Finding the right estate planning law firm to help you create an estate plan can be challenging. Some people believe that every attorney can provide competent counsel, while others believe that in this complex area of law, price is more important than quality. You get what you pay for, as with most things in life. The choice of an estate planning attorney and law firm should be made with care and based on more than just assumptions or cost.
At PJI Law, PLC, we provide high-quality estate planning services to clients in Northern Virginia. We’ve helped many clients develop a plan to protect their assets and provide for their families after they pass away, and we can do the same for you.
Continue reading as our estate planning attorney shares seven must-have qualities to look for in a Northern Virginia estate planning attorney and law firm.
1. Comprehensive Estate Planning Services
It is a common misconception that estate planning consists solely of deciding who gets what upon death. This is unquestionably an essential aspect of estate planning and a good reason to find a lawyer who can assist you in drafting a will and a trust.
However, having the right estate planning documents can ensure that your wishes are carried out if you become incapacitated. Therefore, it is best to work with an attorney who can also discuss the advantages of:
- Advance Medical Directives
- Powers of Attorney
- Business Succession Planning
- Deed Preparation
- Transfer-on-Death Deeds
- Estate Plan Maintenance
2. Clear, Consistent Communication
Good communication is an essential part of a client/lawyer relationship. Your attorney should be able to explain legal matters in ways you can easily understand.
Emails, phone calls, and meetings indicate a lawyer’s communication skills. Are they thorough when providing you with information? Do they give detailed answers to your questions? When deciding on your estate planning lawyer, these are just some of the questions you should ask yourself.
At PJI Law, PLC, our team will give you personalized attention and white-glove service. We are professional, competent, approachable, and responsive. You will never wonder where we are or what we’re doing in your case.
3. Transparency
Your estate planning lawyer should be someone you can trust. You’re relying on them to help you make critical decisions about what happens to your real estate, assets, and family after you pass away or about who decides what kind of end-of-life medical treatment you receive.
When you start working with an estate planning law firm, they should be transparent about their costs, methods, and anything relevant to your partnership.
4. Availability
A law firm that’s slow to respond to phone calls and emails can cause major headaches when trying to accomplish time-sensitive estate planning. When considering an estate planning attorney, ask about their policy on contact with their clients. If you call their office and always get a voicemail, it could be a sign to keep looking.
5. Every Step of the Process Explained
Most people who hire an estate planning attorney have little or no prior knowledge of the estate planning process. A competent estate planning attorney will explain every step of the process to you in terms you can understand. They should be willing to go above and beyond to give you peace of mind and knowledge about your final financial arrangements.
6. Regular Contact Maintained
The day you receive final copies of your estate plan should not be the last time you communicate with your estate planning lawyer. The best attorneys contact their clients periodically to reevaluate their objectives and make necessary adjustments. Additionally, they inform clients of any changes to Virginia law that may affect their estate plans.
Your estate planning team plays a significant role in your life from when you hire them until many years after your death, and reaching out is a small way to demonstrate that they are still invested in you.
7. Client Reviews
You don’t have to rely on word of mouth to find good estate planning lawyers. When you search online for an “estate planning attorney near me,” reviewing sites like Google and Yelp can give you insight into the overall satisfaction of a lawyer’s clients.
You can also read testimonials of people who worked with the estate planning law firm to see what they have to say about their experience.
PJI Law, PLC: Trusted Estate Planning Attorneys in Northern Virginia
If you are looking for an estate planning attorney and law firm in Northern Virginia to help you through the estate-planning process, we can help.
Our committed estate planning team has extensive experience in Virginia estate planning, and we tailor every estate plan to meet each client’s unique needs and desires. We’re committed to helping you create a comprehensive plan that allows you to feel confident and give you peace of mind regarding your end-of-life goals.
Call PJI Law, PLC at (703) 865-6100 or complete our online form to schedule a consultation. We serve clients throughout Northern Virginia from our offices in Fairfax and Leesburg, Virginia.
Copyright © 2022. PJI Law, PLC. All rights reserved.
The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting based on any information included in or accessible through this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country, or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
PJI Law, PLC
3900 Jermantown Rd #220
Fairfax, VA 22030
(703) 865-6100
https://www.pjilaw.com
