Our Process

HomeOur Process

Creating an estate plan is a big step, and it’s important to us that you know what to expect from the process.

I’ve designed a process that is informative, transparent, and respectful of your time. It’s been honed to create estate plans unique to each client’s life. While not always the easiest subject to think about, our goal is to make the process as painless as possible.

 

Here’s how it works:

Step 2

Step 3

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT (initial call)

Contact me through my website or email us to set up an initial appointment. We never charge for the first meeting for estate planning as we want to be certain that we can meet your needs. If, after our first meeting, you choose to work with Vail Gardner Law, we’ll agree on the best rate structure to suit your needs. We never want you to feel like you’re on the clock, so our rates are flat and all-inclusive.

ESTATE PLANNING AND GUARDIANSHIP WORKSHEETS

Once we’ve begun our relationship, I’ll establish a secure portal and send a link for online planning worksheets, which are an easy way to organize your information about your loved ones, your assets, and your wishes. This helps you have the conversations and make your decisions. You’ll complete the worksheets prior to our planning conference. It takes most clients about an hour to complete them.

PLANNING CONFERENCE

At our first meeting, we’ll confidentially review your worksheets and assess the current status of your plan. Some clients start from scratch, and some already have existing plans that need revision. Whatever your level of preparedness, we’ll give you options for your estate plan based on your life and an explanation of the key documents that will protect your family, pets, property, and legacy.

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

WE GET TO WORK

From here, we dive in and draft your documents and help you organize your plan into a cohesive folio that will permit your fiduciaries to carry out your estate plan. Depending on the complexity of your plan, it usually takes 4-8 weeks from start to finish.

SIGNING CONFERENCE

When you come back to our office a second time, we’ll have your customized estate plan ready for you to sign and take home. Housed in a special portfolio, your family’s estate plan will contain information about your assets, your children, your healthcare priorities, and the legal documents that will allow people to manage your affairs if you can’t.

SUPPORT

If you have a question or a change in your life, we’ll be happy to take care of it for you. We’re your long-term partner in all things regarding your estate.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP.

STEP 1

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT (initial call)

Contact me through my website or email us to set up an initial appointment. We never charge for the first meeting for estate planning as we want to be certain that we can meet your needs. If, after our first meeting, you choose to work with Vail Gardner Law, we’ll agree on the best rate structure to suit your needs. We never want you to feel like you’re on the clock, so our rates are flat and all-inclusive.

STEP 2

ESTATE PLANNING AND GUARDIANSHIP WORKSHEETS

Once we’ve begun our relationship, I’ll send a link for two online planning worksheets, which are an easy way to organize your information about your loved ones, your assets, and your wishes. This helps you have the conversation/make decisions. You’ll complete the forms prior to the appointment. It takes most clients 1 hour.

STEP 3

PLANNING CONFERENCE

At our first meeting, we’ll confidentially review your worksheets and assess the current status of your plan. Some clients start from scratch, and some already have existing plans that need revision. Whatever your level of preparedness, we’ll give you options for your estate plan based on your life and an explanation of the key documents that will protect your family, pets, property, and legacy.

STEP 4

WE GET TO WORK

From here, we dive in and draft your documents and help you organize your plan into a cohesive folio that will permit your fiduciaries to carry out your estate plan. Depending on the complexity of your plan, it usually takes 4-8 weeks from start to finish.

STEP 5

SIGNING CONFERENCE

When you come back to our office a second time, we’ll have your customized estate plan ready for you to sign and take home. Housed in a special portfolio, your family’s estate plan will contain information about your assets, your children, your healthcare priorities, and the legal documents that will allow people to manage your affairs if you can’t.

STEP 6

SUPPORT

If you have a question or a change in your life, we’ll be happy to take care of it for you. We’re your long-term partner in all things regarding your estate.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP.