By Sherri Lund
You can confidently meet an estate planning attorney and start the process of writing a will when you follow these five simple steps.
How to Prepare for an Initial Visit with an Estate Planning Lawyer
As we wrap up 2023, you may be reviewing your goals or mapping out plans for 2024, and perhaps that includes writing a will.
Some people feel anxious about meeting an attorney for the first time and the idea of making a will.
A shocking number of people I talk to know they need a will but don’t take steps to make one. They say things like…
I don’t need a will! I’m too young.
I don’t want to think about dying!
I’ll be gone. Everything will work itself out!
I don’t have enough stuff to need a will!
Some are extra perky and animated when they give their reason, like positivity makes things better. Here’s the thing:
Just because most people procrastinate on making a will doesn’t make it the right thing to do.
Talking about death is taboo for some families. However, more people want to make a plan, so their loved ones have an easier time when the inevitable comes.
On a recent episode of The Probate Podcast, I talked with Houston attorney Carly Maderer about the importance of having a will and how stressful it can be.
The entire episode with Carly had several key points. When I re-listened to the full episode, I identified five tips that will help you prepare for your first appointment with an estate planning attorney. These tips will calm your nerves about writing a will so you can focus on finding the attorney you want to work with.
5 tips to help you prepare for the initial consultation with your estate planning attorney:
Start now. Make an appointment to speak with an estate planning attorney. This will get the ball rolling, and it’ll give you a deadline for getting the other tips done.
Make a list. Between now and your appointment, think about who you might want to oversee your things if you cannot do it yourself.
Note people you don't want in your will. This is very important, and it isn't about being rude or polite, especially if children are involved. Stating who you want is the only way to make your wishes clear.
Have an idea of bank accounts, investment accounts, insurance policies, and other benefits you have, along with where they are. You might start a spreadsheet so everything is in one place. You may choose not to share this info at your first meeting, but by putting your accounts in one place, you can access it quickly when you’re ready.
Keep your appointment. Even if you are unsure about your account information or feel nervous about the meeting, go anyway. The lawyer will tell you your next step and guide you through the process.
It's common for people to feel anxious about making a last will in testament. And it's normal to feel awkward when meeting an attorney for the first time. But as Carly says in our conversation, we don't make these plans for us….we make them for our loved ones.
“…we don't make these plans for us. We write our will and estate plan for our loved ones.”
—Carly Maderer, Estate Planning Attorney
If you want to have a will and find yourself procrastinating, these five tips will help you take those first steps. And, if you need help finding an attorney to work with, contact me. I'm not an attorney, but I can listen to your needs, answer questions, and refer you to some lawyers who might be a good fit for you.
Take the first step, and I think you’ll find that it gets easier as you go.
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For a more in-depth discussion on the importance of estate planning and how to talk to family members about your plan, watch this brief clip with Carly Maderer: The Probate Podcast Highlights with Carly Maderer.
Carly Maderer is a special needs estate planning attorney who talks about guardianships, wills, and trusts. You can check out the full episode here: Episode 16 of The Probate Podcast with Carly Maderer