Finding a good estate planning firm in Cincinnati, Ohio is not difficult. Of course, I am biased in saying as an estate planning attorney with more than 30 years of experience; I would be honored to help you with your estate plan … look no further! However, I want to provide three solid tips on finding an estate planning firm that is a good fit for your goals and needs.
Tip #1: Decide if you want to work with a “generalist” or someone whose practice concentrates on estate planning.
Think of it like seeing a general practitioner for a health concern versus a specialist. You can work with an attorney whose practice areas include a wide range of client needs such as divorce, personal injury, and family, as well as estate planning. If you anticipate no issues with your heirs, distribution of your assets, or financial complications, this kind of attorney might be okay. However, like consulting with a medical specialist, know that an attorney whose practice is solely devoted to estate planning might be a better choice if you expect any problems with the eventual distribution of your assets.
I can think of situations where having a skilled Cincinnati estate planning attorney, who is only focused on estate planning, can help you proactively head off all kinds of potential problems, family feuds, legal challenges, and more. Families can be complicated; second or third marriages; stepchildren, heirs with addiction, disability, or mental illness challenges; and more. Having an experienced estate planning firm help you anticipate problems in advance will save your loved ones a lot of time, money, and stress later.
Tip #2: Once you know which kind of estate planning attorney “feels” right for you, ask friends, relatives, and colleagues for their recommendations. Find out what they liked or didn’t like about their recommended estate planning attorney. Then, try to get a sense of how they might “fit” with you. If you want someone very responsive, for example, ask about that. If you want someone geographically close to you, include that in your “must haves” list. You decide what’s important to you.
Tip #3: Do a little research before committing. If your solicitation for recommendations generates more than a few possibilities for your estate planning lawyer, your next step should be to check them out online – it is so easy to do these days. First, visit each attorney’s website to check their credentials, background, etc. Are they a member of the Ohio State Bar Association? How do they rate with Avvo, a nationwide lawyer rating system? What do the online Google reviews say about them? Once you’ve narrowed the field, call each for a quick conversation. Some may offer a complimentary consultation to discuss the process and fees.
I can’t tell you which Cincinnati estate planning attorney or firm is right for you. But it is essential, once you have chosen, to feel that the attorney you decided to work with is professional, trustworthy, and operates at the highest levels of integrity. As always, I would be honored to help you with your estate planning needs. Call me at 513-399-7526 or visit my website www.davidlefton.com to schedule a consultation.