Legacy Law Center was founded in 2012 with the goal of providing top-notch assistance to seniors, veterans, and families with an intense focus on proper estate planning. Because the firm serves families, veterans and elderly people,there are many focuses. Such as estate planning and how estate planning is important.
An estate planning lawyer in Chesterfield, MO can help you feel more secure in your future, and
the future of your children and family. With all of our years of combined experience, we’re going to be able to provide you with information such as:
- The specifics behind creating a will.
- How you designate your beneficiaries and choose who to place as a beneficiary.
- How to reduce or avoid estate taxes!
- How to avoid or reduce time in the probate court process.
- How to and why you might want to set up trusts to protect assets.
Most estate planning lawyers in Chesterfield, MO charge a set fee, or a flat fee. This means everything is stated in a price before you start working with this lawyer. Lawyers that handle estate planning can help you craft wills and other binding legal documents, as well as help you set up a durable power of attorney.
If you plan to have your estate lawyer manage your estate, act on your behalf during disputes, or otherwise be “on call” there will be an hourly fee in most cases. An estate planning attorney can also be called if there are any issues with power of attorney, even if it just is an issue of the person in charge not knowing what to do.
Difference Between Probate Lawyer and Estate Planning Lawyer
An estate planning lawyer often works with living individuals, and probate lawyers typically handle the estate after the person dies. This does not mean you cannot have the same lawyer for both instances, because these are very similar areas of law so often lawyers practice both probate and estate planning.
However, the types of fees you pay may vary if you are using the same lawyer for both probate and estate planning, and this is because of their tasks and what they are in charge of when they take on that second role.
Some Certifications Estate Planning Lawyers Have
Not every lawyer is going to have certifications, but these are some of the most common certifications. These certificates usually were obtained to acquire further credentials, and can help you understand what your lawyer can reasonably do.
- Accredited Estate Planner, or AEP, is a designation from the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils that is given to licensed lawyers, CPAs, chartered life underwriters and other financial advisors. This has a minimum of five years in estate planning experience. You must complete two courses at the American College of Financial Services, and must complete a minimum thirty hours of education every month. Half of that education has to be in estate planning.
- Chartered Trust and Estate Planner, or CTEP is given to people with a degree in finance, tax, accounting, law or financial services. They must have five related courses, a completed certification training course, and must continue their education annually. This is given to you from the American Academy of Financial Management.
