Legal advice is usually expensive, so you want to make the most of your time with a probate attorney. By knowing which questions to ask, understanding the complexities of your situation and hiring the right probate lawyer in Mississippi, you can save hundreds of dollars and maximize your success with this legal professional.
Let’s discuss some tips for preparing to meet with a trust and estate lawyer.
Do Your Homework
Once you have chosen the right legal professional, do some homework. It pays to research the legal issues you are having and the options that may be available to you. For example, if you’re interested in estate planning, familiarize yourself with the differences between a will and living trust. Each situation is different. The more you learn, the more specific questions you can ask so that you can have the proper documents prepared for you.
Schedule Your Consultation
Probate lawyers Mississippi operate differently. Some charge for a consultation, others do not. Some only hold consultations over the phone, while others prefer to meet in person. The amount of information you need to provide also varies between attorneys. Some want to know all the details, while others only ask for basic information during the consultation.
Ask the Right Questions
No matter what type of consultation you have, it’s important to ask the right questions. The more information you receive, the more confident you will feel about moving forward. Below are some questions that we recommend asking your probate attorney.
- What types of problems, if any, do you foresee with the probate?
- How long do you anticipate this case taking to complete?
- How much will you charge for the services?
- Will you handle the case on your own, or it will be passed along to another lawyer in the office?
- Have you had success dealing with other cases of this sort?
Hire Your Attorney
Once you have decided which legal professional to hire, you can sign the necessary agreements and officially begin your relationship. During the first meeting, you will exchange a lot of information, explain the details of your particular situation and answer questions.
The attorney will then create an estate plan based on the information provided to help you come to a conclusion. Some documents to bring to the first meeting include a prior will or trust documents, deeds to all real property, life insurance policies, bank, and retirement account information.
For an experienced trust and estates lawyer in Mississippi, call Susan G. Pinkston.
