• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Kulas & Crawford

Attorneys at Law

Call Now: (772) 398.0720

Attend a Free Workshop
  • Home
  • About Our Firm
    • About Our Firm
    • Meet Our Team
  • Services
    • Elder Law and Medicaid
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Estate Planning Services
    • Financial Planning Assistance
    • IRA and Retirement Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Pet Planning
    • Probate and Trust Administration
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Veterans Benefits
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • Definitions
    • Elder Care Resources
    • Elder Law Resources
      • Elder Law Reports
      • Palm Bay Elder Law Resources
      • Vero Beach Elder Law Resources
    • Estate Plan Checkup
    • Florida Alzheimer’s Guide
    • FREE Estate Planning Worksheet
    • Free Seminars
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Elder Law and Medicaid
      • Estate Planning FAQ’s
      • Frequently Asked Questions for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Legacy Wealth Planning FAQ’s
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning Frequently Asked Questions
      • Probate
      • Trust Administration & Probate Frequently Asked Questions
      • Veteran’s Benefits
      • Wills and Trusts
    • Newsletters
    • Pre Consultation Form
    • Presentations
    • Probate Checklist
    • Probate Resources
      • Port St Lucie Probate
      • Stuart Probate
      • Vero Beach Probate
    • Published Books
    • Reports
      • Advanced Estate Planning
      • Basic Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning for Niches
      • Trust Administration
    • Top Estate Planning Techniques
  • Workshops
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us
  • Communities We Serve
    • Indian River County
      • Vero Beach
    • Martin County
      • Hobe Sound
      • Jensen Beach
      • Stuart
    • Okeechobee County
      • Okeechobee
    • St. Lucie County
      • Fort Pierce
      • Port St. Lucie
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
Home >> Estate Planning Articles >> What to Expect at Your First Estate Planning Consultation

What to Expect at Your First Estate Planning Consultation

March 15, 2013 by Robert Kulas.

Compliments of Our Law Firm,
By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
www.aaepa.com • blog.aaepa.com

Your first meeting with an estate planning attorney may seem a little daunting,
especially if you’ve never consulted an attorney before. There’s no need to
worry, however. This meeting is just a conversation in which your attorney will
find out about you, your family, and your goals. After you’ve shared this
information, your attorney will be able to recommend a range of estate planning
tools, helping you tailor a plan that meets your needs.

Getting to Know You

At the start of your consultation, your estate planning attorney will ask you
questions about you, your family, and your finances. Some of the areas of your
life that you may need to share about are those that can impact the type of
planning you’ll need to protect your assets and family, including:

  • Whether you’re married,
  • How many children and grandchildren you have,
  • Whether you’ve had any previous marriages,
  • Your age and the ages of the people in your family,
  • What assets you own, the value of those assets, and how they’re titled,
  • Whether you currently have a Will, a Trust, or other estate planning
    documents, and
  • Which people you want to put in charge of your money, your children, and
    other important aspects of your life in case you die or become disabled.

Sometimes, clients have personal situations they are hesitant to share with
anyone – even their attorney. If this is your situation, the questions your
attorney asks may seem uncomfortable or intrusive. The reason these questions are
asked is so that your attorney knows what issues to anticipate. This way, he or
she can help you plan around them.

For example, you might be reluctant to talk about a child born out of wedlock
years ago. First and foremost, remember that the information you tell your
attorney will remain confidential unless you give permission to disclose it.
Second, the reason your estate planning attorney needs to know about this child
is to design a plan that accomplishes your goals. If you don’t want that child to
receive part of your estate, your attorney needs to include language in your
estate plan disinheriting that child. Otherwise, he or she may be entitled to a
portion of your estate that you’d planned to leave for your spouse or your other
children.

Making the Right Choice

Your initial estate planning meeting is also a chance for you to decide
whether this particular attorney is a good fit for you. You’ll want to find out a
little about your attorney’s background and education, paying special attention
to whether he or she meets the state’s continuing education guidelines.
Organizations like the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
(www.aaepa.com) require that their members meet continuing education requirements
that are often more stringent than the standards imposed by the state. You may
choose to begin your search for an attorney on their website.

You also want to be comfortable with your attorney. Does he or she put you at
ease? Do you get to do enough talking, or does your attorney cut you off or talk
over you? Do you feel that your questions are taken seriously and answered in a
way that you fully understand?

One of the best ways to ensure you’ve chosen the right attorney is to make
sure that you’re comfortable talking to him or her and you feel that he or she
respects you and takes your concerns seriously.

Putting Your Plan in Place

After your attorney gathers all your information, he or she will review your
goals with you and discuss the best strategies for achieving those goals. The two
of you will agree on the appropriate strategies, and your attorney will put
together a set of documents that carries out these strategies. For example, your
attorney may draft a living trust to help you maintain control of your assets
during your lifetime, while keeping those assets out of probate at your death. He
or she may also draw up powers of attorney to designate who will make financial
and medical decisions for you, if you become unable to handle these matters for
yourself.

Your attorney’s job is to put together a plan that achieves your goals, and to
ensure you understand how it works. When you leave your initial meeting, you
should know the basic framework of your estate plan as well as the basic purpose
for each part of your plan. You should also know what to expect from the estate
planning process: the next steps and whose responsibility they are.

After you choose the right estate planning attorney and establish an estate
plan tailored to your needs, you’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief knowing
your future is secure!

Kulas & Crawford

Download Free Estate Planning Worksheet

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.

TESTIMONIALS

Easy Testimonials
August 25, 2020
    

I needed a simple, easy-to-use way to add testimonials to my website and display them. Easy Testimonials Pro did all of that and more!

avatar-1
Janet Exampleton
Owner, Exampleton Productions
Easy Testimonials
August 25, 2020
    

I receieved excellent customer support, and quickly. Thank you so much!

avatar-2
Linda Herman
Founder, Herman Studios
Easy Testimonials
August 25, 2020
    

I love your product! I would recommend this to anyone. What a great find!

avatar-3
Steve
Developer, Acme Co.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

We began our estate plan process in 2004 (12 years ago) and have been pleased with the periodic reviews we have gone through and when changes have been needed the firm has been thorough and professional in making those changes.

default image
~L.G.K
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have known Robert Kulas for 20 years since I was co-executor for friends who had Mr. Kulas prepare a Trust for them. When I felt I needed a trust also, I came to him. I have always been completed satisfied with his work and that of his charming, competent staff.

default image
~Joan C
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Mr. Kulas and his staff have been extremely helpful & knowledgeable for the over 3 years we have been associated. They are easy to talk to and explain everything without feeling rushed. Very competent and professional.

default image
~Mildred W
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have worked with Mr. Kulas & staff before. And they are very professional. I am very satisfied with Mr. Kulas and his staff and give them the highest satisfaction and 5 star rating.

default image
~Leo C
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Robert Kulas and staff made making a will an easy to understand process. They were very knowledgeable and attentive to my wishes. All my documents were provided in an organized binder which will be a great asset to my family. I would definitely recommend them.

default image
~Krissy L
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Everyone treated us extremely well.  Robert explained how a trust works and the benefits of having one.  We decided to move forward and complete the process.  He was very kind and knowledgeable.  Julie was also very helpful and very patient with our questions.  We felt very comfortable with this firm handling our affairs.  We would highly recommend this firm to our friends and family.

default image
~Janice M
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

"Everyone treated us extremely well.  Robert explained how a trust works and the benefits of having one.  We decided to move forward and complete the process.  He was very kind and knowledgeable.  Julie was also very helpful and very patient with our questions.  We felt very comfortable with this firm handling our affairs.  We would highly recommend this firm to our friends and family."

default image
Janice M
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Robert Kulas and staff made making a will an easy to understand process. They were very knowledgeable and attentive to my wishes. All my documents were provided in an organized binder which will be a great asset to my family. I would definitely recommend them.

default image
Krissy L.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have worked with Mr. Kulas & staff before. And they are very professional. I am very satisfied with Mr. Kulas and his staff and give them the highest satisfaction and 5 star rating.

default image
Leo C.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

Mr. Kulas and his staff have been extremely helpful & knowledgeable for the over 3 years we have been associated. They are easy to talk to and explain everything without feeling rushed. Very competent and professional.

default image
Mildred W.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

I have known Robert Kulas for 20 years since I was co-executor for friends who had Mr. Kulas prepare a Trust for them. When I felt I needed a trust also, I came to him. I have always been completed satisfied with his work and that of his charming, competent staff.

default image
Joan C.
Client Review
August 25, 2020
    

We began our estate plan process in 2004 (12 years ago) and have been pleased with the periodic reviews we have gone through and when changes have been needed the firm has been thorough and professional in making those changes.

default image
L.G.K.
<
>

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

PORT ST. LUCIE

East Lake Professional Center
2100 SE Hillmoor Drive, Suite 105 Port St. Lucie, FL,34952
Phone: (772) 398-0720
Fax: (772) 398-9331
  • PORT ST. LUCIE

VERO BEACH

Bridgeview Building
2770 Indian River Blvd, Suite 321, Vero Beach, FL, 32960
Phone: (772) 778-8481
Fax: (772) 398-9331
  • VERO BEACH

Office Hours

Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
footer-logo
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The information on this Florida Attorneys & Lawyers / Law Firm website is for general information purposes only. Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, comments, answers, emails, or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation. The information on this website is not intended to create, and receipt or viewing of this information does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.

Kulas & Crawford. Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Disclaimer | Site Map | Powered by American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys


© 2023 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.