ESTATE PLANNING QUESTIONNAIRE

FOR MARRIED COUPLE

FAMILY INFORMATION

Husband’s Full Name: __________________________________ Date of Birth ____________

Wife’s Full Name: ______________________________________ Date of Birth ____________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________
Home Phone: ___________________________ Work Phone: ___________________________

FIDUCIARY INFORMATION

NOTE: Both spouses do not need to name the same people in each blank. If spouses wish to
name different people, please indicate which spouse is naming which person.

EXECUTORS – The executor is the person responsible for handling your probate estate at
your death. He or she sees to it that any debts or taxes your estate must pay do, in fact, get
paid, and then is responsible for distributing the remaining estate according to your Will.

Does each spouse wish to name the other spouse as Executor? ______ (If yes, skip to
alternates on page 2.)

1. If no, do you want someone to serve as Co-Executor with your spouse? _____ (If no,
skip to 2., below. If yes, who do you wish to name as Co-Executor, and what is his or her
address, phone number, and relation to you? _____________________________________
________________________________________________________________________ )

2. If no, who do you wish to name as Executor, and what is his or her address, phone
number, and relation to you? __________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

You should also name at least one Alternate Executor to serve if your first choice is unable or
unwilling to serve.

First Alternate Executor’s Full Name: ______________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________ Relation to you: ___________________________

Second Alternate Executor’s Full Name: ___________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________ Relation to you: ___________________________

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TRUSTEES (if trust is necessary) – The trustee’s foremost responsibilities are to manage the
assets in the trust and make distributions to the beneficiaries according to the terms of the trust.

Each spouse will be the initial Trustee of his or her trust. Do you wish to name the other spouse
to serve with you as a Co-Trustee? (This can make the administration of the trust during your
lifetimes easier, as both spouses can manage assets in either spouse’s trust as though they
were owned jointly.) ____________________________________________________________

At each spouse’s death, should the surviving spouse serve alone as Trustee? __________ (If
yes, skip to Successors, below. If no, do you want your spouse to be able to serve as Co-
Trustee with someone, and, if you do, what is the other Co-Trustee’s name?
________________________________. If you do not want your spouse to serve alone as
Trustee or as a Co-Trustee, who do you wish to name as your Successor Trustee or Co-
Trustees? __________________________________________________________________ )

You should also name at least one successor trustee to serve if your first choice is unable or
unwilling to serve.

First Successor Trustee’s Full Name: ______________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________ Relation to you: ___________________________

Second Successor Trustee’s Full Name: ___________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________ Relation to you: ___________________________

AGENTS FOR POWERS OF ATTORNEY – “Financial” powers of attorney enable someone to

act on your behalf with respect to financial matters. “Health care” powers of attorney enable
someone to act on your behalf with respect to medical decisions in the event you are
incapacitated. If you do not have powers of attorney and become incapacitated, a guardian will
need to be appointed over you. Guardianships can be expensive and contentious, and they are
also a matter of public record. Powers of attorney can help you avoid the need for a guardian.

Does each spouse wish to name the other spouse as agent? __________ (If yes, skip to
Alternates, below.)

1. If no, do you want someone to serve as co-agent with your spouse, and what are his or
her name, address, phone number, and relation to you? ____________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

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 2. If no to 1., above, who do you wish to name as agent, and what are his or her address,
phone number, and relation to you? ____________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

You should also name at least one Alternate Agent to serve if your first choice is unable or
unwilling to serve.

First Alternate Agent’s Full Name: ________________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________ Relation to you: ___________________________

Second Alternate Agent’s Full Name: ______________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Phone: _____________________________ Relation to you: ___________________________

DISTRIBUTION OF ESTATE AT FIRST DEATH

Putting aside any potential need for estate tax planning, does each spouse wish to leave all of
his or her property to the surviving spouse? ________ (If yes, skip to Distribution of Estate at
Second Death.)

If no, how and to whom would each spouse dispose of his or her estate? (If additional space
is needed, feel free to use the “Additional Information” space provided in page 4.) ________
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DISTRIBUTION OF ESTATE AT SECOND DEATH

Please indicate how you and your spouse would like to distribute your estates at the survivor’s
death.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If there is any additional information you wish to provide, please feel free to do so in the space
provided, or on an additional sheet of paper.
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