Monday, January 22, 2018

3 Things to Consider when Choosing a Toronto Estate Planning Lawyer

Finding a Toronto estate planning lawyer who can help you put together a good estate plan can be a very difficult task, especially when you have limited idea about what needs you have to be concerned with when planning your estate. The right lawyer can help you make sound decisions when you are developing an estate plan and will make sure that all the appropriate details are in place to protect your family and legacy in the future.




Choosing the right person involves a great deal of careful consideration. You can’t simply go on the internet or the Yellow Pages and choose the first name that you see. Keep in mind that anyone can buy ads and advertise themselves as the best estate lawyer in your area, but they actually have little or no experience in this area of practice..




There are certain factors that you’ll need to take into account to help you make the right choice:




Choose an attorney that you are able to share lots of personal information with




The process of estate planning covers virtually every area of your life. You’ll need to disclose sensitive information about your finances, properties, insurances, investments, businesses, family relationships, medical issues, and your plans and goals for the future so that your lawyer can provide proper guidance and advice when planning your estate.The more comfortable the attorney-client relationship, the more at ease you can open up about yourself, and the more information you give your lawyer about yourself, the better he or she can help you fully plan out your estate. It’s also wise to take into consideration that the lawyer you choose can get along with other members of your family particularly since they will need to work together to carry out your wishes after your death.






Choose a lawyer whose primary focus is on estate planning




Estate law covers a very broad category that includes estate planning, estate and trust administration, probate, elder law and more. There are estate lawyers who specialize in more than one area and others who have more expertise in specific issues. Each practice area requires extensive knowledge of the particular area of law, including rules and regulations for interstate succession which will vary from state to state, tax consequences of gifting property, and the necessary requirements for creating a valid will.




Ideally, you'll want to hire an estate planning lawyer who regularly handles transactional side of estates, but who also knows enough about other areas of law so he can cross-check whether a particular plan or action might conflict with certain legalities in other fields. It’s important to choose an attorney who regularly practices in this field so he stays knowledgeable on the latest updates concerning estate law and keep up with applicable changes to the law and what effects it might have on your estate.




Choose an attorney who can meet your special needs




During the estate planning process you may have specific requests and an attorney who is able to accommodate these special needs is more likely to be a better fit for you.




  • Do you need an attorney who can speak a certain language you are more comfortable using other than English?
  • Is money tight and you need to find a lawyer who charges a moderate fee?
  • Do you need wheelchair accessibility when you visit the lawyer’s office? 
  • Does planning your estate require an attorney who is familiar with estate laws in multiple states? 
  • Do you prefer a lawyer who works nearby so you can communicate face to face on a regular basis?
  • Is it okay for you and your lawyer to communicate by phone, email or web calls from time to time?



You can successfully find the right estate planning lawyer in Toronto if you take sufficient time to evaluate your needs carefully and screen prospective candidates thoroughly. Don’t hesitate to ask questions during your initial meeting as this will help ensure that you will hire an attorney that you can trust with the security of your hard-earned assets and property and that your family is protected from trouble in the future.

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