Walking into your first estate planning consultation can feel overwhelming. You might wonder what information you’ll need to provide or what topics will be covered. Understanding what to expect can help you prepare and make the most of this important meeting. Here are the key questions your Southern California estate planning attorney will likely ask to create a comprehensive plan that fits your unique situation.
Questions About Your Family Structure
Your attorney will start by understanding your family dynamics. Expect questions about your marital status, children (including their ages and any special needs), and other important relationships. They’ll ask about previous marriages, stepchildren, or other beneficiaries you want to include in your plan and how well everyone plays together.
If you have minor children, be prepared to discuss potential guardians and your preferences for their care and upbringing. For adult children, your attorney may ask about their financial responsibility levels and any concerns you have about leaving them inheritances. This can also lead to questions about long-term financial parenting. If your parents are surviving, your Attorney will likely also ask about their circumstances. Do any of your parents need care? Or are they expected to need care?
Asset and Financial Information
You’ll need to provide a comprehensive picture of your financial situation. This includes real estate you own, bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement plans, life insurance policies, and business interests. Don’t worry about bringing exact values to your first meeting; estimates are fine for initial planning purposes.
Your attorney will also ask about debts, including mortgages, credit cards, and other liabilities. This information helps determine the best strategies for protecting your assets and minimizing taxes.
Current Estate Planning Documents
If you have existing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, or healthcare directives, bring copies or be prepared to discuss them. Your attorney needs to understand what’s already in place and what needs updating or replacing. Even outdated documents provide valuable insight into your previous intentions and concerns.
Goals and Concerns
Expect detailed questions about your estate planning objectives. Do you want to minimize taxes, avoid probate, protect assets from creditors, or ensure specific family members are provided for? Are you concerned about a child’s spending habits, potential divorces, or special needs planning?
Your attorney may ask about your feelings regarding various scenarios—such as what should happen if both you and your spouse pass away together, how you want decisions made if you become incapacitated, or how things should be handled if, after one of you passes, the other remarries.
Healthcare and End-of-Life Preferences
Be prepared to discuss your healthcare wishes and preferences for end-of-life care. Your attorney will ask about life support, feeding tubes, and other medical interventions. They’ll also want to know who you’d trust to make healthcare decisions if you cannot do so yourself.
Business and Professional Considerations
If you own a business or professional practice, expect questions about succession planning, business partners, and how the business should be handled after your death or incapacity. This might include discussing buy-sell agreements, key employee arrangements, or plans for continuing or selling the business.
Timeline and Implementation Questions
Your attorney will discuss timing for completing your estate plan and any urgent concerns that need immediate attention. They may ask about upcoming surgeries, travel plans, or other situations that could affect the timing of your planning.
How to Prepare
Before your appointment, gather basic information about your assets, debts, and family situation. Think about your goals and concerns, but don’t worry about having all the answers immediately. Estate planning is a process, and your attorney is there to guide you through the decisions. Unless you are single or have no kids or assets, no attorney who says your plan can be done in one or two visits should be taken seriously.
Plan to take the time to get this right. Unless a pending health crisis or long term travel plans force hurried action, expect four to eight weeks to complete your plan.
Ready to Get Started?
Meeting with a Southern California estate planning attorney is an important step toward protecting your family’s future. Contact us today at (619) 281-1888 to schedule your consultation and begin creating a comprehensive plan that reflects your values and protects your loved ones.