How to choose the best estate planning attorney in Washington D. C.
You can start searching for an estate planning lawyer in Washington D. C. with our free resources. As you look through your options, you can eliminate attorneys from your list based on factors like budget, area of specialization, and local reviews. You’ll find that there are quite a few estate planning services in Washington D. C. to choose from, so you can be picky about what you want.
Once you’ve got your list down to a more manageable size, you can begin reaching out to each attorney that you’re considering. We recommend that you ask them for references so that you can hear directly from clients that they’ve already helped. It’s a red flag if an estate planning attorney in Washington D. C. can’t or won’t provide these to you.
Finally, you can end the search by giving your loved one the chance to communicate with the attorney you like best. This step will confirm that the two can get along well enough to maintain a fruitful working relationship.
Facts and trends in Washington D. C. estate planning
How many seniors in Washington D. C. are participating in estate planning?
Lots of seniors work with a Washington D. C. estate planning attorney. They do so to make sure that their assets are distributed properly and their medical preferences are followed regardless of what happens at the end of their life. For example, take a look at the following table, which uses data collected by the IRS.
| Number of Returns Filed for Complex Trust | Number of Returns filed for Simple Trust |
|---|---|
| 3,658 | 1,291 |
If you’d like to join these D. C. residents and set up a trust for an older loved one, then doing your research will be important. You want to make sure that you partner with a Washington D. C. estate planning attorney who can create a trust that contains all of the information that it needs to stand up in a court of law.
What are the main reasons that Washington D. C. seniors don’t have a will or a living trust?
Although having a will or living trust is important for older adults, many Americans don’t. There are a few different reasons why that’s true. For example, take a look at the following list. It uses data from Caring.com to highlight some of the main factors that older adults cite for not having a will or living trust.
Popular Responses for Not Having a Will or Living Trust
- I haven’t gotten around to it
- I don’t have enough assets to leave anyone
- It is too expensive to set up
- I don’t know how to get a will or living trust
Maybe you have an older adult in your life who is giving you some of these excuses. As someone who cares about them, it’s important to encourage them to make this a priority. One way to do that is by offering to help them find a skilled estate planning lawyer in Hagerstown to work with.
What are the benefits of working with an estate planning law firm in Washington D. C.?
Working with an estate planning attorney in Hagerstown can be a good decision for a few different reasons. One is that it ensures your loved one’s wishes are adhered to when they pass away. That’ll be important both from an asset distribution standpoint and a medical one.
Additionally, partnering with an attorney who can create an ironclad will could help to speed up the probate process. Having an excellent living trust made could also reduce family disputes because your loved one’s instructions will be very clear. These are all great reasons to make it a priority to connect with a skilled estate attorney who can help your loved one.
Estate planning solutions for Washington D. C. seniors
Estate planning doesn’t have to be complicated. Hiring an attorney could be just what you need to get this done so that you can get back to enjoying your loved one’s remaining years. So why wait? You can begin using the free resources on Seasons today to research your options and find the right one for you.
