What to Bring to Your First Estate Planning Appointment (BC)
Most people book an estate planning appointment because something changed. A child was born, a home was purchased, a relationship evolved, or a parent’s health declined.
The first meeting can still feel uncertain. Many clients assume they need every document printed and every decision finalized before they can even start.
You do not. The first appointment is an information-gathering and strategy conversation. If you bring a clear snapshot of your family, your assets, and your priorities, your lawyer can recommend the right next steps.
Bring government-issued ID and personal details
What to bring
Government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s licence or passport
Current address, phone number, and email address
Any document confirming a legal name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce order, or change of name certificate
Why it matters
Your estate documents must identify you correctly. Small inconsistencies can create delays later when an executor deals with banks, insurers, and the Land Title Office.
If you use a preferred name or initials, tell your lawyer. The documents should still track your legal identity.
Bring family information and relationship context
Family relationships to flag
Be prepared to explain:
Whether you are married, separated, divorced, widowed, single, or in a marriage-like relationship
Whether you have children, including children from prior relationships
Whether anyone depends on you for support, such as an elderly parent or an adult child with a disability
Any blended family context that could affect planning, such as stepchildren or second marriages
Why it matters
Estate planning is about people first. Clear information up front helps your lawyer design a plan that fits your real circumstances, not just the paperwork.
Bring a shortlist of decision makers
Roles to think about
You do not need final choices at the first meeting, but you should arrive with names you are considering for:
Executor under your will, and at least one alternate
Attorney under an Enduring Power of Attorney for financial and legal decisions if you become incapable
Representative under a Representation Agreement for health and personal care decisions
Guardian for minor children, if applicable, and an alternate
In BC, an Enduring Power of Attorney covers financial and legal decisions. A Representation Agreement is used to appoint someone for personal and health care decisions.
How to choose
Choose people who are trustworthy, organized, and able to communicate under pressure. If family dynamics are complicated, raise that early so the plan can include safeguards.
Bring a snapshot of assets and debts
What to gather
You do not need perfect statements for the first meeting. A written list with approximate values and institution names is usually enough.
If you have statements, bring the most recent ones for:
Real estate
Home, rental, or recreational property
Current mortgage balance
How the property is owned (for example, in your name alone or jointly)
Accounts and investments
Chequing and savings accounts
Non-registered investment accounts, brokerage accounts, mutual funds, and GICs
Registered plans (RRSP, RRIF, TFSA) and pensions or group plans
Any beneficiary designations you have on registered plans and similar accounts, if you know them
Insurance
Life insurance policies, coverage amounts, and beneficiary designations if known
Business interests (if applicable)
Company or partnership names and your ownership interest
Any shareholder or partnership agreements, if available
Debts and obligations
Mortgages, lines of credit, credit cards, and personal loans
Guarantees you have signed and ongoing obligations such as support payments
Why it matters
A plan depends on what you own, what you owe, and how assets are held. Some property passes through your will, while other assets transfer by joint ownership or beneficiary designation.
Your lawyer also needs to understand liquidity. An estate can be asset rich but cash poor, which affects taxes, expenses, and administration.
Bring existing legal documents and agreements
What to bring, if you have it
Any existing will or codicil
Any Power of Attorney, including an Enduring Power of Attorney
Any Representation Agreement or Advance Directive
Any trust documents
Marriage, cohabitation, or separation agreements
Court orders relating to support or property division
Why it matters
Older documents can still have legal effect. Agreements and court orders can also shape what is possible, so your lawyer should review them before drafting replacements.
Bring clarity on your goals and concerns
What to think through in advance
Before the appointment, write brief notes on:
Who should inherit, and in what shares
Whether anyone should receive a specific gift, such as a property, amount of money, or sentimental item
Whether gifts should be delayed or structured for young beneficiaries
Whether you want to support charities or community organizations
Any dynamics that make a dispute more likely
Any beneficiary who may need additional protection due to vulnerability, creditor risk, or other concerns
Incapacity planning priorities
Also consider:
Who should manage your finances if you cannot
Who should make health and personal care decisions
Any strong preferences about long term care or end of life decision-making
Why it matters
Your lawyer can draft the legal documents. Your job is to communicate your priorities, risks, and non-negotiables so the plan reflects your values and reduces uncertainty for your family.
If you do not have everything, do not delay
Most people do not arrive perfectly organized. Missing a policy, forgetting a beneficiary designation, or not knowing an account balance is common.
Bring what you have and make notes about what is missing, including institution names and where you think documents are located. Your lawyer can tell you what is urgent to confirm and what can be gathered later.
Key Takeaways
Bring photo ID, accurate contact information, and documents showing any name changes.
Be ready to explain relationship status, children, dependants, and blended family context.
Prepare a shortlist of people you may appoint as executor, attorney, representative, and guardian.
Bring a snapshot of assets, debts, and how major assets are owned or designated.
Bring any existing estate planning documents, agreements, and relevant court orders.
Write down your goals and concerns so your plan is clear and practical.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bring every statement and document?
No. For a first meeting, approximate balances and a list of institutions are usually enough. Your lawyer can tell you what to confirm later.
Will I sign everything at the first appointment?
Usually not. Most estate plans involve drafting and review. The first meeting sets the strategy and identifies what information is still needed.
Need Advice?
If you are ready to put an estate plan in place, or update older documents, book a consultation with Parr Business Law. We help clients in British Columbia build clear, practical plans that reduce stress for the people they leave behind.
For a broader overview of the full estate planning process, you can also read our Estate Planning Checklist in BC article on the Parr Business Law blog.
Note: Editing for clarity and accuracy assisted by OpenAI, Perplexity, and Grammarly.
