Planning for the future can feel overwhelming, especially when protecting your loved ones and assets. That’s where an estate planning attorney comes in. These legal professionals specialize in helping individuals create personalized plans to manage their assets, minimize legal complications, and ensure their wishes are honored after they pass.
Whether you’re new to estate planning or simply looking for guidance, understanding what an estate planning attorney does can provide clarity and peace of mind. In this blog, we’ll break down the role of an estate planning attorney and how they can help secure your legacy.
What is an Estate Planning Attorney?
An estate planning lawyer is a legal expert who will help you create a plan for the future and distribute your assets after death according to your wishes. Estate planning attorneys help you prepare and draft legal documents, including wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, ensuring a proper legacy is left after you’re gone. Estate planning attorneys often have extensive experience guiding clients through managing their assets and preparing for inheritance after they’ve passed away. These professionals know the state and federal laws like the back of their hands, ensuring your estate and those you care about are adequately protected after your death.
What Does an Estate Planning Attorney Do? 8 Tasks They’re Responsible For
Estate planning attorneys are a vital part of the planning process, walking you through a list of essentials for protecting what matters most. Estate planning lawyers often partner with tax professionals and financial advisors to help you with the following tasks:
- Creating a legally binding will that ensures your estate is distributed according to your wishes.
- Setting up revocable, irrevocable, or special needs trusts to protect your assets and loved ones during your life and after death.
- Naming your beneficiaries and limited and/or durable power of attorney (POA).
- Establishing healthcare directives and helping you make plans for long-term care.
- Working with a financial advisor to reduce and avoid estate tax as much as possible.
- Identifying strategies to avoid the probate process.
- Selecting an executor of your will or administering your estate.
- Understanding how best to meet your family’s needs after your passing.
Estate planning lawyers ask various questions to ensure your plan fully reflects your wishes, including who will decide if you cannot and who will carry out your intentions after your death.
Do I Need an Estate Planning Attorney? The Benefits of Hiring a Professional
Now that you know what an estate planning attorney does, it’s time to consider whether to hire one or prepare for the future on your own. While hiring a professional is an expense, it can be well worth it in the long run.
Here are some benefits of working with an experienced estate planning lawyer rather than doing it yourself:
- Receive knowledgeable guidance about the current estate planning laws on a state and federal level, ensuring your decisions are legally binding.
- Gain the help of someone who can serve as a resource for questions, changes, concerns, or updates to your legal documents.
- Work with a professional to create a customized plan for your needs and preferences.
- You can have peace of mind knowing that your future and the future of those you care about are cared for even if you’re not around.
While many people try to use online templates or apps to create a will and plan for the future, the DIY route often needs to be more effective. By doing it on your own, there’s no way of knowing how your estate plan will hold up in court if it’s challenged or if it follows state and federal laws.
One of the best factors of hiring an estate planning attorney is their guidance in helping you avoid probate. A quality estate planning attorney works tirelessly to ensure your loved ones don’t have to show up in court once you’re gone, but if it does happen, they’ll be there to assist. Estate planning lawyers can be called in to guide anyone with power of attorney over a recently deceased person’s estate through the probate process.
Overall, an estate planning attorney provides peace of mind for you and those you care about during your lifetime and after your death.
3 FAQs About Estate Planning
Here are a few common questions regarding what estate planners do and how the process can help you long-term:
1. Is estate planning only for wealthy people?
What estate planning lawyers do isn’t only for the wealthy—they help individuals and families of all income levels protect their futures. Whether you own a humble estate, a small savings account, or want to ensure your loved ones are cared for, estate planning is suitable for everyone at any time. It’s about safeguarding what matters most to you before it’s too late.
2. How much does it cost to hire an estate planning lawyer?
Drafting a will can range from $300 to $1,000, but comprehensive estate planning, including several legal documents and ongoing consultation, can cost $2,000–$5,000. While it may seem like a hefty price tag, hiring a professional to help you plan provides irreplaceable peace of mind for yourself and your family.
3. Why do people avoid estate planning?
People may avoid estate planning for many reasons, whether they claim it takes too long or it costs too much to hire a professional. However, the primary reason people avoid planning is because they’re afraid to think about or plan for death. Fortunately, with the help of a trained expert, estate planning doesn’t have to feel heavy or tiresome. While death is a burdensome topic to think about, it’s better to plan for it than to have no plan at all—your family and loved ones will thank you for your preparation! Work with an estate planning lawyer who’s compassionate and attentive, making the process easier and seamless.
Hire a Trusted Estate Planning Lawyer in Northern Utah
Estate planning lawyers are here to help you prepare for the inevitable future, but how can you find the right one to work with? At Kelly Cardon Law, we prioritize our clients’ needs and bring a wealth of knowledge to every case, making us the trusted choice for a reliable and experienced attorney.
Our estate planning attorneys will do the hard work for you, from establishing trusts to creating wills that clearly outline your wishes. We help Utah residents have peace of mind and leave a proper legacy behind. Contact our team to have an accessible estate planning experience.