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

Sexton, Bailey Attorneys, PA

SEXTON BAILEY ATTORNEYS, PA an Arkansas Estate Planning & Trust Information Center

Sexton, Bailey Attorneys, PA

Northwest Arkansas Estate Planning Attorneys (479) 443-0062

Click Here to vote for us for the Best of NWA!

Client Vault
  • Home
  • Our Firm
    • Our Firm
    • About the American Academy
    • Advantages of Working With Our Firm
    • Attorney and Staff Profiles
    • News & Events
    • Our Reviews
    • Speaker Connection
  • services
    • Asset Protection & Business Planning
    • Elder Law & Medicaid Services
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Estate Planning Services
    • Family-Owned Businesses & Farms
    • Incapacity Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • Pet Planning
    • Secure Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Trust Administration & Probate
  • Webinars
  • Practice Areas
  • Resources
    • DocuBank
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Estate Planning Resources
      • Estate Planning Articles
      • Estate Planning Checkup
      • Estate Planning Definitions
      • Estate Planning Reports
      • Incapacity Planning Definitions
      • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
      • Top 10 Estate and Legacy Planning Techniques
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Estate Planning
      • Frequently Asked Questions for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Legacy Wealth Planning
      • Medicaid Planning
      • Pet Planning
      • Trust Administration & Probate
    • Newsletters
    • Pre Consultation Form
    • Trust Administration & Probate Resources
      • Bereavement Resources
      • How to Know if You Need Extra Help With Your Grieving
      • Loss of a Loved One
      • The Mourner’s Bill of Rights
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Trust
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Will
      • Trust Administration & Probate Definitions
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
Home / Estate Planning Articles / Preparing for Your First Estate Planning Consultation

Preparing for Your First Estate Planning Consultation

October 26, 2015 by Audra Bailey Wilcox

Preparing for Your First Estate Planning Consultation

 Compliments of Our Law Firm,

Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys

You’ve made the decision to focus on your estate plan. It’s an important time and you’re not quite sure what to expect before meeting with an estate planning attorney. Odds are, it’s not nearly as overwhelming as you’re anticipating. There are a few things you can do to ensure you’re well-prepared for your first estate planning consultation.

First things first. Not sure where to start in terms of finding an estate planning advocate? It can seem like a shot in the dark, but there are factors that play a big role in finding the proper representation. While asking neighbors, co-workers and friends for recommendations is always a great place to start, don’t underestimate your own research efforts. One of the best indicators is if an attorney is associated with any organizations, such as the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys. Those who are part of a reputable organization must remain in ongoing educational compliance. This is a great place to begin your search.

Any estate planning attorney worth their salt is going to be interested in you, your family and other important elements that define you: your career, your expectations and what you think retirement should look like. You’ll discuss how many children or grandchildren you have, how many marriages you’ve had and other similar details. Next, you’ll discuss with your assets, such as your savings, your employer’s retirement plan and any goals you may have prior to retirement. Be sure to discuss any loved ones who may have special needs or other issues that are important for your attorney to know. Perhaps a trust can put into place important financial protections for that loved one after you’re gone.

Remember, it defeats the purpose to withhold information. Your estate planning attorney is your biggest ally and they will work with the information you provide to create a customized estate plan that accomplishes your goals in ways you didn’t know were possible.

Once you’ve discussed everything of importance, they will then draft the documents needed to complete your estate plan and will also give you an idea of what kind of turnaround time is needed to complete those documents. Once you receive them, you will be requested to closely review them for accuracy. And lastly, once any revisions are made, you’ll sign the legal documents and they will become your collective estate plan.

Remember, ask questions. If you still have questions, ask them again! Their goal is simple: to ensure you are well protected and are not left vulnerable. It’s a goal the two of you share. Leaving the office, you should have a complete understanding of everything you just discussed, the pros and cons of any decisions you need to make and a sense of satisfaction in knowing you’ve just partnered with a legal professional who is on your side and looking out for your best interests.

Sexton, Bailey Attorneys, PA

Is Your Plan Outdated?

Office Address

Fayetteville
2766 Millenium Drive
Fayetteville, AR 72703
Phone: (479) 443-0062

Office Address

Prairie Grove
1100 Division Street, Suite 4
Prairie Grove, AR 72753
Phone: (479) 846-6026

( By Appointment Only )

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

Map

map for office
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

footer-logo

© 2022 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.