I didn't follow the typical path of working for a corporate firm. From the start, I was an entrepreneur and business owner, managing three companies even before I entered law school. My primary reason for studying law was to better navigate the legal intricacies of my business ventures, which were mostly centered around real estate.
Upon graduating, I was practicing law minimally, focusing on my businesses. However, the 2008 financial crisis upended the real estate market, prompting me to practice law full-time. This shift
not only helped stabilize my career but also opened my eyes to new areas of legal practice beyond real estate.
As the real estate market faltered, I began receiving inquiries about estate planning, largely due to my parents' circle of older friends. This newfound interest led me to explore wills, powers of
attorney, and eventually more complex instruments like trusts and business formations. My practice evolved, and it was a personal experience that truly transformed my perspective.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant challenges for me. My father passed away, leaving behind a will that I had prepared years earlier. While it sufficed in transferring assets to my mother, she had recently suffered a stroke, complicating matters. This personal ordeal highlighted the importance of comprehensive, updated estate planning.
My brother and I faced the daunting task of managing our parents' estate. Clearing out our family home of 60 years, filled with items accumulated over decades, was a monumental task.
Through this experience, I realized the profound need for thorough and adaptable estate planning. I witnessed firsthand how unexpected events—like my mother's stroke and the pandemic—can disrupt even the best-laid plans. This realization reinforced the importance of proactive and flexible legal strategies to accommodate life's uncertainties. The challenges I faced in my personal life, coupled with my professional experiences in probate and estate planning, culminated in a desire to focus significantly more in this area. The loss of my father and my wife's father during the pandemic further underscored the necessity of meticulous planning. I saw families struggling with outdated or inadequate wills, leading to conflicts and litigation.
My journey took a definitive turn when I became a certified Personal Family Lawyer, learning how the traditional estate planning model failed and in turn how to keep families out of court and
conflict. I realized I could leverage my personal experiences to better serve clients, ensuring they have robust, up-to-date plans to handle life's unpredictable events.
Now, as a Personal Family Lawyer, I am dedicated to helping families navigate the complexities of legal planning with compassion and expertise. My journey, shaped by personal loss and professional evolution, has equipped me to offer meaningful, empathetic guidance. My mission is to ensure that families are prepared for the unexpected, providing peace of mind and security for
their future.
So, here are some of the things we do differently based on my experience with the traditional model of estate planning.
First of all – nothing we do is billed on an hourly basis. Everything we do is billed flat fee, agreed to in advance, so there are no surprises. You'll know exactly what it will cost to work with us after
we've gotten clear about what you want, and you'll even be able to choose your own fee. Then, after the initial planning process, we have options so that you can ensure your plan stays up to
date throughout your life, and again you'll know exactly what that costs and choose your own fee there.
Second – we have a team of people here to support you. That means, if you are at the bank and call our office to get a quick answer about how to title an account, you don't have to leave the
bank and return on another day because there was no one available to answer your question for hours or days. You'll be able to speak to someone to get your questions answered right away. And,
if you need to speak with me about something that my team cannot answer, we'll get a call scheduled so that I can be prepared and you can be prepared and we won't waste your time
playing phone tag.
Third – we see planning as just the beginning of the relationship whereas in the past the plan was viewed as a one-time transactional event. Once you sign your planning documents, that is when the relationship really begins. At no additional charge, we review your plan at least every three years. And, we have two levels of membership programs that almost all of our clients participate in – either the gold program which provides you with a yearly plan review and unlimited changes to your plan, or the gold plus program, which includes an annual meeting with your attorney, CPA and financial advisor, plus ongoing legal guidance throughout the year.
Finally, we don't just focus on passing on your financial assets, but your legacy. With our Legacy Interviews, we guide you to pass on more than your money but also your intellectual, spiritual,
and human assets - and stories. We include that with every plan and our clients and their families love having that as part of their plan.
These are just a few of the things that make our firm different. We're the best fit for people who don't just want to leave their family a set of documents that may or may not work, but instead
want to use the estate planning process to pass on a legacy of love and care, and ease. And keep their family out of court and out of conflict.
