THE ESTATE PLAN PROCESS

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STEP 1: INITIAL PHONE CALL

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Our initial conversation will be on the phone and we will review your estate planning needs. Once we determine that we are a good match for each other, we will set up a meeting to discuss your goals for your estate plan and we will help you make decisions and choose representatives for your estate plan.   

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​Although the planning process may seem complicated at first, we strive to make our documents understandable for our clients, and to avoid unnecessary or costly complications for our clients.   

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STEP 2: MEETING PREPARATION

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To prepare for our first meeting, we will ask you to gather relevant information to formulate your estate plan. We will gather: personal and family information; and information on financial assets, including bank and brokerage accounts, life insurance, real property, and debts/liabilities. This step in the estate planning process may seem intimidating or overwhelming, but we can work together to gather this important information.

   

We will also need information about the guardians, personal representatives/executors, and trustees you will choose, so it is a good idea to start thinking about trusted individuals that you may select to act as your personal representative, trustee, guardian to minor children, healthcare guardian, etc. and bring their contact information to our meeting. 

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STEP 3: MEETING

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Our meeting will take place at a time and location that is convenient for you. We will discuss your goals for your estate and the appropriate documents to include in your estate plan to meet those goals. 

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STEP 4: DRAFTING THE DOCUMENTS

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Following our discussion, Marla Roeser Law will draft the following documents on your behalf: 

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• Financial Power of Attorney

• Healthcare Power of Attorney and HIPAA release

• Living Will/Advance Directive

• Last Will and Testament or Revocable Living Trust and Pour-Over Will

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You will then review these documents and have the opportunity to ask questions or make changes. 

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STEP 5: SIGNING PARTY

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Once the documents are finalized, we get together for a signing party to execute the documents. Notary services are included. We will also review follow up instructions for any modifications you need to make to beneficiary forms and will provide a completed workbook that translates into instructions for your heirs. 

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TIME FRAME

We will review a timeline for completing your estate plan. The timeline will depend on the complexity of your estate plan and how quickly we can schedule meetings and finalize decisions about personal representatives, guardian’s, and trustees. At the end of our planning meeting we will set date for the signing party and plan draft reviews accordingly. 

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PRICE

Estate planning services are available at an hourly rate or for a fixed package price. Please contact us for our hourly rates and cost estimate dependent upon the anticipated complexity of your estate plan. 

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