Taking on the job of executor is no small feat. It can feel a little overwhelming at first, but it’s an important job and can help ensure that the wishes of a person’s will are carried out. When thinking about being an executor, you’ll probably be considering finding a probate solicitor to help guide you through the process seamlessly. However, it can be tricky to know which one to pick as you don’t want to end up with an expensive probate lawyer who doesn’t care to help you.
If you are navigating probate of will, here is how to find the best probate solicitors to help you.
Find candidates to interview
It won’t be too difficult to find a few probate lawyers in your area. A quick Google search of ‘Probate solicitors near me’ will set you on the right path. Probate is generally profitable for lawyers, so they will be more than willing to speak to you to discuss the process. You should read through their profiles online to learn about a lawyer’s experience and philosophy to start to understand if they will be good to work with. Try and find others who have worked with the solicitor to get an idea of how they work before going any further.
Interviewing probate solicitors
Next, you will want to sit down and have a conversation with the solicitors that you would like to hire, making it clear that you will be talking to several different lawyers. You should ask for some further details before asking some more questions. Some solicitors may assume you’re on board straight away and will start asking for some documents and information.
Here are some questions you may want to ask:
- How many probate cases have you handled?
- Do you charge by the hour, a flat rate, or some other way?
- Do legal assistants in your office do some of the work, at a lower hourly rate?
- If I want to handle some of the probate work myself, to keep fees down, are you willing to work with me?
- Will you prepare final tax returns for the deceased person and the estate?
- How long, approximately, will it take to go through probate?
- About how much do you think it will cost?
Find the solicitor that is right for you
When choosing a solicitor, you are looking for someone who is experienced and competent when it comes to handling the probate of will including court proceedings. Many probate cases aren’t too complicated and while they require careful attention to detail, they won’t need someone to present in a courtroom. Mostly, probate is a lot of paperwork and choosing a solicitor based on a friend or family’s recommendations will usually be sufficient.
Speak to the probate solicitors at Richards & Lewis today to learn how we can help you.