Estate planning is one of the most important things you can do to protect yourself and your family. Massachusetts laws are complex. Unless you’re an attorney, preparing an estate plan is not something you should do on your own. Here are 4 reasons to hire an estate planning attorney.
1 – Legal Jargon Is Confusing
Legal documents aren’t the easiest to read. In fact, many things are worded a certain way for a certain reason. Unless you’re an attorney, you may not know this. More importantly, you may not spot an issue. The fact is, you’re unlikely to have the experience and skills to properly prepare a legal document. Whether it’s an estate plan or any other legal document, it’s best to hire an attorney that specializes in the particular field of law.
2 – Plans Should Be Personalized
Many people mistakenly assume that legal documents are all the same, so you should be able to purchase a template online and fill in the blanks. Unfortunately, it’s not quite that simple. Although estate plans may have certain things in common, like a power of attorney and a health care proxy, most plans are customized.
For instance, if you’re thinking about creating a trust, there are many types to choose from. Each have different pros and cons. Even two people wanting similar trusts will have different provisions within them. Estate plans must be personalized, so one template cannot possibly work for everyone. Trust your estate planning attorney to explain your options and help you prepare a plan that meets your specific needs.
3 – Mistakes Lead to Major Issues
Issues in estate plans can have devastating effects for your heirs. It can open doors to unknown and unintended heirs. It can result in taxes and other reductions to the value of the estate. It can lead to a lengthy and expensive court battle that dwindles assets. Given what’s at stake, this is one of the most important reasons to hire an estate planning attorney in Massachusetts.
4 – Protect Your Best Interests
Estate planning is emotional, and we don’t always make the best decisions under those circumstances. By hiring an attorney, you’ll also receive objective advice on important matters. Your estate planning attorney will protect your best interests and help you avoid common mistakes. Sometimes we need input from an outsider to gain perspective. This can help you finalize important decisions and select the best path forward.
More Reasons to Hire an Estate Planning Attorney in Massachusetts
These are just a few of the many reasons to hire an estate planning attorney in Massachusetts. Just as you wouldn’t submit to a medical procedure without consulting a medical expert, you shouldn’t prepare an estate plan without consulting an attorney. Contact our team to schedule an estate planning consultation. We’ll work with you to protect your interests and achieve your goals.