What To Bring To Your Consultation With An Estate Planning Lawyer
Estate planning is a thoughtful matter you can do for your loved ones. If you ever become incapacitated or upon your death, an estate plan can ensure that your and your loved ones’ interests are protected.
Clearly, estate planning is very important but it is not something you should attempt on your own. A St. Petersburg estate planning lawyer can make sure you are aware of state laws and that your documents are properly executed so your wishes are not only clear, but that they are also fulfilled. Our estate planning lawyer outlines some of the most important items to bring you with during a consultation with any attorney.
Any Current or Previous Estate Planning Documents
If you have any previous versions of estate planning documents, such as a will or trust, it is important to bring these with you, even if you want to draft an entirely new document. If you have current documents that you want to update, including any incapacity planning documents such as a healthcare surrogate or a power of attorney, you should bring these documents as well. While this may give the attorney a starting point for updating your plans, the attorney can also address what to do with any old documents once you’ve executed your new documents.
An Inventory of Your Assets
It is important to consider any and all assets you own, whether individually or jointly, and any debt when preparing your estate plans. Before meeting with the attorney, it can be helpful to prepare a list or inventory of all your assets and how they are titled. Common types of assets include but are not limited to the following:
- Bank accounts
- Real estate properties
- Retirement accounts such as pensions, IRAs, and 401 (k)s
- Investment accounts, including mutual funds, stocks, and bonds
- Business interests
- Details of life insurance policies
- Collectibles such as art and jewelry collections
- Other personal property of substantial value
- Debts such as mortgages, loans, and credit card balances
Documents Related to Your Assets
In addition to an inventory of your property, it is also important to bring any documentation related to your assets. This may include the deeds for real estate, titles to your vehicles, banking statements, agreements for any business entities, and other documents providing additional details about the property.
Beneficiary Information
It is also important to bring all of the details of the beneficiaries you want to include in your plan. List their names, phone numbers, addresses, and their relationship to you.
Previous Tax Returns
Your tax returns are a great source of information for your estate planning lawyer, as it can provide them with a detailed overview of your financial situation. Additionally, your previous tax returns can help a lawyer determine if your estate will be subject to federal taxes after you pass away.
Schedule a Consultation with Our Estate Planning Lawyer in St. Petersburg Today
If you are thinking about estate planning, do not wait to contact our experienced St. Petersburg estate planning lawyer. At Legacy Protection Lawyers, LLP, we can answer your questions, help you identify your goals, and create the documents you need to achieve them. Call us now at 727-471-5868 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.
Source:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0732/0732.html
