Why You Need an Experienced Estate Planning Attorney

With so many options out there today, many people wonder whether they need an experienced estate planning attorney to help draft or revise their will, power of attorney, and other important estate planning documents. However, many people do not realize how complex and intricate the area of estate planning law can be in Virginia and North Carolina, and one mistake can result in significant unintended consequences for your family after your passing. At Select Law Partners, PLLC, our team of dedicated legal professionals is here to help with all your estate planning needs. To learn more, call or contact our office today.

Tailoring an Estate Plan to Your Needs

Many do-it-yourself estate planning options provide boilerplate forms for estate plan documents but rarely does the language in these forms fit the unique circumstances of your life. When you hire a knowledgeable estate planning attorney, they can craft wills, trusts, living wills, and more that are specific to your wishes and tailored to your situation. This ensures that your medical wishes and estate distribution will be adhered to exactly how you wish.

A lawyer can also suggest structuring an estate plan to help avoid unnecessary probate procedures and fund trust vehicles that may help alleviate your current tax burden. They can also suggest establishing joint ownership of certain accounts or property to make the distribution of your estate as efficiently as possible and ensure that your assets go exactly where you want.

Ensuring Legal Compliance

Another reason to use an experienced estate planning attorney is that a lawyer can ensure legal compliance with varying state laws. There are many substantive and procedural laws that apply to estate plans, and a mistake could result in a catastrophic outcome. If a will is deemed invalid, a previous version could be implemented even if it does not comport with your current wishes for your estate. If no prior version exists, your estate could be distributed according to the state’s intestacy laws, which distributes an estate according to familial relationships and does not consider the individual’s wishes at all. A lawyer understands the laws regarding estate plans and will make sure that every legal formality is followed in the creation or revision of your estate planning documents.

Help With the Difficult Questions

Finally, an experienced lawyer can help answer the difficult questions that you, and your loved ones, may have regarding your estate plan. A lawyer can help explain your choices for the estate and your medical decisions provided for in a living will if family members are concerned or upset about your decision. This is often an emotional issue for individuals and their families, and a lawyer can help explain logically and unemotionally the details of your estate plan that may be confusing or upsetting for family members. A lawyer can also serve as a touchpoint for you and your family members throughout the years as an estate plan evolves and new questions may arise about the details of your plan.

Talk to Our Office

Looking for more information about estate plans in Virginia and North Carolina? Call or contact Select Law Partners, PLLC for more information today.

The following two tabs change content below.

Sara Josey

Latest posts by Sara Josey (see all)