Settling an estate is a complicated process that requires professional assistance. Did you know that it takes an average of 16 months to settle an estate?

An expert legal hand is a necessity to navigate this extended time period. Furthermore, there are significant financial implications. The average estate is worth up to $250K at the time of settlement.

Now that we have established the importance of estate settlement, it is time to hire an attorney. Read on for everything you need to know about hiring an estate attorney. Explore tips and strategies for locating the best.

Determine If You Need an Estate Attorney

Start off by determining if you need an attorney to help settle the estate. Here, you need to figure out whether the probate process is required.

Probate is the legal process for asset distribution amongst the heirs. This process is required by each state depending on the total value of the assets.

It drives the length of the settlement process and allows creditors to file claims against the estate. If you are required to go through probate, hiring an experienced professional is necessary. Continue reading for some useful tips on hiring an attorney.

Ask for Referrals

The first step in the hiring process is to ask family and friends for referrals. It is easy to get referrals in the social media age.

Start off by going on Facebook or another platform and asking for trust attorney referrals. This is a great way to identify a legal professional that you can trust.

If your family has a lot of wealth, trust is absolutely critical. What better way to find someone that meets this criterion than a family member or close friend? Also, you will feel comfortable asking for detailed feedback about their experience.

Do Your Homework

It is a mistake to solely rely on a personal referral. It does point you in the right direction. However, the positive experience of a few does not outrank the perspective of the many.

The next step is to use online resources to learn more about a prospective estate attorney. Look for client testimonials to reinforce the experiences of your friends and family.

More specifically, look for any negative feedback and see if it is a deal breaker. Customer advocacy websites like the Better Business Bureau are also available for review. Here you can see if any complaints have been filed against the law firm.

Schedule a Face-to-Face Meeting

Before officially hiring a lawyer, make sure to meet face-to-face. This is an important milestone in the hiring process.

It allows you to see if there is effective chemistry between client and lawyer. Also, a meeting affords you the opportunity to ask any questions.

This is a chance to inquire about any negative situations you uncovered during online research. Lastly, you can request a detailed breakout of the legal fees incurred while settling the estate.

A Recap of the Estate Settlement Process

The estate settlement process can be long and complicated. It is in your best interests to hire a professional.

If you enjoyed this article about hiring an estate attorney, check out our people blog for other great content.