Preparing for an Estate Planning Consultation: 10 Items to Consider Before Meeting with Your Attorney

If you are considering putting together an estate plan, or updating an existing one, there are a few things you should consider. Below are 10 items that you should consider in preparation of an estate planning consultations: 

1. Guardians and Conservators for Minor Children 
2. Trustees, Personal Representatives and Agents Under Durable Power of Attorney
3. Patient Advocate Designation and Living Will 
4. Personal Property
5. All Other Property
6. Charitable Bequests 
7. Distributions to Beneficiaries 
   • When and How Should Beneficiaries Receive
   • Equalizing Portions 
   • Other Considerations 
8. Pets
9. “Ultimate Takers 
10. Information to Gather
    • Information regarding your assets
    • Contact information for Beneficiaries and Fiduciaries 
    • Prior Estate Planning Documents 
    • Other Documentation 

See Rebecca K. Wrock, Preparing for an Estate Planning Consultation: 10 Items to Consider Before Meeting with Your Attorney, Varnum LLP, February 18, 2021. 

Special thanks to Jim Hillhouse (Professional Legal Marketing (PLM, Inc.)) for bringing this article to my attention.