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News Updated Date : |
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November 27th, 2009 01:10am |
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Professional Estate Planning Law
Services
- Can I do it myself? Yes. It is possible for a person to do his
or her own estate planning with forms or books obtained at a
stationery store or bookstore or from the State Bar. At the very
least, a review of such forms can be helpful in preparing you for
estate planning. If you review such
materials and have any unanswered questions, however, you should
seek professional help.
- Do I need a professional’s help? It depends. If you do
seek advice, keep in mind that wills and trusts are legal documents
that should only be prepared by a qualified lawyer. Many other
professionals and business representatives, however, may become
involved in the estate planning process. For
example, certified public accountants, life insurance salespersons,
bank trust officers, financial planners, personnel managers and
pension consultants often participate in the estate
planning process. Within their areas of expertise, these
professionals can assist you in planning your estate.
The State Bar urges you, however, to seek advice only from
professionals who are qualified to give estate planning advice. Many
professionals must be licensed by the state.
Ask the professional about his or her qualifications. And ask
yourself whether the advisor might have an underlying financial
incentive to sell you a particular investment, such as an annuity
or life insurance policy. Such a financial incentive could bias
that professional’s advice.
Unfortunately, some sellers of dubious financial products
gain the confidence and private financial information of their
victims by posing as providers of estate or trust planning
services.
California State Bar
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