Elder Law Report
Elder Law Report
Demystifying Your First Estate Planning Consultation: What to Expect
Wondering what really happens during an estate planning consultation? Attorneys Greg and Jordan McIntyre pull back the curtain on this often-misunderstood process, revealing a surprisingly relaxed experience that's more like a friendly kitchen table conversation than a formal legal meeting.
Far from being a high-pressure situation, estate planning consultations are designed to be comfortable and informative. As Greg shares, "The best part of my day was meeting with this client, getting to know her and just sitting down and having a consultation." This personable approach puts clients at ease while attorneys gather the essential information needed to create effective estate plans.
During your consultation, expect questions about who you trust in your life, what assets you own, and your wishes for distribution. Don't worry about having all the answers prepared—the attorneys guide you through the process conversationally. If you have previous estate planning documents, bringing them along helps provide valuable context and history for your updated plans. The ultimate goal is identifying your wishes while spotting potential pitfalls where you might lose assets or control.
Ready to experience this refreshingly straightforward approach to securing your legacy? The McIntyre attorneys offer free consultations where you'll find not only expert legal guidance but also their famous office-made chocolate chip cookies. Schedule yours today by calling 1-888-999-6600 or visiting mcelderlawcom.
how to prepare for an estate planning consultation with an attorney like myself or a fellow attorney, Jordan McIntyre. Hey Jordan, hey Dad. I like to start, when I prepare for an estate planning consultations, with a few stretches and warmups. Some circles, you know the arm circles yeah, Jumping jacks. No, it's really not even that tough. Um gosh.
Greg McIntyre:I met with someone this morning. That's the perfect example of that. It was kind of a stressful morning. I don't know I'd gotten up super early. The best part of my day was meeting with this client, getting to know her and just sitting down and having a consultation. I came out of it feeling amazing, and I think she did too. And, um, I don't know, I think preparing for your estate planning consult consultation is not not something you should be nervous about in any way. It's as easy as sitting down at the kitchen table and having a conversation. Jordan, we used to. Always the best part of my day was sitting down at the kitchen table in the evening and eating dinner together. What's the question I would always ask you and the rest of the kids?
Jordan McIntyre:How was your day? How was your day?
Greg McIntyre:the rest of the kid how was your day? How was your day? When I sit down with an estate planning consultant, I ask how may I help you? That's always my question. Now there's probably some things that I want to know in that consultation to help me reach a really good strategic plan for you. What might some of those things be?
Jordan McIntyre:I'm just going to ask you know as much as I can about your family and then figure out what you have and where you want it to go. But really it's just you know, as you're saying, it's a conversation, so I want to get to know you. I want to know who do you trust in your life? If I set up important documents where these people are going to have some pretty important powers and authority, let's make sure you trust them and they're the best fit for you, and then we'll get into. What property do you have? What assets do you have? And then how do you think you'd like things to go to your kids or charities? I'm going to get all that out of you, but it's going to be in a very conversational back and forth type of way. I'm not going to make you feel pressured and it's okay if you come to the consultation not knowing all that. We'll figure it out.
Greg McIntyre:Sure, sure, absolutely. And you know what about. If there's been previous estate planning documents drafted that they did five, 10 years ago, would they bring those to the consultation?
Jordan McIntyre:Yeah, I'd love to review those and that'll give me a better picture of you. Know, maybe you have some individuals you need to appoint now as powers of attorneys, but there's a few changes. It'll give me an insight into what you had done previously and what changes might need to be made today.
Greg McIntyre:I personally like to scan those things and place them in our data intake file for the client so that we can have those as kind of a historical record to look back on as well if we're drafting, or just to preserve, to look back on as well if we're drafting or just to preserve. So you know, I don't. I don't think an appointment with our office for estate planning is a high pressure situation in any way or something. I mean, I'm not a dentist, I'm not going to pull your teeth. What I am going to do is pull some information out, which would be tease some information out, which would be really I'm trying to always get to what are your real wishes? And, let's say, let's set the goals for you and what your wishes are and make those happen, as well as identify pitfalls or danger zones for you where you could lose assets or lose control of them.
Greg McIntyre:So I'd say, showing up with any prior estate planning documents, just ready to have a good conversation, and some coffee, water, sparkling water and our homemade I guess they're not made at home, they're made office made chocolate chip cookies, which are pretty good. They're good stuff. It's what would consist of a consultation with us. So you know generally, through taking inventory of what we have the people in our lives we can really identify our goals and that really helps the attorney, the estate planning attorney, reach the right solution for you. If you have any questions or you'd like to sit down with one of our attorneys and talk about your estate planning, give us a call. We'd offer a free consult. You can obtain that by calling 1-888-999-6600 or schedule directly on our calendar at mcelderlawcom. Thank you, jordan, appreciate it.
Jordan McIntyre:Thank you Dad.
Greg McIntyre:I'll see you this weekend. You're going to be there Sunday for Father's Day.
Jordan McIntyre:It is it's Father's Day. I'll be there. See you. Bye, see you.