Important Reasons to Get a Will Thru an Attorney
Ø To have a Living Will which prevents your life from being artificially prolonged and establishes your right to die with dignity when life becomes unbearable.
Ø To appoint a guardian for kids.
Ø An attorney can help prevent will contests and disputes.
Ø An attorney can answer legal questions you have along the way.
Ø To make people you care about have it easier after you die.
Ø To choose an Executor (to manage things after you die).
Ø For tax planning.
Ø To assure proper business succession.
Ø If you want to give to a charity.
Ø If you want to give to a non-family member, distant relative or friend.
Ø If you already have a will, but have married, divorced, had kids, changed income or assets, or if your will is from another state.
Introduction to Wills: http://www.wsba.org/media/publications/pamphlets/wills.htm.
WHAT IS A LIVING WILL?
A "Living Will" is a legal document that a person uses to make known his or her wishes regarding life prolonging medical treatment. It's also called an "advance directive," "health care directive," or "physician's directive." A living will shouldn't be confused with a "living trust," which is a probate-avoiding device.
It's important to have a living will as it informs your health care providers and your family about your desires for medical treatment in the event you aren't able to speak for yourself, that is, if you become mentally incompetent.
When you sign up to get a regular will with me (regarding money & property), I also include a living will (regarding health).
A living will describes certain life prolonging treatments. You, the Declarant, indicate which treatments you do or do not want applied to you if you ever suffer a terminal illness or are in a persistent vegetative state. A living will doesn't become effective unless you become incapacitated; until then, you're able to make your own medical decisions.
If you suffer a heart attack, for example, you're living will won't kick in (even if you've asked to withhold certain medical procedures in your living will) because a heart attack is not a terminal illness and you regain your faculties. Same for a stroke, if you regain your mental faculties.
Part of a living will, is a "health care power of attorney" where you appoint someone to make medical decisions for you in the event you become mentally incompetent. This person is supposed to consider what you want--as directed in your living will--and, ideally, talks to you about it beforehand.
A living will won't do you any good if no one knows about it. And you'll need to consult with your doctor and your health care agent about it. Discuss with your doctor (using the POLST forms, below) the kinds of treatment you want and don't want. Your doctor can answer your questions. Once you've decided what you want, make your wishes known to your doctor and family. Give copies out.
POLST form: To go over with your doctor.
CLIENT WILL QUESTIONNAIRE
CONFIDENTIAL
What is the value of your estate? Please include the value of everything you own and add up to one rough figure: $ ______
A. PERSONAL HUSBAND WIFE
1. Name, include middle _______________ _______________
2. Other Names _______________ _______________
3. Addresses
a. Home ______________ ______________
b. Mailing ______________ ______________
4. Phone
a. Home ______________ ______________
b. Work ______________ ______________
c. Cell ______________ ______________
d. Pager ______________ _______________
Fax ______________ _______________
f. Email ______________ _______________
5. Birthdate ______________ ________________
6. Social Security Number ______________ ________________
7. Marriage Date ______________ ________________
8. Place of Marriage ______________ ________________
9. Citizenship ______________ ________________
9A. If not an American, do you want this will to affect your worldwide property or just American assets?
B. PRIOR MARRIAGES (if applicable)
1. Former Spouse ______________ _________________
2. Marriage Date ______________ _________________
3. Terminated by Death/Divorce on: ___________ _________________
4. Obligations to/from former spouse: __________ _________________
5. Child Support ______________ _________________
6. Separate Maintenance ______________ _________________
In the event of divorce, please provide a copy of the Decree of Dissolution and any related Agreements.
C. CHILDREN (Please indicate if child of a prior marriage)
1. Living Children of Husband:
a. Name (incl middle) ______________ ________________
Birthdate ______________ ________________
b. Name (incl middle) ______________ ________________
Birthdate ______________ ________________
c. Name (incl middle) ______________ ________________
Birthdate ______________ ________________
d. Name (incl middle) ______________ ________________
Birthdate ______________ ________________
2. Deceased Children of Husband
_______________________________________________________________________
3. Living Children of Wife:
a. Name (incl middle) ______________ ________________
Birthdate ______________ ________________
b. Name (incl middle) ______________ ________________
Birthdate ______________ ________________
c. Name (incl middle) ______________ ________________
Birthdate ______________ ________________
4. Deceased Children of Wife
5. Future Children. Do you plan to have, or adopt, children in the future?
Is it possible to have children in the future?
______________________________________________________________________
D. DEPENDENTS
Are there any persons (other than minor children) who are partially or wholly dependent upon you or your spouse for support now or possibly in the future?
Do you have any pets?
Name (& address & ph #) 2 guardians of your pet(s) if your pet outlives you:
1.
2.
Name a back up guardian: (can be local Humane Society) _________________
Do you want to create a trust for your pet(s)?
E. INTERSPOUSAL AGREEMENTS
1. Have you ever executed a Community Property Agreement?
1a. Does your boy-girl/friend have 1 w/ their spouse?
1b. Does any of your kids (or other potential heirs) have 1?
2. Have you ever executed any other agreements between spouses regarding your property?
3. Please furnish a copy of any agreements.
F. TRUSTS
1. Does any member of your family receive income from any trust?
If yes, who created the trust:
2. Has husband or wife ever created a trust, except as part of a will?
If yes, give details:
3. Does any family member expect to be named a beneficiary or remainderman of a trust?
If yes, please describe:
4. Please furnish all documents relating to the trust.
G. INSURANCE
1. Are there any life insurance policies in existence on the life of either spouse? (Please include policy numbers)
2. If so, please provide information re:
a. Name of Companies
b. Type of Insurance
c. Amount and Cash Surrender Value
d. Designated Beneficiaries:
H. GIFTS/INHERITANCES
1. Does either spouse make, or intend to make, regular gifts to any person or organization?
If yes, please describe:
I. ESTATE PLANNING OBJECTIVES & PRIORITIES
Please describe any priorities & objectives you might have for your money and assets:
J. ANNUAL INCOME & JOB DESCRIPTION
K. ADVISORS
ADVISORS: |
NAME |
ADDRESS |
PHONE |
Accountant
|
|
|
|
Life Insurance Agent |
|
|
|
Physician(s)
|
|
|
|
Stock Broker / Investment Advisor |
|
|
|
Do you want an “ethical will?” (Please see next page for explanation.)
2. Any property out of state? (If so, a living trust may be in order.)
3. After we finish your will, who, if anyone, do you want me to mail a copy to?
STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL/ATTY-CLIENT WORK PRODUCT
Will Questionnaire re: willable assets
Please check which assets you, your spouse, or your children under 18 have, and briefly list rough dollar values, names, businesses, account numbers, addresses, serial numbers, descriptions, dates etc., where relevant: (no need to fill out if you plan to will all you own as 1 group)
A. Any out of state property?
B. Are you expecting to be an heir in a will or expecting a gift?__________
C. Pets?
_____1. Cash ____________________________________________________
_____2. Bank accounts: Checking #:____________________________________ ________________________________________________________
Savings #:_______________________________________
________________________________________________________
_____3. Credit Union accounts ______________________________________
_____4. Houses ___________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_____5. Condos ___________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
_____6. Land/Real Estate ___________________________________________
_________________________________________Any out of state land?
_____7. Cars _____________________________________________________
_____8. Boats ____________________________________________________
_____9. RV’s/motorcycles/other recreational vehicles _____________________
_____10. Life insurance _____________________________________________
_____11. Businesses/Goodwill ________________________________________
Partnership interests _________________________________________
Corporation interests ________________________________________
_____12. Debts owed to you __________________________________________
Unsecured judgment debtors ___________________________________
Secured judgment debtors _____________________________________
Spousal or child support arrearages _____________________________
Accounts receivable/contracts receivable _________________________
_____13. Liens in your favor __________________________________________
Divorce lien against other spouse _______________________________
_____14. Potential Disability/Workmen’s Comp/Personal injury suit ___________
_____15. Any potential plaintiff’s lawsuit _________________________________
_____16. Mutual funds _____________________________________________
_____17. Stocks & bonds ___________________________________________
_____18. CD’s ___________________________________________________
_____19. Treasury bills _____________________________________________
_____20. Pending income tax refunds __________________________________
_____21. IRA’s/Keogh’s ____________________________________________
_____22. Retirement pensions ________________________________________
_____23. Severance pay _____________________________________________
_____24. Profit-sharing plans _________________________________________
_____25. 401(k)’s _________________________________________________
_____26. Furniture __________________________________________________
_____27 Antiques __________________________________________________
_____28. Jewelry ___________________________________________________
_____29. Tools _____________________________________________________
_____30. Silver/Gold/Valuable metals ___________________________________
_____31. Coins _____________________________________________________
_____32. Stamps ____________________________________________________
_____33. Animals/Cattle ______________________________________________
_____34. Guns ______________________________________________________
_____35. Inventory ___________________________________________________
_____36. Electronic equipment _________________________________________
_____37. Computers __________________________________________________
_____38. Office Equipment/Supplies _____________________________________
_____39. China/Silverware _____________________________________________
_____40. Wine ______________________________________________________
_____41. Art ________________________________________________________
_____42. Libraries/Books/Magazines _____________________________________
_____43. Commercial coupon/Frequent flyer pass/Club membership ____________
_____44. Temporary/permanent use of vacation/other property _________________
_____45. Discounted price on something __________________________________
_____46. Option to buy/lease something ___________________________________
_____47. Negotiable instruments ________________________________________
_____48. Remainder interest in life estate __________________________________
_____49. Interest in revocable trust ______________________________________
_____50. Patentable/Copyrightable thing not yet copyrighted/patented ___________
_____51. Trademarks/Tradenames _______________________________________
_____52. Idea not yet reduced to patentable/copyrighted form _________________
_____53. Expected bonuses/gifts to you, your spouse, or kids under 18__________
__________________________________________________________
_____54. Trusts with you as a beneficiary
_____55. Other _____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
_____56. Debts/Mortgages _____________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Credit Cards __________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
POSSIBLE WILL BENEFICIARIES
List full names & dates of birth:
1. Spouse
2. Kids/Step-kids/Adopted kids
3. Grand-kids
4. Parents
5. Brothers/Sisters
6. Grandparents
7. Uncles/Aunts
8. Nieces/Nephews
9. Cousins
10. Friends
11. Charities/Political & Social Organizations
12. Other
***********************************************************************
PRIORITIZING POSSIBLE BENEFICIARIES
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
POSSIBLE APPOINTMENTS & DECISIONS
1. Executor/Personal Representative (list 2 --to run probate process)
2. Guardian of kids (list 2--in case kids are orphaned by the simultaneous death of both parents)—to be substitute parents
3. Custodian for kids—if different from Guardian—to handle kids money & property.
4. Any possible will fight after you die? If so, between who?
5. Do you want a trust for minors or others for future disbursal and management?
If yes, see separate Trust Questionnaire.
LIVING WILL QUESTIONS
6. Do you want a living will? (in case you’re in an irreversible coma, etc.)
7. Do you want a power of attorney that appoints another to make decisions for you should you become incompetent? (Guardian of the Person) If so, list 2 people:
7a. Should it be effective now upon signing, or in the future upon the onset of incompetency?
8. List 2 people to potentially be the guardian of your estate (person to run your finances if you become incompetent), if different from the people listed as your guardian of the person in # 6 above.
9. Do you want to save your organs, eggs, or sperm, or body or head upon death?
10. Do you want to be: (1) buried, (2) cremated, (3) ashes to sea, (4) donated to science, or (5) Other:
Do you have photo ID? (Please bring to will-signing so notary can review.)
12 Location of Safe Deposit Box, if any:
13. Do you want a home death, if possible?
13a. Any other specifics on how you’d like to die? Feeding tubes? Comfort meds?
Talk w/ your Dr re all the possibilities.
Are you OK w/ physician assisted suicide if it becomes legal? (Its legal only in Oregon—as of 2005)
Do want to specify that no act of Congress, State Leg, President, Governor or other politician should override your wishes?
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
Do you want to state your religion or belief in heaven or afterlife?
17. Do you want to ban photos or videos being taken of you in your last days?
18. Please list all your passwords and other special codes here (or attach a list):
Thing/Device Password/Code
WA INTESTATE SUCCESSION
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I. Who gets your property if you die without a will, in the following order:
1. Spouse
2. Kids
3. Grandkids
4. Parents
5. Brothers & Sisters
6. Neices & Nephews
7. Grandparents
8. Uncles & Aunts
9. Cousins
Who becomes the executor of your property if you die without a will, in the following order:
Spouse
Child(ren)
Father/Mother
Brother/Sister
Grandparents
Nephew/Neice