If someone close to you dies, then you need to hire a probate lawyer. You may need help if you:

• Named as an executor in the will
• If the will does not name you as an executor
• The executor is dead or not available
• Or the existing lawyer is not doing a good job.

First, you need to know that there are two types of probate attorneys. Probate litigators help in probate lawsuits and the transactional probate lawyers help in handling the administrative probates. Some of the lawyers specialize in both fields or one area.

You need to hire one if someone close to you has recently died. You may also need to hire one if you want to challenge the will or you are not happy with the existing lawyer. It is essential to find a lawyer who has more than four years of experience in handling the probate matters—furthermore, an attorney who can handle all the paperwork and knows all the laws. If the deceased has real estate property, then the lawyer should also have expertise in actual property laws.

Where Can You Find One?

Well, there are various ways to search for an excellent attorney. For example, you can ask for recommendations from people who you can trust. You can ask your colleagues or friends for the suggestions. If someone you know has experience with a probate attorney, then approach him or her and ask for their recommendations. You will get useful information about working with a probate lawyer.

Furthermore, you can start your search from Google. There are various websites where you can search for a list of lawyers. After making a list, you can do the following things to narrow down the list.

• Look for their biographical information such as law school, experience etc.
• You can search for a lawyer in a law firm. You can read their information from the law firm website.
• After that, find and approach their former clients and ask questions about the attorney.
• You can also search the website of the state bar association.
• Does the lawyer is licensed and is a certified probate lawyer? These kinds of certificate can give you an idea about his or her experience.
• Furthermore, you must ask about their fees. Usually, the probate lawyers ask for a lot of money. So, it is essential to discuss the money matters before hiring a lawyer.
• Does the attorney have skills in dealing with cases like yours?
• If you are a foreigner, then you need a lawyer who can speak your language.

Arrange A Meeting

After narrowing down, your list, it is time to arrange a meeting with them. You need to compile a list of questions related to your case to evaluate the lawyer. In this step, you need to use your common sense. You need to see how much comfortable you are with the lawyer. Some of the lawyers provide a free consultation and some charge an up-front fee, so keep that in your mind.