Talk to an Estate Planning Lawyer today!
Selecting an estate planning attorney for your legal case is a very important decision. Please enter a zip code to find an estate planning attorney that serves your area:
Selecting an estate planning attorney for your legal case is a very important decision. Please enter a zip code to find an estate planning attorney that serves your area:
Use this Information Checklist before your visit to the estate lawyer
Collecting the following information ahead of time will save you time (and money) in your estate planning lawyer’s office:
Names and addresses of your immediate family members and people you would like to serve as executors, trustees and guardians for your children.
Bank account information, such as balances, account numbers, locations of accounts and safe deposit boxes.
Pension and retirement account information, including IRAs, Keoghs, profit sharing plans, stock options and government benefits.
Detailed description of any stocks and bonds owned. Insurance policy information, including policy location and beneficiaries, as well as a copy of the actual policy.
An inventory list of valuable and sentimental personal possessions, including family heirlooms.
Copies of community property agreements, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, divorce decrees and any previous wills or will codicils.
An overall description of your income sources and assets, including real estate.
A list of debts owed, including amounts and to whom they are owed.
A list of specific “bequests” you want to make in your will, such as “$5,000 to my niece, Tipper.”
Recent tax returns (say, from the past three or four years).
An Estate Planner can also assist all other possible estate planning law concerns.
A Will, is sometimes called a "Last Will and Testament". Used to transfer property you hold in your name to the person(s) and/or organization(s) you want to have it. A Will also typically names someone you select to be your Personal Representative (or "Executor") to carry out your instructions and names a Guardian if you have minor children. A Will only becomes effective upon your death, and after it is admitted to probate.