Planning Ahead

Make the most of your Estate Planning Initial Consultation

Regardless of the size of your estate, estate planning is the only way to control what happens to your assets when you become disabled or pass away. To be effective for you, your estate plan should meet your individual needs and circumstances.

Your initial consultation may include:

  • a review of existing documents
  • discussion of your current financial and personal circumstances
  • discussion of your goals, needs and special circumstances, such as providing for future generations, loved ones with special needs, domestic partners, divorce or death of spouse, and remarriage

We ask lots of questions – why?

Think of your initial consultation in the same way you would with your Financial Advisor or your CPA. It may be a bit of work initially, but in the long run it will save time and you will get more accomplished.

In order to provide appropriate advice and best assist you with meeting your estate planning objectives, we need to know some information about you and your family.

Here are some ways to make the most of your meeting:

  • Identify your financial and family goals
  • Identify who you want to share in your estate (primary and alternate beneficiaries)
  • Make an Inventory List of your assets (include company names, account numbers, how title is held and balances). Gather account statements, titles, deeds, etc. to review how you currently hold title to these assets. Also make a list of assets that have beneficiary designations, such as insurance policies, annuities and retirement accounts. If you own a business, also include information on your business.
  • Gather other important legal documents: prenuptial and post nuptial agreements, divorce decrees, stock certificates, partnership agreements, buy-sell agreements, etc. This is just a sample list.
  • Decide who you wish to be your primary Personal Representative and alternate Personal Representative (who will administer your estate) and who will make medical and business decisions in the event of your incapacitation
  • Have addresses and phone numbers for the persons you wish to appoint as agents and for your beneficiaries

There is no better time than the present to create your estate plan.

It can give you and your family great peace of mind knowing that you have taken the steps to protect and ensure that your loved ones and the organizations you care about are taken care of.

We welcome the opportunity to sit down with you and discuss your specific goals and needs during an initial consultation. Call us at (941-575-5142) if you have questions or to schedule an appointment.