We are excited to announce our Estate Planning Lawyer Michael Abrate has been selected by the American Institute of Legal Counsel (AILC) as one of the 2018 “10 Best Estate Planning Attorneys in California for Client Satisfaction.” This announcement continues to highlight the Abrate & Olsen Law Group’s commitment to providing clients with superior legal services.
“My goal is to not only provide our clients with the basics of Estate Planning, Living Trusts and Wills, but to understand their unique situation and needs,” said Abrate upon receiving the selection. “Every client has different desires for how they want their legacy to be remembered, our goal is to make sure it is achieved.”
American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys Selection Process
According to the AILC website, “At the American Institute of Legal Counsel we recognize excellence. Very few Attorneys can display our ’10 Best’ badge on their website or display the plaque in their office.”
To be considered for selection, attorneys must pass a three-step selection process:
- The Attorney must be nominated by the Institute, Client, and/or Peer.
- A review committee researches the Attorney to verify they meet the following criteria, narrowing the nominations down to ensure that all criteria is met or exceeded.
- Must be formally nominated by the Institute, Client, and/or Peer
- Must have an impeccable Client Rating
- Must not have faced or been subject to any Attorney Grievance Committee discipline
- Must be a member in Good Standing of their State Bar
- Must have excellent Client/Peer Reviews
- Possess Advanced Degrees
- Awards received
- Professional Associations and their activity in such Associations
- Publications in their field
- Speaking engagements in their field
- The final list of nominations is submitted to a committee for the final selection process, “Where the 10 Best Attorneys representing the Best of the Best are selected.”
Estate Planning Legal Services Continue to Grow
2018 has been a year of growth for our Estate Planning Legal Services. The Abrate & Olsen Law Group has firmly established ourselves as one of the top Estate Planning Law Firms in Sacramento. Earlier this year Mike was selected for the second straight year as a California Super Lawyer Rising Star for Estate Planning Attorneys.
As more families learn about the many benefits advanced estate planning provides, the more engaged they become in actively taking part according to Mike, “Estate Planning is a necessity that many people do not want to think or talk about. My goal is to show the many benefits forward planning provides not only to them, but their family and loved ones.”
Estate Planning Failure Highlighted in Media
When The “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin passed earlier this year, it came to light that she died without any will or trusts in place for her estimated $80 Million estate. This is referred to as dying intestate, or without a proper estate plan, Living Trust or will. When this happens, the probate court system becomes responsible for the distribution of her estate in accordance with local laws.
Since her passing, there have been reports of arguments and fighting between family and loved ones who believe they have a claim to her inheritance. With proper estate planning, Franklin’s family could have completely or partially avoided probate administration, saving her family and loved ones’ time, unnecessary legal fees, and most importantly uncertainty of her true wishes for her legacy.
Proper Estate Planning Benefits Everyone
A common misconception is estate planning is only needed when you believe you have “highly valuable” assets to leave to beneficiaries. The truth is an estate plan is so much more. Legal tools like Wills, Living Trusts, Power of Attorney, and Advanced Health Care Directives, can help plan for many different situations that can unexpectantly happen in your life. With legal documents like these in place, you and your family have the peace of mind that your wishes have been clearly defined and organized. Financial tools like Living Trusts can help your heirs avoid probate and the time, stress and unnecessary expenses that come with it.
When you are ready to get started planning for your future, our Estate Planning Attorneys are here to assist you and your loved ones through every step in the process. We offer you our knowledge and years of experience helping families just like yours prepare for the future. To get started, contact our office today for a consultation.
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