You don’t always need to hire an inheritance and probate lawyer to help you wrap up someone’s estate -- but you should at least take some time to consider the ways a probate lawyer can help you.
Why Hire an Inheritance & Probate Lawyer
Inheritance & probate law is a specialty, and a good probate lawyer can make a big difference in the results you get. If you decide to hire a lawyer, you’ll want to find someone who focuses only or almost exclusively on probate cases, rather than using a general practice lawyer or a lawyer who concentrates on some other legal subject.
Resources for Finding Inheritance & Probate Lawyers
Here are some recommended ways to find a probate lawyer:
Ask around. Without a doubt, the best way to find a good lawyer is to ask friends, family, work associates -- anyone you know and trust. Even if they don’t personally know a probate lawyer, they may know another lawyer they like. And that lawyer may be able to direct you to a good probate attorney. (Likewise, if you’ve successfully worked with a lawyer in the past, get back in touch and ask for a referral to a probate lawyer.)
Ask your local bar association. The State Bar of Arizona maintains a lawyer directory. This directory can provide you with names of probate lawyers in your area who are in good standing with the bar association. Do keep in mind, however, that the bar association doesn’t screen the lawyers for the amount of experience they have or for their competence. It’s up to you to interview each attorney to find out whether they have the experience you need.
Online lawyer directories. Here are a few websites that offer directories of attorneys serving Arizona. Because different attorneys list with different directories, we offer you a choice so you can consider a selection of Arizona probate lawyers. Like bar association directories, these lawyers have probably not been screened for qualifications or competence. Lawyers usually self-report their information, so be prepared to do your homework and ask each lawyer about their experience before hiring anyone.
Justia.com Arizona Lawyer Directory
Nolo Lawyer Directory of Probate Attorneys
Legal Information Institute Directory of Probate Lawyers (Cornell Law School)
Low-cost legal aid services. If your income is low, you may be able to get probate assistance or advice from a local legal aid organization.
Free legal services in Arizona from AZLawHelp
Your local law school may have a free legal clinic where law students, supervised by their professors, offer legal help. Click on your state to find the law school closest to you.
Finally, if you wish to be directly connected with a probate lawyer in Arizona, you can visit our Arizona Lawyers Page and enter your zip code. A local lawyer will then get in touch with you.