Estate Planning Attorney Checklist

Checklist: Meeting with your
estate planning attorney
It is important to review your estate planning documents at least every five

years, when you have a life-changing event, or when you move to a new state;
use this checklist when meeting with your estate planning attorney.
Each time you review your documents is a good opportunity to meet with your estate planning attorney,
and it’s important to get your affairs in order before your meeting.
Here are some of the items to consider in preparation. You may want to write out your answers to these
questions and bring them with you when you meet with your attorney. If you’re married, it is a good idea to
include your spouse in your estate planning conversation.
© Make a list of your total assets and liabilities © How much life insurance coverage do you
If you’re married, include your spouse’s have?
assets and liabilities. You should distinguish What type of policy do you own (term, whole
which assets and liabilities are yours, which life, etc.)? If you are married, does your
are your spouse’s and which are jointly spouse have a life insurance policy?
owned. Get started with the estate planning
balance sheet or linking your and your © Have you named beneficiaries for your
spouse’s accounts to Ayco360. retirement accounts, bank and brokerage
accounts and your life insurance policy(ies)?
© Determine where your accounts are currently It’s important to name both primary and
held. contingent beneficiaries. You may need to
(Provide the names of banks, brokerage contact your plan administrator or brokerage
institutions and/or plan administrators.) What company to determine who is currently
are your current account balances? If you designated as your beneficiary.
are unsure, you may want to contact your
financial institutions. Don’t forget to include
your spouse’s accounts if you’re married.
1
Checklist: Meeting with your estate planning attorney
© If you have minor children, have you © Have you considered who will be the
considered who you will name as their executor of your estate?
guardian? This will be the individual carrying out your
You may want to consider naming both wishes when you pass away. Be sure to
a personal and a financial guardian. For name someone you trust who will be able
both types of guardianship, it’s important to handle the responsibility upon your
to name both a primary and contingent passing. Don’t forget to name a contingent
guardian. executor.
© Are there specific items or assets you © Depending on the value of your estate
want to leave to certain family members or and your goals, have you considered
friends? whether you might want a trust prepared?
Consider making a list and bringing it with The trust can be included in the terms
you when you meet with your attorney. of your will, and the assets will transfer
at death. Or the trust can be a separate
© Do you own a home? What is the current document, and you transfer the assets when
fair market value? the document is completed.
If you have a mortgage, how much do you
still owe? What is your interest rate? What is © It is also a good idea to complete a
the term of the loan? If married, is the home document locator worksheet.
in both your name and your spouse’s name? Get started with the estate
It may be a good idea to bring a copy of planning inventory worksheet.
your deed with you when you meet with
your attorney.
Additional questions
It may be a good idea to think about the following questions prior to meeting with your attorney.
Answering these questions now will make it easier when discussing your estate plan with your
attorney.
• What is the size of your estate?
• Do you have children from a prior marriage?
• Would you like to retain control of your assets after your passing?
• Do you have concerns about the probate (court) process?
• Would you like to keep your wishes from becoming public knowledge?
2
Use this estate planning balance sheet to value your estate.

If you’re married, you and your spouse should each complete your own worksheet—so save or print an
extra copy before you start. Note that any jointly owned assets or community property should be divided
equally between spouses. For example, if a couple owns a home valued at $200,000 with a mortgage
of $120,000, half of the home’s value ($100,000) and half of the mortgage ($60,000) is listed on
each balance sheet. The same applies to all joint accounts, such as checking, mutual funds, etc. When
completing the worksheet, be sure to indicate how the property is held (i.e., joint, separate or community).
Assets
Ownership/
Value Account # beneficiary Cost basis
Cash/cash equivalents
$0 $0
$0 $0
$0 $0
Taxable investments (brokerage accounts/securities)
$0 $0
$0 $0
$0 $0
Life insurance
$0 $0
$0 $0
$0 $0
3
Assets (cont.)
Ownership/
Value Account # beneficiary Cost basis
Retirement assets/stock options
$0 $0
$0 $0
$0 $0
Real estate
$0 $0
$0 $0
$0 $0
Business interests
$0 $0
$0 $0
$0 $0
Debt due the estate
$0 $0
$0 $0
$0 $0
Personal assets
$0 $0
$0 $0
$0 $0
Total assets $0
4
Liabilities
Value Date incurred To whom paid Debtor(s)
Mortgage
$0
$0
$0
Lien
$0
$0
$0
Loan/credit card
$0
$0
$0
Total liabilities $0
5
Estate expenses
Value
Funeral $0
Administration $0
Attorney’s fees $0
Total expenses $0
Total liabilities and expenses $0
$0
Net estate
(total assets – total liabilities and expenses)
Clear form
6
Disclosures
Services offered by The Ayco Company, L.P. d/b/a Goldman Sachs Any reference made herein to resources sponsored and maintained
Ayco Financial Planning by third parties, including Internet sites sponsored, products or
services offered or maintained by third parties, is provided solely
The Ayco Company, L.P. (“Ayco”) provides a wide variety of financial
as a convenience to you, and does not constitute an endorsement,
counseling, investment advisory, investment education and other
authorization, sponsorship, or affiliation by The Ayco Company, L.P.,
services. Ayco’s counseling services may consist of, among other things,
or its affiliates. Ayco has not reviewed or tested the information,
assisting the counseled individuals in developing a comprehensive
software, or products listed, or any information, software or products
program designed to maximize the benefits of their employers’ existing
found on sites sponsored by third parties, and therefore makes no
compensation and fringe benefit programs, to conserve the counseled
representations regarding the content of sponsored sites or products,
individual’s assets, to manage income on a long-term basis and to
or the suitability or appropriateness of the products or transaction
develop an individual retirement program and estate plan.
provided by third parties.
This material is intended for educational/informational purposes only.
Ayco is paid a fee from the corporate client and/or from the counseled
Ayco may provide tax advice, bill pay and bookkeeping services to individual to whom services are rendered. Certain corporate clients
its clients. In addition, in its capacity as an investment adviser, Ayco may impute some or all of the fee to the counseled individuals in their
may prepare reports that reflect a client’s overall investment portfolio employ. Fees may vary based on a number of factors including the
and financial position based on information provided to Ayco by its particular counseling service rendered, the complexity of the service,
clients, which Ayco does not certify for accuracy or completeness. the size of the account relationship and whether tax preparation is
Ayco does not provide attest or compilation services and does included.
not prepare, present, audit, review or examine prospective financial
Potential Conflicts of Interest
information or express any opinion as to the accuracy or validity of that
Under certain of Ayco’s financial counseling programs, Ayco may
information. Tax advice is provided as part of Ayco’s comprehensive
recommend securities or investment products, including those offered
financial planning services, which are not related to the preparation or
by its affiliates. This could lead to conflicts of interest of which you
presentation of financial statements. Certain tax matters may require
should be aware. Ayco is part of Goldman Sachs, a worldwide, full-
Ayco to consult with your tax counsel in formulating its tax advice.
service investment banking, broker-dealer, asset management and
Ayco does not provide accounting advice to its clients. Goldman Sachs financial services organization. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Ayco,
& Co. LLC does not provide accounting or tax advice to its clients, and their affiliates and employees (collectively, “Goldman Sachs”) are
unless explicitly agreed between the client and Goldman Sachs & Co. engaged in businesses and have interests other than providing financial
LLC. All clients should be aware that tax treatment is subject to change counseling services to individuals. This includes the management
by law, in the future or retroactively, and clients should consult with their and sale of investment funds and other financial products that may
tax advisors regarding any potential strategy, investment or transaction. be recommended to counseled individuals, and investment activities
Neither Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC nor Ayco provide legal advice to and business operations that may affect such funds or products.
their clients, and all clients should consult with their own legal advisor Goldman Sachs, Ayco and its counselors may receive various forms of
regarding any potential strategy, investment, financial plan, estate plan compensation, commissions, payments, rebates and services related to
or with respect to their interest in any employee benefit or retirement sponsoring, managing or selling investment products recommended to
plan. counseled individuals. This may incentivize Ayco or its affiliates and their
employees to recommend such products over others which might also
Depending on the particular program, Ayco may analyze the financial be appropriate for counseled individuals. Goldman Sachs’ arrangements
status of a counseled individual’s sources of income, assets, personal with outside managers may differ, and currently Goldman Sachs, Ayco
obligations, expectations, commitments, family responsibilities and and its counselors receive greater compensation for accounts managed
the effect of the existing income and estate tax structure on sources by Goldman Sachs affiliates than in connection with separate accounts
of income and accumulation of wealth. Ayco counselors may assist managed by non-Goldman Sachs entities.
counseled individuals in reviewing and selecting the allocations of
assets among various asset groups and they may assist counseled Ayco or its affiliates may engage in insurance consulting or the
individuals in understanding how certain decisions may affect the insurance agency business for purposes of offering insurance
counseled individual’s risk/return ratio. contracts to counseled individuals, including variable life insurance
contracts for which Ayco or its counselors may receive various forms
No part of this material may be i) copied, photocopied or duplicated in of compensation. In addition, investment advisors of investment funds
any form, by any means, or ii) redistributed without Ayco’s prior consent. and products that may be offered to counseled individuals also may
Ayco may provide tax advice to clients in accordance with its client have other clients, businesses, and interests in addition to managing the
agreement. Any advice contained in the communication including assets of such product. Present and future activities of Goldman Sachs
attachments and enclosures is intended for the sole use of the and other advisers in addition to those described in this supplement
addressee and is limited to the facts and circumstances actually known may give rise to additional conflicts of interest. More information
to the author at the time of this writing. Certain tax matters may require regarding Ayco’s business practices and conflicts is set forth in Ayco’s
you to consult with your tax counsel. You should consult with your tax Form ADV brochure, which is available upon request.
preparer regarding implementation of tax advice.
© 2021 The Ayco Company, L.P., d/b/a Goldman Sachs Ayco Financial Planning. All Rights Reserved. Date of First Use: January 2021
3563-COA-PDF Platform download - Meeting with your estate planning attorney
7
Estate planning inventory
Organization is a large part of the financial planning process. Completing

this inventory, and updating it every 6 or 12 months, can help you get a
better understanding of your financial picture and help your executor settle
your estate.
If you have added your accounts and insurance plans to Ayco360 you can reference it as a starting point
when completing this document.
01 Each adult should complete the questions individually.
02 Keep this record in a secure location known to spouse/partner, friend or relative.
03 For online accounts, do not include your password without specific instruction from your attorney.
Password sharing may violate the term-of-service agreement governing that account, which could result in
civil or criminal penalties under federal and state computer laws.
Providing a username and any other distinctive information associated with that account should allow your
executor or agent to request access to that account following your death or incapacity.
Name Social Security Number Date
Clear form
1
In the event of my serious illness or incapacity:
Living will
I have made a living will:  Yes  No
Location:
People with a copy:
Healthcare power of attorney (healthcare proxy)
I have named a healthcare power of attorney:  Yes  No
Location:
People with a copy:
Limited or general durable power of attorney (POA)
I Have executed a limited or general durable POA:  Yes  No
Location:
People with a copy:
Other important documents
Name Location: Password
2
In the event of my death:
Will and trust agreements
Location:
Execution date:
Personal letter
Written to:
Location:
Funeral, burial/cremation
I have made arrangements:  Yes  No
Please contact:
Cemetery plot purchased at:
Cemetery plot deed location:
I have made arrangements to donate for transplant/research:
Please contact:
Notifications
I belong to the following organizations that I would want notified in the event of my death:
3
Important document locations
Birth certificate: Deed to primary residence:
Baptismal certificate: Deed to secondary residence:
Marriage certificate: Automobile titles:
Divorce papers: Income tax returns:
Safe deposit boxes
Location: Location:
Box number: Box number:
Persons with access: Persons with access:
Key location: Key location:
Contents: Contents:
Medical and dental providers
Doctor/provider: Doctor/provider:
Provider type: Provider type:
Phone: Phone:
Phone: Phone:
Phone: Phone:
4
To be contacted in the event of my death
Attorney: Tax advisor:
Phone: Phone:
Email: Email:
Executor: Trustee:
Phone: Phone:
Email: Email:
Employer or HR/benefits contact: Union contact:
Phone: Phone:
Email: Email:
My employee benefit data
Current employer: HR/benefits center phone number:
Previous employer: HR/benefits center phone number:
Previous employer: HR/benefits center phone number:
Electronic devices (including computers, phones, tablets, communication devices, home

security systems, USB flash drives, etc)
Device Username Password/PIN
5
Financial accounts (including bank, brokerage and retirement accounts)
Financial institution: Financial institution:
Account type: Account type:
Account number: Account number:
Primary beneficiary(ies): Primary beneficiary(ies):
Contingent beneficiary(ies): Contingent beneficiary(ies):
Phone: Phone:
Web address: Web address:
Username: Username:
Financial institution: Financial institution:
Phone: Phone:
Username: Username:
Individual investments (held outside of a brokerage account)
Stock certificates location:
Bonds/savings bonds location:
6
Debts and liabilities (including mortgage, auto loans, personal loans, school loans, credit cards,
utility bills, etc.)
Creditor: Creditor:
Phone: Phone:
Username: Username:
Creditor: Creditor:
Phone: Phone:
Username: Username:
Creditor: Creditor:
Phone: Phone:
Username: Username:
7
Life insurance policies
Company: Company:
Agent: Agent:
Phone: Phone:
Username: Username:
Company: Company:
Agent: Agent:
Phone: Phone:
Username: Username:
Disability insurance policy Disability insurance policy
Company: Company:
Agent: Agent:
Phone: Phone:
Username: Username:
8
Property/casualty insurance policy
Company: Company:
Agent: Agent:
Phone: Phone:
Username: Username:
Accident/health insurance policy Other (type):
Company: Company:
Agent: Agent:
Phone: Phone:
Username: Username:
9
Email accounts
Service: Service:
Username: Username:
Post-death/disability access: Post-death/disability access:

 Full  Restricted  None  Full  Restricted  None
Instructions: Instructions:
Service: Service:
Username: Username:

Service: Service:
Username: Username:

10
Social networking accounts
Service: Service:
Username: Username:

Service: Service:
Username: Username:

Service: Service:
Username: Username:

Service: Service:
Username: Username:

11
Online data storage accounts
Service: Service:
Username: Username:

Service: Service:
Username: Username:

Service: Service:
Username: Username:

Service: Service:
Username: Username:

12
Domain names, web pages and blogs
Domain name and registrar/host: Domain name and registrar/host:
Username: Username:

Domain name and registrar/host: Domain name and registrar/host:
Username: Username:

Other online accounts (including shopping, digital media and video game sites)
Service Web address Username
13
Disclosures
Services offered by The Ayco Company, L.P. d/b/a Goldman Sachs Any reference made herein to resources sponsored and maintained
Ayco Financial Planning by third parties, including Internet sites sponsored, products or
services offered or maintained by third parties, is provided solely
The Ayco Company, L.P. (“Ayco”) provides a wide variety of financial
as a convenience to you, and does not constitute an endorsement,
counseling, investment advisory, investment education and other
authorization, sponsorship, or affiliation by The Ayco Company, L.P.,
services. Ayco’s counseling services may consist of, among other things,
or its affiliates. Ayco has not reviewed or tested the information,
assisting the counseled individuals in developing a comprehensive
software, or products listed, or any information, software or products
program designed to maximize the benefits of their employers’ existing
found on sites sponsored by third parties, and therefore makes no
compensation and fringe benefit programs, to conserve the counseled
representations regarding the content of sponsored sites or products,
individual’s assets, to manage income on a long-term basis and to
or the suitability or appropriateness of the products or transaction
develop an individual retirement program and estate plan.
provided by third parties.
This material is intended for educational/informational purposes only.
Ayco is paid a fee from the corporate client and/or from the counseled
You should consider how estate tax may affect the disposition of individual to whom services are rendered. Certain corporate clients
your estate. In providing an overview of how estate taxes may impact may impute some or all of the fee to the counseled individuals in their
financial planning strategies outlined herein, this presentation may employ. Fees may vary based on a number of factors including the
include assumptions about estate tax levels that are not the current particular counseling service rendered, the complexity of the service,
effective estate tax rate. the size of the account relationship and whether tax preparation is
included.
Ayco may provide tax advice and bookkeeping services to its clients.
In addition, in its capacity as an investment adviser, Ayco may prepare Potential Conflicts of Interest
reports that reflect a client’s overall investment portfolio and financial Under certain of Ayco’s financial counseling programs, Ayco may
position based on information provided to Ayco by its clients, which recommend securities or investment products, including those offered
Ayco does not certify for accuracy or completeness. Ayco does not by its affiliates. This could lead to conflicts of interest of which you
provide attest or compilation services and does not prepare, present, should be aware. Ayco is part of Goldman Sachs, a worldwide, full-
audit, review or examine prospective financial information or express service investment banking, broker-dealer, asset management and
any opinion as to the accuracy or validity of that information. Tax advice financial services organization. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Ayco,
is provided as part of Ayco’s comprehensive financial planning services, and their affiliates and employees (collectively, “Goldman Sachs”) are
which are not related to the preparation or presentation of financial engaged in businesses and have interests other than providing financial
statements. Certain tax matters may require Ayco to consult with your counseling services to individuals. This includes the management
tax counsel in formulating its tax advice. and sale of investment funds and other financial products that may
be recommended to counseled individuals, and investment activities
Ayco does not provide accounting advice to its clients. Goldman Sachs
and business operations that may affect such funds or products.
& Co. LLC does not provide accounting or tax advice to its clients,
Goldman Sachs, Ayco and its counselors may receive various forms of
unless explicitly agreed between the client and Goldman Sachs & Co.
compensation, commissions, payments, rebates and services related to
LLC. All clients should be aware that tax treatment is subject to change
sponsoring, managing or selling investment products recommended to
by law, in the future or retroactively, and clients should consult with their
counseled individuals. This may incentivize Ayco or its affiliates and their
tax advisors regarding any potential strategy, investment or transaction.
employees to recommend such products over others which might also
Neither Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC nor Ayco provide legal advice to be appropriate for counseled individuals. Goldman Sachs’ arrangements
their clients, and all clients should consult with their own legal advisor with outside managers may differ, and currently Goldman Sachs, Ayco
regarding any potential strategy, investment, financial plan, estate plan and its counselors receive greater compensation for accounts managed
or with respect to their interest in any employee benefit or retirement by Goldman Sachs affiliates than in connection with separate accounts
plan. managed by non-Goldman Sachs entities.
Depending on the particular program, Ayco may analyze the financial Ayco or its affiliates may engage in insurance consulting or the
status of a counseled individual’s sources of income, assets, personal insurance agency business for purposes of offering insurance
obligations, expectations, commitments, family responsibilities and contracts to counseled individuals, including variable life insurance
the effect of the existing income and estate tax structure on sources contracts for which Ayco or its counselors may receive various forms
of income and accumulation of wealth. Ayco counselors may assist of compensation. In addition, investment advisors of investment funds
counseled individuals in reviewing and selecting the allocations of and products that may be offered to counseled individuals also may
assets among various asset groups and they may assist counseled have other clients, businesses, and interests in addition to managing the
individuals in understanding how certain decisions may affect the assets of such product. Present and future activities of Goldman Sachs
counseled individual’s risk/return ratio. and other advisers in addition to those described in this supplement
may give rise to additional conflicts of interest. More information
No part of this material may be i) copied, photocopied or duplicated in
regarding Ayco’s business practices and conflicts is set forth in Ayco’s
any form, by any means, or ii) redistributed without Ayco’s prior consent.
Form ADV brochure, which is available upon request.
Ayco may provide tax advice to clients in accordance with its client
agreement. Any advice contained in the communication including
attachments and enclosures is intended for the sole use of the
addressee and is limited to the facts and circumstances actually known
to the author at the time of this writing. Certain tax matters may require
you to consult with your tax counsel. You should consult with your tax
preparer regarding implementation of tax advice.
© 2021 The Ayco Company, L.P., d/b/a Goldman Sachs Ayco Financial Planning. All Rights Reserved. Date of First Use: January 2021
3565-COA-PDF Platform download - Estate planning inventory
14

Estate Planning Attorney Checklist

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Estate Planning Attorney Checklist

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Checklist: Meeting with your

estate planning attorney

It is important to review your estate planning documents at least every five

• What is the size of your estate?

• Do you have children from a prior marriage?

• Do you have concerns about the probate (court) process?

Use this estate planning balance sheet to value your estate.

Taxable investments (brokerage accounts/securities)

Retirement assets/stock options

Debt due the estate

Value Date incurred To whom paid Debtor(s)

Total liabilities and expenses $0

Organization is a large part of the financial planning process. Completing

01 Each adult should complete the questions individually.

02 Keep this record in a secure location known to spouse/partner, friend or relative.

Name Social Security Number Date

In the event of my serious illness or incapacity:

I have made a living will:  Yes  No

People with a copy:

Healthcare power of attorney (healthcare proxy)

I have named a healthcare power of attorney:  Yes  No

People with a copy:

Limited or general durable power of attorney (POA)

I Have executed a limited or general durable POA:  Yes  No

People with a copy:

Other important documents

Name Location: Password

In the event of my death:

Will and trust agreements

I have made arrangements:  Yes  No

Cemetery plot purchased at:

Cemetery plot deed location:

I have made arrangements to donate for transplant/research:

Important document locations

Birth certificate: Deed to primary residence:

Baptismal certificate: Deed to secondary residence:

Marriage certificate: Automobile titles:

Divorce papers: Income tax returns:

Safe deposit boxes

Box number: Box number:

Persons with access: Persons with access:

Key location: Key location:

Medical and dental providers

Provider type: Provider type:

Provider type: Provider type:

Provider type: Provider type:

To be contacted in the event of my death

Attorney: Tax advisor:

Employer or HR/benefits contact: Union contact:

My employee benefit data

Current employer: HR/benefits center phone number:

Previous employer: HR/benefits center phone number:

Previous employer: HR/benefits center phone number:

Electronic devices (including computers, phones, tablets, communication devices, home

Device Username Password/PIN

Financial accounts (including bank, brokerage and retirement accounts)

Financial institution: Financial institution:

Account type: Account type:

Account number: Account number:

Primary beneficiary(ies): Primary beneficiary(ies):

Contingent beneficiary(ies): Contingent beneficiary(ies):

Web address: Web address:

Financial institution: Financial institution: