There’s a reason some people put off calling an estate planning attorney that has very little to do with not wanting to think about death. They have no idea what’s going to happen when they make the call.

Death Readiness Dispatch

September 16, 2026

Hi there,

 

There’s a reason some people put off calling an estate planning attorney that has very little to do with not wanting to think about death. They have no idea what’s going to happen when they make the call.

 

Am I supposed to know whether I need a Will or a trust? Do I need a complete list of everything I own? Should I already know who I want to name as Executor? Do I need to decide who gets everything before I make the appointment? And perhaps most importantly: How much is this going to cost me?

 

If you’ve wondered any of those things, here’s the first thing I want you to know: You do not need to create your own estate plan before you meet with an estate planning attorney. Bring the facts about your life, your questions and the things you’re worried about. The legal answers are the lawyer’s job. 

Three questions to ask before hiring 

an estate planning attorney

Whether you work with me or someone else, there are three things you should understand before you hire an attorney to create your estate plan: Scope. Cost. Process.

 

 

A flat fee, or even an hourly estimate, doesn't tell you very much unless you know what work is included. Are they creating a brand-new estate plan? Reviewing documents you already have? Amending an existing trust?

 

Does the fee include a Will? A trust? Powers of attorney? Revisions? The signing appointment? Help changing beneficiary designations or funding a trust? Make sure you understand what you're actually buying.

 

 

Some estate planning attorneys bill hourly. Some charge flat fees. And others use a combination. There isn't one billing method that's automatically right or wrong but you should understand your attorney's.

 

If you're paying hourly, ask about billing increments, who else may work on your matter, their rates, and whether the attorney can estimate the total cost. If you're paying a flat fee, ask exactly what's included, and what might cost extra.

 

 

This is the question people are least likely to ask. How many meetings will you have? What does the attorney need from you? When will you see drafts? Will someone actually explain those drafts to you? Can you make changes? How does signing work?

And one of my favorites: What happens after you sign? Signing your documents doesn't necessarily mean your estate plan is finished. You may still need to update beneficiary designations, change account ownership, or fund a trust. 

The Estate Planning Process, 

From the Other Side of the Desk

This week, I'm taking you behind the scenes of the estate planning process, including my own, and talking about:

✅ What “scope of representation” actually means,

✅ What to ask about hourly and flat-fee billing,

✅ What you actually need to know before your first estate planning meeting,

✅ What happens while your attorney is drafting your documents,

✅ Why reviewing your documents with your attorney matters,

✅ Why signing your estate plan may not be the final step,

✅ And the questions you should ask before deciding whether an estate planning attorney is right for you.

You don't need to walk into an estate planning attorney's office knowing exactly what kind of trust you need or what your documents should say. Bring your life, your assets, your questions, your worries and your goals.

 

Then make sure you understand three things before you hire someone to help with the rest: Scope. Cost. Process.

Thanks for being here.

PS: I went to law school before Instagram existed, which means no one warned me that someday practicing estate planning law might involve this. And yet, here we are.