THE ESTATE PLANNING PROCESS

The Estate Planning Worksheet.  The Estate Planning Worksheet is a document intended to find out all about you, and your wishes for your family.  Although the information is helpful for me as I put together your estate plan, this document can also assist you to organize your documents and think about what you would like to have happen if you are no longer around to tell folks in person. We can fill the document in together during our first meeting, if that is easier for you.

First Steps.  My usual first step with prospective clients is that I arrange to meet them in person in order to discuss their needs and specific questions they may have about their particular situation.  As a courtesy, the first meeting, up to a maximum of 30 minutes, is free.  The basic questions of a typical estate plan scenario can usually be answered in that time. After 30 minutes, I will ask if the client(s) wish to continue the estate planning discussion.  If so, at that point billing begins at my usual hourly fee of $250/hour.  At the end of the discussion, should you decide to go forward with an estate plan, all fees from the initial discussion will be credited towards your estate plan (billed at a fixed fee).  If not, any fees (beyond the free first 30 minutes) will be due at the end of the initial consultation. Finally, note that any scheduled appointment canceled without appropriate notice (less than 24 business hours) is subject to a $125 cancellation fee.

Estate Planning Fee Schedule.  We use a fixed fee format, so unless the work that you request us to do for you is significantly outside of that ordinarily required to prepare an estate plan, we will not charge you any additional amount.  If the work requested were outside of the normal range, our fee would be $250.00 per hour.  Our fee range for a married couple estate plan, including their Living Trust, Pour Over Wills, Health Care Directives, Power of Attorney Documents is from $2200 - $3400, based on overall complexity and desires of the client.  Our fee range for a single individual who would like an estate plan and needs a Living Trust, is from $2000 - $2500.  Simple wills are $600.00. 

Please call or email us today if you would like to set up an appointment.