Experience
A good estate administration attorney is easy to differentiate from many of his or her peers simply because he or she has worked in the field for a significant period of time. Does this mean that anyone who has practiced in the field for many years is necessarily a good attorney? Of course not. It does, however, mean that the lawyer should have picked up quite a bit of the inner workings of estate law over the years. Simply having exposure to all of the different planning instruments and the issues into which clients can run can make a huge difference in the efficacy of an attorney. There is nothing wrong with working with a younger lawyer, of course, but experience can be a valuable tool.
Personality
Estate planning is, by its very nature, a sensitive subject. When one is talking about the end of one's life, it is only natural that emotions will run high. The best estate attorneys are those who understand the human side of the law, and can work with their clients to put together an estate solution that satisfies the client's emotional needs as well as the legal necessities. Great estate planners don't mind working with clients who have unusual requests, nor do they take it personally when their clients are not immediately willing to follow their advice. Great attorneys understand the human factor, and work to make sure that it can fit within the confines of the law.
Reputation
Reputation is everything in the world of the law. While the law certainly does apply to everyone equally, there are certain things that are more easily done by a lawyer who is well-regarded within the community. Good lawyers know the right people to talk to in order to solve minor problems, are in good standing with the court so that they can work with the clients' timetables, and have contacts in other professions that can help their clients with the other financial aspects of planning an estate. A good lawyer is a person who knows the value of working within the system, and thus can leverage his or her relationships to help his or her clients.
There are many estate planning attorneys out there, and it is up to you to find one who can help you to adequately prepare your estate. Make sure that you take the time to find someone who is well-connected in the profession, has years of experience, and is willing to work with you as a person rather than as just another client. Once you find a lawyer who can satisfy all of those qualities, you should be able to feel comfortable moving forward with your plans.
Learn more about estate administration attorneys: http://www.elderlawanswers.com/estate-administration-12040