If you have started the process of thinking about making a trust, then finding the right Louisiana trust lawyer to help you craft this can be a daunting task. If you have a clear plan about what you want, the process can be simpler than you think. Getting organized and having a system is half the battle when it comes to finding the right trust lawyer for you. One big thing that you should consider is that more than half of Americans between the ages of 55 to 64 don’t have a trust or will in place.
If you are starting your journey on finding the right trust lawyer for you, then here are some helpful tips to help you get started from our friends at Theus Law Offices.
- Search for Candidates
It might seem obvious that the very first step you should take is to start defining what you need to accomplish with your trust. This is going to help you determine what type of lawyer you’ll need and who can best help you.
For the most part, people are going to need a generalist who can help you draft a will, work with powers of attorney, and create basic trusts. However, there are certain situations in which working with the trust lawyer is going to benefit you greatly. One of these examples is you may need help maximizing benefits from programs such as Medicaid or addressing long-term care. If you happen to have financial interest overseas, then hiring a skilled lawyer who specializes in international estate planning is going to benefit you greatly.
Once you narrow down what kind of lawyer you need, you can then begin to build a list of potential candidates. You should start by asking trusted friends and family members for referrals. From there you can also start with a simple Google search to see who would be in your area. Once you have a list of candidates and referrals, you need to look into each of their backgrounds.
- Interview Your Prospects
Once you’ve narrowed down your list to a few candidates you should start the interview process. You should come prepared to your first meeting with all the information you will need and any questions that you have for them. Here’s a list of questions that you could ask the lawyer that you are interviewing:
- How long have you been practicing?
- Where were you educated?
- What is your communication style?
- What are the best ways to contact you?
- Would you be my point of contact or someone else such as a paralegal?
- Will you send me updates about the status of my plan?
- How will you charge and what is your rate?
You should trust your instincts and find a lawyer that you’re comfortable with. Don’t be afraid to shop around.
We understand that finding a trust lawyer is a very personal thing to do and if you have any more questions don’t hesitate to reach out to a trust lawyer today!
