What to Bring to a Meeting With an Estate Planning Attorney

Attorney Image By: James Filippi

Important Items to Bring to an Estate Planning Lawyer Consultation

Planning for the future is a smart and responsible initiative that everyone should take. When it comes to estate planning, it is essential that you seek the guidance of an experienced estate planning attorney. You can book a free consultation with us at Filippi Law, P.C., here or by giving us a call at (916) 333-7910. Whether you are meeting with your attorney for the first time or reviewing your existing estate plan, being organized and prepared will make the process more efficient. To ensure a productive meeting, it is essential to bring information that may help your estate planning attorney understand your goals and put together a personalized estate plan. This blog post goes over the essential items you should bring to a meeting with an estate planning lawyer.

Bring a valid form of identification, such as your driver’s license or passport, to establish your identity and facilitate the legal process. In addition, bring copies of any pertinent legal documents related to your estate, such as:

  • current wills or trust documents
  • living wills or advanced healthcare directives
  • business ownership documents
  • beneficiary designations for pension plans and life insurance policies
  • powers of attorney
  • marriage, divorce, or prenuptial agreements
  • real estate deeds
  • list of liabilities and debts

Estate Planning requires a comprehensive overview of your financial situation. Bring the following documents to help your attorney understand your assets, liabilities, and financial objectives:

  • bank statements
  • retirement account statements (e.g., 401(k) IRA)
  • Real estate documents (deeds, mortgages, etc.)
  • investment account statements
  • business ownership information
  • documentation of outstanding loans and debts

Planning your estate involves making decisions about your loved ones and beneficiaries. Bring their full names, birth dates, and contact information. In addition, consider providing pertinent documents.

  • birth certificates
  • adoption documents
  • marriage documents
  • divorce decrees
  • social security numbers

 

Before meeting, jot down any estate planning-related concerns or questions you have. This may include questions regarding particular legal documents, tax implications, or the distribution of assets. Having these questions prepared will allow you to maximize your time with the lawyer and obtain clarity on crucial matters.

Clarify your personal estate planning goals and objectives. Do you have specific distribution preferences for your assets? Which charitable causes would you like to support? By clearly articulating your intentions, your estate planning attorney will be able to construct a plan that aligns with your preferences and assists in achieving your goals.

Meeting with a lawyer who specializes in estate planning is essential to securing your future and ensuring that your wishes are carried out. By bringing necessary documents, information, and questions to your meeting, you can maximize its efficiency and help your attorney create a customized estate plan that reflects your goals. Remember that estate planning is a dynamic process, and regular evaluations with your attorney are necessary to account for changes in your life. With a well-considered estate plan in place, you can rest assured that your loved ones and assets are safeguarded in accordance with your wishes.

Filippi Law Firm, P.C., provides legal services in estate planning, probate, trust administration, trust litigation, and personal bankruptcy in the greater Sacramento area, with a focus in Rocklin, Roseville, Lincoln, and Granite Bay. Give us a call at (916) 333-7910 or fill out the contact form to get in touch with our office. Consultations are free, and they can be done over the phone, via Zoom, or in person at our office in Rocklin, California. Prepare for your future and work with the best estate planning attorneys today.

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The team of Filippi Law are kind, sincere and thorough in their work. They helped us work through our trust administration of our family member, to create our own trust, and any other issues that came up along the way. We appreciate their time and their willingness to explain the process in the detail. They also helped us with needed referrals for anything else. We would highly recommend their insight to anyone.

Elizabeth G. | Sacramento, CA
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Jen helped us figure out the nuances of the different state laws to help with setting up the will and distribution to family members. She found issues with our previous will/trust that were corrected and offered updates to the new laws. We are very pleased with the final product and my mother feels that her wishes have been heard and met.

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I worked with a few different people throughout the trust distribution process and everyone was very helpful and pleasant to work with.

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Best firm I’ve ever had represent me both personally and professionally. Jim and the team lead the way!

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We found the Filippi Law Firm in Yelp and we were so lucky to have found them. Both Jen and Jim were kind and patient, explaining the process and addressing our concerns with a cost we felt was appropriate for the quality of the work. At all times we felt supported in the process and it could not have gone better. If you need this kind of work do yourself a favor and reach out to these folks for help. You won’t regret it.

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Jenn helped us with a trust account for my parents. She is very polite and thorough at doing her job she answered every question. My parents had and made them feel very welcome there. If we ever had to use the office again, we would .

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