What to bring to an estate planner to get it done in one pass
Bring these documents and information to your estate planner to finish your plan in one appointment. Avoid delays and missed protection.
Most people walk into an estate planner's office unprepared, then book a second appointment—or abandon the process altogether—because they didn't know what to bring. Showing up with the right documents and information the first time gets your estate plan actually finished, not shelved.
The documents your planner needs to see upfront
Bring any existing will, trust deeds, powers of attorney, or estate-related paperwork you already have. If you're married in community of property, bring your marriage certificate; if you're in a different regime, bring proof of that. Your planner needs to understand your legal status and what assets are already covered or tied up.
You'll also need proof of ownership of significant assets. This means the title deed or transfer documentation for property, bank statements showing investment and savings accounts, share certificates or portfolio statements, details of any life insurance policies with beneficiary nominations already in place, and documentation of business interests if you own a stake in a company. Don't panic if you can't lay hands on everything—your planner can guide you toward what's critical—but arriving with what you have speeds things up enormously.
If you have dependants or children, bring their birth certificates and any court orders related to guardianship or custody. If you've named executors or trustees before, bring their contact details and permission confirmations. Your planner will need to know whether these people are still willing and able to take on that role.
What financial information makes the difference
Your planner needs a clear picture of your money to structure your estate sensibly. Bring recent bank statements (last three months), a list of all loans and debts including mortgages, and any documentation on retirement annuities or pension fund memberships. These determine what's liquid, what's locked up, and where there might be tax inefficiencies.
If you're a business owner or shareholder, bring documentation showing your ownership percentage, the business structure, and any buy-sell agreements or shareholder arrangements in place. This shapes how your share passes on and what your family will actually inherit in terms of value or control.
Bring a rough net worth estimate if you've done one—total assets minus liabilities. If not, your planner can help you calculate it, but having a ballpark saves time.
The clarity you need to bring yourself
Your planner can't read your mind about what you want for your children, your spouse, or your assets. Write down who you want to inherit what, in what order if anyone passes before you, and under what conditions. Think through whether you want your adult children to inherit immediately or in stages, and whether anyone is likely to need ongoing support or is vulnerable to poor financial decisions.
Identify potential conflicts—a blended family, a beneficiary with substance abuse issues, a child who struggles with money, a business partner whose family might want a say in the company. Flag these clearly. Your planner can then build protections into your estate plan, but they can't do it if they don't know the risk exists.
Write down your wishes for guardianship of minor children if that applies, and whether you want any of your estate going to a charity or cause. Bring your contact list too—phone numbers and email addresses for people your executors might need to reach.
What happens when you arrive prepared
A planner working with complete information can draft a coherent will and estate plan in one session, or sometimes two short ones, rather than stringing out three or four appointments. You'll leave with clarity on what happens to your money, your property, and your family's security. You'll know whether you need trusts, whether your current insurance cover makes sense, and where tax savings might be hiding.
The conversation is also more productive. Instead of your planner asking basic questions, you're discussing the nuanced decisions—who truly needs that inheritance protection, whether your executors are the right choice, what happens if multiple people die in the same accident. That depth is what separates a functional will from an estate plan that actually protects your family.
When you're ready to book, Strove has verified estate planners who'll tell you exactly what to bring and answer prep questions before you come in.
Common questions
- Do I need to bring all my documents, or is a list enough?
- Bring originals or certified copies of major documents like title deeds, marriage certificates, and existing wills. For bank statements and asset lists, copies or screenshots are fine as a starting point—your planner can request certified versions later if needed. This saves time in the first meeting while still giving them the full picture.
- What if I don't have everything together yet?
- Tell your planner what you don't have before your appointment. They'll prioritise what's essential and guide you on what to gather. Many planners work with clients over two sessions specifically because gathering all documents takes time—but showing up with *intent* and partial information still moves you forward faster than arriving empty-handed.
- Do I need to calculate my net worth before I see them?
- A rough estimate helps, but it's not mandatory. Your planner can walk through your assets and debts with you on the day. What matters more is that you bring statements and evidence of ownership so they can calculate accurately rather than guessing.
- Should I tell my family I'm doing this, or keep it private?
- That's a personal choice, but letting your executors and key family members know you're planning can prevent surprises later. Your planner won't discuss specifics with them unless you ask, but telling them appointments are happening sets the tone that this is normal, responsible planning.
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