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Home > Planned Giving > How to Take Control of Your Legacy

How to Take Control of Your Legacy

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

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.abanet.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.)
  • Recommendations from charities you trust, especially if you're considering making a gift to charity through your will or trust
  • Referrals from a local bar association or estate planning council

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.

eBrochuresRead about how to prepare for your first meeting.


We would be happy to further help you locate an estate planning attorney who works well with your unique situation. Just contact Julie Snyder at 716-862-1992 or jsnyder@chsbuffalo.org.

[related links]
> Getting Started > 4 Steps to Your First Will > Case Study > When and How to Update Your Will > What Your Will Can't Do > How to Find an Estate Planning Attorney > Your Next Steps

Copyright © The Stelter Company, All rights reserved.

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