• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Wilcox Attorneys, PA

Wilcox Attorneys, PA an Arkansas Estate Planning & Trust Information Center

Northwest Arkansas Estate Planning Attorneys (479) 443-0062

Client Vault
  • Home
  • Our Firm
    • Our Firm
    • About the American Academy
    • Advantages of Working With Our Firm
    • Attorney and Staff Profiles
    • News & Events
    • Speaker Connection
  • services
    • Asset Protection & Business Planning
    • Elder Law & Medicaid Services
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Estate Planning Services
    • Family-Owned Businesses & Farms
    • Incapacity Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • Pet Planning
    • Secure Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Trust Administration & Probate
  • Webinars
  • Practice Areas
  • Resources
    • DocuBank
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Estate Planning Resources
      • Estate Planning Articles
      • Estate Planning Checkup
      • Estate Planning Definitions
      • Estate Planning Reports
      • Incapacity Planning Definitions
      • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
      • Top 10 Estate and Legacy Planning Techniques
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Estate Planning
      • Frequently Asked Questions for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Incapacity Planning
      • Legacy Wealth Planning
      • Medicaid Planning
      • Pet Planning
      • Probate
      • Trust Administration & Probate
    • Newsletters
    • Pre Consultation Form
    • Trust Administration & Probate Resources
      • Bereavement Resources
      • How to Know if You Need Extra Help With Your Grieving
      • Loss of a Loved One
      • The Mourner’s Bill of Rights
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Trust
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Will
      • Trust Administration & Probate Definitions
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us
  • Contact Us
  • Blog

Estate Planning – My Attorney Retired???

December 29, 2015 by Deb Sexton Leave a Comment

My Attorney Just Retired – What Now?

 Compliments of Our Law Firm, Wilcox Attorneys, PA Law Firm

Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys

Over your lifetime, you’ve established lasting relationships with professionals like dentists, doctors, and attorneys. It’s hard to think that these professionals who have always been available to help us may someday leave their firm or practice. They may retire, move to a new state or pass away. So if your estate planning attorney is no longer available, it opens up a lot of questions. Are they obligated to pass your records to someone else in the firm? If they practice alone, will your files be passed to another lawyer? What are their obligations to you as a client?

It’s important to understand what you’re entitled to if your estate planning attorney is no longer practicing. You should be notified, and due process requires that the attorney will return any property they have in their possession which belongs to you, including your files. Remember, an attorney is obligated to honor confidentiality expectations, so to simply forward your information to another attorney is unethical. That is an important decision only you should make. However, you might want your current attorney to recommend another professional they trust.

Just as you conducted due diligence when you first hired your current attorney, you should practice that same due diligence, even if an attorney has been recommended by current representation. You’ll want to consider experience, fees, commitment to practice area and reviews from trusted sources. Are they a member of reputable organizations, such as the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys? Remember, these memberships require ongoing continuing education, which equates to stronger representation for clients.

Once you’re satisfied with what you’ve discovered, you’ll want to schedule a consultation with the new attorney. Don’t discount the importance of comfort around them; it matters. If you’re uncomfortable disclosing information or if you are unsure of how well you “mesh”, then trust your instinct. By the same token, be careful with comparing the relationship you had with your previous attorney. Odds are, it was built over time and based on a number of factors that come only with experience.

Now that you’re meeting with the potential new attorney, ask questions! Get to know one another so they can better understand your needs. Is there anything in your file that is perhaps outdated and needs to be revised? Are there any potential solutions which can reduce your tax burden? Remember, this is your life and your future – don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions. You want to be sure you’re both on the same page.

You’ve worked hard to build your assets. Show that same commitment and wisdom as you go about the business of selecting new representation. The easier the transition, the less stressful it will be.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Deb Sexton
Latest posts by Deb Sexton (see all)
  • Estate Planning is Essential Whether You Are Married or Not - April 25, 2018
  • Income Tax Basis in Estate Planning – Part 2 - April 23, 2018
  • The Downsizing Generation: How to Handle a Surplus of Stuff When a Loved One Ages - April 18, 2018

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Wilcox Attorneys, PA

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHEET

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.

Subscribe to Our Blog

Subscribe to our blog for all the latest estate planning news and updates!

Office Address

Fayetteville
2766 Millennium Drive
Fayetteville, AR 72703
Phone: (479) 443-0062

Office Address

Prairie Grove
1100 Division Street, Suite 4
Prairie Grove, AR 72753
Phone: (479) 846-6026

( By Appointment Only )

Office Hours

Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Map

map for office
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

footer-logo

© 2023 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.