ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW
Be sure to have all of your estate planning documents in place and prepared by an attorney (to ensure validity under state law), including:
• Will
• Power of attorney
• Advance health care directive
• Authorization for use and disclosure of protected health information
When meeting with your attorney, take the following with you: • Information on assets
• Person(s) you wish to benefit
• Person(s) you wish to identify as your personal representative, trustee
and agent
• Copies of any estate-planning documents, prenuptial agreements
and relevant court orders
Be sure to keep all your important papers such as personal records, financial records and legal documents in one place and tell a trusted family member or friend where they are or ask a lawyer for help.
Involving a lawyer to help you put your end-of-life wishes in writing can help you to clearly communicate what you want so that the chance of misinterpretation later is minimized. A well-written will or trust is critical to proper estate planning. It gives the person control over who receives his or her assets, prevents delays and unnecessary financial costs that may be caused if there is no will and provides a vehicle for clearly expressing other end-of-life wishes.