What Are the Steps Involved in the Estate Planning Process?

If you're thinking about creating an estate plan, you might be wondering what the process actually looks like. Most attorneys will divide estate planning into five straightforward steps. Here’s what you can expect.

Step One: The Initial Meeting

This is where it all begins. In your initial meeting, you’ll share information about yourself, your family, and any concerns you may have. It’s a chance for your attorney to understand your goals and for you to ask any big-picture questions you might have.

Step Two: The Design Meeting

During this meeting, your attorney will walk you through your planning options and help you structure your trust. This includes deciding who will serve in important roles like trustee or guardian and discussing how you’d like your assets distributed. Some attorneys combine the initial and design meetings into one longer session, while others offer them separately depending on your preferences.

Step Three: Drafting and Review

Once your plan is designed, your attorney will begin drafting the legal documents. You’ll then review them together, ask questions, and make any necessary changes to ensure the documents reflect your wishes accurately.

Step Four: Signing Your Documents

After your documents are finalized, it’s time to sign. Your attorney will schedule a formal signing to properly execute your estate plan, making sure everything is legally binding.

Step Five: Funding Your Trust

This final step is crucial. Trust funding is the process of making sure your assets are either transferred into your trust or structured in a way that they will flow into the trust upon your death. Without proper funding, even a well-drafted trust may not function as intended.

If you’ve been wondering what steps are involved in creating an estate plan, I hope this gave you a clearer picture. With the right guidance, the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I help families navigate each step with clarity and support from the very first conversation to the final signing and trust funding.

Whether you're just starting to think about a plan or ready to move forward, I’m here to make the process straightforward and stress-free. Click the link below to schedule a call. I'm happy to help!

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.