A professionally drafted last will and testament is essential if you want your final wishes to be followed to the letter. Finding an experienced attorney who understands Arkansas estate planning laws and regulations is the first step toward deciding how you will be remembered.
It is invaluable to have an experienced last will and testament attorney at your side when it comes time to decide how your possessions and assets will be distributed after you pass away. This is particularly true in Arkansas, where a proper understanding of estate planning law can mean the difference between your will being honored and a probate court throwing it out in favor of the state’s intestacy law. Even if you do not have many assets left in your name when your will comes into effect, there are many legal formalities that need to be followed. Ignoring even one of these requirements can result in your will being deemed invalid.
To ensure that the results of your life’s work will be given to those nearest and dearest to you, you should invest the necessary time and attention when choosing a last will and testament attorney in Arkansas. Here are some of the most important signs of an attorney who can provide a legally binding document and peace of mind.
Reliable Recommendations
One of the best ways to start your search for a last will and testament attorney is to ask your friends and family members for their recommendations. If you are at the point in your life in which planning your will is prudent, it is likely that people who are close to you have already gone through the same process. A personal recommendation from a person you trust can give you insight into how an attorney treats their clients and whether the document they created is authoritative. If you cannot find recommendations from your social circle, remember that you can ask an attorney to provide existing clients as references. While they may not be as transparent as your friend or relatives, a client can describe the process they went through while creating a last will and testament with the attorney’s help.
Enlightening Consultations
Many Arkansas attorneys offer free initial consultations, which can offer great opportunities for you to decide whether they are qualified to write your last will and testament. When you call to set up a consultation, pay close attention to how this first interaction feels. A professional attorney will be friendly but direct, clearly explaining what you will be able to expect during the consultation. If you end up scheduling a consult, come with a handful of basic questions about the process of creating a will. Do not expect the attorney to provide specific information that you will need to pay for, but they should be authoritative when explaining how these estate-planning documents work in Arkansas.
Regular Updates
After you have received recommendations and attended consults, it is likely that you will have found a qualified last will and testament attorney on whom you can rely. The last step is discussing future updates to your documents because your last will and testament is not set in stone. Your relationships and assets can change dramatically over the years to come, and you will want an attorney who is willing to update the document to reflect your ongoing wishes. In fact, reviewing your last will and testament on a regular basis is often recommended to ensure the provisions still reflect your estate and Arkansas guidelines for last wills and testaments. Regular reviews and updates are rarely covered by the initial attorney fee, so you will want to learn what the rate is for this ongoing legal counsel.
If you are planning your estate and looking for a last will and testament attorney in Arkansas, contact McHughes Law Firm at (501) 376-9131 to schedule your free legal consultation.
