As an estate planning lawyer, I often find myself explaining exactly what it is I do—and why it’s important. With DIY wills and legal documents available with a click of a button online, many fall into the trap of thinking they can create a satisfactory estate plan without ever speaking to a knowledgeable attorney. The truth is that working alone isn’t a sure way to secure the future you want for yourself and your family.

SO, WHAT DOES AN ESTATE ATTORNEY DO? HOW ABOUT AN AWESOME ONE?

Estate attorneys provide a wide range of services, from document preparation to personalized long-term planning. A trusted estate attorney can support your decision making process and help you ensure the protection of your healthcare wishes, assets, and estate for the future of your family.

An awesome estate attorney is like an extended family member, checking up on you and your life and keeping tabs on how your plan should be maintained or updated. He or she will empower you to take an active role in your planning and ensure you’re protected through all the curve balls life may throw at you.

WHY DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY? STATIC DOCUMENTS VS. FLEXIBLE PLANNING

An estate plan can involve many documents, including living wills, powers of attorney, nomination of guardianship, healthcare directives, and wills and trusts.

But you don’t just want an estate plan; you want a great estate plan, and that includes more than just filling out documents. Your estate attorney can help you ask yourself questions you never considered—and ensure all of your bases are covered, including:

  • Feeling confident that your children will be taken care of should something happen to you by selecting a trusted guardian—and by detailing what you don’t want to happen to your children should circumstances change.
  • Ensuring you have plans in place to help your assets retain their value throughout life changes and helping you plan how they will be handled after you are gone.
  • Helping you protect yourself by making sure your healthcare wishes are respected, particularly if there comes a time where you are unable to express your desires yourself.

An experienced estate attorney can help you navigate this process and will work with you to consider all aspects of your family’s long-term needs. There are ways to ensure that your loved ones are financially supported after your lifetime and that your legacy is carried on in the way you choose—a great estate attorney can design a plan that works for you.

AN ESTATE ATTORNEY MAINTAINS DOCUMENTS THAT EVOLVE WITH YOU

Estate planning documents are dynamic, “living” tools. You can’t just draw them up once and forget about them—life events can have a significant influence on your financial planning needs, and LegalZoom won’t call to check in and remind you to make changes to your plan.

A change in marital status, a new baby, a shift in business plans, and many other factors can impact your estate after initial documents are prepared. As much as we’d like to peer into the future, there’s no crystal ball to predict which direction your life will take, which is why it’s important to create a comprehensive, well-thought out plan.

Additionally, as estate or tax laws change, your documents must change with them. Usually, lawyers are the only ones crazy enough to delve into the abyss that is reading and understanding changing legislation—meaning you may not be aware that updates are needed until it’s too late.

Choosing the right estate attorney means you’ll have help navigating this process through personalized counseling that takes your particular needs into account.

CHOOSING AN EXPERIENCED ATTORNEY MATTERS

The first step to long-term estate planning is to find an attorney that listens to your questions and has the knowledge to help guide you through the process.

As an Asheville estate planning attorney, I have worked with countless clients to establish sound estate plans by building life-long relationships through individualized counseling, quarterly reviews, and ongoing support. My practice goes beyond document preparation to create a caring and compassionate estate plan tailored to each individual. We provide Asheville wills and estates that reflect each client’s needs and desires throughout their lives.

START YOUR PLAN TODAY

All of our consultations are confidential, so you can feel comfortable discussing the details of your wishes during your initial appointment.

Every client’s needs are unique—and so is our approach to estate planning. We will take the time to listen to your questions and explain your options for long-term estate planning. Together we will make a plan that fits your needs and keeps you and your family covered for years to come.

Get in touch today to schedule an appointment and find out how our estate attorneys can help you move forward with a plan that works for you and your loved ones.