Estate Planning Process

Our first step is to discuss with you your estate planning goals, which could include several of the following:

• Provide for my spouse, children and grandchildren
• Reduce estate taxes as much as possible
• Provide for those other than my spouse, children and grandchildren
• Provide for the orderly transfer of my business
• Protect assets from my creditors
• Protect assets from the creditors of my spouse, children and grandchildren
• Provide for a spouse, child or grandchild with special needs

In estate planning, the most important decision to make is determining who will help carry out your plans. As a firm, that is where we start the estate planning process. Naming the right fiduciaries is discussed and determined in the initial client meeting. These can include:

• Trustees, both initial and successor
• Personal (estate) representatives, both initial and successor
• Guardians for any minor children

We will then ask you to supply information about yourself, your family and your situation. Information will include:

• Personal and family data
• Any professional advisors you currently use such as accountants, financial planners or insurance agents
• Existing or relevant estate planning documents you may already have such as
  • Will
  • Revocable living trust
  • Irrevocable trust
  • Charitable trust
  • Durable power of attorney
  • Living will
  • Durable power of attorney for health care (or) health care surrogate designation
  • Advance directive regarding burial/cremation
  • Pre- or postnuptial agreement
  • Organ donation document
• Financial information such as
  • Real estate
  • Bank accounts/investments
  • Retirement plans
  • Life insurance and annuities
  • Personal property and any other assets

As in any communication between attorney and client, all discussions, planning and information collected are held in the strictest of confidence.