Women's Foundation of Minnesota

How to Find an Estate Planning Attorney

An Easy 3-Step Approach

1. Collect Names
Here are some common resources to help you identify estate planning attorneys in your area:

References from friends, relatives and co-workers
The American Bar Association's Internet lawyer referral service, www.findlegalhelp.org (Search for attorneys in your area and research firms or individual attorneys to identify which ones specialize in trusts and estates or wills and probate.)
Referrals from a local bar association or estate planning council

Quick Tip
No one can help you minimize taxes and protect your assets like a qualified estate planning attorney can.

2. Acquire Information
Once you've compiled a list of possible contenders, research them to determine the following information:

Experience and references
How fees are charged, along with an estimate of costs
Professional accomplishments
The number of principals working in the office
Office hours
Areas of specialty
Percentage of work devoted to estate planning
Alliances with professionals in related fields that may be of help

3. Make Your Choice
It's important to choose someone you trust and respect. We recommend that you consult with an attorney who will work well with your unique situation.


	Read about how to prepare for your first meeting.

The information on this website is not intended as legal or tax advice. For legal or tax advice, please consult an attorney. Figures cited in examples are for hypothetical purposes only and are subject to change. References to estate and income taxes apply to federal taxes only. State income/estate taxes or state law may impact your results.