Gilbert Arizona Attorney, Lawrence B. Slater

Be prepared to give the attorney the information he needs to evaluate your situation. You can put the info into an email, with a spreadsheet that the attorney can read so he can quickly give you initial feedback.

 Most people should have a will to pass on their assets; Power of Attorney to manage their business if they are unable to do it; Medical Power of Attorney to tell the doctor what to do if they can't do it; Living Will to tell us to pull the plug if we are in a long term coma. Possibly a Living Trust to give more detailed instructions on our assets.

 When listing assets and debts, for consultation purposes, the values and balances can be estimated and the amounts can be rounded. This information is for evaluation and planning purposes. We can get the exact figures when actual plans are put together.

 Name: Clients' name(s); address; email; contact phone.

 Family: Spouse, parents, children, other significant family members, with name and age. Do we know how to find them?

 Are there responsible family members, who would be good to be Personal Representative or Trustee; or guardian? What should be the order of priority?

 Assets: 

Real property: address; fair market value; loan balances, monthly payments.

Vehicles: description, value (kbb.com private party); loan balances, monthly payments.

Retirement account values: 401(k), IRA, etc.

Bank account, brokerage account, other account: balances.

Business interests: type of business, estimated value, annual or monthly income; any other general info on value or cash flow.

Other personal property: any other property with particular value.

Asset protection: do we need property to be shielded from creditors?

 Debts: 

 Unsecured debts: (other than land and vehicle debts set forth above), give creditor, balance, monthly payment.

 Plans: 

 What is your estate plan? All to spouse, and then one share each to the children? Special bequests to someone? Exclude someone? Have you selected your personal representative or Trustee, and Guardian for any children?