A Checklist For Your First Meeting With An Estate Planning Attorney
Meeting with an estate planning attorney for the first time can seem overwhelming. You may fear talking about uncomfortable topics and feel unsure of the documents you need to bring. Estate planning does involve an extensive amount of paperwork and being properly prepared for your first meeting can ensure you use your time effectively. If you have already had a consultation with the attorney, they may have already advised you of what to bring. Below, our Daytona Beach estate planning attorney outlines the documents to bring to your first meeting.
Personal Information
Your lawyer will need full details about you and your immediate family members. Knowing this information can help them create a plan that protects all of your loved ones. When attending your first meeting, make sure to bring the following:
- All full legal names and dates of birth
- Current phone numbers and addresses of everyone involved
- Dates of any marriages
- Any divorce decrees
- Social Security numbers, for tax planning and identification purposes
Asset Documentation
It is important to provide your lawyer with a full list of the assets you own so they can have a full understanding of your financial situation. These assets may include:
- Mortgage statements or property deeds
- Bank accounts and current balances
- Statements for investments and brokerage accounts
- 401(k)s, IRAs, and retirement plans
- Partnership agreements or business ownership documents
- Inventory of personal items such as collectibles or artwork
Income Details
Your lawyer requires a full understanding of your financial situation so they can evaluate long-term care planning and tax considerations. The important documents to bring to your first meeting include:
- Recent tax returns, pay stubs, or other proof of income sources
- Details of business profits, rental income, and pensions
- Documentation for any liabilities such as credit card debt or loans
- Necessary information to determine if you are eligible for Medicaid, if applicable
Other Legal Documents
Even if you have an outdated will or other type of estate planning document, it is important to bring these to the meeting with you, as well. While they may no longer be legally valid, they can help your lawyer better understand your previous intentions and how they may impact your current wishes and goals. The following documents can help:
- Previous versions of wills, trusts, or power of attorney
- Living wills and advance directives
- Premarital or postnuptial agreements
- Beneficiary designation forms or letters of instruction
Call Our Estate Planning Attorney in Daytona Beach Today
Preparing for your first planning meeting allows you to set the foundation for a successful plan and turns a process that has the potential to be overwhelming into one that is productive and gives you the peace of mind you need. At Bundza & Rodriguez, our Daytona Beach estate planning attorney will help you identify your goals and execute your documents properly so you know they will be achieved. Call us today at 386-252-5170 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorney and to learn more about how we can help.
Source:
flsenate.gov/laws/statutes/2000/732.2025
