What to Bring to Your Estate Planning Consultation

A comprehensive estate plan involves planning for when you cannot handle your own affairs and when you are gone. About two-thirds of the population has ignored estate planning, most likely to avoid emotions and the cost surrounding it. Although nobody likes to think about falling ill and who should be appointed to manage your affairs, failing will only create undue stress for your family when the time comes.

Mette Law’s legal team is committed to helping you plan for the unexpected. If you have taken the first step in booking a consultation with our estate planning attorneys, knowing what documents you should bring to your first appointment is essential. While we request your family information in a questionnaire, we highlight the following items necessary to craft a complete estate plan.

Recent Bank Statements for Non-Retirement Assets

Knowing where your current assets can be invaluable in drafting an estate plan. Whether you have checking or savings accounts, investment accounts, stocks, or bonds, it is important that you bring documentation regarding each. The most recent statement will reflect the account’s title, current account value, and beneficiary designations.

Retirement Accounts

If you do have the most recent statement for any retirement accounts, including 401(K)s, 403 (b)s, Roth IRAs, traditional IRAs, or pensions, be sure to bring those. If this is unavailable, you can write down the type of assets, the institution where they are held, and beneficiary designations for each retirement account.

Life Insurance Information

Terms of a life insurance policy often confuse people, with many not knowing what type of coverage they have. While you can bring a policy declaration for any life insurance policies you hold, an estate planning lawyer needs to see the kind of policy, ownership, and pay-on-death information.

Real Estate Ownership

If you have a primary residence, rental property, or investment property, you must provide an estate planning attorney with that information. More specifically, the addresses of each property, how ownership is held (tenants in common, joint tenancy, or tenancy by the entirety), the estimated market value of the property, and the current balance of any mortgages or liens.

Personal Property

Whether it be jewelry, a family heirloom, or your vehicle, personal, tangible property distribution should be specified in your estate plan. You may consider placing real and personal property in a living trust if you have a sizable estate. A living trust avoids probate, an intrusive process that can be time-consuming and expensive. The Lebanon estate planning lawyers at Mette Law will advise you accordingly based on your financial situation and estate planning goals.

Estate Planning Attorneys Helping You Plan for the Unknown

Nobody knows when they’ll get ill or when their time may be up. While there are many uncertainties in life, putting your affairs in order creates less stress for your loved ones when tribulations arise. Our estate planning lawyers take the time to examine each of our clients’ finances while discussing family dynamics to determine optimal estate planning solutions. To learn more about our services for Lebanon, PA, residents, contact us online or call (717) 232-5000 to arrange your free consultation.