I can’t promise that a discussion about death, taxes, and potential health problems will be fun, but I can promise to make the estate planning process as easy and stress-free as possible.  To ensure that, I charge a flat rate if your estate plan is based on a Will or a Revocable Living Trust.

Estate Planning Process

We can meet as many times as you want until you are completely comfortable and ready to execute the documents and I do not charge additional fees for my time.  Lawyers are known for making things sound difficult, and I don’t think they should be rewarded for overcomplicating things. Here’s our simple process for creating your estate plan:

  1. Pre-Meeting Worksheet
  2. First Meeting and Draft
  3. Additional Revisions + Final Signing

1. Pre-Meeting Worksheet

You’ll use a worksheet to gather some basic information about you, your family, and your assets.  The worksheet can look daunting, but you really shouldn’t spend more than 5-10 minutes on it.  If there is a question you don’t have the answer to, skip it and we’ll address it when we meet.

Similarly, I don’t need specific balances and account numbers.  Just a rough overview of what you have and how each asset is held (i.e., ballpark amounts in checking, retirement accounts, real estate, gold bars under the mattress).  The focus is on getting information about your family on paper and any concerns you have as we begin to work together.

2. First Meeting and Draft

I want to get you on our calendar as soon as you have the worksheet so we can meet in person, by Zoom, or over the phone to answer any questions and alleviate any concerns.  Most people who have anxiety about the process quickly feel more comfortable after the first meeting.

Many times, if you’ve submitted the form to us in advance of our meeting, I’ll have a draft put together for us to look at and change as needed at the initial meeting.  Other times, my clients want to meet first before they start on the worksheet and that’s perfectly fine too.  As your attorney, I work for you and want the process to be as easy as it can be.

3. Additional Revisions + Final Signing

If you have any particular concerns, please let us know so we can try to find a way to address them. We don’t want you to put off this important task out of fear and anxiety that it will be difficult, time-consuming, or stressful.  We will continue to revise your estate plan until you are confident and ready to sign. While most clients come into the office at least once for the final signing, we can arrange to have everything signed at your home or somewhere else, outside of our office.