What your will need before you meet with an estate attorney
Kristen H. Boone
Helping busy families maintain a life of prosperity & wealth by ensuring that their estate plan will work when their loved ones need it most. Estate Planning I Trust Administration I Probate
Get your estate details in order!
Gather up this information so you are ready for your meeting.
Did you know: The beneficiaries you’ve named on each of your accounts will get the money—not people you name in your will. So if your ex-spouse is still the beneficiary listed on your pension, they will get the funds even if your will stipulates that your current spouse should inherit them.
领英推荐
? Assign executors and proxies.?This is a good time to think about your choice of an executor and power of attorney. Most people choose a family member, a friend, or, less commonly, a trusted attorney or accountant, says Patrick Hicks, general counsel at Trust & Will. They should be people who are at ease with financial matters. So while your 20-year-old child could legally be your executor, he might not be experienced enough to handle your affairs. Hicks also advises picking one or two backup executors.
When assigning a healthcare proxy, pick someone who can make a difficult personal decision for you if necessary, usually a spouse, close family member, or friend, not an attorney or accountant.
Keep in mind that if you’re not married to your partner—and you want them to make decisions for you in a healthcare emergency—you’ll need to name them as your healthcare proxy by filling out a healthcare proxy form. You may also need to complete a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) authorization form, which allows healthcare providers to discuss your case with your partner. If you want them to be able to make financial decisions on your behalf, give them power of attorney.
Similarly, if you have unmarried children who are 18 or older, you may want them to make you their healthcare proxy and sign a HIPAA authorization form. You may need both documents to be allowed to help in a medical emergency or see their medical records. (This varies by state.)