What to Expect
What estate planning with Emily looks like
The questions people ask before they call.
What to expect
Five steps, start to finish. Most of the work is mine.
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1
An initial call
I typically start with an initial call to see if I am a good fit for your needs.
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2
The questionnaire
If you decide you would like to proceed with flat-fee planning, I will gather the necessary information from my client questionnaire.
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3
Drafting
I draft your plan.
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4
Your review
Once the drafts are ready, you will have the opportunity to review them, ask questions, and request any changes.
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5
Signing
When you are happy with the documents, we will arrange to execute your plan. I travel to clients in Los Angeles County to assist in executing the documents in person. For clients outside of LA County, we can discuss various options.
How fees work
Planning work is charged as a flat fee, not by the hour. You will know what your plan costs before any drafting begins, so there is no meter running while you think a decision over or ask one more question.
Fees depend on what your plan needs, so they are quoted after the first conversation rather than published here.
Is now the time?
While you do not need a specific reason to start your estate planning, below are examples of moments in time when people tend to call.
- A child has arrived, or is on the way.
- You have bought a home.
- You have married, separated, or are blending families.
- A parent or a spouse has died, and someone has to handle their affairs.
- Your plan is more than five years old, or was made in another state.
- The people you named — guardians, agents, trustees — are no longer the right people.
- You have been meaning to do this for years.
If none of these reasons apply to you, that is fine too. You have probably suspected for a while that you need to start thinking about your estate planning. The good news is that you are here now, so you have already taken the first step. Now, get the conversation started with a professional — at no commitment.