For Professional Advisors
The Team Approach to Estate Planning
As an estate planning law firm, we work closely with other professional advisors, including Certified Financial Planner™ professionals, Investment Advisors, Financial Consultants, Insurance
Professionals, Certified Public Accountants and Tax Advisors. We believe the team approach provides our clients with the most sophisticated, comprehensive and effective estate planning
possible. To that end, we encourage our clients to invite their Professional Advisors into the estate planning process. Moreover, once involved, we strive to keep you informed and involved
at all stages of the estate planning process.
The Process
Step One: The Initial Consultation
We offer all prospective clients a complimentary initial consultation. With the clients' permission, we encourage you to attend this initial consultation as well. If this cannot be arranged,
we will seek the clients' permission to discuss their estate planning with you afterward.
During this first meeting, an attorney will spend approximately an hour with your clients. After listening to your clients' needs, plans and goals, the attorney will generally make some
estate planning recommendations. If the situation is complex, the attorney will ask for a follow-up meeting to present a summary and specific recommendations.
After making recommendations, the attorney will quote a flat fee for design, drafting and implementation of the plans. Your clients then may choose to engage our firm by signing an
engagement letter and making a 50 percent deposit; or they may choose to take some time to reflect before moving ahead.
Step Two: Signing the Documents
Should your clients choose to engage our firm at this point, a follow-up meeting to sign documents and begin implementation of the plan will be scheduled ... normally within a week to ten
days. This meeting may be quite lengthy, as the attorney will thoroughly explain the planning documents to your clients and to their family members if necessary. The attorney also will
explain the trust funding process and provide comprehensive written funding instructions-- whether your clients choose to engage our firm in this process, or prefer to complete the process
themselves or with your assistance.
Step Three: Follow-Up
We have an extensive follow-up system, which we believe helps build stronger client relationships. Each of our clients will receive a follow-up letter after their plan is complete
and a client
satisfaction survey. In this manner we hope to ensure that our clients' plans are never out-of-date with their current needs and
goals. Every two years they will receive a personal letter encouraging them to come in to review their plans and make any necessary changes.
Resources
Professional Education
Please visit our Upcoming Events page for our schedule of MONTHLY study group meetings for professionals.
While you are there, learn how to reserve your space to attend the next meeting or request educational materials by email.
Client Education
Please visit our Client Resource Center for an online library of articles on issues related to estate planning. We have posted a number of articles suitable for use as hand-outs to your
clients.
Joint Marketing
We are happy to work with you to speak to your clients or prospects on estate planning issues, including basic estate planning, charitable giving strategies, generation-skipping and other
advanced topics, business succession or asset protection. Please call the office if you would like to plan a workshop. |