If you are ready to work on your will, there is certain documentation and information that you are going to need if you want to prepare the document. While it helps to visit an attorney to ensure that your will is valid and that you don’t leave any part of it unfinished, you cannot complete it without the right paperwork. Before your consultation with a lawyer, here are the types of documentation you should bring along.
Debts
When preparing your will, you must include your debts. After you pass, your assets are only distributed to your beneficiaries after all of your debts are paid. It is important that you figure any debt into the total sum of the assets. Some forms of debt that you should always bring documentation of include your mortgage, your car loan, boat loan, student loans or any other catastrophic bills.
Property and Assets
Your assets are among the most important when it comes to documentation that you need to bring with you to your estate planning lawyer. Your assets include all of your personal property. You have to make a list of all of your assets and then decide what you want to happen to every asset. You may want to bring along any deeds to your home, any vehicle titles, your stocks, bonds or any other proof of asset.
Beneficiaries and Guardians
Don’t forget about your beneficiaries! In order to help you complete your will, your lawyer needs to know who your beneficiaries are. There are certain key pieces of information that you have to include when it comes to your beneficiaries. You need to give your lawyer their names, addresses, birth certificate or social security number.
In addition, if you have minor children, this is also where you want to bring information about any guardian that you chose. This is the person that will take care of your children if anything were to happen to you.
When you arrive at the lawyer’s office, it helps to have all the required paperwork and documents. The more that you have gathered, the quicker that you will be able to start on your last will and testament. Without the documents, then your lawyer may have to wait until you collect the rest of the paperwork to begin. To find out more about how to file a will, set up an appointment with an estate attorney today.