Whether you consider your estate basic, simple, complex, small or large, an estate planning attorney is someone who is dedicated to mentoring clients on how they can properly organize their estate and affairs to prepare for the eventuality of their death or potential disability. No matter the size or complexity, the tasks associated with estate planning include the development of a will, trusts, arranging advance directives, establishing power of attorney for healthcare and finances, arranging guardianship for minor children and providing your wishes for your funeral, among other tasks.

Estate planning is a very different branch of law than, say, real estate, criminal law or personal injury law, and thus you should be looking for different qualities and characteristics in an attorney you choose for this field. Here are just a few examples of some of the qualities that make for an excellent estate planning attorney:

• Devoted to estate planning law: As a general rule, when searching for an estate planning attorney you should find someone who devotes their practice to that area of law, rather than a general practitioner – even in the case of “simple” estates. A person who spends their career focused solely on estate planning law is more likely to have the experience and specialized knowledge you need to resolve all the issues facing you and your family.  If it is wrong, it is often too late to change!
• Comfort level: The topics you’re going to have to cover in a sit-down meeting with your attorney aren’t exactly going to be topics you enjoy thinking about. After all, the entire purpose of estate planning is to consider what happens to your estate upon your death. With this in mind, it’s crucial to find an attorney with whom you feel comfortable sharing private details of your life and, in some cases, the relationships you have with your friends and loved ones and how they affect your decision making. 
• Knowledgeable: Any attorney you work with for your estate plan should be clearly well-versed in the estate planning laws of your area and up to date with any changes that may have occurred in recent years. This will ensure you don’t have any problems with the validity of your will after your passing.
• Client focus: Forget the hype, the commercials or the slogans. What you need is an attorney that actually cares about your case and helping you get the results you need with the best estate plan for you. From your initial consultation, it should be clear that you’re more than just a number or a nameless client walking through their doors. If you don’t get a good feeling about your comfort level in working with the attorney after that initial consultation, then it is best to look elsewhere.

Have your Estate Planning Needs Evaluated Today!

These are just a few of the factors that will help you select the right estate and elder law attorney for your case. With offices near you in the greater Boston area, South Shore and Metro West Boston, we encourage you to contact us at Baker Law Group, P.C. to schedule your free initial consultation with our estate planning team today.