ESTATE PLANNING CHECKLIST FOR LAWYERS UPDATE

_ _ Discussed my wishes and directions with my family, including those nominated as my executor, trustee, power of attorney, etc.? _ _ Discussed with my attorney any special concerns I have about my children, such as family conflicts, creditor problems and other family situations?

ESTATE PLANNING CHECKLIST FOR LAWYERS UPDATE

_ _ Updated my current durable power of attorney? It is generally advisable to update a power of attorney every five years because of their ability to become impractical over time. _ _ Considered creating a “separate writing” for distributions of specific items of personal property in your will? _ _ Reviewed the beneficiary designations of your life insurance, IRA, 401ks and annuities to make sure they are consistent with your wishes? _ _ Considered where all of your assets are distributed upon your death, including assets that are jointly held and assets that have beneficiary designations? _ _ Funded the living trust you have created? _ _ Considered creating a Revocable Living Trust in order to save my heirs time and money? _ _ Do I know where my original estate planning documents are? Are you sure that you have the original documents? _ _ Created a durable power of attorney, health care surrogate and living will?

_ _ Recently reviewed my Will and/or Trust to confirm that it is accurate to my wishes and needs? While the below may not apply to all of our clients, this is a good checklist to follow to help ensure that you created a good estate plan. Please use the below to consider important parts of your estate plan that you may have overlooked. Further, good planning means that your wishes are followed and that your assets are distributed to your heirs with as few problems and costs as possible. A good estate plan means that you and your family are adequately prepared for your death and/or incapacity.

Estate planning checklist for lawyers