For professional advisors

The estate planning team

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 one of our attorneys. 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, we will spend approximately an hour with your clients. After listening to your clients' needs, plans and goals, we will generally make some estate planning recommendations. If the situation is complex, we will ask for a follow-up meeting to present a summary and specific recommendations.
  After making her recommendations, we 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 we will thoroughly explain the planning documents to your clients and to their family members if necessary. We 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 a follow-up system, which we believe helps build stronger client relationships. After their plan is complete, each of our clients will receive a follow-up letter, an invitation to consult us with follow-up questions, and a file review at set times.

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