How to Prepare Your Estate Before Speaking With an Attorney
More than 550,000 Americans have passed away as a result of COVID-19. The pandemic continues to take the lives of our family members and loved ones. While many people avoid discussing the painful subject of death, things can get complicated if a loved one dies without either a will in place. If you want your estate managed by someone you trust and who will have the best interest of your beneficiaries in mind, you should create a will. Fortunately, many tools exist to create your estate plans before you even speak to an estate planning attorney; the following are some of the first steps you should consider taking to make the estate planning process easier. Collect the Appropriate Information If you own a home, you will need to collect a copy of your deed and mortgage (if you have one). You should also gather a list of your assets and note whether they are owned jointly with anyone else. It is also a good idea to list any debts and taxes or amounts that your estate will be required to pay out. Some other details to gather include potential beneficiaries, minor children who might be impacted by your estate plan [...]