Wills and Estate Planning, How To Choose the Best Lawyer?
Choosing the best Auckland law firms for Wills and Estate Planning
According to government statistics, more than 31,000 Kiwis passed away in 2015. That represents a large number of estates for survivors, trustees and others to contend with.
People often procrastinate when shopping for legal advice about ‘end-of-life’ plans. The reason for this is that becoming disabled or dying is something we generally prefer to not think about. Lack of understanding about the Estate Planning process and fear about how complicated or expensive it may be are other reasons people put off planning.
Why do I need legal advice for Wills and Estate Planning?
It’s a common misconception that only wealthy or elderly people require a lawyer to draw up Wills, Guardianship Documents, Healthcare Directives, and Powers of Attorney, and set up Trusts to direct the distribution of your property after you become incapacitated or die.
People of all ages and asset values need to create a plan that will take care of essential obligations in cases of disability or death, give guidance on critical personal medical choices, transfer property, and arrange for care of dependents according to their wishes and their family’s needs. Even relatively simple estates can be handled better and more quickly when a lawyer is consulted.
Everyone who wants their loved ones to be cared for in the event that they suddenly become incapacitated or die must plan their estate and have a written Will. Without proper Estate Planning, loved ones can face a nightmare of legal complications and unnecessary expense. It’s important to remind ourselves how devastating for our families not planning can be — financially, legally and emotionally — and that getting started is the better choice.
So there are very good reasons to get advice and guidance from a trusted and qualified Auckland Wills and Estate Planning lawyer to prepare for the inevitable.
How to find the right Auckland Wills and Estate Planning lawyer
Choosing your Auckland Wills and Estate Planning lawyer can take a little time and effort. You will need to do some research to find one that is right for you. If you don’t already have a list of prospective lawyers, a great place to start your search is by using the Internet.
Every good lawyer should have an online presence. Look at biographical information on their website. Do they have expertise in the area of Wills and Estate Planning? Which professional associations do they belong to? Are there articles, FAQs or other information that resonate with your needs?
Ask other people if they have heard of the lawyer and what they think about them. A good lawyer will have the right credentials, be experienced and be trustworthy.
After you’ve narrowed down your list to just a few lawyers, contact them. Pay attention to how their staff answer the phones and how they treat you because they’re a good reflection of how the lawyer practices. You want to find an Auckland Wills and Estate Planning lawyer who has a live person answering the phones who can answer quick questions for you when you’re a client.
When you contact them on the phone, be sure to ask what will happen at the initial meeting and whether there will be a charge for the meeting.
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