The first step in estate planning is to find an estate planning lawyer. While legal automation can be attractive, it is best to work with a professional. An experienced attorney can help you make the most informed decisions and ensure your family is protected in the event of a death. While the lawyer may charge an hourly fee, this can be justified if your estate is complicated. You can ask them to sit down with you and go through the process with you.
An estate planning attorney will generally charge a flat fee for his or her services. This is because attorneys know how much time it takes to prepare various documents. You'll be able to decide whether this is a reasonable fee before you meet. A flat fee is the best option if you'd prefer to avoid worrying about phone calls and other expenses. An hourly fee structure is also more flexible and may be more cost-effective in the long run.
Another option is a flat fee. This is a one-time fee that you pay for the services you need. You can pay this in advance. This approach makes it easier to budget for your estate planning lawyer since you won't have to worry about how much the phone call will cost. However, you should still know that a flat fee may not be sufficient if your estate planning needs change during the process. A flat fee may be more expensive than an hourly fee, so make sure you discuss the price before signing any contracts.
The top Bezaire Ledwitz and Associates attorney will charge a flat fee for his or her services. This fee is for the initial consultation. During this consultation, you can discuss your estate planning needs and determine whether he or she is a good fit for you. You should ask for a quote before meeting with an estate planning attorney. This will help you decide if you'll be comfortable with this professional or not. If you're unsure, don't hesitate to contact a lawyer and get a quote.
If you decide to hire an estate planning lawyer, be sure to ask them what type of fee they charge for an initial consultation. The fee will depend on the number of documents you need to draft and the complexity of your estate plan. Oftentimes, an attorney will charge a flat rate for the initial consultation because he or she already knows the average time it takes to prepare documents. If the amount you're paying for an hourly fee is more than one hour, you should consider a flat fee.
A flat fee attorney will charge a flat fee for preparing documents. This attorney knows how long it takes to complete a will and other important documents. This means he or she will charge an hourly rate if the process is longer than expected. Additionally, an hourly fee lawyer may charge additional fees for phone calls and travel. If you're not comfortable with this, you can choose a flat-fee attorney.
Get a general overview of the topic here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawyer.