{"id":960,"date":"2017-12-07T19:17:41","date_gmt":"2017-12-07T19:17:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/arizona-estate-planning\/?page_id=960"},"modified":"2022-08-31T20:24:27","modified_gmt":"2022-08-31T20:24:27","slug":"preparing-estate-planning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jacksonwhitelaw.com\/arizona-estate-planning\/blog\/preparing-estate-planning\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing For Estate Planning"},"content":{"rendered":"
Before you meet with your estate planning attorney, you\u2019ll want to gather some important information to bring with you. Here are ten things you can do to prepare for your estate planning consultation.<\/p>\n
If this isn\u2019t your first time doing estate planning, bring your previous documents to show your new attorney. This includes a last will and testament<\/a>, codicils (amendments) to your will, a durable power of attorney<\/a>, an advance healthcare directive (also called a living will), a trust agreement, and any letters of instruction.<\/p>\n Your estate attorney will need the full name and date of birth for your children, your grandchildren, and any other relatives you may gift assets to (parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.). It\u2019s a good idea to write down their addresses, too.<\/p>\n Should you ever lose the capacity to handle your affairs or communicate important medical decisions, you\u2019ll need someone to act and speak on your behalf. This individual will need the proper authority to access your financial accounts, pay your bills, access medical records, and discuss treatment options with doctors. Most people default to their spouse or an adult child for this position, but you are free to choose whomever you\u2019d like. Your attorney will help you to empower this person with a durable power of attorney.<\/p>\n On a similar note, your attorney will help you draft a living will to dictate your healthcare preferences if you are unable to communicate them yourself. Also known as an advance healthcare directive, this document should address a number of healthcare topics, including palliative care (treatments to alleviate pain and suffering), cancer treatments, resuscitation, and artificial life support. The document can be as broad or as specific as you\u2019d like. To prepare for this, consider matters such as what treatments you are okay with, if you condone artificial life support, and if you wish to be allowed a natural death (formally known as a do-not-resuscitate order).<\/p>\n Consider if you want to be buried or cremated, where your remains should go, and any special requests for the funeral or memorial. Rather than putting this in your will, your attorney will probably advise you to write these preferences in a separate letter of instruction to be left with a family member. It\u2019s also wise to discuss these matters with your loved ones, so they know of your plans ahead of time.<\/p>\n When selecting a guardian<\/a> for your children, you don\u2019t necessarily have to go with a family member. Anyone can look after children, but you\u2019re not looking for a babysitter\u2014you need someone trustworthy who will raise your children well, hopefully similar to how you would raise them yourself. Be sure to check with the potential guardian to make sure they will accept the responsibility, as they are not bound by your will and have the right to decline. It\u2019s also a good idea to choose an alternate guardian, in case the primary guardian passes away or declines the responsibility.<\/p>\nGather Important Family Information<\/h2>\n
Choose Someone to Manage Your Affairs if You Become Incapacitated<\/h2>\n
Consider Your End-of-Life Healthcare Preferences<\/h2>\n
Plan Your Funeral and Burial Arrangements<\/h2>\n
Choose a Guardian for Your Children<\/h2>\n
Nominate an Executor<\/h2>\n