#Estate planning checklist for attorney full#

The attorney needs this information if these assets need to be retitled into the name of a trust, or if a transfer on death deed is appropriate. copy of deed, address, legal description, property tax statement, etc.). Information regarding any real estate you own, whether it’s your homestead, cabin, or commercial property are essential (i.e. Information regarding non-liquid assets are equally important to bring to the initial consultation as well, particularly if they are titled assets. Third, it provides a “starting point” for the attorney if and when the unfortunate day comes where your personal representative or trustee needs assistance with administration of your estate. Second, it gives the estate planning attorney any indications as to whether or not special tax considerations need to be taken into account in drafting your estate plan. will, revocable trust, irrevocable trust, etc.). First, knowing the approximate value of your assets can help calculate your gross estate, which will assist the attorney in determining what the most appropriate estate plan for you looks like (i.e.

These pieces of information are crucial for your estate planning attorney for several reasons. Itemized list of your financial accounts and other non-liquid assets.Īnother one that seems fairly obvious, but it is important for the estate planner to know the specific types of financial accounts you have and their details, including the name of the financial institution they are located at, what type of accounts they are, approximate values, who owns them, and whether there are any beneficiary designations on the accounts. Depending on who you choose as your designated agents in your estate plan, some or all of this information will be incorporated into your estate planning documents.Ģ.

#Estate planning checklist for attorney full#

This includes full names, addresses, phone numbers, and dates of birth for your spouse/partner and child(ren). So this one seems fairly obvious, but it is important to make sure that you have updated contact information for you, your spouse/partner, children, and even siblings and parents. Biographical/Contact Information for you and your family. The following is a checklist you should consider preparing to either bring with you or be ready to discuss prior to your consultation with an estate planning attorney.ġ.

This is not limited to basic information gathering, but also taking into consideration situations that could arise should you pass away without a proper plan in place. However, there are several things you can do to prepare prior to the consultation that will not only make your meeting with an estate planning attorney the most productive, but will result in a better and more thorough understanding of your estate planning goals. There is no doubt consultations with estate planning attorneys will always result in questions that one has never considered before.

People never want to think about their own death, and setting up an estate plan requires you to do just that. Preparing to have initial discussions with an estate planning attorney is never an easy thing to do.