Estate Planning (Pre-Death)

Many people ask, “Just what is an estate, and what is there to plan?” The best and easiest way I’ve found of explaining it, is that it is all about maintaining control of your wishes and stuff.

Everyone needs an estate plan, not just extremely wealthy people.  The estate plans we create with our clients aren’t just  about death and dying.  They are about getting you through each and every day, to the next day, and the next, and the next…without having to worry about unintended consequences when life throws you a curve ball, as it inevitably will do.  The plans we draft with you are about and include caring for and having you cared for by your spouse, partner, children, grandchildren, siblings, family, friends, loved ones, charities, your religious affiliations and, if you own one, your business.   The planning process begins with talking about all of these people and issues, and all of your stuff and your goals, wishes and desires while alive.

Making smart decisions with your assets in anticipation of, or during the reality of, retirement is essential, but it is only a piece of the estate planning process.  You also need to make smart decisions about how to protect your assets, who you trust to oversee them for you and on your behalf if you no longer can, and to whom and how they will be distributed upon your death.  Our comprehensive process leaves no stone unturned.

Proper estate planning also minimizes the financial and emotional costs for you and your loved ones while you’re alive and after you pass. Whether you wish to create your estate plan for the first time or update your existing plan, we will help you create a comprehensive and personalized estate plan, perfectly housed in a customized, organized binder, that will provide you and your loved ones with the peace-of-mind you all want and deserve.

Integral to an estate plan is also having a written financial plan, which provides a road map of sorts, with contingencies, of how you successfully navigate your life ahead, in terms of managing your assets and insurance to ensure you financial peace-of-mind up to and through retirement for you and your family, so you can achieve your goals.

Your life and journey are uniquely yours, and, as such, your plan needs to be the same, with well thought out strategic solutions that cover your income, financial, tax, and legal concerns and goals.

We strive to develop long-term, client relationships. We are as careful about accepting new clients as you should be in selecting who you choose to help you. We find that our ideal client, first and foremost, is someone we enjoy working with; they are nice people who are genuinely appreciative of the counsel we give and are willing to accept advice and make changes where necessary. We also want to work with clients who strive to manage their finances successfully to provide for themselves, their families, and, if they wish, charities. Perhaps most importantly, our clients appreciate the benefit they receive from the coordination of portfolio management, retirement planning, estate planning, and tax planning all at one firm. Clients come to us for expert advice and the confidence that comes from having a dedicated, professional team.