What to Expect at Your First Appointment with Your Estate Planning Attorney

Let’s be frank–Death isn’t an easy topic to discuss with your spouse or loved ones. It can also be intimidating to talk about this sensitive subject with an attorney. In an effort to ease your mind and make your first appointment run smoothly, I’d like to share with you what you can expect at your first appointment with your estate planning attorney.

First and foremost, you should know that I refer to this first appointment as your “estate planning strategy session.” The purpose of this appointment is to provide you with the knowledge you need to empower you to make an informed decision about the best way to plan for and protect your family.

Before the appointment, you’ll receive a form to complete that gathers important information that I’ll need to create the appropriate estate plan for you. It’s important to gather information about your assets and how they are titled. Do you have an IRA or 401k? Do you own real estate? Is your checking account held jointly with your spouse? It’s helpful to gather this information prior to our meeting so that we can make the most of your appointment. I also suggest you begin considering who you want your beneficiaries to be and how you’d like for them to get your stuff. i.e. lump sum or payments over time.

At your appointment, we’ll review your assets, and I’ll explain which of your assets are “beneficiary designated” assets as opposed to assets that would go through probate.

We will also discuss your goals. Are you or your spouse in a second marriage and concerned about providing for your children and grandchildren? Do any of your beneficiaries have a history of drug or alcohol dependency? Who would take care of your minor children in the event you pass away before they reach the age of 18? These are all issues we can discuss to create the best plan to protect your assets and achieve your goals.

Then we’ll talk about whether a simple Will is sufficient for your situation or if a Trust is a better option to achieve your goals. You’ll then pick what tools you would like to use to plan for and protect your family.

It is then up to you to decide whether or not you want to hire me to assist you in drafting the legal documents that will achieve your goals. If you decide you want to hire me, we’ll then sign an engagement and fee agreement that sets forth the terms of our relationship.

Now, you can let out a sigh of relief because you have just completed the first major step in planning for and protecting your family. It’s not an easy discussion to have, but having a plan in place will provide your loved ones with peace of mind during the most difficult time. Please contact me at 423.667.2906 to schedule an appointment. I look forward to working with you!