What to Bring to Your Estate Planning Meeting

A Simple Checklist to Help You Feel Prepared and Confident

Planning for your future shouldn’t feel overwhelming.

One of the most common concerns we hear from clients before their first meeting is:

“What should I bring?”

The good news? You don’t need to have everything perfectly organized. You simply need a starting point.

This guide walks you through what to gather before your estate planning meeting so we can provide clear, personalized advice tailored to your family and your goals.

And remember — bring what you can. We’ll guide you through the rest.

1. Personal Information

To properly structure your plan, we need accurate identifying information.

Please bring:

• Full legal names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses (you and your spouse/partner, if applicable)

• Dates of birth and Social Security numbers

• Marriage certificate or divorce decree (if applicable)

• Names, dates of birth, and addresses for children, grandchildren, or dependents

• Citizenship or residency information

This allows us to ensure your documents are legally sound and properly customized.

2. Existing Estate Planning Documents

If you’ve done planning before — even years ago — bring it.

• Current Will(s)

• Trust(s) and any amendments

• Financial and Medical Powers of Attorney

• Patient Advocate Designation or Living Will

• Beneficiary designation forms for:

  • Retirement accounts

  • Life insurance

  • Annuities

Even outdated documents are extremely helpful. They give us insight into your previous intentions and help us identify gaps or necessary updates.

3. Who You Want to Name (Fiduciaries & Beneficiaries)

Estate planning is about people as much as it is about assets.

Please bring contact information for:

Fiduciaries

These are the individuals you trust to handle responsibilities such as:

• Personal Representative (Executor)

• Trustee

• Financial Power of Attorney

• Patient Advocate

For each person, include:

• Legal name

• Address

• Phone number

• Email

Beneficiaries

Anyone who will receive money, property, or other assets — including extended family, friends, or charities.

Provide:

• Legal name

• Address

• Phone number

• Email

Choosing the right people is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. We’ll help you think through these roles carefully.

4. Real Estate & Property Records

If you own property, bring:

• Deeds for all real estate (home, vacation property, rentals, land)

• Recent property tax statements

• Mortgage statements (including lender and balance)

• Homeowner’s insurance declarations page

Proper titling is critical to avoiding probate and protecting your family.

5. Financial Accounts

A general snapshot is perfect — you don’t need every statement ever issued.

Bring recent statements for:

• Checking, savings, CDs

• Brokerage and investment accounts

• IRAs, 401(k)s, pensions

• Life insurance and annuities

• Business ownership interests (LLC documents, corporate records, partnership agreements)

This helps us coordinate beneficiary designations and ensure your assets transfer efficiently.

6. Vehicles & Other Titled Property

• Vehicle titles or registrations (cars, boats, RVs, motorcycles)

• Any other titled personal property

Even smaller titled assets can create unnecessary probate issues if not handled properly.

7. Debts & Liabilities

Understanding your obligations helps us create a balanced plan.

Bring information on:

• Mortgage or home equity lines

• Credit card balances

• Student loans

• Personal or business loans

8. Personal Property & Digital Assets

Many families forget about these — but they matter.

Please bring:

• A list of valuable personal property (jewelry, firearms, collectibles, artwork, heirlooms)

• Safe deposit box details

• Digital assets:

  • Online accounts

  • Cryptocurrency

  • Social media

  • Domain names

Digital planning is increasingly important to ensure your family can access what they need.

9. Professional & Family Information

If you work with trusted advisors, we coordinate with them when appropriate.

Bring contact information for:

• CPA

• Financial advisor

• Insurance agent

• Other professionals

Also note:

• Special medical needs in your family

• Special needs planning concerns

• Guardianship preferences for minor children

These details allow us to design a plan that truly fits your family’s reality.

10. Additional Wishes

If you’ve already thought about these topics, share them:

• Funeral, burial, or cremation preferences

• Charitable organizations you’d like to support

• Military discharge documents (DD-214), if applicable

Even informal notes are helpful.

Important Reminder: Don’t Stress

You are not expected to have everything perfectly gathered. Bring what you can find.

Our role at JM Thomas Law is to simplify this process, not complicate it. We will:

• Identify what’s missing

• Help you obtain documents if needed

• Clarify confusing areas

• Provide a clear, step-by-step plan

Estate planning should bring peace of mind — not pressure.

Your Next Step

If you haven’t scheduled your consultation yet, we invite you to do so.

During your meeting, you’ll gain:

• A clear understanding of your options

• A strategy tailored to your family and assets

• Confidence that your legacy is protected

Schedule your consultation today and move from uncertainty to clarity.

We look forward to guiding you.