Legal Toolkit Michigan Probate, Estate and Elder Law

Gather copies of existing estate plans, wills, trusts, and/or advance directives;

Be prepared to discuss goals and concerns regarding asset distribution;

Create list of significant assets and debts with account information (e.g. finances, retirement plans, investments, and other significant belongings);

Gather copies of real estate deeds and life insurance policies as applicable;

Create list of children, spouse, and other heirs, including names, dates of birth, addresses, phone, and email contact information;

Choose guardians for any minor children and request their permission to be responsible for raising your minor children upon the death of both parents;

Choose an executor and successor executor (in case you should outlive your first executor) and request their permission to be responsible for carrying out the terms of the will upon your death;

Choose who should be named as your agent, in power of attorney documents, to make financial and medical decisions if you were unable to do so and request permission of them to be responsible for carrying out your wishes; they must sign a consent form. 

Create list of life-changing events (e.g. births, deaths, divorce, marriage, financial windfall) since creation of last will.