What to bring to your first estate planning meeting

Posted 2 years ago by Bruce Pence

what documents should you bring to your initial estate planning meeting?

Before preparing your estate plan an attorney will ask for copies of numerous documents.  Your attorney will need to know who your family and friends are that will be mentioned in the plan, what you own (your estate), and what other documents you have that may affect your new estate plan.  Accordingly, it helps to be prepared with copies of the following documents:

  • Bank Statements – checking, saving, brokerage, retirement (IRA, 401k, etc.); all accounts that you have ownership of or an interest in.
  • Real Property Deeds – for any real estate you own, including your home.  Don’t worry, if you can’t find these, an attorney can order copies from the county where the property is located.
  • Business Entity Information – if you have ownership in an LLC, Corporation, Partnership, Sole Proprietorship, etc. your attorney will need to see what your ownership interest is so that it can be included in your new estate plan.
  • Beneficiary Designations – for your retirement accounts and life insurance.
  • Previous Estate Planning Documents – any Will, Trust, Power of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directive or other documents you previously signed that may affect your new estate plan.
  • Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreements – if you have an obligation to a former spouse, your attorney needs to now about it.
  • Contact Information – for your family, friends, and doctors, and anyone else that you wish to name in your estate plan.
  • Questions – any questions you have for your attorney.

This list is not exhaustive.  Of course, if there is anything else that you want your attorney to know don’t be shy to include information about it.  More information is always better than less information.  Your attorney will sort through it and let you know if there is anything else they need.

Most estate planning attorneys utilize a worksheet or questionnaire that will prompt you for each of the above items.  If you would like a copy of the questionnaire I use please send me a request via email at bpence@brucepencelaw.com.