Sharp CPA A Perfectly Reasonable Option For Basic Estat
Q: Recently I had to deal with some shenanigans surrounding a 401(k) rollover, which required me to consult a CPA to straighten out. I was very pleased with his knowledge and helpfulness, and offered him my tax prep business for the upcoming tax season.
However, when I mentioned that I also need to setup a will, I started getting moderate-pressure sales tactics to let him do my estate planning as well. My situation is pretty simple (little net worth, no kids yet), but I always presumed that estate planning was a probate attorney thing rather than an accounting thing. Am I mistaken in that presumption... is a sharp CPA a perfectly reasonable option for basic estate planning?
A: If this CPA was trying to practice law with being a lawyer, then he's in big trouble. More than likely, he's also a lawyer. Just ask or check him out. If he's a legit lawyer, then you may as well hire him to make your will as they're all about the same when it comes to making simple wills, and you already have a relationship with him. The only other thing you can do to find an atorney that's "better" would be to call dozens of them or get a referral from someone you know. But when it comes to getting a simple will made, it's all pretty much standard boilerplate when it comes to the documents. Unless you have an estate worth over $500k or so, you won't be needing much in the way of estate planning. .