What kind of lawyer does wills?
No one likes talking about death, but it’s better than leaving your children or siblings to sort out your estate. A clearly planned will can make the time of mourning easier for everyone. An estate attorney will develop a legal will, create trusts on your behalf, and ensure the proper execution of your estate after you pass away.
Family attorneys and estate attorneys, also called probate and wills attorneys, can each prepare wills. The type of lawyer best suited to prepare your will depends on your situation. Most family attorneys provide services to prepare basic wills, including bequeathing property and personal items to family or naming a guardian for minor children. However, estate attorneys specialize in preparing wills in more complex situations. Consider hiring an estate attorney if you:
Have a large number of assets, especially those subject to estate taxes
Want to create a trust, such as allowing a spouse to live in your home until he or she dies and then leaving it to your children, or set up long-term care for a beneficiary
Have an ownership stake in a business
Expect someone to contest your will
Want to disinherit your spouse
How do you find a good lawyer for wills?
Estate planning is an important part of financial planning, so it’s important to find the right attorney to prepare your will. Although most family attorneys can put together a basic will, you may want one who specializes in wills and estate planning, especially if you have a lot of assets or a dependent to take care of. You may need an attorney who has expertise in planning and executing trusts and a background in taxes. Ask how the attorney charges; some charge by the hour, others have a set fee for writing wills, and some charge a percentage of the total value of the estate. Make a list of several potential wills attorneys to interview. Make sure you make a strong personal connection with your attorney — you need to be comfortable telling him or her personal, confidential information about your life, and you need to feel that the attorney is committed to solving any problems that may arise while writing your will. Also find out how long the attorney has practiced estate law and whether he or she has handled wills similar to yours.
What questions should you ask an attorney about wills?
When you’re creating a will and looking for a potential lawyer, ask plenty of questions. For example, ask:
How long will it take to draw up a will?
How much do you charge for will creation?
How do you set your prices? Do you charge hourly rates?
How long have you been practicing law, specifically estate planning and will creation?
How much does an attorney charge to do a will?
On average, attorneys charge $940-$1,500 to create a will. However, different factors (complexity, assets, hourly rates, etc.) can impact the cost. Get a more accurate estimate by contacting attorneys near you.
What do I need to bring to an attorney for a will?
Before you meet with your attorney, you might be asked to bring documents and copies of your personal assets (property and real estate, bank statements, retirement accounts, investments) and debts. Your lawyer might also ask you to bring information about your family and beneficiaries.
Ask the lawyer you hire to provide a list of documents and information you should bring to your first meeting with them.
How do you prepare a simple will?
Work with a lawyer to prepare a simple will. An attorney can help you figure out what to include and make a plan for your estate. Ultimately, your will should contain instructions on what to do with your assets. You should also select beneficiaries, guardians for your children (if you have any) and an executor for the will.
To help ensure you don’t miss any steps, hire an estate planning attorney to prepare your will.