How to find the right estate planning attorney for your needs

Finding the right estate planning attorney can shape not only how your assets are distributed, but also how smoothly your family navigates difficult moments.

For households beginning the process, the challenge is not just deciding to create a will or trust, Harry Margolis, author of Get Your Ducks in a Row, said in an interview. It's knowing where to turn and how to evaluate the professionals who will help build that plan.

Below is a transcript of that interview, edited for clarity and brevity.

How to find an estate planning attorney

Robert Powell: Have you thought about hiring an estate planner to handle your will, trusts and related matters? And where would you begin to look for one?

Here to talk about that is Harry Margolis, author of Get Your Ducks in a Row. Harry, for someone just beginning this process, where can they find someone who is competent, knowledgeable and skilled?

Start with people you trust

Harry Margolis: I always recommend that people start by asking friends and family. They've had direct experience with attorneys or other professionals. They know how it worked out, whether the attorney was responsive, whether they explained things well, whether they were efficient and what they charge.

That kind of firsthand experience is often more valuable than recommendations from other professionals. I know a lot of lawyers, but I don't necessarily know what happens when they're working with clients. Hopefully it's consistent, but it may not be.

So the first place to go is friends and family. The second is other professionals, such as financial advisers, accountants or attorneys in other fields. They may have worked with estate planners and can offer informed recommendations, even if they haven't been clients themselves.

Use professional organizations if needed

If those options don't work, you can do a Google search, but there are also reputable organizations to consider.

For higher-net-worth individuals, I would look at the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. That group tends to include attorneys working on more complex estates with significant assets and tax considerations.

If you have elder law issues, I recommend the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, as well as elderlawanswers.com.

For special needs planning, many elder law attorneys also handle that work. There are also organizations such as the Special Needs Alliance and the Academy of Special Needs Planners. The Academy includes not only lawyers but also financial planners and other professionals who work with individuals with special needs.

Interview more than one attorney

Robert Powell: It would seem that you should interview more than one attorney, maybe two or three, to see whether you're compatible. And perhaps ask whether they have clients like you, whether you have a blended family, a special needs child or unique assets.

Harry Margolis: Those are good questions. You should also ask how they work. Do they offer a free consultation? Do they charge a flat fee or bill hourly? Will you work with the principal attorney or an associate?

By asking those kinds of questions, you'll get a sense of whether it's a good fit.

Why testimonials are limited

Robert Powell: In some professions, advisers can provide testimonials. Can lawyers do that?

Harry Margolis: Generally not, because of confidentiality. Clients rely on attorney-client privilege. Attorneys would need a signed release to share that kind of information, so you're better off getting referrals from people you trust.

Are online recommendations useful?

Robert Powell: People increasingly ask for recommendations on Facebook or neighborhood forums. Is that a good way to vet an attorney?

Harry Margolis: It can be. I see that on neighborhood listservs all the time for services like plumbing or landscaping. It can work for attorneys as well.

Think long term when hiring

Robert Powell: Hiring an estate planning attorney is often a long-term relationship, since plans are revisited after major life events.

Harry Margolis: That's right. You want someone who's a good fit. You may also want to consider whether the attorney works at a firm with multiple professionals. A solo practitioner, especially one who is older, may not be available long term. A larger firm may provide continuity.

Build your plan over time

Robert Powell: For some people, the cost of a full estate plan can feel high. Is it reasonable to build it over time?

Harry Margolis: Yes, especially for younger people. Many start estate planning when they have children. At that stage, they may not have many assets, but they want to appoint a guardian and set up a basic plan.

Often, they won't revisit it for many years unless there's a major life change. Then, later in life, typically in their 60s, they revisit the plan with more assets and more complexity. At that point, trusts and other strategies become more important.

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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 8:47 AM.