How To Avoid Estate Planning Fraud

Estate planning fraud, like many other types of fraudulent behavior, is increasing, often putting those who are trying to be responsible and careful at risk of losing everything. The best way to avoid fraudulent estate planning schemes is to engage the services of a reputable, skilled estate planning attorney. If you reside in Charleston or the surrounding areas, there is no finer estate planning law practice than Wiles Law Firm, LLC. Tripp Wiles and his talented team have the first-rate credentials and experience to protect you from predatory scam artists masquerading as estate planning experts.

Signs of Impending Estate Planning Fraud

A sign that should put you on the alert that someone is trying to con you is an offer presented as advertised as low-cost, all-inclusive, and applicable to all clients. There is no one estate planning form that is appropriate for everyone. At Wiles Law Firm, we tailor our estate plans to your unique needs and goals. We will listen carefully to what you have to say and craft an estate plan that takes into account your accumulated assets, your income level, your family’s financial and educational needs (including any special or atypical needs), your age and the age of your family members, whether you own a business, and when you would like to retire. 

Other signs that you are being led astray are that the person you are dealing with:

• Knocked on your door or sent you a flyer to solicit your business 
• Works for a company with a name very similar to a familiar, reputable agency (e.g. AARP)
  
• Is in a hurry for you to sign documents you don’t fully understand
  
• Stalls about allowing you check his or her credentials
  
• Wants you to transfer your assets quickly in order to “save money” 
  
• Requires you to pay a fee upfront to get an advertised discount
  
• Tries to frighten you with the consequences of not acting immediately

In most cases, scam artists are not lawyers and so don’t have the requisite knowledge to draft and enforce the necessary legal documents, such as wills and trusts. They will not have in-depth knowledge of South Carolina state law or U.S. federal law and will have no clear understanding of taxation or government benefits, such as Medicare or Medicaid. In addition to attempting to take your money for services they can’t really perform, or even tricking you into transferring your money into their pockets, these unscrupulous individuals are known for selling your private information to identity thieves.

Protecting Yourself from Estate Planning Fraud

Obviously, if you have even the vaguest suspicion that you are about to be a victim of estate planning fraud, you should do a background check on the company you suspect and report any criminal behavior to law enforcement authorities. While having the internet available gives criminals increased power to misrepresent themselves, it also provides you with a strong search tool to catch them in the act. You can easily check out the possible scam artists with the Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, or State Bar Association (if the person claims to be an attorney). In addition, you can simply put the company name plus the word “scam” into google to see if others are complaining about similar mistreatment.

Benefits of Using Wiles Law Firm for Your Estate Planning Needs

As you can see from the above information, it is far too risky to pick an estate planner through printed, door-to-door, email or internet advertising. When you are seeking a trustworthy estate planning assistance in Charleston County, South Carolina, there is no better law practice to contact than Wiles Law Firm. We have the legal knowledge and skills to draft, review, and enforce  documents and to come up with carefully crafted strategies to protect your assets. More than that, we have the concern and compassion to deal with you on a personal level. 

Find A Trustworthy Estate Planning Attorney with Proven Skills

When you’re doing something as significant as planning your future and the future of your family, it is crucial that you make an informed choice about where to obtain legal counsel -- never let it be forced upon you. At Wiles Law Firm, our attorneys have a well-earned reputation for providing excellent legal counsel, a reputation based on a decade of satisfied clients. When you consult with us, you can be sure that we will help you:

• Provide for your family in the event of your death
  
• Ensure your loved ones receive necessary funds as quickly as possible after you die
  
• Make sure that, if both you and your spouse die at the same time, your child will be tended by a guardian of your choice
  
• Protect your assets from creditors and unnecessary taxation
  
• Avoid the complications and expense of probate wherever possible
  
• Make your end-of-life decisions yourself so your loved ones don’t have to
  
• Prepare for you and other family members to be eligible for government benefits 
  
• Plan for incapacity in terms of healthcare and finances
  
• Plan for charitable giving
  
• Ensure that your business (if you have one) continues to run smoothly after your death and that the successor of your choice takes over its management

It Is Never Too Early To Begin Estate Planning

None of us knows what the future holds which is why estate planning is the rational, as well as reassuring, approach to protecting your loved ones and your legacy. You should consider estate planning as soon as you take full responsibility for your life as an adult, especially if you have high assets. At Wiles Law Firm we realize that life changes will occur and that your original estate plan will likely have to be altered at regular intervals to accommodate marriages, births, divorces, deaths, business acquisitions and sales, prolonged illnesses or disabilities, inheritances, or investments. We will give you the best possible estate planning service we can with an eye toward maintaining a mutually fulfilling long-term attorney-client relationship with you. You can reach us by phone or by filling in a contact form on our website.