Where Do I Start?

Guttman Law is a leading estate planning law firm serving clients in Minneapolis, St. Paul, and throughout Minnesota. While many understand the importance of estate planning, one of the first questions clients ask is “Where do I start?” Of course, talking to an experienced trust and estate attorney is a good starting point, but there are several important decisions you have to make before meeting with your lawyer.

Knowing that these choices require a great deal of thought and discussions with your loved ones, this convenient guide is intended to help you get started on your estate plan. Once you become our client, we will provide you with compassionate, efficient representation and help you develop an estate plan that best suits your needs and objectives.

Principal attorneys Matt Guttman and Jamie Reff-Wagner are dedicated to helping individuals and families make informed decisions about their estate plans. Contact us today so we can start designing a plan for your financial future.

Preparing for Meeting With Your Minnesota Estate Planning Lawyer

Planning your estate may seem complicated, but it’s really about preparing today for both the expected and unexpected. While some associate estate planning with death, many estate planning tools, including living trusts, powers of attorney, and wills, can help you plan your financial future.

Now that you’re ready to start planning, here are some things to consider before meeting with your lawyer:

• Do you want to provide for a child or family member with special needs?
• If you have minor children, who should be their guardian?
• Who do you trust to manage your money for your children?
• Who do you trust to handle your financial obligations or make health care decisions for you if you suffer illness or injury and cannot speak for yourself?
• If you need to establish a trust, who will you appoint as trustee to manage your assets?
• Do you want to leave money to a favorite charity?
• If you have a sizable estate, do you want to preserve your wealth for future generations?
• If you own a family business, who will be your successor?
• Who should receive your financial assets, house, or other real estate? Should specific belongings go to certain people?

These are only a few questions to ask yourself, and they often involve compelling discussions with spouses and family members. After you think through these things, the next step is to get a handle on your assets and debts.