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Estate planning ensures that your beneficiaries are protected and your wishes are honored. However, completing this process alone can be confusing if you’ve never gone through it before. If you are in need of professional assistance, here are three reasons why you should hire an attorney to help plan your estate.

Why You Should Hire an Attorney for Estate Planning

1. The Process Varies by State

Estate planning can be difficult if you are unfamiliar with laws that are specific to your state. Most states have different regulations regarding the content of a will as well as who is allowed to be a witness, trustee, power of attorney, or health care surrogate. 

While many of the necessary requirements are transferrable between states, an attorney must sometimes change the language to match laws and regulations of the state. Additionally, there are often state-specific documents that aren’t applicable elsewhere. Getting professional assistance will help you avoid overlooking important paperwork.

2. There is More Room for Customization

Estate PlanningOnline estate planning platforms often provide general forms that don’t account for unique situations. Failing to fill out the necessary paperwork can be costly and time-consuming.

If you are a business owner, have real estate in multiple states, or have considerable 401(k) assets, you should receive help from a seasoned professional who can customize the process. Additionally, an attorney can provide guidance and update your plans if you go through significant life changes such as marriage or divorce.

3. Avoid Probate

Probate is a process that authenticates a will with the supervision of the court. While it is meant to ensure that remaining bills are paid and assets are rightfully distributed amongst beneficiaries, probate can be time-consuming and expensive.

Luckily, your attorney can find ways to avoid it based on your titled assets and beneficiaries. For example, the addition of a joint owner with rights of survivorship on a real estate deed will make you exempt from probate. This is because the surviving owner can continue to own and maintain the property.

 

If you need help with estate planning, contact Stayton Law in Stayton, ORTheir team provides expert legal advice that is customized to your specific situation. They also specialize in a wide range of practice areas including elder law, business law, and real estate law. For more information bout their additional services, visit them online. To schedule an appointment, call (503) 769-7741.

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