Whether we like it or not, we’re all going to die one day. And when we do, its easier for our families if our affairs are in order.

Unfortunately, not everyone sees things this way. Even the wealthiest people sometimes forget to get their estates in order. Singer Aretha Franklin, for example, passed away in August 2018–and had no will at the time of her death.

Stories such as this one teach us an important lesson:

Conferring with an estate planning lawyer is never a bad idea.

But how do you go about selecting the best estate planning lawyer for your needs? Below you’ll find our best five tips for finding the right lawyer for you:

1. Check Out Your Local Ads

The first step to finding an estate planning lawyer is visiting their usual “haunts.” Many lawyers, for instance, use physical and online ads to reach out to potential customers. Some also use directories to draw consumers’ attention.

But beware:

If you take this route, you’ll have a lot of vetting to do. You don’t, after all, know anything about the legal professionals you encounter in directories.

2. Consult With a Financial Advisor

Let’s say that you’re skeptical about using online directories. Well, we don’t blame you for your apprehension. So here’s an alternative:

Try consulting with a financial advisor. Since financial advisors are all about educating you on getting your finances in order, an advisor will certainly have suggestions for you.

There’s a chance, for instance, that your financial advisor knows at least one good estate planning lawyer. Your estate is, after all, directly linked to your finances.

3. Conduct Interviews

Once you’ve identified a few prospects, you should start conducting interviews. The idea of interviewing a lawyer might sound strange, but you want to spend your money on a quality legal professional.

So what types of questions should you ask?

You should ask questions about your candidates’ experience. You should also inquire about malpractice insurance and anything else that could affect you in the future.

4. Take Price Into Consideration

Legal help isn’t cheap. As a result, you’ll have to take the price into consideration when searching for a lawyer.

And we already know what you’re thinking:

When you need legal assistance, you shouldn’t be cheap about it.

Of course, we agree. But finding a lawyer you can afford doesn’t mean that you have to settle for a bad lawyer. Some lawyers, for example, have just as much as experience as the next yet charge less for their services.

5. Make Sure Your Lawyer Is An Estate Planning Lawyer

We can’t stress this last tip enough:

You want to select an estate planning lawyer–not just any old lawyer.

Yes, a lawyer may have some experience with estate planning. That doesn’t, however, mean that he or she specializes in estate planning.

Estate planning lawyers, on the other hand, live and breathe for planning estates. Real estate matters are one of their primary domains. Consequently, they’re more familiar with wills and trusts than the average lawyer.

Are You Trying to Get Your Estate In Order?

Here’s something that we’d like to be clear on:

These are nothing more than tips. They’re not substitutes for legal advice. Anyone who’s looking for legal advice pertaining to an estate or estate planning lawyer should speak with a legal professional.

That said, if you’re currently seeking legal advice, please get in touch with us. We’ll guide you through whatever legal issues you’re facing.