An estate plan works best when it’s carefully prepared with the right guidance. These documents are meant to guide decisions during serious life events and after you’re gone, and if something is unclear or not properly drafted, it can create problems for the people you’re trying to protect.
A trust & estate planning attorney in Dover, or anywhere else you might be, can help you think through those situations before they happen. The goal is to create a plan that holds up and works as intended when needed. So, how do you know you’re choosing the right person?
Look for an attorney who regularly handles estate planning
Estate planning is its own area of law. It covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and planning for incapacity. It also involves understanding how New Hampshire law applies to each of those documents.
An estate planning attorney who focuses on this work day-to-day can pinpoint the minute details that can cause issues in an estate plan. That can include how assets are titled, how a trust is set up, or how a power of attorney actually works when it’s needed.
Working with someone familiar with how these documents are handled in New Hampshire, including probate procedures and local court expectations, can also make a difference down the line.
You want someone who spends a meaningful part of their practice working with estate plans. At Shaheen & Gordon, we handle estate planning matters regularly, and that experience shapes how we approach each plan.
Make sure they explain things in plain terms
You should walk away from your first conversation with a clear understanding of what your plan might include and why. That doesn’t mean knowing every legal detail. But you should understand:
- What documents you’re creating
- When those documents take effect
- Who will be making decisions, and under what circumstances
If the explanation feels rushed or overly technical, that’s a problem. Estate planning decisions are personal. You need space to ask questions and get direct answers. Our approach is to keep things clear and understandable, not complicated or inscrutable.
Pay attention to how they approach your situation
A good estate planning attorney should take time to understand your situation before offering recommendations. That includes asking questions about your family, your assets, and any concerns you have about the future.
You should get a sense of how they think through decisions. Do they explain different options and what each one means? Do they walk you through potential outcomes, or move quickly to a single recommendation? In some cases, the attorney’s approach may also include suggesting you start the estate planning conversation with your family early, so expectations are clear before anything is finalized.
This process often involves judgment calls, and the way an attorney approaches those decisions can affect how your plan works later on.
Ask how the planning process works
Estate planning isn’t wrapped up in a single meeting where documents appear at the end. It’s an ongoing conversation that takes your wishes and life circumstances into account. Most firms follow a similar process. It usually includes:
- An initial conversation about your goals
- A review of your assets and how they’re held
- Drafting documents based on those details
- A follow-up meeting to walk through everything before signing
You should know what to expect at each step. That makes the process easier to follow and helps avoid confusion later.
Think about how your estate plan will hold up over time
Estate plans often come into effect years or even decades after they’re created. That’s why it’s worth asking how the attorney approaches long-term planning. Will the documents still make sense if your situation changes? Are there built-in safeguards? How easy is it to make updates?
A well-structured plan can also help your family avoid unnecessary court involvement and delays later on. Life events like marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child can all affect your plan, as can changes in the law. You’ll want an experienced lawyer who builds estate plans with those twists and turns in mind.
Consider the importance of clear communication
You’ll be talking about personal finances, family relationships, and end-of-life decisions. That’s not always easy.
The process should feel manageable and informative. You should feel comfortable asking questions, even basic ones. And you should get clear answers without having to chase them down. If communication is difficult at the start, it usually doesn’t improve later.
At Shaheen & Gordon, we prioritize open, straightforward communication so our clients understand their options every step of the way.
Watch for overly simple or one-size-fits-all solutions
Online forms and quick document services can appear to be appealing and simple solutions to a complex task. Some attorneys also take a similar approach, offering basic packages with very little discussion or personalization.
That can create real problems. Estate planning decisions often involve tradeoffs, and what works in one situation may not work in another. A will may be enough in some cases, while incorporating one or more trusts may be more appropriate in others. Powers of attorney also need to be drafted carefully so they function properly if they’re ever needed.
If everything is presented as simple or automatic, it’s worth slowing down and asking more questions. We take a more deliberate approach, making sure each plan is built around the details of your situation rather than a standard template.
Choose an estate planning attorney you can rely on
Choosing an estate planning attorney ultimately comes down to trust. You’re asking someone to help you make decisions that affect your family long after the documents are signed. You need a plan that reflects your wishes and holds up when it matters, and an attorney who can help you build it to last.
At Shaheen & Gordon, we work with clients across New Hampshire and Northern New England on estate plans that are built around their specific situations, not standard templates. If you’re ready to create or update your estate plan, we’re here to help. Call (800) 451-1002 or contact us online to get started.
