Q: What do I need to provide before the preliminary consultation?
Answer:
You will either need to provide a summary of assets from your financial adviser or complete a form on your assets, liabilities & income. The consultation fee is also due prior to the meeting.
Q: What happens after we meet?
After we meet, you鈥檒l receive a Proposal with recommended documents & a fee estimate. Here鈥檚 an example of a Proposal. For explanations of the various documents, see Estate Planning and Advanced Estate Planning.
Q: What happens next in the process?
Answer:
- Let鈥檚 get your planning done! You鈥檒l e-sign an engagement letter confirming the work I will do and the fees. You鈥檒l also pay a retainer online so we can get started ASAP.
- Next, you鈥檒l complete a Family Tree Form, tailored to your unique family constellation.
- We鈥檒l have a second consultation. We鈥檒l discuss who is the best choice for each role in your estate plan (e.g., executor, guardian, health care agent) and finalize your asset distribution plan.
Q: Is there anything else I鈥檒l need to do before you can prepare my documents?
Answer:
You鈥檒l contact the people you wish to name for each role in your estate plan to confirm they鈥檒l accept the responsibility. You鈥檒l provide me with their contact information, and any other outstanding information.
Q: What is the document preparation process?
Answer:
- I will draft your estate planning documents to protect you and your family.
- You will review the documents and note down any questions or concerns.
Q: Will I have a chance to ask questions?
Answer:
Absolutely! We can meet virtually or in person, or use email or a phone call to answer your questions.
Q: What are the final steps?
Answer:
- I will make any necessary edits and obtain your final approval. Then we鈥檒l set a date for executing the documents.
- I鈥檒l guide you through each document鈥檚 signing, notarizing, and/or witnessing. We can meet in my Manhattan or Long Island office. We can also meet in your home if you provide witnesses.
- You鈥檒l receive clear instructions on how to maintain original documents. We鈥檒l discuss the legal advantage of your attorney retaining the original Will.
- You鈥檒l receive digital copies of all documents.