In not leaving a correctly written will people need to be aware that the heirs will need to hire a probate attorney, and if there is conflict the cost of the probating the will can be tens of thousands of dollars, even for a relatively small estate. To prevent this unnecessary cost it is essential to have a legal will in place at all times.

Most of us won't need a probate law specialist to settle our estates after we die, but you may if you own a great deal of property or have assets exceeding more than a few hundred thousand dollars. If this is the case, it's a good idea to confer with an attorney in order to make your will as simple and easy to execute as possible.

Even within a field as narrow as probate law, there are subspecialties that you should be aware of when searching for an attorney. If, for example, you're contesting a will, a probate attorney whose experience is in malfeasance claims against executors and administrators may not be your best choice.