1. Record family circumstances
- List your spouse, children, other dependants and anyone whose needs you want to discuss.
- Note relevant citizenship, residence and religious circumstances for the lawyer to assess.
- Identify concerns involving minors, disability, care arrangements or family disagreements.
2. Make an asset and liability list
- List Malaysian and overseas properties, accounts, investments, vehicles and valuable personal items.
- Record whose name each asset is held in and whether ownership is shared.
- List loans, guarantees, business debts and other commitments.
- Note EPF accounts, insurance or takaful policies and existing nominations; ask how each fits into the plan.
3. Locate existing documents
- Identify wills, trust documents, nominations and relevant family or property agreements.
- Record where originals are kept and who knows how to locate them.
- Note significant changes since the documents were prepared, including marriage, divorce, births or deaths.
4. Consider people and responsibilities
- Write down your intended beneficiaries and questions about providing for dependants.
- Consider whom you would want to discuss as an executor or guardian.
- Record wishes separately from assumptions about their legal effect.
5. Review the family business
- List companies, shareholdings, partnerships and each family member’s management role.
- Locate shareholder agreements and arrangements concerning retirement, death or transfer of ownership.
- Identify who owns the brand, trade marks, premises and key business assets.
- Separate questions about inheriting ownership from questions about running the business.
6. Include digital records
List relevant digital assets, accounts and storage locations. Do not put passwords, access codes or private keys in an enquiry or emailed checklist.
7. Prepare for the discussion
Bring your questions and an organised document list once requested. Ask which Malaysian succession and administration rules apply; do not assume one process covers every family or asset.
This checklist is general information, not legal advice or a completed estate plan. Sending an enquiry does not create a solicitor–client relationship. Do not send confidential documents until we complete a conflict check and confirm we can act.
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