Becoming a Client

Who are the important people in your life? Besides yourself, they likely include your loved ones: your spouse if you are married, children and grandchildren if you have any, perhaps your parents, siblings, or other relatives. Beyond them, “important people” also could include charities, special causes, colleges, universities, or churches to which you are committed. For some, “important people” could even include pets. Spend some time thinking about the impact others have had on your life. Make a list and jot down some notes. This is where the estate planning process truly begins—and we’ll guide you every step of the way.

Property includes your assets in general. As we get started, make a list of the assets you own or control. You do not need to identify insurance policy numbers and exact dollar values just yet. Instead, think through your assets in terms of their nature (cash, stocks, bonds, real estate, etc.), their value in thousands of dollars, and your ownership interest. Do you own assets in your name only, in joint tenancy with someone else, or through a trust agreement or some other arrangement? Be sure to include often-overlooked assets like life insurance (the death benefit, not the cash value), business interests, and any inheritance you may expect to receive.

After identifying the important people in your life and your property, the next step is to consider the plans you would make for those people (including yourself) and that property in the event of your own incapacity or death.

Who would you name to make decisions for you if you could no longer do so yourself? Would the same person handle your finances and your personal and health care decisions? Who would care for your minor children? How would you distribute your assets to your heirs? Would you prefer to spare your heirs the potential cost and hassles of the probate process? Would you like to minimize the impact of estate taxes…or maximize the impact of a charitable bequest? Is there someone in your family with special needs whom you would like to provide? Is there someone who perhaps should not receive a great deal of (or any) money without some outside oversight?

These are just a few of the issues to consider when approaching the planning process. At this stage, they are much more important than the “treasure hunt” for legal documents. When you have the answers to these questions, we can help you create a customized estate plan to meet each and every consideration.

First things first, let’s get acquainted. Schedule a consultation with our team. Once you’re ready, you’ll sign on the dotted line, officially joining the Goff Legal family. Then, it’s time to sit down (virtually or in person, your choice) with one of our attorneys to customize your plan.

Once we’ve brainstormed and strategized, it’s time to put pen to paper. Your designated attorney will create a summary of our discussions for your perusal. After you’ve given it the once-over and given us the green light, we’ll start drafting your plan.

All your documents will be sent to you prior to your review appointment. Take your time, review every word, and note any questions or concerns. Then, we’ll sit down together (virtually or in person) to ensure everything is clear and address any lingering doubts.

It’s time to make it official and sign all the necessary documents. You’ll receive a binder (physical and electronic) containing all your legal documents. We’ll also give you clear instructions on funding your trust, ensuring your assets are perfectly secure.