(This article has been condensed from the original, which was included in the materials for the OBA Legal Conference and Retreat 2025 under the title “Ten Key Considerations in Estate Planning: A Legal Practitioner’s Guide”)
Estate planning is often perceived by clients as a straightforward process, but for legal practitioners, it involves a complex and sensitive web of financial, legal, and personal dynamics. An effective estate plan not only distributes assets according to a client’s wishes but also minimizes the risk of litigation, tax burdens, and family conflict. The following are ten critical challenges that every lawyer should keep in mind when advising clients on estate planning matters.