Joe Volin's 12-Part Personal Guarantee

17 Tragic Misconceptions About Wills and Trusts

7 Potential Problems With Living Trusts

9 Dangers of Owning Property in Joint Tenancy

10 Fatal Mistakes That Tear Families Apart

Solutions to 15 Problems That Could Cost You a Fortune

Your Estate Plan Needs Maintenance

How to Choose a Qualified Lawyer

12 Tough Questions to Ask a Lawyer

Quiz for Estate Planning Lawyers

How I Calculate Legal Fees

Testimonials from Clients and Professionals

Continuing Education Courses

1. Choose an estate planning attorney. Other attorneys simply don't have the knowledge, skill, judgment or experience to plan your estate properly.

2. Choose an attorney who wants to help you avoid probate. Some estate planning attorneys earn their livings from probate, so they won’t likely tell you to avoid it.

3. Choose an attorney you trust. Nothing is more important in a lawyer/client relationship than having a lawyer you trust.

4. Choose an attorney who does your work himself. If the attorney gives your work to his assistant or paralegal, then why hire the attorney?

5. Choose an attorney who provides excellent service. Anything less is not acceptable.

6. Choose an attorney who will answer all of your questions. You won’t make good decisions if your questions remain unanswered.

7. Choose an attorney who will return your phone calls quickly. You should never hire a lawyer who won’t respond promptly to your needs.

8. Choose an attorney who has roots in the community. This attorney cares about his reputation and is more likely to be available in the future when you need help.

9. Choose an attorney who is a respected source of information — one who had dedicated his practice to helping people understand their estate planning alternatives.

10. Choose an attorney who charges fair fees. If the fee is too low, the attorney may be leaving something out. And if the fee is sky high, the lawyer may be overcharging you.

11. Choose an attorney who provides free telephone consultations. You never know when something might come up.

12. Choose an attorney who offers free initial consultations. Shouldn’t you be able to talk with the lawyer for free before you decide whether to hire him.

Also, ask specific questions about your estate and your objectives, such as: How can I reduce estate taxes? How can I provide for children from a prior marriage? How can I leave money for my child's education?