If you’ve already scheduled an appointment with an estate planning lawyer, you’ve taken the first step towards protecting yourself and your loved ones for many years to come. However, getting prepared for this meeting can be confusing, particularly if this is the first time you’re sitting down with a lawyer to discuss your individual wishes. 
During your initial meeting with an estate planning lawyer, this professional will ask you several important questions, including:
• What are the dynamics in your family?
• Do you own property and how do you own it?
• Do you own a business?
• What are your values?
These questions help your estate planning attorney get a big picture view of your individual goals and what must be considered in the creation of your documents.
The answers to these questions will assist you with developing a strategic plan. It is a given that your estate plan will include how to distribute your assets after you pass away, but a solid estate plan goes one step further and includes guardianship designations, a power of attorney, a letter of intent, the use of trusts and a health care power of attorney. Furthermore, you might need to name a guardian to step in and take care of your minor children if you are unable to do so.
The main reason that many people put in additional time with the services of an estate planning lawyer is because they recognize how this can influence their life as well as the life of their loved ones.
It can be especially difficult for your family members to move on after your death but selecting an experienced estate planning attorney gives you peace of mind and clarity over what to expect so that you can pull together a plan that makes things as easy as possible for your beneficiaries if you were to pass away suddenly or become incapacitated and be unable to make decisions for yourself.
