Estate planning is about the formation of legal documents to help manage asset division and legacy protection after a person passes away. Family law typically focuses on marital agreements, divorce matters, asset division, child custody, child support and spousal support. These two legal focuses are very different – but also intertwined.
Having the same attorney handle both your estate planning and your family legal matters can be highly beneficial for several reasons:
You get a comprehensive strategy
Family legal issues, such as a divorce, a second marriage or a child custody issue, can have a significant impact on your estate plan. An attorney who understands the dynamics of both areas can help you take a consistent legal approach to each situation.
You get seamless asset protection
Whether you’re marrying for the second time or going through your first divorce, your estate planning documents (such as your will, trust and powers of attorney) may need to be updated to reflect new beneficiaries, protect children from prior relationships or shield your assets from unintended uses or distributions.
You avoid conflicting legal guidance
Estate planning and family law often intersect, especially in cases of remarriage, blended families and inheritance disputes. A single attorney can provide clear legal guidance that takes all these factors into account. Knowing both your unique family situation and your estate planning goals makes it easier for your attorney to help you make informed choices.
Ultimately, working with one attorney for all your family law and estate planning needs enhances the attorney-client relationship, making it easier to get your legal needs consistently met as your life circumstances change. Do not dismiss the advantage of an attorney who is experienced in both estate planning and family law matters. It may benefit you to reach out for guidance to discuss your legal issues.