Our Proven Estate Planning Process

Everyone’s needs are unique, and we feel it is important to take the time up front to discuss what goes into creating a solid plan that meets each client’s individual needs. To that end, we have put together this explanation of the process to help our clients understand how things work. What you see here is a general explanation. There are sometimes individual circumstances where the process is modified to meet a client’s specific needs:

#1 Initial Meeting

Estate planning can be a big step, so I have designed our planning process to be as comfortable and streamlined as possible.

The planning process begins with an initial meeting, known as the Estate Planning Session. This is an opportunity for you to meet with Brian one-on-one.

During this initial meeting, Brian will walk you through exactly what your loved ones would have to do and where your assets would go if something happened to you. You will then be able to determine if there was anything about your current plan (or the state’s plan for you) that you wouldn’t like, and you’ll get clear on what you would want to happen if something happened to you.

#2 Design and Plan

Assuming there is a good fit between you and the firm, Brian will help you to choose the planning level and fee that is right for your family (we have several different planning levels to accommodate your needs – our fees begin at $2,000 and they are all-inclusive, so there are no surprises), and you and Brian will then design a plan that will give you the peace of mind of knowing your family will be taken care of in the event the unthinkable happens.

Sometimes, depending on the level of planning you choose and the complexity of your situation, a second design meeting is needed to review your more complex financial matters and assets.

#3 Sign Documents

About 2 weeks later, once your plan has been designed, you will then sign your planning documents before a notary. At this point, your family and your assets will be protected in the case of your death or incapacity.

In most law firms, this is where the attorney-client relationship ends. Our mission is to be your attorney for life, so we do things drastically different.

Following the signing of your plan, we review your assets with you to ensure that all your assets will be owned in the right way.

During this meeting we offer a legacy interview where we record a personal message from you to your family, your children’s guardians, your health care agent.

After you sign your estate planning documents, we don’t just send you on your way and wish you luck for the future. Instead, we create an electronic record of all of your legal documents so you can easily access them anytime you need to in the future, we schedule a Funding Review Appointment to review the transfer of assets with you and answer any questions you might have; and we send letters to your agents so they will know what to do in an emergency.

#4 Yearly Review

Then, we still aren’t done! We meet with you at least once every two years to review your plan and make sure it stays up to date. If that’s not included in the planning you are doing, the set of documents you get are very unlikely to work when your family needs them. And, if you participate in one of our annual programs, you will have an opportunity to review your plan on an annual basis, and we will provide your family with a number of other valuable services.

Finally, we are always here for you and we don’t charge you for phone calls emails. We love hearing from you.  Call us at (208) 331-9393.