Most of us won't need a probate law specialist to settle our estates after we die, but you may if you own a great deal of property or have assets exceeding more than a few hundred thousand dollars. If this is the case, it's a good idea to confer with an attorney in order to make your will as simple and easy to execute as possible.

Even within a field as narrow as probate law, there are subspecialties that you should be aware of when searching for an attorney. If, for example, you're contesting a will, a probate attorney whose experience is in malfeasance claims against executors and administrators may not be your best choice.

Some law firms specialize in nothing but probate law. While you can find them in the Yellow Pages for your area, you'll probably have better luck searching the Internet. Web pages allow them more room to discuss things, from their particular subspecialties to their rates.