For most people, the field of trust litigation seems obscure and arcane, full of labyrinthine rules and complex procedures. It can be off-putting to say the least, and there’s usually no reason to learn a great deal about what Los Angeles trust litigation attorneys do, how they do it, and why its important.
Until you need one. If you’re looking to establish a trust, are looking to set one up or have been named as part of a trust, having a good Los Angeles trust litigation attorney can be essential.
What follows is a few tips to find the right one. Fortunately, the procedures for doing this are usually simpler than the rules of the profession itself, so let’s start with the basics.
The first step is to put together a list of candidates. Study the websites of the lawyers themselves, and examine the biographical information carefully. Are there candidates who seem to match up with your particular needs?
If so, its time to call the bar association in California to verify credentials, standing and expertise, then look for review and recommendations.
Specialization may be an important part of your search as well. As mentioned earlier, trust litigation can be very complex, and the specialties of some lawyers can be very narrow. If that specialty of a particular trust litigation lawyer fits your needs, that’s a person you should at least consider calling.
It’s also important to do some more general research work as well. Talk to several trust litigation lawyers just to get a feel for how they approach you—these conversations are usually free, and sometimes they can lead to a great hire.
Checking out the office is also part of the process. Make calls to some of the offices anonymously, and pay attention to how you’re treated—are the admin people professional? Do they get you to the right person? If they end up wasting your time, things could get expensive and frustrating in a hurry.
You also need to understand retainer agreements and how they work. It’s easy to rush through the language and not get a complete understanding of what you’re paying for and why, and that lack of understanding can also become expensive and frustrating.
Finally, consider any special needs you might have. Do you need a Los Angeles trust litigation attorney who speaks multiple languages, or who handles cases involving the physically or mentally challenged? These are all sub-specialties that require extensive knowledge, so don’t shortchange yourself when it comes to asking the necessary questions and getting the complete answers you need.…