Some lawyers who work in the estate planning area are "certified specialists in estate planning, trust and probate law." This designation means that they have met standards for certification set by the State Bar of California. However, not all lawyers who have experience and expertise in estate planning have sought that certification.
If you do not already know a lawyer who is qualified to help with your estate plan, obtain referrals from someone whose judgment you can trust -- friends, associates, or your employer. Your local bar association maintains a list of State Bar certified lawyer referral services in your area. For an oline list of certified lawyer referral services, visit the State Bar's Web site at www.calbar.ca. gov. You should be wary of organizations or offices who are staffed by non-lawyer personnel and who promote "one size fits all" living trusts or living trust kits. An estate plan created by someone who is not a qualified lawyer can have enormous and costly consequences for your estate and may not achieve your goals and objectives. Do not allow yourself to be pressured into immediately purchasing any estate planning product. When you retain a lawyer, you should understand what services are to be provided and how much they will cost. California law requires that a lawyer explain, in writing, the nature of the services to be rendered, the cost of those services and the payment terms. You should indicate your understanding of the terms and conditions of the lawyer's employment with a fee agreement prepared by your lawyer.
