Finding The Right Lawyer For Estate Planning – AG Matters

From a personal experience, finding the right Lawyer/Financial Advisor is a key to Estate Planning.  It's not cheap, but there's lot to consider.  The house, the farm land and naming an executor if there's children.  Cornell Cooperative Extension has some tips on making those decisions.

Choosing an attorney that specializes in the law pertaining to farm estate and transition planning is important. Ask individuals you respect for their opinions or experience they had with the attorneys they have worked with.

Be prepared for the initial meeting, by having clear goals and ideas for your operation and family. Bring current financial statements and be prepared with a list of questions; will you be handling my plan, or will others be working on it? Can you give me an estimate of the fee structure and what that includes? What time frame do you anticipate?

Remember that after your initial meeting, evaluate if you feel comfortable with this individual. Did you feel you were listened to? Were all your questions answered satisfactorily and in plain language? Keep in mind you can talk to other attorneys, it is well worth your time and effort in finding the person what will represent and protect your estate in transitioning.

Cornell Cooperative Extension have more details on Estate Planning on their website will be offering workshops on Farm Transitioning in early 2016.

SOURCE: Cornell Cooperative Extension