Before meeting with an estate planning attorney, you need to know exactly what you own, who you want to leave it to, and what financial and medical decisions matter most to you. Without this groundwork, your consultation will waste time and money on basic fact-gathering that you could have completed at home. This questionnaire walks you through the essential information you'll need to gather—and why each piece matters.
Why You Need to Prepare
Estate planning attorneys charge $150–$500+ per hour, depending on location and experience. If you walk into their office unprepared, you'll spend the first hour just answering basic questions about your assets, debts, and family structure. That's $150–$500 you could have saved by doing 30 minutes of homework beforehand.
Beyond cost, preparation clarifies your own intentions. Many people discover they haven't thought through critical decisions—like who raises minor children, what happens to a family business, or how to handle blended family dynamics—until they're forced to articulate them on paper.
Personal and Family Information
Start with the basics. List your legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, and current address. Then document your spouse's (if applicable) full legal name and date of birth, and the full names and birthdates of all children and grandchildren.
If you have a blended family, note any prenuptial or postnuptial agreements. If you have minor children, identify the guardians you want to care for them if both you and your spouse die—and confirm those guardians are willing to take on the responsibility before your attorney drafts documents.
Complete Asset Inventory
This is the most time-consuming part, but essential. Create a spreadsheet listing:
- Bank and savings accounts (institution name, account type, approximate balance)
- Investment accounts (brokerage firms, retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, approximate values)
- Real estate (property address, estimated value, mortgage balance if any)
- Vehicles (make, model, year, current value, loan balance)
- Life insurance policies (policy numbers, face amounts, beneficiaries listed)
- Business interests (ownership percentage, type of entity, estimated value)
- Valuable personal property (jewelry, art, collectibles worth more than $5,000)
- Digital assets (cryptocurrency wallets, online business accounts, social media accounts with sentimental value)
Include approximate values for everything. You don't need exact appraisals yet—that comes later if needed—but rough estimates help your attorney understand your estate's complexity and whether you'll owe federal estate taxes (the threshold is $13.61 million in 2024 for individuals, $27.22 million for married couples).
Debts and Liabilities
List all outstanding debts: mortgage balances, personal loans, credit card balances, and any guarantees you've made on someone else's debt. Also note any ongoing child support or alimony obligations.
Beneficiary and Distribution Wishes
This is where you clarify intent. Decide:
- Who inherits what (specific items or percentages)?
- Are distributions equal among children, or do some receive more?
- Should minor beneficiaries inherit outright at age 18, or at a later age (25, 30)?
- Do any beneficiaries have special needs that require a trust structure?
- Should anyone be excluded from your will, and if so, why (so your attorney can draft language that prevents will contests)?
Healthcare and End-of-Life Decisions
Beyond property, your estate plan includes healthcare directives and powers of attorney. Document:
- Who should make medical decisions if you're unable (healthcare proxy or agent)?
- Your preferences for life-sustaining treatment (resuscitation, feeding tubes, ventilators)?
- Who should manage your finances and property if you become incapacitated (financial power of attorney)?
- Whether you want an autopsy or organ donation?
Tax and Professional Advisors
Note your CPA's or tax preparer's name and contact information, as well as your financial advisor's. Your estate planning attorney may need to coordinate with these professionals, especially if you have a large estate or own a business.
Bring Documentation
At your consultation, bring originals or copies of: current will (if one exists), any trusts, insurance policies, recent tax returns (last two years), deed or mortgage documents, and beneficiary designation forms on retirement accounts.
Preparing this information typically takes 2–4 hours. Services like Mercoly help you find and compare vetted Estate Planning & Probate Law attorneys in your area who can review your gathered information efficiently and offer tailored solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to complete every section of this questionnaire before my first consultation? A: No—bring what you have. Your attorney will guide you through gaps, but the more you prepare, the fewer billable hours you'll spend on basic information gathering.
Q: Should I update this questionnaire every year? A: Yes, especially after major life events (marriage, birth, divorce, significant asset changes, or relocation). Most attorneys recommend reviewing your estate plan every 3–5 years or whenever state law changes.
Q: What if I don't know the exact value of my assets? A: Ballpark estimates are fine for your first meeting. Your attorney will tell you which assets require professional appraisal (typically real estate, business interests, or high-value collectibles).
Start gathering your information today—it's the fastest path to an efficient, affordable estate planning consultation.