The Purpose of an Estate Planning Intake Form

The main purposes of an estate planning intake form is to help you understand what type of information you need to provide, what type of questions you will be asked, and what documents you need to bring to your first meeting with an estate planning lawyer.  The information you provide will help him or her evaluate your specific needs and develop a comprehensive estate plan that will meet your goals.

Information Needed to Complete an Estate Planning Intake Form

In most cases, an estate planning intake form will require that you provide information for the following categories:

• Family: Full names, contact information, ages, and Social Security numbers;

• Finances: Stocks, bonds, bank accounts, and investments;

• Retirement Accounts: IRAs, Roths, profit sharing, and pension plans;

• Life Insurance: Type of policies, name of insurance companies, and face values; and

• Personal Property: Automobiles, jewelry, and antiques

Questions on an Estate Planning Questionnaire

The most difficult part of completing an estate planning intake form often comes in the personal, decision-making questions you are asked to answer. These questions may include the following:

• Who do you want to administer your estate?

• Who do you want to serve as your power of attorney?

• Who do you want appointed as a legal guardian for your children?

• Do you want a living will?

• Do you want to be an organ donor?

• How do you want your personal property distributed? 

Although the questions an estate planning lawyer may ask are hard and uncomfortable to answer, it is imperative that your overall goals and desires are expressed to protect your wishes and your loved ones when you are gone.

Estate Planning Meeting Preparation: Gathering Documents

For your attorney to prepare an accurate and thorough estate plan, you should provide as much documentation as possible. Some helpful documents to compile while preparing your estate planning intake form include these:

• Current or prior wills;

• Living wills;

• Insurance policies;

• Bank statements;

• Deeds for any real estate;

• Retirement account statements;

• Current automobile titles;

• Current statements of debts; and

• Alimony or child support agreements

Understanding which estate plan options are right for you is a difficult and overwhelming undertaking. You need an attorney who can take your estate planning intake form and develop a plan that will protect your family and your assets.  To learn how a West Virginia estate planning lawyer can help, call me, Anna M. Price, at 866.617.4736 or complete our firm’s contact form today.