Leading Estate Planning Attorney Brian Douglas Urges Caution When Choosing A Probate Or Trust Administration Lawyer - Atlanta, GA
Oct 21, 2023
Summary
Top estate planning lawyer, Brian M. Douglas, founder of Brian M. Douglas & Associates, LLC, advises caution when selecting a probate attorney. Douglas suggests choosing an attorney who specializes in estate planning, trust, and probate law as they will have the necessary expertise. It is important to ask the attorney about their experience in estate planning, trusts, and probate law to ensure they can provide competent legal advice and navigate the complicated process. Douglas emphasizes the need for clear communication and prompt response from the attorney's office. Understanding the attorney's fee structure is crucial, whether it is a flat fee, hourly rate, or sliding-scale basis, to avoid surprises later on. Douglas warns against the disadvantages of hourly rates and inflated flat fees, advising clients to look for attorneys who charge based on court-accepted sliding scale formulas. Overall, Douglas advises clients to be cautious in their selection process, asking detailed questions, and considering the attorney's expertise, communication skills, and fee structure to ensure a smooth and cost-effective probate or trust administration.
Top estate planning lawyer Brian M. Douglas, founder of Brian M. Douglas & Associates, LLC , warns to take caution when selecting the right probate attorney. For more information please visit https://www.atlantagaestateplanning.com
Atlanta, GA, United States - October 21, 2023 —
Caution should be the watchword when selecting the right probate attorney, advises GA-based estate planning lawyer Brian Douglas.
For more information please visit https://www.atlantagaestateplanning.com
The founder of Brian M. Douglas & Associates, LLC, in Atlanta, GA, rightly suggests choosing an attorney who practices exclusively in estate planning, trust and probate law as they'll essentially know what they're doing.
He further advised: "Anyone who is licensed to practice law in the relevant state can act as your legal representative during probate or trust administration. However, it's essential to choose someone who knows the specifics of probate and trust administration. The practice of law is similar to the practice of medicine; it's become very specialized.’’
"You want to know if an attorney has experience in estate planning, trusts and probate law, and this is where they dedicate their time. Because they will be the ones to offer competent legal advice and help navigate a client through the complicated probate and trust administration process."
When assessing a probate attorney, he advises questioning them closely and whether they are skilled in dealing with issues arising from trust administration and taxes after someone has passed.
Establishing a timeframe to resolve a probate case is also crucial, with Douglas adding: "If an attorney is vague and cannot provide an answer, be wary as they might try to drag it out and overcharge you.’’
"There's no question probate and trust administrations can be both costly and lengthy. But a competent probate and trust attorney should be able to give you a timeframe as to how long your case may take having reviewed your estate."
Understanding a law firm's communication skills should also be high on the list of must-knows. Douglas said: "Communication should be a priority, but some offices might leave questions unanswered for days. The best answer them quickly."
He added that being aware of how a probate or trust lawyer charges for services will also help in the long run, "It's important to be up front and direct about fees to ensure you won't be surprised at a later date. A competent and experienced law firm will be able to quickly explain to you how much your administration should cost.”
"Establish whether a lawyer charges a flat fee, by the hour, or on a sliding-scale basis. Be sure to ask whether or not there's the possibility of other fees or costs being tacked on.”
Douglas cautions that while an hourly rate might seem like the least expensive way to go, the client is really engaging the lawyer on an open-ended project where the lawyer alone decides how long the project will last. By the same token, flat fees can also be inflated by the lawyer.
‘’Charging an overly-high flat fee is one way lawyers make sure they don’t get stuck in an unprofitable administration. Because there is a customary standard for the cost administering a trust or estate that is based on a sliding scale formula, a great way to make sure you don’t get overcharged is to look for a lawyer who charges based on that same court-accepted, customary sliding scale basis’’, Brian Douglas concluded.
Source: http://RecommendedExperts.biz
Contact Info:
Name: Brian M. Douglas
Email: Send Email
Organization: Brian M. Douglas & Associates, LLC
Address: 900 Cir 75 Pkwy SE #800, Atlanta, GA 30339, United States
Phone: 770-215-8249
Website: https://www.atlantagaestateplanning.com
Release ID: 89110541
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