Estate-planning checklist
Turn estate-planning goals into an organized lawyer conversation
Estate planning is more than choosing a document from a template. Family structure, property, beneficiary designations, decision-makers, business interests, and state law can affect what a lawyer needs to review.
Private public pilot: no law firm receives your request while distribution remains closed.
Direct answer
Start with goals and an inventory, not a document label
An estate-planning lawyer may help evaluate wills, trusts, powers of attorney, health-care documents, beneficiary designations, asset ownership, and plans for dependents or a business. The appropriate documents and language depend on personal facts and state law.
Choose the closest issue
Start with the category that best describes what is happening
The label only organizes the request. It does not decide the legal issue, eligibility, strategy, or outcome.
List the people
Identify family, dependents, beneficiaries, and decision-makers
Use roles rather than sensitive personal details in the first summary. Note minors, dependents with support needs, blended-family relationships, or anyone you may want to name for a responsibility.
Build an asset overview
Group property without exposing account information
Prepare broad categories such as real estate, retirement accounts, insurance, business interests, digital property, and debts. Keep balances, account numbers, passwords, and documents private.
Review life changes
Existing plans may need attention after major events
Marriage, divorce, births, deaths, moves between states, property changes, business changes, and beneficiary updates can create questions for counsel.
Before you begin
Bring a planning map to the conversation
The map helps counsel ask better questions; it is not a document generator or legal recommendation.
- Write the goals you want the plan to address.
- List people and decision-making roles in general terms.
- Group assets, debts, and business interests by category.
- Note existing documents and major changes since signing.
Public-pilot boundary
Know what happens before you share information
Private and verified. The existing intake asks for general facts and verifies the email address you control.
Not distributed. No law firm receives your request while lawyer distribution remains closed.
No legal relationship. A request is not legal advice and does not create representation or protect a deadline.
One clear starting point
Describe the general facts in a verified private request
Choose the closest legal area, add location and timing, and verify one email address. Keep confidential records and private identifiers out of the form.
Public sources
Context from identifiable public institutions
These sources support national context and preparation guidance. They do not replace state-specific legal advice.
Last reviewed: July 22, 2026
Plain-English answers
Questions before contacting a lawyer
Visible answers match the structured FAQ data on this page.
Can Lawyer Match tell me whether I need a will or a trust?
No. That choice depends on goals, assets, family circumstances, state law, cost, administration, and other facts a lawyer should review.
Should I enter account balances in the request?
No. Use broad asset categories only. Keep balances, account numbers, passwords, and document images out of the initial request.
Can I use the same estate plan after moving states?
A move can create review questions because state law and document formalities vary. A lawyer can review existing documents and current circumstances.
Does submitting a request create estate documents?
No. Lawyer Match does not draft, execute, notarize, or validate legal documents.