Congratulations!  You have taken the first step in getting your estate plan in place – You have made an appointment to see one of our exceptional attorneys!  So here are some things to think about as you get ready for your appointment:

1)      Who do you trust to make your financial decisions if you can’t?  Your financial affairs need to be attended to, and if you are unable to do for yourself (if you become incapacitated), do you have a trusted friend or family member?

2)      Who do you trust to make your health decisions?  Health decisions are a lot more “personal” than are financial decisions.  So if you are in need of medical treatment, and you cannot communicate, who will execute your wishes on your behalf?  Though it may be the same person as your financial decision maker, because it is a different skill set, you want to have this thought through.

3)      Who will “back-up” your primary choices?  We want your plan to be flexible, so an integral part is to have back-ups!  If the primary person is unavailable to act for you, who can step in?  There should be at least one back-up, but having two or three is ideal.

4)      What is in your “estate”?  What assets do you own?  Real estate, time shares, retirement accounts, life insurance . . . ? And what are their values?  By coming up with a basic list of all of your assets and values, the attorney can help to properly plan for your particular estate..

5)      Who gets your “stuff” when you pass?  Just the kids?  Do you want your favorite charities or church to be involved?  Grandkids?  Other people who mean a lot to you?

By having these thoughts, the meeting with the attorney will be very productive!  A plan can be shaped to meet your needs, and give you the peace of mind you deserve.

For those who have not made that appointment, it is not too late.  Call us today, and our attorneys will be happy to sit with you and get your plan in place.

Contributed by MH Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces Estate Planning Attorney, James P. Plitz.

About Morris Hall:
At Morris Hall, we have focused our legal practice on estate planning for over 40 years.  Along with estate planning, our attorneys help clients and their families with matters of probate, trust administration, wills, power of attorneys, business planning, succession planning, legacy planning, charitable gifting and other important legal aspects.  We also have divisions in financial, real estate and accounting to help you incorporate all of your planning together, ensuring that everything works perfectly for your needs and situation. Our Arizona offices are located in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Tucson, Prescott, Flagstaff and Arrowhead.  Our New Mexico offices are located in Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Santa Fe.  Contact us today at 888.222.1328 to schedule an appointment!

This blog should be used for informational purposes only.  It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice.  If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney in your community who can assess the specifics of your situation.