Our attorneys in McAllen state; in estate planning, a living trust is a document that essentially helps manage your possessions. One important function is it allows you to name a trustee who can make decisions about your property on your behalf. If you were to fall ill or suffered an accident, this trustee would be able to distribute or sell your property for your benefit. But imagine if this type of power fell into the wrong hands. Unfortunately, this scary scenario is very real and can occur due to fraudulent companies or individuals pretending to be estate planners or agents. As you begin your estate planning process, consider these three important tips that can potentially protect you from living trust scams.
Identify Fraudulent Agents
Scammers can make themselves known in a variety of ways. The first indication you may be dealing with one is their outrageous prices for helping you make a living trust. In many cases, these scammers will have company names that strongly resemble trustworthy organizations. Lastly, if the so-called “agent” offers their services via brochure, telemarketing, door-to-door techniques, or seminars at nursing homes, it’s a tell-tale sign they’re scammers.
Identify Their Rushed Methods
Estate planning is composed of different phases that each take time to complete. After all, it’s an important process that shouldn’t be rushed. Unfortunately, scammers tend to lose their patience quickly. They’ll rush victims into signing up for their services and hurry them into doing the same with important documentation. As a rule of thumb, make it a point to see the identification and licensing of anyone who claims they’re estate planning agents.
Spread the Word
If you’re honed your skills to help you identify scammers, it’s important that you help spread the word. Create a checklist and share it with your friends and family, and remember to include the following points:
- Ignore phone calls from numbers you don’t recognize
- Block persistent unknown numbers
- Ignore and delete emails from suspicious senders
- Avoid giving out personal information to anyone you don’t already know
- Look up any potential companies through the Better Business Bureau
Estate Planning Attorneys in McAllen Ready to Help
At Fryer and Hansen, we know just how damaging a scam can be for individuals and their entire family, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If the estate planning process is getting too overwhelming or stressful, know that we’re always ready to help. Our estate planning lawyers have built a reputation for trust over the years and we’re ready to help you prioritize your needs. Contact us today if you have any questions.