Estate planning is not simply an event, it is a process. It involves developing a long range plan for the management and distribution of your assets if you become incapacitated and after you pass on in a manner which will provide for and protect your family, minimize taxes, reduce delay and administration costs, maintain privacy and reduce confusion for your family. A properly organized estate plan makes a fine gift to your family and a suitable testimonial to your concern and caring for their well being.

We generally divide the estate planning process into five phases:

(1) Interview phase.  We conduct an in-depth interview to: review your financial information, review your family dynamics, and help you prioritize your goals and objectives.

(2) Blueprint phase.  We work together to prepare a blueprint of your estate plan which weaves together your financial situation, family dynamics and goals and objectives. Decisions are made on the types of documentation needed to implement this phase which may include some or all of the following:  Wills, Revocable Living Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directives, Deeds to convey real estate into your trusts; and in larger estates, Irrevocable Trusts to hold life insurance policies, Family Limited Partnership, and Charitable Remainder Trusts.

(3) Construction phase. This phase involves the preparation, review and signing of your estate planning documents. Your documents are then organized into a loose-leaf binder which also includes a section for funeral and burial plans, document location record and inventory.

(4) Funding phase.  We give you guidelines, sample form letters, specific instructions and free follow-up telephone calls to assist you with the funding of your Revocable Living Trusts.