Before you contact a lawyer
0/3 completedNeed help with this checklist?
Get support from a lawyer who works with wills and estates matters.
Book a ConsultationBefore the consultation
0/4 completedDuring the consultation
0/3 completedWhen It Applies
You are preparing a wills and estates consultation or review.
Families, nominated executors, heirs, beneficiaries, and people preparing estate or will consultations need records organised before advice.
Not For
- Final legal advice, deadline calculation, pleadings, settlement wording, or strategy decisions without a lawyer.
Documents
- Will or codicil
- Death certificate
- ID documents
- Marriage documents
- Asset list
- Debt list
- Beneficiary details
- Executor correspondence
- Timeline
- Correspondence
- Official notices
- Proof of delivery
- Question list
Timeline
- Before consultation: write the issue summary and collect core records.
- During review: identify the controlling date, missing evidence, and route options.
- Afterwards: calendar next dates and preserve original records.
- Ongoing: update the pack as new documents arrive.
Tips
- Use one dated timeline.
- Label files by date and source.
- Separate facts from assumptions.
- Send one clean pack rather than scattered messages.
Warning Signs
- A formal deadline is close.
- A decision or notice affects rights, money, property, status, or authority.
- Key records are missing or controlled by another party.
- You are being asked to sign or respond urgently.