ESTATE PLANNING PROCESS

1. Introductory Call

After a prospective client has been referred or introduced to us, the prospective client should contact us (via mail, e-mail, or telephone) and start a conversation. During this initial introduction, we hope to have a basic understanding of the prospective client’s situation and concerns, and make a determination of whether we can further assist.

2. Gathering and Evaluation of the Estate

After determining we can help, we will send the client our Confidential Estate Planning Packet, which includes:

• The date and time of our meeting;
• Direction to the firm’s office;
• An explanation of the process ahead;
• Basic Information about estate planning and our firm;
• Confidential Estate Planning Questionnaire for the client to fill out; and
• A schedule of requested documents to be sent to us for Evaluation.

After receiving the requested information, we then perform a detailed examination of the client’s assets, estate, and personal situation.

1. Initial Visit Meeting

At this meeting, we review with the client, all of their current legal documents and the structure of their assets and estate. This is normally a 2-hour meeting where we discuss the client’s family dynamics, specific wishes, estate planning needs/desires, and concerns. Together we determine combinations of planning for the control, structure, allocation, distribution, and protection of assets for the client, their family, and loved ones.

After the Initial Visit Meeting, a recap letter is sent summarizing the content of the meeting and listing any outstanding items that may need to be addressed for the client’s understanding.

2. Drafting

Once the client provides all the requested information, and there is a consensus regarding the client’s specific estate plan, we will start drafting the necessary documents. Upon completion of the draft estate plan, a PDF version of the documents will be sent to the client – via Dropbox – for review.

1. Signing Ceremony

Upon the client’s 100% approval of their plan, a final draft will be printed. We will then coordinate a time, at the client’s convenience, to execute their estate plan. For the signing, we offer the option of having a notary go to the client’s home, or the client can execute their plan at our office where we can answer any remaining questions.

Upon execution of the estate plan, the client is provided with the original documents, and when asked, a copy of the plan will be given on a flash drive for convenience.

2. Funding

Lastly, we will provide our client with directions for funding their assets, and draft a trust transfer deed to place the client’s personal residence into the trust, accompanied with the necessary documentation filings. After we fund the residence into the trust, you have a completed estate plan. Congratulations!