How Do I Find an Attorney to Help Me Contest a Will?

By Jimmy Bewley | July 5, 2021 |

When you’re involved in an estate dispute, it’s important to hire a lawyer; but you also need to be sure that the lawyer you hire knows what they’re doing.

Searching for and hiring a will contest attorney might seem like an intimidating process, but it doesn’t need to be. We have a few practical steps you can take to narrow down a list of potential attorneys and identify the right one for your needs.

Check out this video and then read below for even more insights into this process:

Not All Attorneys Are Equipped to Handle Will Contests

It’s important to understand that while most attorneys technically can handle a will contest, you need an attorney with plenty of experience handling these specific types of cases for your best chance of success. For example, an attorney who primarily handles taxes might not have a good understanding of how will contests work. Start by looking for a specialist in will contest cases.

Ask People Who Have Experience With Will Contests

One of the best ways to find a will contest attorney is to ask those you trust for suggestions. If they’ve had a positive experience with an attorney in one of these cases, they might pass on that lawyer’s contact information to you.

Because attorneys who handle will contests are less common than those who handle personal injuries or criminal defense, you might need to go beyond asking your inner circle for a referral.

Start Your Search Online to Create a List of Candidates

Search online for estate dispute or will contest attorneys and make sure they handle cases in your state. Ideally, the attorney will also be in your city or at least nearby. That will make it easier for you to travel to meetings with your lawyer.

Once you find some attorneys that meet your criteria, you can look over their websites, online reviews, and any other available resources to determine whether you would feel comfortable speaking to these attorneys about your case.

Ask Potential Attorneys for a Consultation

Now that you have a list of potential attorneys you’re considering, take advantage of free consultations to speak with the candidates about your case. Most firms offer free consultations, and it’s your opportunity to see how they’d approach your case and determine your comfort level with the attorney. Most law firms’ consultations will also be “no obligation,” meaning you don’t have to agree to hire the attorney before you speak with them, leaving you free to consider multiple options before making a decision.

Questions to Ask a Will Contest Attorney in a Consultation

In a consultation, don’t be afraid to ask any questions you might have. You can discuss your case, but you should also use this time to learn more about the attorney and their experience. Consider asking some of the following questions:

What is your experience handling will contest cases?
Can you tell me about a case you handled that was similar to mine and how you approached it?
If I hired you, how would you bill me for your services?
What challenges do you foresee in my case?
What are areas of opportunity that you might explore if you handle my case?

These are just a few examples of questions you can ask a will contest attorney, but feel free to expand this list to include any other questions you have that are more specific to your case.

Choose the Attorney You Most Trust

By the time you’ve narrowed your list of potential attorneys down to a few select candidates, you should consider how comfortable you are with each of the options. Ultimately, you want to choose an attorney you trust to handle your case.

Is the attorney you’re considering experienced in your type of case? Do they seem reliable and attentive to your needs? Did you feel comfortable discussing your case with the lawyer and staff? These are all important questions you should consider when determining how much you trust the lawyer to do right by your case.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Fair Share Lawyers

At Fair Share Lawyers, our Nashville will contest attorneys know how important it is for you to feel confident about the lawyer you hire. We offer free consultations, so you have the opportunity to discuss your case with our team and learn more about our firm.

Posted in Will Contest