While estate planning tends to be much less litigious than other areas of the law, coming to an attorney’s office for the first time can still be an intimidating experience for many clients. The potential client may not know what to expect, know what questions to ask, and may feel completely unprepared for the meeting. At Sullivan Law Office, my initial consultations with clients are complimentary and tend to last anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour. During this time, I like to put the clients at ease and answer any questions they may have about the process. However, more importantly, I try to use this time to educate the potential clients on Michigan probate law and help guide them in making the best decisions for their particular situation.
Estate planning is never a “one size fits all” type of practice, but certain general rules do often apply to most individuals. Ultimately, it is my goal to make the process as seamless and efficient as possible for your family so that when you do die, your family is able to close your estate as smoothly as possible. Usually this goal does involve avoiding probating as many of your assets as possible. Not only does the probate process take a significant amount of time, it can be costly, as well as stressful. I like to use the consultation time to explain what exactly probate is, what the process can involve, and explain the pros and cons to having an estate probated. I like to provide as detailed of a picture as possible so that the client or clients can make an educated decision regarding how they wish to handle their estate planning.
Avoiding probate can be done through several different methods. Many clients walk in thinking that they need one thing simply because a friend, neighbor or family member had it completed for them. However, what one person received does not necessarily mean it is the best situation for you. I like to use the consultation time to get to know the client, learn what their objectives are, and understand the dynamics of their particular family situation. Only then can I make a proper recommendation on what estate documents would be best for them.
If the client has a previous estate plan, I like to ask that the client bring in copies of these documents so that I can see what was done previously. I also welcome any other documentation they wish to bring, as well as any questions they may have. I usually recommend clients bring something to write down notes, as we do cover a lot of information during this first session. However, I always understand that given the fact that a lot of information is discussed during the consultation, the client may or may not remember every single item we discuss. I am happy to go over items as many times as is needed so that the client truly understands. After all, this plan is your estate plan. It is important that you understand what it entails and why certain documents are included.
I do provide an intake form to clients prior to our meeting, but I do not require that this be completed in full before meeting. I do recommend clients review the document prior to meeting as it does often help in initiating important discussions on who will be handling what responsibilities in your estate plan. This form will also be used later, when completed, to generate the estate documents themselves.
I look forward to every consultation with a potential client. I view these meetings as the start of a long-standing working relationship, rather than a time to give a standard sales “pitch.” At Sullivan Law Office, I pride myself on providing comprehensive estate services and hope to stay connected with clients in the long term, as their needs do change over time. To me, it is the attorney-client relationship that is the most important thing that comes from this first meeting.
At Sullivan Law, we offer estate planning packages at a flat and reasonable fee. We also offer free consultations to discuss what your needs are, what you would like to do, and how that can be best accomplished. Everyone’s needs are different, and your wishes should be clearly listed and understood.
Call us at 248.917.1351 or email at asullivan@sullivanlawonline.com to schedule your free consultation today. We look forward to working with you!