FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

You probably have many estate planning questions — below are just a few of the questions we are regularly asked. If you’d like an estate planning attorney at TuckerAllen to answer any of your specific questions, schedule an initial consultation today.

TuckerAllen FAQs

Who will I meet with?

You will meet with one of our experienced attorneys. If you have been referred to a specific attorney, be sure to mention this when booking your appointment and we will do our best to accommodate you.

How much time does TuckerAllen’s estate planning process take?

Our process typically takes about two to four weeks, once we have all of the information we need. If you need to complete your planning faster due to travel, illness, or other concerns, be sure to let your attorney know. We may accommodate you for an additional rush fee.

How often should I update my estate plan?

We recommend you review your estate plan at least every five years, as well as any time you have had a life change, such as the birth of a child, your retirement or divorce, or the disability or death of a family member. With a membership in our Legacy Protection Program, you will meet with your attorney every year to review any life changes and update your estate plan accordingly.

Can I change my estate plan after it’s signed?

Yes, you may make changes or even completely revoke your estate plan after signing it, for an additional fee. Often, a new legal document will be required to replace the old one, since it is more time-consuming to amend the original than create a new one (for example, powers of attorney).

If you have a revocable trust, you may decide to make a minor change or two through an “Amendment.” This is a new document that will refer back to the original trust and replace a section in it with a new one. If you have several changes to effectuate now, or you have already done an amendment in the past, or your new changes are substantial, we recommend a “Restatement.” A Restatement replaces the original trust document with new language (but keeps the same trust name and date).

What do I need to bring?

Estate Planning

Just bring yourself and your spouse, if you have one. Our knowledgeable estate planning attorneys will walk you through our straightforward process and ask you questions. While we don’t need bank statements or other such financial paperwork, it would be helpful if you can bring the deed to your home, if you have one.

Your initial meeting will be more productive if you have thought a bit about:

  • Who you would like to inherit your assets and belongings.
  • If you have minor children, who you would like to raise them — their guardians.
  • What kinds of property you own.
  • Who you want to be in charge of carrying out your wishes — your executor.

Probate / Trust Administration

The main items to bring to this type of consult is the death certificate (if available) and the originals of the deceased person’s estate plan (if any). It would be very helpful if you can provide information about the beneficiaries (legal names, addresses, social security numbers, dates of birth, etc.). If you had a chance to organize the decedent’s assets, we will want to see account ownership information on each asset, such as vehicle titles, bank and financial statements, insurance policy information, and copies of bonds, liens or deeds. Providing these items will ensure a constructive and informative consult with the attorney.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today

There’s no preparation necessary and you don’t need to bring any paperwork – just bring yourself and your questions. We’ll help you decide which services are right for you and your family.

Schedule Consultation

Or give us a call

(314) 335-1100