Estate Planning Intake Questionnaire

You’re in the right place.

This is the first step in getting your estate plan set up so your family is protected and everything is handled the way you want.

Most people put this off because it feels complicated or overwhelming. We’ve made the process simple and straightforward.

How this works:

You complete this questionnaire (about 20–30 minutes)
Our team prepares your documents based on your answers
You’ll receive next steps, including attorney review if applicable

Important Notes:

This form cannot be saved and returned to later
Please complete it in one sitting
Double-check all names, dates, and spelling before submitting

Your answers will be used exactly as written to prepare your legal documents.

Before You Begin:

Please only complete this form when you are ready to move forward with having your documents prepared.

Once you submit this form and payment is received, we will begin preparing your documents.

Getting Started

Let's begin with a few quick questions.

If referred by a Legal Document Assistant or Other, please enter their full name *

Type N/A if not applicable

About You

We’ll start with some basic information about you.

Primary Email Address *

Are you currently married *

Yes

Widow

Widower

Primary Phone Number *

Full Legal Name *

Your Gender *

Male

Female

Date of birth *

Are you a U.S. citizen? *

Yes

Full Address *

City *

State *

Postal Code *

The name of the county you currently reside. *

Example: San Diego, Los Angeles, Riverside, etc.

Spouse Information

Please provide your spouse’s information below.

Do you have a spouse? *

Yes

Type of Trust You Want

Please select the type of trust you would like to set up

Individual Trust
Created for one person only (typically if you are single)

Joint Trust (Most Common)
For married couples who want one coordinated plan

Two Separate Reciprocal Trusts
For couples who want to keep assets and control separate

Please select the type of trust you would like to set up *

Individual Trust

Joint Trust (Most Common)

Two Separate Reciprocal Trusts

Children (CURRENT)

Please list your children in this section only if they are with your current spouse or if you are a single parent.

When listing your children, please use this format:

Example:

Karry Ann Johnson (Female) 12-10-72

Terry Johnson (Male) 10-15-80

Please make sure you spell the names the same way throughout the questionnaire.

If you have no children with your current spouse, Type N/A.

Your Current Children *

Children (PRIOR)

Only include children in this section if they are from a previous marriage or relationship (not with your current spouse).

List each child using the following format:

EXAMPLES:

Previous Marriage - Karry Ann Johnson (Female), 12/10/1972, born to (insert your name).

Previous Relationship - Thomas Jacob Johnson (Male), 01/15/1996, born to my spouse (insert their name).

If this section does not apply to you, please type "N/A."

Please make sure you specify who the child was born to (you or your spouse) and spell the names the same way throughout the questionnaire.

Your Prior Children *

Deceased Children

List any children who have passed away. If applicable.

If yes, please provide their full name(s) and date(s) of passing. If not, simply write N/A. *

Did your late child have any children of their own? *

Yes

Not Applicable

If you answered “Yes” to the previous question, please list the names of your late child’s children. Type N/A if not applicable to you *

Special Needs

This section is for any child or beneficiary with special needs who receives or may receive government benefits (SSI, Medi-Cal, etc.).

Do you have a Beneficiary with Special Needs *

Yes

If yes, please provide the following otherwise just click next:

1. Full Name of Special Needs Individual

2. Date of Birth

3. Diagnosis or condition (if known)

4. Are they currently receiving SSI, Medi-Cal, or other government benefits?

5. Person, you want managing money for them (Trustee) 6. Anything else we should know about their care

Details for Beneficiary with Special Needs

DISINHERITANCE

This section is for indicating if you wish to leave any of your children out of your estate plan.

Do you wish to disinherit any of your children? If yes, please list their name(s). If not, type N/A. *

Guardians

This section only applies if you have children under the age of 18.

Please name the individual(s) you would like to serve as guardian of your minor child(ren) in the event something happens to you (and your spouse, if applicable).

You may name:

A minimum of one (1) guardian, A maximum of two (2) guardians, listed in order

Examples:

1st John Smith 2nd Terri Johnson

If naming couples:

1st John and Terri Jacobs

2nd Gary and Tina Riley

Do You wish to add any Guardians? *

Yes

Trust Name

This section is where you will choose the name of your trust.

Preferred name of your trust (example: The Johnson Family Trust). Most people use their family name, but you may choose any name as long as it begins with the word “The.”

Trust Name *

SUCCESSOR TRUSTEES

The trustee manages and administers the trust and trust assets

If you are married, you and your spouse are the initial trustees. When the first spouse passes, the surviving spouse becomes the sole trustee. After the surviving spouse passes, the successor trustee is responsible for administering the trust and distributing the assets.

Use this section to name the person or persons you want to serve as successor trustee.

You may name:

One person Up to three people in order of priority Or multiple people to serve together as co-successor trustees

Examples:

Jessica Smith – First, Jason Smith – Second, John Smith – Third

Jessica Smith, Jason Smith, and John Smith as Co-Successor Trustees

Important:

Anyone named must be at least 18 years old

Do not name more than three people

Do not list yourself or your spouse (this is automatic) You must name at least one person who is not your spouse

Who Should Manage Your Trust After You?

EXECUTORS

Executors have similar duties as successor trustees

Name of Executor(s) for Your Pour-Over Will:

A pour-over will ensures that any assets not titled in the name of your trust at the time of your death are transferred and administered according to your trust.

If you are married, your spouse is typically your initial executor. You should name at least one alternate executor in case your spouse is unable to serve.

Executors have similar responsibilities to successor trustees, so many clients choose to name the same individuals in the same order.

If the same people apply, you may simply write:SameIf different, please list each person and the order you want them to serve

Example:
Jessica Smith – First, Jason Smith – Second, John Smith – Third

Important:

Anyone named must be at least 18 years old Do not name more than three people Do not list yourself or your spouse (this is automatic) You must name at least one person who is not your spouse

Executor(s) for Pour-Over Will *

IRA

Retirement Accounts

Do you have a IRA? *

Yes

Spouse IRA *

Yes

BENEFICIARIES

Who Recieves Your Estate

Most clients keep their plan simple by dividing their entire estate by percentage rather than assigning specific assets to specific people. This allows your trustee to divide everything fairly based on values at the time of death, not in today's dollar values.

Please list the people you want to receive your estate and the percentage each person should receive. The total must equal 100%.

Example:
John Smith (Son) – 50%
Jane Smith (Daughter) – 50%

If you do not have children, you may list anyone you choose. Please include:

Full legal name Relationship to you Percentage they should receive: John Davis (Brother) -100%

Important: Do not list personal items or specific gifts here (cars, jewelry, etc.). You will have a separate section in your documents for specific gifts.

Who Should Receive Your Estate? *

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Financial Decision Maker

Agent(s) Under Your Durable Power of Attorney (If you are incapacitated and unable to manage your financial affairs, but still alive such that a will or trust does not yet take effect, a financial power of attorney provides for someone to manage your financial affairs and pay bills during your incapacitation. For most, their spouse serves as the initial agent, but at least one alternate agent should be named if your spouse is unable to serve.

Example:

John Smith - First, Jessica Smith - Second

John Smith and Jessica Smith as Co-Agents

NOTE: Often people name the same people who were named as successor trustees/executors. Your children need to be 18+ years of age to be named. Please no more than three people named. Also, do not put your name or your spouses name down as that is automatic. (see above).

Who Should Manage Your Finances if Incapacitated? *

HEALTHCARE AGENT

Healthcare Decision Maker

Agent(s) Under Health Care Directive plus HIPAA Waiver. (An advanced healthcare directive is similar to a durable power of attorney except it relates to decisions affecting your healthcare and end-of-life decisions while you are incapacitated). Your spouse will typically serve as your initial agent, but alternate agents should be named if your spouse cannot serve.

Example:

John Smith - First, Jessica Smith Second

John Smith and Jessica Smith as Co-Agents

NOTE: Often, people name the same people in the same order who were named as successor trustees/executors/Power of Attorney. Your children need to be 18+ years of age to be named. Please no more than three people named. Again, do not put your name or your spouse's name down, as that is automatic. (see above).

Who Should Make Medical Decisions for You? *

REAL ESTATE

Please list all real property you own, whether owned free and clear or with a mortgage.

Please list the addresses of ALL real property you own, whether you own it outright or still carry a mortgage. Example Answer: 1234 Adams Street, San Marcos, Ca. 92078. If you don't own any property, type N/A. Finally, if you are a widow(er) and have not filed an affidavit of death and changed your deed yet, you will need to send us a copy of your partner's death certificate. Additional fees will apply.

What Real Estate Do You Own? *

Thank you — you’re all set.

Here’s what happens next:

We review your submission
Your documents are prepared
You’ll receive next steps, including attorney review if applicable

Important reminders:

Please watch your email for updates
You will need to contact financial institutions to fund your trust
We do not store original signed documents
Keep your documents in a safe place

If you have questions, please contact the person you are working with directly.

You’ve just taken a big step in protecting your family.

Legal document preparers are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. If legal advice is required, you should consult with a licensed attorney.

Tim Yates

Founder The Ten Group, LLC/LegalDocs4Less/MyLegacyLink

Estate Planning & Legal Services

Registered & Bonded Legal Document Assistant

San Diego County, LDA #207, exp. 01/08/2027