It rarely matters how
much or little you have in assets; as long as you have something to
leave behind to your family after you pass, you should see to it that
you make a last will and testament, if only to make sure everything’s
in order. If you haven’t met with a
probate lawyer yet, here are some things you are expected to do:
Personal Information
Of course, your lawyer
will want to get acquainted with you and understand the reasons
behind your decision to plan your estate. Oftentimes, attorneys
personally interview clients to get personal information, and some
opt to give questionnaires for their clients to fill out in advance
prior to their appointment so as to speed up the process of gathering
information as well as to save time.
Necessary
Documentation
You will have to bring
certain documents before you can proceed with the estate planning
process. For instance, statements and documents that indicate your
assets and liabilities are of prime importance. Examples of these are
insurance policies, deeds to real property, gift tax returns, etc.
Questions to the
Lawyer
Aside from what your
attorney will require of you, you should also know what questions to
ask. You might want to check his reliability and experience in
dealing with cases like yours by asking about him from his past
clients or reviewing his previous cases. You should also know how you
will be charged for the services before you sign on to anything.
