It is normal to feel a little overwhelmed by the prospect of attending your first estate planning consultation. After all, you don’t know what to expect or what topics might be open for discussion.
You might think bringing one of your adult kids will help you feel more relaxed. Sometimes, the presence of a trusted loved one can reduce estate planning anxiety, but there are some possible disadvantages to consider.
Loss of attorney/client privilege
The relationships between law professionals and those they serve are sacred. No one may know what you talk about in your meetings if you don’t want them to. Involving another person, even your child, could jeopardize the confidentiality privilege that comes with a legal partnership.
Decision-making pressure
The details of your estate plan are yours to address. It is one thing to ask a relative for their opinion about an issue–but never allow them to pressure you or take over. Only you can know what you want to accomplish with your estate plan, so you should be the sole decision-maker.
Sibling rivalry
Unfortunately, you could risk causing disharmony among your kids by asking only one of them to come to your consultation. Worse, it could set the stage for a will contest if your other kids believe the one who accompanied you influenced your estate decisions.
Again, feeling anxious about your first meeting with your legal counsel is perfectly natural. However, it is usually best to attend your meetings alone. Try not to worry; your representative will set you at ease and ensure you learn all you need to know about Colorado estate planning.