Maybe you’re considering hiring an attorney to help you with your estate plan or perhaps just your will. If so, glad to hear it. Too many Americans die without having a legally executed will, which can leave a big mess for the loved ones they leave behind. So congrats on taking the step needed to protect your assets and loved ones.
DOES IT MATTER WHAT KIND OF ATTORNEY YOU HIRE?
So let’s talk about the attorney you want to hire to help you here in Cincinnati. Does it matter what kind of attorney you hire? Good question! As an estate planning attorney, I’m biased, but my answer is, “Yes, it matters what kind of attorney you hire.” I will even go out on a limb and say you are likely better off hiring an attorney who concentrates their practice on estate planning than a generalist who offers estate planning as just one of many services. Now let me explain why.
CAN WE COMPARE ATTORNEYS TO DOCTORS?
Generally, I don’t compare the services of a medical doctor to those of an attorney (let’s face it, attorneys are not saving lives every day), but in this case, it helps to illustrate a point. That point is why hiring an estate planning attorney in Cincinnati who focuses primarily on estate planning might be a better choice than an attorney who has a more general practice, including several areas of law.
GENERAL PRACTITIONER OR SPECIALIST?
Most adults have a primary care physician who often is a “general practitioner,” someone who can diagnose and treat common ailments. But if you are suffering from something out-of-the-ordinary and your primary care doctor recommends you see a specialist, there’s a reason for that. When a medical doctor becomes a specialist, we feel we can rely on that individual to provide the very best care in their particular area. We believe and trust that they have the expertise and experience we need because they work in that specialty daily. They aren’t treating a cold one day and wrapping a sprained ankle the next. In addition to their daily hands-on experience, we expect them to be current on all the latest research and treatments.
Now let’s apply that thinking to attorneys in Cincinnati.
COOKIE-CUTTER OR CUSTOMIZED?
An attorney who is a “general practitioner,” providing legal services related to divorce, bankruptcy, injury, child support, criminal, and so forth, is more like your primary care physician. Able to provide services across many disciplines. But how much time does that individual spend on estate planning every day or every week – probably not much? And just like the medical specialist who treats each patient’s unique situation, an experienced estate planning attorney here in Cincinnati provides services based on each client’s unique situation and needs. Married, getting divorced, retired, recently widowed? An experienced estate planning attorney knows the importance of developing an estate plan that meets the needs of the individual based on their unique situation and life stage. I dare say you’ll never meet an estate planning attorney who recommends cookie-cutter wills and trusts for all clients.
ESTATE PLANNING ATTORNEY IN CINCINNATI OR GENERAL PRACTITIONER?
I hope this has better explained the difference between an estate planning attorney who focuses primarily on estate planning and an attorney who offers estate planning as just one of many services. If you are thinking of creating or updating your will or trust, why not give me a call to talk about it? I’d be honored to help you and ensure you have an estate plan that is uniquely right for you, your assets, and most importantly, your loved ones. Please call me at 513-399-7526 or visit my website www.davidlefton.com