What Do I Need To Prepare For The Initial Meeting?
What Should You Bring to Your Initial Estate Planning Meeting?
When it comes to preparing for your first estate planning meeting, the answer can depend on the attorney or firm you're working with. Some attorneys will ask you to fill out a questionnaire ahead of time. Others, like myself, take a different approach. I prefer to simply invite clients to come in with their questions and concerns, and I guide the conversation from there.
I take this approach because I find it more convenient for clients. It removes any barriers that might discourage someone from taking the first step. That said, there’s definitely value in a questionnaire for those who prefer to organize their thoughts beforehand. In some cases, it can lead to a more focused and productive meeting.
If you’re wondering what we typically discuss in an initial meeting, here are the three main questions I usually ask:
Tell me about yourself and your family. I want to understand what matters to you. Knowing more about your family helps me understand your estate plan needs and whether there are any special circumstances I should be aware of.
At a high level, walk me through your assets and liabilities.What do you own and what do you owe? A general idea of what you own is enough to help me identify which assets need to be addressed in your estate plan. It will also help me understand how they should be structured and whether you owe any debts that could affect your estate.
Do you have an idea of who you’d like to appoint for the key roles in your estate plan?That includes your successor trustee, financial power of attorney, health care power of attorney, and any backup choices. The people you choose for these roles are important if you are even unable to carry out your wishes on your own. In the initial meeting, you don’t need to have your final choices, but thinking about them now is a great place to start.
You don’t need to have all the answers right away. The goal is simply to start the conversation and begin shaping the right plan for your needs.
Learn More:
To learn 80% of what you need to know about estate planning in less than 30 minutes, check out my full-length video. It’s a quick and comprehensive guide to help you understand the basics and start taking steps to secure your future.
Whether you're just starting to think about creating a plan or you're getting ready for your first meeting, I’m here to make the process clear and stress-free. Click the link below to schedule a call. I’ll walk you through everything you need to know and help you get started.
Explore My Answers to Frequently-Asked Estate Planning Questions:
1. What Are the Steps Involved in the Estate Planning Process?
2. What are the common concerns or objectives of an estate plan?
