You would not go to your family doctor for brain surgery or cancer treatment. You would likely go to a specialist. Why is it that individuals are comfortable consulting with an attorney that does not specialize or concentrate their practice in a specific area of the law? We have all heard the saying – “Jack of all trades, master of nothing”. When has that comment ever been a good thing or a compliment? Personally, when it comes to my own medical or legal needs (even though I am an attorney), I want someone who specializes in the area of my need – someone that deals with the same type of issues day after day. Not someone that is in federal court for a bankruptcy one day, mediation for divorce the next day and in district court the next day for a drunk driving case.
When it comes to setting up your estate plan, there are many variables that need to be considered. Do I need a Will or a Trust? What is the difference? What if I have a special needs child…does that change my options? What if I want control from the grave as to how assets are distributed? Each family comes to me with their own set of facts and circumstances. However, after 25 years of practicing law in the area of estate planning, I have dealt with just about every possible situation.
The traditional family is no longer in the majority. Families are now made up of second marriages, his, hers and our kids. Kids are living at home well into their 40’s and 50’s and there is more drug and alcohol abuse then ever before. Setting up an estate plan takes a lot more consideration and care than it did 50 years ago. If you are getting ready to set up your estate plan, make sure you are consulting with someone who focuses a majority, if not all, of their time on the area of estate planning.