Questions to Ask an Estate Lawyer Before Your First Meeting

Before you book: screening questions

Not every lawyer specializes in estates. Ask these before your first appointment:

• "What percentage of your practice is estate planning and wills?" — You want someone who does this regularly, not occasionally.
• "What will this cost? Do you offer a flat fee for wills?" — Most estate lawyers offer flat-fee packages. Get the number upfront. See: Will costs in BC
• "Do you prepare all three documents (will, POA, representation agreement)?" — You need all three. Why all three matter
• "How long does the process take from first meeting to signed documents?" — Typical: 2-4 weeks.

What to bring to your first meeting

Coming prepared makes the meeting more productive and may reduce your legal fees:

Personal information

• Full legal names and dates of birth for you, your spouse, and your children
• Your marital status and length of relationship (especially if common-law)
• Any previous marriages or common-law relationships
• Whether you have children from different relationships

Financial information

• A list of your assets: real property, bank accounts, investments, vehicles, business interests
• Approximate values (doesn't need to be exact)
• How property is titled (joint tenancy or tenants in common) — check your title
• Existing beneficiary designations on RRSPs, TFSAs, life insurance, pensions
• Outstanding debts: mortgage, loans, lines of credit

Your decisions (or questions)

• Who you want as executor (and alternate)
• Who you want as guardian for minor children (and alternate)
• How you want assets distributed
• Any specific bequests (particular items to particular people)
• Who should be your attorney under the POA
• Who should be your representative for health care decisions
• Any concerns about family disputes or will challenges

Questions to ask during the meeting

About your will

• "Do I need a trust for my children, or is a simple will enough?"
• "What happens if one of my beneficiaries dies before me?"
• "How likely is it that my will could be varied (challenged)? What can we do to reduce that risk?" — How variation works
• "Should I include digital assets in my will?" — Digital assets guide
• "How should I handle my RRSP/TFSA beneficiary designations — do they align with my will?"

About probate and taxes

• "What will probate cost on my estate?" — Use our calculator
• "Are there any strategies to reduce probate fees that make sense for my situation?"
• "What are the tax implications of my estate plan?"

About the process

• "Will you store the original will, or should I?"
• "What happens if I need to update this in the future? What do you charge?"
• "Is there anything about my situation that makes this more complex than a standard will?"

Red flags

Consider finding a different lawyer if:

• They won't give you a clear cost estimate upfront
• They rush you through the meeting without understanding your situation
• They don't ask about your family situation in detail
• They only prepare a will, without discussing POA and representation agreements
• They don't explain what they're recommending and why