Estate Planning Has Been on Your List. Where Do You Begin?

Estate planning has a way of staying on the list. You may know it matters, yet feel unsure what to do first or what you are supposed to have figured out before calling an attorney.

You do not need to have every answer ready. A few notes and a first appointment can get the process moving.

Start with your questions

Think about the people who matter to you and the responsibilities you would want someone to handle if you could not manage them yourself. What concerns have made you think, “I really should get this taken care of”? (Utility bills, bank and credit card information come to mind, each person has their own.)

Write those thoughts down, even if they are incomplete. Perhaps you want to ask about a home, a family member who depends on you, or who could help with decisions if you were unable to make them. These are questions to bring to an estate planning attorney, not decisions you need to make alone at your kitchen table.

Gather what you already have

If you have a will, trust, power of attorney, or other planning documents, put them where you can find them. You might also make a list of the people you want to discuss with your attorney and any changes in your life since those documents were prepared. This is a very important piece! Surviving families are often left with a mess because a will was made but circumstances have changed.

There is no need to build a perfect folder before you make the call. The attorney’s office can tell you what information will be helpful for your appointment.

Talk with an estate planning attorney

An attorney can listen to your goals, explain your options, and prepare documents suited to your circumstances. Even if you have documents from years ago, an appointment gives you a chance to ask whether they still reflect your wishes.

If you are helping a parent or another loved one begin, consider asking how they would like you to support them. They may welcome help making an appointment or gathering papers while still wanting to speak for themselves.

Plan for the signing when the time comes

Once the attorney has prepared the documents, there may be signatures that need to be witnessed or notarized. You can ask the attorney’s office what the signing will require and where it can take place.

If you have difficulty traveling, signing at home or in a care setting may be more comfortable. I work with clients and estate planning attorneys throughout Ravalli County to help make that appointment calm and convenient. In my next post, I’ll walk through what to expect when your documents are ready to sign.

For today, one step is enough: write down your questions and contact an estate planning attorney. You can take the rest of the process one appointment at a time.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions

Cynthia

Cynthia Mealy - Text or Call (406) 414-7518