Birmingham Trusts & Estates and Senior Care Attorney

For Professional Advisors


The Team Approach to Estate Planning

The Team Approach

     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.

previous page

Subscribe to the Elder Law Alabama Blog Feed!

Home  |  About Us  |  Elder Law Services  |  Elder Law Alabama Blog  |  Planning w/ Alzheimer's

Estate Planning Consultation  |  For Professional Advisors  |  Resource Center  |  Upcoming Events

Estate Planning FAQs  |  Estate Planning Quiz  |  Map  |  Contact Us  |  Recipes  |  Disclaimer


Copyright © Integrity Marketing Solutions. All rights reserved. You may reproduce materials available at this site for your own personal use and for non-commercial distribution. All copies must include this copyright statement. Some artwork provided under license agreement.