What to Do Before Meeting With a North Carolina Estate Planning Attorney

Our Daly Mills Estate Planning attorneys in Mooresville know that it may seem like a daunting task to start getting your affairs in order.

Whether a person lacks the time to commit to estate planning, or fears talking about end-of-life decisions, most estimates list that anywhere from 50–60% of Americans do not have a will, let alone fully developed estate plans.

Our Iredell County will and estate planning lawyers are here to help our North Carolina residents reimagine the process, so they can gather the proper documents and consider their beneficiary options without the complexities of going it alone.

Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your initial meeting with an estate planning attorney in the Lake Norman area.

Gather the Proper Financial Documents Before Your Meeting

If you do not have an existing will or trust or estate administration and probate plan, you may not know which documents an estate planning attorney needs to get started.

Depending on your property, long-term care, and asset protection needs, those documents may differ.

However, the most common financial documents that will help you and your estate planning lawyer in Mooresville get started includes:

1. Financial statements, including checking, savings, money market, brokerage, pension, stock certificates, and IRA statements
2. Real estate holdings and grant deeds, including co-owned accounts, should be discussed with your lawyer from the start so that they are properly addressed in your estate plan
3. Business agreements, including owning a company or any partnership interests
4. Intellectual property ownership, including trademark, patent, and copyright registration certificates
5. Life Insurance policy information, including the insurance binder, which is typically a one-page document that lists the owner of the policy, the policy number, and the death benefits

If you have previously executed a Will, Trust, Durable Power of Attorney, and/or Advance Healthcare Directive, bring those documents with you to the meeting. The new documents will be updated accordingly and will supersede the existing plans going forward.

Premarital and Divorce Agreements

If you have existing premarital or divorce agreements that promised assets to someone, your new estate planning documents must abide by the terms of those contracts.

Choose Your Executors and Healthcare Agents

Estate planning gives our clients peace of mind knowing that someone they trust will carry out their wishes should they become incapacitated or after they pass away.

Choosing who will be the executor of your estate requires careful planning to ensure you select a responsible, honest individual, who can make important decisions and manage finances once you are gone.

You should also consider who will make your healthcare decisions for you if you can no longer do so, so you can receive the same type of care you would if you could have decided on your own. This will require appointing a durable power of attorney through a living will to address any potential healthcare needs or emergencies.

These decisions should not be taken lightly. If you are unsure of who you would trust to make these important decisions, our skilled Mooresville estate planning attorneys can match you with fiduciary professionals who specialize in prudently taking care of money or other assets.

Take the Time to Discuss Specialized Estate Planning Needs

At Daly Mills Estate Planning, our Mooresville attorneys provide one-on-one legal guidance for each of our clients, so they can accurately and comfortably plan their futures.

Whether you need to establish guardianship for young children, make plans for a family member with special needs, or preemptively plan your estate tax savings, we will walk you through the legal process, so you can make informed decisions about your complete estate.

Contact Our Skilled Charlotte, NC Estate Planning Attorneys Today

To learn more about how we can help you and your family create a customized estate plan to protect your current and future wishes, call us at 704-878-2365 to schedule an initial consultation with our skilled attorneys in Mooresville, North Carolina at Daly Mills Estate Planning today.

Related Link:

• Why You Need a Power of Attorney