What does an estate planning attorney do? Honestly, we sit at the computer and type a whole lot. But what does an estate planning attorney do for you? I’m Sarah Siedentopf, I’m an estate planning and probate attorney in Atlanta, Georgia. So, the first thing we do is know the law.

We know the state law and any local quirks that will help you get what you’re actually looking for done. And the second thing we can do is explain the law, or the legal documents, or the situation. We help you understand what is going to happen and why it’s going to happen. And then, of course, we have suggestions for things that have worked for other clients, because part of the estate planning process is a question and answer session where I ask you questions about what you want, and maybe you ask me questions because you’re not quite sure what you want or what other people have wanted, or what really works best.

So, having that experience for suggestions of what has worked for other people is a big part of an estate planning attorney’s job. Another part of it is being that neutral sounding board. I don’t have any emotional ties to your family members, so I am perfectly happy to give you neutral advice about what should happen in a given situation. After all of that, your estate planning attorney is going to draft your documents based on your wishes and explain them to you once again.

And then, finally, is going to manage the signing and the witnesses, and make sure that you actually have a binding legal document. So, the estate planning attorney, what they do is hold your hand from the beginning to the end to get you from, “I have no idea what’s going on,” to, “I know what’s going on, I chose what’s going on, and I know that it will legally be binding.” So, if you have questions about estate planning, please give me a call, and I would also love to have your comments. Thank you.