Basic Estate Planning Workshop

Basic Estate Planning: Where Do I Begin?
The topic of death and what will happen to your belongings when you're gone is not an easy one to think about or to discuss with family members. If you don't already have an attorney, you may be wondering how you can find one. The best place to start is through referrals. When talking about lawyers, people often cringe because they are seeing the $ signs growing. It is appropriate to ask about fees up front. Many attorneys will give a free initial consultation and then quote a flat fee they would charge if you choose to hire him or her. The best thing you can do is be prepared for that initial session. Here are some items and information you need to gather for the first meeting with your attorney:
Personal information for you and other family members such as legal names, birth dates, Social Security number, addresses and telephone numbers, marital status, employers, and citizenship status.
Determine what you own and what you owe, the value of these items and how property is currently titled. Also include where the items and relevant documentation are located. Might be worthwhile to bring the documentation with you to the initial meeting with the lawyer.
Decide what is important to you. Who do you want to provide for through your estate plan? How do you want property distributed? How do you define "fair?" Who do you want to speak on your behalf. 
Discuss your thoughts with your spouse and family members.