What Should You Ask Your Probate Lawyer?
The following list of questions should help individuals better prepare themselves for these meetings and discuss any concerns they may have while speaking to one.
What other areas of law do you practice?
Estate attorneys often have to represent clients in other areas of law. When you hire a probate/estate attorney, ask them about the different fields they are knowledgeable and experienced with such as immigration, criminal defense, or real estate closing transactions. My experience has shown that those who don’t focus on estates end up delaying cases unnecessarily which I am forced to take over later.
Do you regularly practice before the court to which my case will be assigned?
Many attorneys know immigration law very well and others are proficient in criminal cases. When hiring a probate attorney, make sure they have experience with other areas of the law so you’re not surprised when your case is one that’s out of their expertise. I’ve seen plenty of lawyers take on my cases because they were inexperienced in estate matters only to delay it for unreasonable periods of time.
What is your experience in this area?
This question will give you a sense of whether or not the attorney has had any previous probate law matters like yours, and how difficult it was for them to solve similar problems—as well as what they would recommend moving forward if faced with another estate law case. While past performance isn’t always indicative of future results, knowing about an attorney’s previous experiences can help prepare someone who is considering hiring that person to handle their own complicated legal matter.
What is the approximate time frame for completion?
This can be a difficult question to answer as many factors come into play, but in my experience, it generally takes about six months from probate being granted until everything has been processed and finalized by all parties involved and distributed accordingly. For example, some assets may have to need further liquidation before disbursement- this often creates delays because lawyers must wait for these investments to return capital or appreciate enough so that they are of value before distributing them according to your will’s instructions; if you decide on an executor who resides out of state then there could be additional waiting periods due not just with their own attorney office processing paperwork (and other issues) but also obtaining necessary releases required under local law.
What potential issues may arise in my case if any?
An experienced attorney should be able to tell you which nuances of your case may cause delays and how to plan for them, but the best way is always to make sure that you have all necessary paperwork ready beforehand so it doesn’t become a problem when needed.
How easily can I reach an attorney or paralegal if I need to speak with someone?
Law offices that are difficult for clients to contact will not have many, repeat any, long-term customers, and may never see a case through trial because they won’t be kept up-to-date on the status of their cases. Clients should seek law firms that offer convenient ways in which you can get in touch with attorneys as well as staff members who know your legal situation at all times so immediate action is taken when needed.
What are the estimated legal fees and are there any other fees?
How much you may have to pay for legal fees depends on the type of fee. A flat rate is a set price for an entire case and hourly rates are closer to what your attorney charges by task, but both can be expensive depending on how long it takes them. If there’s any chance that they might not get enough money from their client or lose in court, then they will charge contingency lawyer who gets paid if his/her client wins at trial as opposed to charging clients upfront with flat or hourly fees which can result in high costs and some loss of control over the process due to lack of warning about potential expenses before filing suit against someone else.
How Will A Lawyer Help Me?
You don’t know what to expect when you go through the process of death. A legal system is a complex machine that can be hard for outsiders, like yourself, to understand and navigate with ease. You need an expert who understands this complicated system in order so that they can help guide your family’s journey through life after death.