted for. Beneficiaries of the deceased could seek legal advice from a probate lawyer knowledgeable enough of the laws governing this field of expertise.
Without a properly drafted legal will, the deceased will not be able to distribute their estate the way they want to. Moreover, the supposed beneficiaries of the deceased will not be able to receive what is duly theirs. As such, in order to avoid these complications, it is very important to prepare a legal will before the inevitable happens.
However, should it not be prepared, beneficiaries could still go into a probate court and seek legal assistance in claiming their rightful inheritance.
Usually, probate is applied over large estates or money that is of significant amount. However, it must be noted that laws concerning Queens, NY Probate Planning from one state to another. That is, a state may set a different standard to determine whether an asset is significant enough to warrant a probate. As such, when wanting to seek probate, it is important for a deceased’s beneficiaries to seek legal advice from a probate lawyer that is knowledgeable of the state’s laws.
