At Barlow Anderson we’ve developed a structured approach to estate planning that ensures your plan truly reflects your wishes while addressing all legal requirements. Our comprehensive process typically takes four to six weeks from your initial consultation to the signing of your documents.
Step 1: Complete the Estate Planning Intake Form
Your journey begins with completing our comprehensive Estate Planning Intake Form on our secure client portal. This important step:
- Gathers essential information about your family structure
- Documents your assets and how they’re currently titled
- Identifies your estate planning goals and concerns
- Helps you begin thinking about who should serve in key roles
- Allows our team to prepare thoroughly for your design meeting
Taking time to complete this form thoughtfully helps us maximize the productivity of our time together and ensures we address all relevant aspects of your situation.
Step 2: Design Meeting
During this meeting, we build upon the information from your intake form to craft your personalized estate plan. We’ll discuss:
- Your family dynamics and unique considerations
- Any questions about your assets and financial situation
- Your specific concerns and objectives in greater detail
- Potential legal strategies to accomplish your goals
- Recommendations for the optimal estate planning approach
This collaborative conversation forms the foundation of your personalized estate plan. At this point, you are advised of the cost of the estate planning services and an engagement letter will be prepared for all parties to sign.
Step 3: Plan Summary
Following your design meeting, we’ll prepare a detailed summary of your estate plan. This document:
- Outlines the recommended planning approach
- Explains the specific documents to be prepared
- Details how assets will flow through your plan
- Clarifies the roles of the personal representative, trustees, and other fiduciaries
- Addresses your specific concerns with tailored solutions
This summary gives you the opportunity to confirm we’ve understood your goals before document drafting begins.
Step 4: Document Drafting
Our team will prepare your complete set of estate planning documents based on the approved plan summary. These typically include:
- Wills and/or trusts
- Powers of attorney
- Healthcare directives
- Disposition of remains
Each document is carefully crafted to work together as a cohesive plan.
Step 5: Document Review
You’ll receive draft documents to review at your convenience, along with an explanatory cover letter highlighting key provisions. We encourage you to:
- Take your time reviewing the documents
- Note any questions or concerns
- Consider if any circumstances have changed since our initial meeting
Step 6: Refinement
If needed, we can schedule a call or meeting to address any questions about your draft documents. Based on your feedback, we’ll make any necessary adjustments to ensure your plan perfectly aligns with your wishes.
Step 7: Execution Meeting
During this meeting, we’ll:
- Review the final documents
- Explain the purpose of each document
- Guide you through the proper signing process with witnesses and notarization
- Provide clear instructions for next steps
You’ll leave with a complete set of legally executed documents organized in a portfolio for easy reference.
Step 8: Trust Funding (Optional Service)
For clients with trusts, we offer a separate trust funding service to ensure your assets are properly aligned with your trust. This critical step includes:
- Asset inventory and funding analysis
- Preparation of deeds and transfer documents
- Assistance with account retitling
- Documentation of funding status for each asset
- Clear guidance for maintaining proper funding
The trust funding process typically begins after your documents are signed and can be tailored to meet your specific needs and timeline.
Throughout this process, our team is available to answer questions and provide guidance. We believe in building lasting relationships with our clients, and your estate plan is just the beginning of that relationship.
To schedule a consultation to plan for your future, call us at (907) 375-0750.
