When preparing a will, you will need to provide your lawyer with the following information:

1. Your legal name.
2. Your permanent residence address.
3. If you have more than one residence, list the address of each, the time you spend in each one, where you vote, where you pay taxes, etc.
4. Your date of birth.
5. The place of your birth(the exact address, if possible).
6. Your Social Security Number.
7. The legal name of your spouse.
8. The date and place of your marriage.
9. The name of previous spouses if you are widowed or divorced, the place of the divorce, contested and who initiated the action.(This will help to determine if a former spouse has any inheritance rights.) If you are separated from your spouse, please provide the details to your attorney.
10. A list of any pre-nuptual agreements
11. A list of the names, addresses, and ages of all immediate relatives. (Indicate if any are incompetent.)
12. A copy of any trust agreement you have created or are the beneficiary of.
13. A copy of any power of appointment under someone's will or trust.
14. Your accountant's name and address.
15. The name and address of your employer, any employment contracts, stock options, pension plans, stock-purchase plans, profit sharing plans or other benefits. State if any are payable on your death.
16. A list of all your life insurance policies. Include policies owned by you or by others on your life, stating who pays premiums and who are beneficiaries.
17. A list of all annuity agreements, the names and addresses of the companies or oganizations, agreement numbers, beneficiaries, principal amounts, monthly income, etc.
18. A list of all real estate. Please provide the location of each piece of real estate, its cost, its present value, and any mortgages. State whether you hold the property or whether it is held jointly.
19. An approximate value of your debts. Give the names and addresses of each creditor and the basis of the liability. Give the names and addresses of anyone indebted to you. Include the principal amount and any collateral you hold against those debts.
20. A list of the names and addresses of the persons you wish to be your executor, trustee, or guardian.
21. A list of any bequests you want to include.
    

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