Preparing for Life & Estate Planning

How to Prepare

Creating documents like a Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney, Living Will, and Guardianship Designation for your children is one of the most caring gifts you can give your family. A little preparation before your appointment can help us complete everything efficiently and give you peace of mind.

Documents to Bring

Please bring:

  • A valid government-issued photo ID for each adult signing documents

  • Full legal names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses for you and your spouse/partner (if applicable)

  • Full legal names and birthdates of your children

  • Contact information for the people you may choose to serve as your agents, guardians, or alternate decision-makers

Things to Think About Before Your Appointment

You do not need to have every answer perfectly figured out. Simply spend some time considering the following:

For Your Power of Attorney

Who would you trust to handle financial and legal matters if you were unable to do so yourself?

  • Your first choice agent

  • One or two backup agents

For Your Medical Power of Attorney

Who would you want speaking with doctors and making healthcare decisions if you could not communicate your wishes?

  • Your primary healthcare agent

  • One or two backup agents

For Your Living Will

Think about your preferences regarding end-of-life medical care.

  • Would you want life-sustaining treatment in certain situations?

  • Are there any personal, religious, or family values you would want honored?

For Guardianship of Your Children

If both parents were unable to care for your children, who would you want to step in?

  • Your preferred guardian

  • One or two alternate guardians

  • Whether the proposed guardian is willing and able to serve

  • Any special needs, routines, or values that are important for your children

A Gentle Reminder

Many parents worry about making the "perfect" choices. The good news is that these documents can be updated as your family grows and circumstances change. The most important step is simply getting a plan in place so your loved ones have clear guidance if they ever need it.

We are happy to walk you through each decision and answer your questions along the way.