Monday, July 31, 2017
Friday, July 28, 2017
Trust Attorney
When you are looking for a trust attorney, there are several questions you should ask…
Here are 3 questions to ask a trust attorney
Question 1: Do you specialize in trusts? I.e. Are you a trust attorney?
Other attorneys simply don’t have the knowledge, skill, judgment or experience to write a trust properly.
Trust writing is a complex area of law, and requires skills that are not necessarily taught in law school, such as project management and insight. Only with life experience and professional experience can an attorney be a truly good trust writer. You should always be willing to ask an attorney about her kills. A good attorney will share the non-intimate details.
Question 2: Can I trust this trust attorney?
Nothing is more important in a lawyer/client relationship than having a lawyer you trust. And nothing is more important to most attorneys that they can be trusted by the clients they work for.
Question 3: Do you do all the work yourself?
If the attorney has an assistant create your estate plan, then why hire the attorney? You may as well hire the assistant (except that it is illegal in most states to practice law without a license…)
Note, it’s not uncommon for lawyers in solo practice to ask a funding coordinator to transfer property into your trust. Even so, funding is a fairly routine function and you are well protected as long as the lawyer supervises the process.
Questions? Need Help?
If you need help or have questions, please Click Here to Contact Us.
The post Trust Attorney appeared first on .
from http://ift.tt/2h7QYms
from DeWitt Law Firm, PLLC
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Probate is a Hassle
How much easier would you family’s life be if they never had to go to Court? How much better would it be to not have to spend your hard-earned money on lawyers for Court?
Probate Is A Hassle
Probate is a hassle, is expensive, and involves many trips to Court.
Part of going to Court is finding a lawyer to represent you in court. That alone can take a lot of time as you interview attorneys to find the one you want to use. All the phone calls and trips to lawyer’s offices.
Time And Money Wasted
Going to Court is a huge hassle. You spend hours and hours of your precious time driving to the courthouse and waiting for the Judge. Not to mention all the high lawyer’s fees and Court costs. Hours and hours of expensive attorney fees preparing for Court. Expensive certified mailings to everybody involved. Summons to appear in Court must be sent via certified mail to everybody involved.
Law Is Devoid Of Emotion
Laws are emotionless and don’t take into account family dynamics. They were written by the legislature and are generic. They don’t take into account your specific situation, but just try to cover the most people they can.
The job of a Judge is to follow the law without emotion. They have little wiggle room to make exceptions for your particular situation.
Property In Limbo
Not to mention that all the property is in limbo during probate. Until the proper time in the process, which may be years, property cannot be distributed. You family may have to wait to get money they desperately need.
Public Eye
Maybe even worse than Court is the fact Probate proceedings are public record. It can really be a hassle to your family to get mailings and phone calls from financial predators just wanting a “piece of the pie.”
Avoid Probate To Avoid Hassle
Probate takes many trips to Court, spending time and money every time.
Avoid Probate and avoid hassle, fees, and costs for your family.
The post Probate is a Hassle appeared first on .
from http://ift.tt/2eQzSsB
from DeWitt Law Firm, PLLC
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
I’m Looking For An Estate Planning Attorney Near Me
If you are looking for an estate planning attorney near me, hopefully you have come to the right spot.
We are located in centrally located downtown Springdale, Arkansas. We serve all of Benton and Washington counties including Bella Vista, Arkansas; Bentonville, Arkansas; Rogers, Arkansas; Lowell, Arkansas; Centerton, Arkansas; Springdale, Arkansas; and Fayetteville, Arkansas among others.
If you are unable to get to us, we can come to you at your home or office.
Roots In The Community
By choosing an estate planning attorney near me, you get an attorney with roots in the community. This attorney cares about his reputation and is more likely to be available in the future when you need help. They won’t be here today and gone tomorrow. Attorney’s with roots in the local community are also much more likely to invest time back into the community.
Free First Meeting
Shouldn’t you be able to talk with the lawyer for free before you decide whether to hire him? Shouldn’t you get the chance to make sure you are comfortable with them?
Also, ask specific questions about your estate and your objectives, such as: “How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?” “Can I keep my kids from controlling their entire inheritance at age 18?” “Can I protect my children’s money from creditors?” “How can I leave money for my child’s education?”
Questions Welcome
An attorney who structures meetings by allowing enough time to answer your questions. High-volume practices have short appointments so they can move clients quickly through the process. I don’t know about you, but this is not the level of service I expect when I hire a lawyer.
Fair Fees
At best, you get what you pay for. Most people do not shop for the cheapest doctor. Instead, they focus on the doctor’s qualifications and experience. You should apply the same principle when selecting an estate planning attorney. If the fee is too low, the lawyer may be leaving something out. Make sure the fee you pay and the services you receive are of equal value.
Not to say you should use the most expensive attorney out there, but maybe you should make sure the cheapest quote doesn’t nickel and dime you to death.
A fair attorney will charge you a flat fee that includes everything, including filing fees and copies.
The post I’m Looking For An Estate Planning Attorney Near Me appeared first on .
from http://ift.tt/2eNeVyD
from DeWitt Law Firm, PLLC
Lawyer For Estate Planning
There are several critical questions to ask when you are looking for a lawyer for estate planning.
Hi, I’m Gary DeWitt, a lawyer for estate planning in Northwest Arkansas.
Here are 3 questions to ask a lawyer for estate planning.
Question 1: Do you specialize in estate planning?
Other attorneys simply don’t have the knowledge, skill, judgment or experience to plan your estate properly.
Estate planning is a complex area of law, and requires skills that are not necessarily taught in law school, such as project management and insight. Only with life experience and professional experience can an attorney be a truly good estate planner. You should always be willing to ask an attorney about her plan. A good attorney will share the non-intimate details.
Question 2: Can I trust this attorney?
Nothing is more important in a lawyer/client relationship than having a lawyer you trust. And nothing is more important to most attorneys that they can be trusted by the clients they work for.
Question 3: Do you do all the work yourself?
If the attorney has an assistant create your estate plan, then why hire the attorney? You may as well hire the assistant (except that it is illegal in most states to practice law without a license…)
Note, it’s not uncommon for lawyers in solo practice to ask a funding coordinator to transfer property into your trust. Even so, funding is a fairly routine function and you are well protected as long as the lawyer supervises the process.
Secrets of Excellent Estate Planning
Feel free to call 479-717-6300 with your questions or to get my free book, “Secrets of Excellent Estate Planning”. The book is also available on my website.
A Will alone will not protect you from Probate. Probate means your family could be in court for years fighting for what you left them. Wills and trusts serve different purposes. And, you need to know the difference.
I offer you expert guidance and honest advice, giving each issue the attention and sensitivity you deserve. I will give you all the information you need to make well informed decisions for you and your family.
The post Lawyer For Estate Planning appeared first on .
from http://ift.tt/2uwDYLE
from DeWitt Law Firm, PLLC
Monday, July 24, 2017
At Risk
Everything you have worked and saved for your entire life, could be at risk… if you don’t have a will, if you have an outdated will or a will without a trust. A will alone will not protect you from probate. Probate means your family could be in court for years fighting for what you left them.
Wills and trusts serve different purposes. And, you need to know the difference. Outdated wills are also a problem! If you have moved, married, divorced, had another child or a death in the family… your will is outdated.
Eliminate worry; protect you, your family and estate today. Call me now, it’s free to talk or pick up my free book… Secrets of Excellent Estate Planning.
Call for your free consultation and get your free book. Call 717-6300 or Get Your Copy Here
The post At Risk appeared first on .
from http://ift.tt/2gY70iA
from DeWitt Law Firm, PLLC
Monday, July 17, 2017
Complete Estate Planning Vs. Probate
Many people won’t do complete estate planning because they don’t realize how difficult Probate can be. Most people don’t know just how much time and trouble going through this formal process is.
Probate is emotionally draining, not to mention expensive and time consuming.
Probate is well worth avoiding all together.
What is Probate?
Probate is the process of either
- Admitting the Last Will and Testament then following the instructions in it
- Using the State’s Plan (no Will) and following the State’s strict instructions
Either way is a very formal court driven process requiring several trips to the courthouse to see a judge. The judge gets the final say in all of the decisions.
How Much Does Probate Cost?
Probate starts at about $4,000 for a full probate. For a more complex probate, costs can run $8,000 or more. If the people involved are fighting with each other, you can expect $10,000 or more.
How Long Does Probate Take?
A small estate, with no house and no debts can get done in about 60 days… If a home is involved, it will take about 6 months.
A full probate with a Will requires about one full year, if plain simple instructions were left. If the Will is bare bones, you can add many more months.
A full probate without a Will can take 18 months to 2 years because of the waits for court dates and other legal requirements of administering an estate without a Will.
What is Complete Estate Planning?
Complete estate planning is
- Probate avoidance
- Asset protection
- Protecting your fundamental rights
- To make financial decisions
- To make personal decisions
- To make healthcare decisions
- To make legal decisions
- Eliminating risk
- Eliminating jeopardy
- Eliminating doubt
- Eliminating uncertainty
- Medicaid/long term care planning well ahead of time
How Much Is Complete Estate Planning?
Probate avoidance starts around $1,500 for simpler estates and up to $3,500 for average to moderately difficult estates.
The post Complete Estate Planning Vs. Probate appeared first on DeWitt Law Firm, PLLC.
from DeWitt Law Firm, PLLC http://ift.tt/2uuEs5D
from DeWitt Law Firm, PLLC