Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a decedent’s will if they have one, gathering and valuing their assets, identifying and settling their debts, and, ultimately, distributing their estate to their chosen beneficiaries or heirs as determined by law. There are many compelling reasons to help clients plan to avoid probate. Probate can be costly and time-consuming. It can turn a deeply personal matter into a public proceeding during an already difficult and grief-filled time.

Helping clients plan for life’s unexpected events—whether it’s welcoming a new family member, coming into an inheritance, or dealing with an illness—is at the heart of what estate planners do. As we recognize October as Breast Cancer Awareness month, it’s a great opportunity to remind ourselves how we can continue to help our clients plan for the curve balls that life throws us.

The traditional hourly billing method has long been a contentious topic among attorneys. But, with the increasing demand for better cost predictability and transparency, does this billing method need a refresh or should it be ditched for other billing strategies?