Once you have arranged for your Initial Conference, we will provide you with access to a Client Information Form. We ask that you work to complete this form before your Initial Conference. If you need to reschedule your appointment, please contact us immediately so that we may rearrange our schedule.

There is no need to go on a "treasure hunt" for financial or legal documents at this point. Sometimes we find that clients procrastinate in getting their planning done because they cannot locate, or do not have time to locate, all of these documents. Truthfully, these documents will not be needed until later in the process. Instead, spend the time before your appointment contemplating the Three P's of Estate Planning.

UNDERSTANDING THE THREE P'S OF ESTATE PLANNING

PEOPLE

Who are the Important People in your life? Beginning with yourself, this could include your spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, other relatives and friends. Beyond these, however, "Important People" could also include charities, special causes, colleges or universities, and 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 notes if you like. This is where the planning process truly begins.

PROPERTY

Property consists of your assets in general. Make a list of the assets you own or control. At this point, you do not need to identify exact dollar values. Rather, think through your assets in terms of their nature. Are your assets in cash, retirement accounts, life insurance, and real estate? Do you own assets in your name only, in joint tenancy with someone else, through a trust agreement, or some other arrangement? Be sure to include often overlooked assets like business interests and any inheritance you expect to receive.

PLANS

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 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 beneficiaries?
• Would you prefer to spare your beneficiaries the costs 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 who you would like to provide for?
• Is there someone who perhaps should not receive a great deal of money without some outside oversight?

THE PLANNING PROCESS

The Estate Planning process includes an Initial Conference and a Signing Conference.

INITIAL CONFERENCE

This conference is the first step in the estate planning process. This conference gives you the opportunity to get to know Arlyn and discuss your various Estate Planning concerns and options. In many instances, the Initial Conference also serves as a Design Conference. During this second step of the planning process, Arlyn will go into more detail about your specific wants, needs, and concerns. After the Design Conference, Arlyn will design an estate plan that is right for you and your family.

SIGNING CONFERENCE

When your estate plan is completed, we will arrange a Signing Conference. At this conference, Arlyn will explain in detail your estate plan, and you will be given the chance to sign all of your documents, making them legally binding.

FUNDING PROCESS

If you have chosen a trust based estate plan, the trust must be funded to avoid any future probate proceedings. This funding will be completed at the Signing Conference. During the Funding Process, we will assist you in re-titling some assets and completing beneficiary designating for others. This important step will also require the assistance of your other professional advisors.