1. Three Roles
  2. Can Do Many Things

Three Roles

Trusts an estates lawyers can have three roles:

  • Counselors. They advise their client of pitfalls and create a plan that accomplishes the client’s goals, while staying within legal safe harbors.
  • Draftspersons. They draft wills, trusts, and other estate planning documents.
  • Advocates. They fight on behalf of their client in litigation.

Can Do Many Things

Trusts and estates lawyers can do many things, including:

  • draft estate planning documents (including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health care proxies, and living wills) and litigation documents (including pleadings and motions)
  • prepare and file forms (including a Medicaid application and tax returns)
  • plan (including estate planning, planning for incapacity, business succession planning, and asset protection planning)
  • administer a decedent’s estate or a trust
  • litigate matters arising out of the decedent’s estate or a trust
  • transfer assets (including real estate)
  • work with other professionals (such as accountants and financial advisors)