WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT MY ESTATE PLANNING APPOINTMENT WITH ATTORNEY FITZGERALD?

In most cases Estate Planning involves writing a Will and other basic documents to explain what should happen when you pass away. It can address many other considerations, including taxes, avoiding probate and special family issues.

Fitzgerald Law office tries to give every client the same attention and level of service, regardless of how simple or complex the circumstances may be. The initial appointment is an opportunity for the client and Attorney Fitzgerald to share information, questions, and ideas. This involves a series of steps that clients move through before signing documents necessary for their specific situation:

1. Questionnaire Before meeting with Attorney fitzgerald, the clients complete a questionnaire that provides background information about the client, the client's family and assets. The client also provides copies of any existing Wills, Powers of Attorney, Trusts or other relevant documents. Attorney Fitzgerald will review all of this information before the meeting and be ready to focus on the client's particular interests, concerns, and issues facing the client, these may include distribution of assets at death, addressing the needs of young children and family members with special needs, probate versus non-probate administration and estate taxes. He will also discuss available options and strategies for accomplishing these goals.

2. The Meeting. The initial meeting begins with the client sharing their objectives and questions. Attorney Fitzgerald will then provide answers to those questions and discuss the issues that the client identifies. In addition, Attorney Fitzgerald will share his ideas and discuss any additional issues that he identified when preparing for the meeting. The goal is to develop a general blueprint for the client's plan and the documents that will be involved.

3. The Estate Plan Proposal. After the meeting, Attorney Fitzgerald reviews the issues and goals discussed with the client. In a letter, he will state the client's goals and any questions that need to be resolved before documents are prepared. Attorney Fitzgerald will also provide an outline of the documents intended to accomplish the family's goals, as well as a diagram of the proposed plan.

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