09-15-2007, 12:14 AM
> Estate planning, deciding between trust or will, etc.
None of the above, then.
Getting a recommendation or checking on the cred of a particular attorney is actually part two of the problem.
Estate planning can get massively complex. I wouldn't give the job to an attorney, even if it's his specialty. I would want to deal with an estate planner with an impressively customer-oriented and hard working support staff.
Get a recommendation from friends and family on a professional estate planner. Check on alleged affiliations. It's not impolite to ask how they are insured/bonded. Talk to the staff. Talk to the staff. Talk again to the staff. It doesn't have to be a large company, but talk to the staff. Did I mention that you could get a good feel for the company and the competence of the estate planner by talking to the staff?
In many cases, the estate planner is probably an attorney anyway, but they usually have separate practices from practicing attorneys due to confIict of interest rules. An attorney is usually necessary in addition to the estate planner.
The estate planner will probably recommend one or two attorneys that they work with and yes they get kickbacks, but that's part of the business and they call it a referral fee. Obviously, you don't have to follow their recommendation.
None of the above, then.
Getting a recommendation or checking on the cred of a particular attorney is actually part two of the problem.
Estate planning can get massively complex. I wouldn't give the job to an attorney, even if it's his specialty. I would want to deal with an estate planner with an impressively customer-oriented and hard working support staff.
Get a recommendation from friends and family on a professional estate planner. Check on alleged affiliations. It's not impolite to ask how they are insured/bonded. Talk to the staff. Talk to the staff. Talk again to the staff. It doesn't have to be a large company, but talk to the staff. Did I mention that you could get a good feel for the company and the competence of the estate planner by talking to the staff?
In many cases, the estate planner is probably an attorney anyway, but they usually have separate practices from practicing attorneys due to confIict of interest rules. An attorney is usually necessary in addition to the estate planner.
The estate planner will probably recommend one or two attorneys that they work with and yes they get kickbacks, but that's part of the business and they call it a referral fee. Obviously, you don't have to follow their recommendation.