what to do prior to meeting a lawyer to prepare your will & trust

As you get ready for your first meeting with an estate planning lawyer, you should plan to bring certain documents and information with you. This information will help your attorney develop an estate plan suitable to your specific situation and goals.

Full Answer

What to do before meeting an attorney for the first time?

Oct 21, 2021 · Before You Meet With a Probate Lawyer, Do Some Homework To save money and to make the most of your time with your attorney, learn about your legal issue before you talk with the attorney. For example, if you’re interested in estate planning, learn the difference between a will and a living trust .

How to prepare for an estate planning appointment?

Mar 29, 2019 · Gather your financial documents. Although it isn’t crucial for your attorney to have all your asset documentation at your first appointment, providing them with the following from the start will move things along much faster: Grant deeds to real estate. In order to transfer your real property into your trust, your attorney will need to know ...

How do I prepare for a consultation with a lawyer?

Mar 26, 2016 · Use the tips in the following list to prepare for your meeting: Ask about your lawyer’s experience. You’ll benefit if your lawyer has worked with estates similar to yours. Before you meet an estate planning lawyer, most law offices will provide you with a questionnaire to complete and a list of documents to take with you to your meeting.

What should I do before signing a document with a lawyer?

employment materials, such as an employee handbook, and. witness statements and witness contact information. Try to gather and copy these documents before your meeting. If you can put them into an organized binder, you will make life much easier for your attorney and reduce the hours spent (and charged for).

See more

Mar 11, 2022 · Clarify What Will Happen After the Meeting Be clear on what will happen next, and then be sure to follow through on whatever you're asked to do by your new attorney. The attorney will need cooperation from your end.

What to do before writing a will?

With so many intricacies to the law, U.S. News has identified five important things to keep in mind when preparing your will:Don't make it yourself. ... Identify your assets. ... Joint property with a spouse falls outside the will. ... Be careful in selecting guardians and trustees. ... Beneficiary designations override wills.Sep 26, 2012

What are the most important things to put in a will?

What are the Most Important Things to Put in a Will?Personal Information. This should go without saying, but your will should include basic information about you to be official. ... Last Will and Testament Verbiage. ... Property and Assets. ... Beneficiaries. ... Executor. ... Guardianship. ... Signatures.

Do and don'ts of making a will?

Ten Do's and Don'ts for Writing Your Will1.) Don't put it off. ... 2.) Don't get lost in the weeds. ... 3.) Don't bestow honors. ... 4.) Do name alternates. ... 5.) Don't let the choice of alternates bog you down. ... 6.) Do express your wishes for charities and friends. ... 7.) Don't think that other documents or statements will suffice. ... 8.)More items...•Feb 20, 2020

Will preparation checklist?

A 10 point Will preparation checklistStep 1: Get down to basics. ... Step 2: Get a ballpark of your assets. ... Step 3: Get a general sense of your debts. ... Step 4: Choose a guardian. ... Step 5: Choose an executor. ... Step 6: Make a list of specific gifts. ... Step 7: Make a list of beneficiaries.More items...•Oct 13, 2020

What are some examples of legal documents?

Examples may include birth certificates, marriage certificates, cell phone texts, emails, photos, audio recordings, or videos. Make a set of copies of everything that you plan to share with the lawyer. Give the lawyer the copies at the beginning of the initial consultation.

What is an initial consultation?

All attorneys meet with prospective clients in what is called an initial consultation. This is a first meeting between you and the lawyer to help you both decide whether you want to work together in an attorney-client relationship. At this point, you are both checking each other out, and getting information and advice that can help you ...

How long does it take to get an estate plan signed?

If you provide your estate planning attorney with all your information on Day One, and stick to the process they lay out for you, it shouldn’t take them more than a few weeks to complete your documents and have them ready for you to sign.

What should an estate plan comply with?

Your estate plan should comply with any divorce and premarital agreements. It should also abide by the terms of any other contract you may have signed promising to leave assets to someone in your will.

What is an estate planning questionnaire?

The purpose of that questionnaire is to provide a general understanding of your family and financial situation to your attorney so that they can best advise you on your estate planning needs. It is designed to make the most efficient use of your time with your estate planning lawyer (and your money), so don’t waste it having them fill out the names of your family members, addresses and contact numbers.

What is an insurance binder?

An insurance binder is typically a one-page document that lists the owner of the policy, the policy number, and the death benefit.

What to know before meeting with a lawyer?

Before you get too far into a meeting or conversation, the lawyer will want to know about any possible conflicts of interest that might prevent him or her from ethically representing you.

What do lawyers want to see in a case?

In addition to learning about you and hearing your narrative, your lawyer will also want to see documents and evidence, both for informational purposes and to help assess the strength of your case.

What are the goals of a lawyer?

Typical goals might include: review and provide comments on a contract or legal document. draft a will.

How to respond to a legal complaint?

respond to a legal complaint, lawsuit, or threatening letter. research whether you have a meritorious legal claim against another person or entity. draft a legal complaint or demand letter to another person or entity, or. negotiate a lease, contract, or other agreement.

What questions should I ask my attorney?

Questions for Your Attorney 1 How long have you practiced in this area of law? 2 How many cases have you handled that are like mine? 3 What was the outcome in those cases? 4 How long does it typically take to resolve cases like mine? 5 What sort of budget should I anticipate for this sort of case, from beginning to end? 6 Do you require a retainer? If so, how much? 7 What additional information, documents, or data do you need from me in order to begin work?

What is an initial meeting with an attorney?

An initial meeting with your attorney is important, not just for exchanging information about your case, but also for building rapport and trust. Commonly, you will first have a short phone call with the lawyer, who will then ask to meet you in person. If you aren't yet certain you plan to use this lawyer, ...

What happens if you don't hire a lawyer?

Be honest. Remember that, even if you do not end up hiring the lawyer, everything you tell him or her during your meeting is generally subject to the attorney-client privilege. (The biggest exception to this, not surprisingly, is if you tell your lawyer that you are going to commit a crime, which information the lawyer may be duty-bound ...

Should I get a second opinion before surgery?

Much like getting a second medical opinion before a surgery, it is common to seek advice from two or more lawyers before committing. The attorney-client relationship is important, and you need to feel comfortable with your choice.

What is retainer agreement?

You may be presented with a contract called a retainer agreement or a legal services agreement. This typically spells out the scope of the lawyer's representation of you, as well as the fees that you will pay. The document is ordinarily a few pages long. The lawyer should explain it to you.

Do I need to wear a suit to a business meeting?

This does not necessarily mean you need to wear a suit, but you should wear the type of attire you would wear to any formal business meeting. This shows the attorney that you are a professional, and are taking your case seriously. Let the lawyer do the talking, initially.

Contact an Attorney to Get Professional Help Planning Your Estate

An estate planning attorney can answer key questions about the law and how your situation will be impacted by your state's laws. Get started on creating your estate plan by contacting an experienced estate planning attorney near you today.

Next Steps

Contact a qualified estate planning attorney to help you ensure that your loved ones are cared for and your wishes are honored.

Preparing for a Meeting with an Elder Law Attorney

If you are preparing for a meeting with an elder law attorney, there are a few things you may want to do so your meeting is productive and so you can ensure that your attorney is able to help you accomplish your goals. Some of the steps that it may make sense to take include:

The Importance of Working with an Elder Law Professional

Working with an elder law attorney is important, as you never know what the future holds. You don’t want to end up incapacitated, nor do you want to end up with your assets at risk and facing potential losses due to high nursing home costs when you can make an incapacity plan and a Medicaid plan.

Getting Help from an Ohio Elder Law Attorney

Zimmer Law Firm can provide comprehensive help to clients who are interested in working with an Ohio elder law attorney. Our legal team has the skill and experience necessary to help you to define your goals for the future and to help you make plans so you are prepared for both good times and bad.

What should be included in a budget form?

Your budget form should include housing and household expenses, car expenses, kids activities and expenses, health insurance, co pays, deductibles, and miscellaneous (detailed and specified) expenses.

Is mediation good for you?

Mediation is, for the most part, a negotiation process, and heated emotions, as understandable as they are, will not allow you to have the clear head you need. This is not the time for hurtful words or getting at the other party, and it is not good for the process or for any of you.