Step One: Welcome Packet and Informational Questionnaire
I begin the estate planning process by welcoming you as a client of my firm and requesting a bit of information from you in the form of a Questionnaire. My Informational Questionnaire helps to facilitate and streamline our planning process. It also serves as a “jumping off point” when we meet to get to know each other. Some of the information requested is financial in nature, some of it is questions about your personal background, and some about your values and desires for the future. In all cases, the information is held in strict confidence. I require the Questionnaire to be returned to me before our initial meeting. However, I do not require perfection – do your best to complete what you can, estimate on the rest, and call me with any questions!

Step Two: Initial Conference/Design Meeting
This is where I begin to learn about you and your loved ones. After I have begun to understand your important family history and your vision for your future, I will then explain some of the most important concepts in estate planning and tax law. At this point in our discussion, I will quote you a flat fee for designing, drafting and implementing the plan that is right for your family.

We then together begin to craft an estate plan which is custom designed to meet your unique goals and dreams. Some clients may prefer that this meeting is split into two meetings; one for the initial conference and one for design. But most clients prefer to maintain the energy of our discussion and begin the design of their plan immediately.

Step Three: Trust Signing
Approximately four to six weeks following our Design Meeting, you will return to sign your trust documents. Your entire estate plan will be prepared at this time, and I will go through it with you thoroughly, explaining the documents and how each of them work. You will also receive detailed information about funding your trust, to make sure that your plan works as it is designed and intended.

Step Four: Delivery Meeting
At this meeting, usually around two weeks after the trust signing, you will receive your trust binder, and we discuss any remaining questions you have.