When you meet with a probate attorney for the first time, it can be tempting to jump right in and begin talking about the estate. Before you go too deep into things, however, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the probate process. The more you understand, the better you will feel in the end. Here are the top 5 questions to ask when hiring a probate attorney.
1. What Types of Cases Do You Handle?
This is an important question to ask because many attorneys who handle probate also handle other areas of law. Depending on the nature of your case, you may want to work with a lawyer whose primary focus is probate. In this case, you may decide right then and there that you want to hire a different attorney for your case. On the contrary, you may need additional support in another area of law. It would be good to know what your attorney practices in the event you need their support elsewhere.
2. How Many Cases Have You Handled In Your Career?
This is a good question to ask to better understand the experience of your attorney. At the very minimum, you’ll want to know about your attorney’s expertise and whether they are just starting out or have been practicing law for many years.
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3. How Will You Charge Me?
Not only do you want to find out how much your probate attorney will charge you, you want to also find out how they will charge you. While money shouldn’t be the only deciding factor when choosing a attorney, it is important that you can afford the services. Find out if your attorney charges per case, per hour, or has another way of billing.
4. How Long Will It Take To Go Through Probate?
Usually, this question doesn’t come with definitive answer. However, your attorney should be able to give you a general idea. The last thing you want is for your probate case to take too long, so make sure you are asking this question ahead of time. Many clients are under the misunderstanding that the probate process can take years, which hardly happens. However, knowing the timeframe will help you to plan and budget your resources accordingly.
5. Will I Be Able To Reach You Easily?
In the event you have an important development or want a status update, the last thing you want to deal with is not being able to get ahold of your probate attorney. Some important questions to ask to get a better sense of how easily you’ll be able to reach them are as follows:
• Will I be speaking with you directly or a paralegal?
• Can I reach your office by email? How quick can I expect someone to respond?
• Will I be kept up-to-date on status updates?
Not only is it important that you’re able to reach your probate attorney, but it is also important that there is an open line of communication at all times.
Are You In Need Of A Probate Attorney? Contact Houser Law Firm in Dallas, TX and Surrounding Areas Today!
At Houser Law Firm, our attorneys routinely work with courts and regularly practice in probate courts in Dallas, TX and surrounding areas. Keep the probate process clear and let a trusted probate attorney from Houser Law Firm walk you through the process. Contact us today to find out more: 972-777-3589