Questions You Should Ask Your Palm Beach County Estate Planning Attorney

Financially savvy and family-oriented people understand how important, and often complex, proper estate planning can be. You understand that getting help from a Florida and Palm Beach County estate planning attorney at Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun is critical in that process. The last thing you want is for mistakes and overlooked technicalities to be discovered just when your documents are needed.

About Estate Planning in Palm Beach County

Estate planning is a set of procedures and strategies that are implemented to determine how your assets will be maintained and distributed upon your death or incapacity. First, you have to identify your assets and liabilities. The term “asset” includes all of your property, both tangible and intangible, that has value. An important aspect of this identification includes not only physical assets, such as real estate, boats, and motor vehicles, but also includes intangible assets such as stocks, insurance, pensions, bonds, savings, payable upon death (POD) accounts, IRAs, 401(k)s, and others.

With a clear picture of your assets, a Florida and Palm Beach County estate planning attorney at Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun works with you to customize a comprehensive estate plan. Together we will review the legal tools available to us to create a secure and advantageous strategy for you, your family and your business. 

Important Questions You Should Consider Asking Your Lawyer

The estate planning process requires a copious amount of information, so pre-identifying all of your assets and preparing your questions ahead of time will save time for both you and your attorney. You will undoubtedly have questions of your own regarding your unique set of circumstances, but it may help to inform yourself regarding what types of questions are commonly asked during our consultations.

Is your primary focus on estate planning? 

The answer you want to hear is “yes.” Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun is a full-service estate planning law firm serving clients throughout Florida from our Palm Beach County offices. Our services include estate administration, asset protection planning, and necessary experience in related areas like tax law and probate law, all in-house.

Do you actually implement the plan? 

There are estate planning lawyers who simply draw up the documents and leave you on your own to actually implement them. Estate administration has three parts (1) probate (2) tax returns, and (3) implementing the estate plan. At Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun we can successfully complete and assist in all three steps.

Can you help me create a comprehensive estate plan?

A comprehensive estate plan will vary from person to person. What a Florida retiree needs may be different than the documents of a single mother of two living in Boca Raton. We will evaluate the needs of documents, such as trusts, wills, pour-over wills, powers of attorney for finances and health care, a living will, life insurance, and others. Comprehensive estate plans may include all or some of these tools. We believe the sign of a truly effective estate plan is one where all of the pieces work together without overlap or contradictions. 

What are the costs associated with your services? 

The cost of estate planning depends on a larger-than-usual set of choices and options, and therefore impossible to calculate in broad strokes. At Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun we are transparent with our pricing when you call to speak to us about our Florida estate planning services.

What other issues do you address? 

Life expectancy is increasing at an appreciable rate. Along with increasing life expectancy comes the increased probability of long-term health issues, including mental and physical health problems. The best estate planning attorneys, like a Florida and Palm Beach County estate planning attorney at Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, will help you fiscally prepare for the possibility of such long-term health issues. It is important that you feel comfortable with your future.

Will you send estate planning documentation for me to review? 

An experienced Florida and Palm Beach County estate planning attorney at our firm will request that you review the documentation and ask questions until you fully understand the estate plan and are happy with the terms outlined.

Will anyone else in your office be able to discuss my issues in your absence? 

Most estate planning attorneys, like the attorneys at Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun, make their availability a priority. In the event that your attorney is temporarily unavailable, there will always be another associate or a paralegal available to answer questions that have genuine urgency.

A Florida and Palm Beach County Estate Planning Attorney at Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun Can Help Demystify Your Estate Planning

Estate planning is important, complex, and work-intensive. A Florida and Palm Beach County estate planning attorney at Comiter, Singer, Baseman & Braun has all the resources needed to create a unique, comprehensive, and effective estate plan. Contact us today for your initial consultation.