Need lawyer for probate. Financial options please?
Question by What if I’m not adopted?: Need lawyer for probate. Financial options please?
In the near future I will need a lawyer to represent me in very large family estate. My relative who is on death’s bed will leave behind many properties and a large trust. At one point I was the executor or her will, and was listed on the trust. I am not aware of the current will. I fear that this will be a huge battle(with her current spouse having access to large sums of money). I have never been exposed to her world and don’t have a savings(or trust that I am aware of, other then from her estate). What is my best financial option to be represented efficiently? To get prepaid legal before she passes away? Pro Bono? another option? Thanks!
Best answer:
Answer by Mary N
Start interviewing experienced family law [probate] specialists to investigate the estate matters.
If you are heir to $ $ $ $ $ , why would you expect a specialist work for nothing; so, forget about “pro bono.” It will annoy any professional.
Add your own answer in the comments!
Forget “prepaid legal” < - that's a scam.
Get an attorney. IF you are still named as the Executor, as the Executor of the Estate you are responsible for anything that goes wrong, and you could become the target of a lawsuit. For your own protection, get an attorney - asap.
THE best way to find a lawyer is by word of mouth. Ask your: family, friends, coworkers, anyone you might know in the same situation, etc.
OR
Call your local (usually county) bar association. Ask for names of attorneys that handle Estate Law. (If money is a BIG problem, you could also ask for the phone number of your local LegalAid office. - the attorneys at LegalAid are "real" attorneys, but sometimes in the field of Law, how much you are willing to pay does affect the quality you get.)
When you call the law office(s), insist on speaking with the Lawyer. Just tell the Secretary the main idea of your matter - do not tell all the little details of your matter to the Secretary - save the details for the Attorney. When you get the Lawyer on the phone line, ask him/her:
- Do they give >>>FREE, initial consultations for the FIRST meeting? (most do, but not all – you have to ask, don’t assume)
- How much do they charge (per hour)?
- Could you make payments on your account?
- Can they help you? OR Refer you to someone who can help you?
Good luck.
(This is based on my knowledge, information, belief, and life experiences. This was intended as personal opinion, and not intended to be used as legal advice. Seeking advice over the Internet is not a good idea – the field of Law is too complex for that. Please be careful and do your research.)