Basic Documents – Legal Services
Basic Documents
Basic Documents – Legal Services are the foundation of all Estate Planning. With few exceptions, everyone over the age of 18 should implement these documents. Such Basic Documents designate emergency medical and legal decision makers. Implementing Basic Documents is a key element of “proactive law” – where solutions are put in place before trouble arises. Basic Documents have a shelf life of roughly five years. While they may be effective for longer than that, it has been our experience that if they get stale it can cause problems. When our family is in transition, and the older we get, the more critical it is to have regular updates. The laws regarding Basic Documents are continually evolving. The more change we have in our lives and families, the more critical updates become.
Preparing Basic Documents – Legal Services, whether new documents or updating existing ones, will generally include the following:
- Attorney time for Consultation and Selection of Decision Makers and other material options
- Last Will and Testament (pour over to Trust where a Trust is also implemented)
- Durable General Power of Attorney & Custodial Letter
- Living Will: “End of Life Care”
- Medical Power of Attorney: Durable General Power of Attorney For Health Care, Durable General Power of Attorney For Mental Health, Health Care Proxy, and Medical Directive
- Statement of Wishes Forms & Workbook
- Tangible Personal Property Lists for Special Bequests
- Wallet Emergency Information Cards
- Emergency Custody Authorization for Minor Children or Grandchildren
- Records & Data Location Worksheet
- Confidential Certificate of After-Death Instructions
- Educational and instructional articles and support documents
- The “Harmony Documents”
- Letters of Instruction and educational articles
- Client Original Estate Planning Notebook with Copies of Documents
- Electronic Copies of Documents in pdf format
- First Year Safe File Inventory Fee
Basic Documents – Legal Services
This list is subject to change without notice, and the specific details in any client communications related to the particular planning will control over this list. The Legal Investment for Basic Documents – Legal Services will be as stated in a written Invoice or Quote. Other documents or services beyond this list may result in additional charges.