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PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS

[ TEAMWORK ] [ THE PROCESS ] [ RESOURCES ] [ REQUEST FORM ]

Teamwork

     We understand the importance of teamwork. Each client needs a team of advisors in order to effectively develop and manage an estate plan that meets their needs. We are not tax advisors, investment advisors, insurance professionals, certified public accountants, or financial consultants. We will never try to do your job.

     As a professional working with our clients, we welcome your input, and with the client's permission, encourage you to participate in our planning sessions. Once involved, we will keep you informed and involved at all stages of the estate planning process.

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The Process

Step One: The Initial Consultation

     We send a general estate planning questionnaire along with relevant educational brochures to each client at the time an appointment for an initial consultation is made. We request that prospective clients return this questionnaire prior to our initial consultation, so that we may make informed recommendations during that first meeting.

     We offer all prospective clients a complimentary initial consultation. With the client's permission, we encourage you to attend this initial consultation as well. If this cannot be arranged, we will seek the client's permission to discuss their estate planning with you after this meeting.

     During this first meeting, we will spend approximately an hour with your client. After listening to your client's needs, plans and goals, we will generally make some estate planning recommendations. If the situation is complex, we will ask for a follow-up meeting to present a summary, and specific recommendations.

Step Two: Signing the Documents

     Should your client choose to engage our firm at this point, a follow-up meeting to sign documents and begin implementation of the plan will be scheduled, normally within a week to ten days. This meeting may be quite lengthy. We will thoroughly explain the planning documents to your client, and to their family members if necessary. We will also explain the trust funding process and provide comprehensive written funding instructions — whether your clients choose to engage our firm in this process, or prefer to complete the process themselves, or with your assistance.

Step Three: Follow-Up

     We have an extensive follow up system, which we believe helps build stronger client relationships. Each of our clients will receive a follow-up letter after their plan is complete, and a client satisfaction survey.

     We strive to impress upon our clients the danger inherent in "stale plans": plans that are out-of-date, in conflict with or not truly reflective of their current needs and goals. Every two years they will receive a personal letter encouraging

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Resources

Client Education

     Be sure to visit our Resource Center for an online library of articles on issues related to estate planning. We have posted a number of articles suitable for use as handouts to your clients.

Joint Marketing

     We are happy to work with you. If you are interested in planning a joint workshop to speak to your clients or prospects on estate planning issues, please contact the office. Our presentations include a variety of basic estate planning and advanced topics related to business/individual asset protection and succession strategies.

Estate Protection Plan

     The Estate Protection Plan (EPP) helps retain and reward employees/clients by offering access to discounted Life & Estate Planning legal services designed to protect them, their loved ones, and their assets (to include company benefits such as qualified retirement plans and life insurance) from a wide variety of tax and non-tax related threats. To learn more about the EPP contact our office by completing the form below.

The Fax on Estate Planning

     Each month we produce a one-page FAX update on estate planning issues, exclusively for professional advisors like yourself. To subscribe to the FAX simply submit the following form and we will add you to our monthly FAX list.

Request Form

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