Answering the most common estate planning and business law questions to help you plan smarter.

Other Common Questions

How long does it take to create an estate plan?

Normally, creating an estate plan will take about a month, but there are certain circumstances that would call for longer or shorter time frames. For instance, if you'd like to expedite the process for any reason, like an upcoming trip or a medical procedure, we can work with you. Keep in mind though, these documents are very important and completely customized to your particular needs, so it can take some time to get them just the way you want.

Do you serve clients outside of the Orange County area?

Yes; in fact, we often travel to clients' homes for conveience and comfort. We also use the most advanced tools available to attorneys today to ensure a seamless experience, whether we're sitting across from antoher at a table or meeting over a secure video feed. This approach allows us to help create your estate plan despite your very busy schedule. It also allows us the opportunity to serve many clients throughout Orange, San Diego, Riverside and Los Angeles counties, while still getting to know our clients and build relationships. If you live in another county in California, we can make that work too. If you'd like to meet at our office, that's fine as well – we'll set up a meeting.

We are also part of a vast community of experts, many of whom work in other states. If you live outside of California, but would like to team up with an attorney that is part of our network, let us know and we'll make it happen.

How much does an estate plan cost?

We know that people are often concerned about fees when working with a lawyer, especially if those fees are billed by the hour. That's understandable. All of our fees are flat for estate planning. When we get started, we'll lay out the cost to you upfront so there are no surprises down the road. Our fees are tiered: Foundation, Wealth and Legacy. A basic estate plan for an individual can cost as little as $1,275.

How is payment handled?

Our fees are typically collected up front. Once we've been retained and payment is made, we;ll begin drafting your documents. That said, we're flexible. If this doesn't work for you, then we can discuss other options like making installment payments, or taking advantage of our layaway option.

How does the process work?

We've developed a simple three step process to enhance your experience (which you read a little more about here). It starts with a complimentary Strategy Session, then proceeds with a Design Meeting, and ends with a Signing Meeting. That's it.

Can I do this all myself?

Technically, yes, you can. However, and that's a big however, there is so much risk associated with handling your estate planning yourself; and the worst part is you likely won't know if you've messed things up until it's too late. In our minds, the savings isn't worth the risk - it's like stepping over a dollar to save a penny; just doesn't make sense right?

Typically, do-it-yourself websites, and software programs or extremely low-cost estate planning offerings online really only provide the most basic, generic documents. And you're not exactly getting one-on-one attention or individually-tailored advice. With an attorney, you'll get that advice, along with a robust set of documents that will stand up against life's journeys. When you're planning for your familys future, it's important you get it right. Without a lawyer, there’s no telling what you'll end up with.

What can I expect at my Strategy Session?

In your Strategy Session, you should expect to spend some time discussing your goals and concerns. This meeting is important because it allows us to get to know one another, and you're able to get a general idea of what to expect from the estate planning process as it relates to your particular circumstances.

We'll also discuss your estate planning worksheet, which will be shared prior to the meeting and allows us to gather important details. At the end of this meeting, we'll let you know what your plan will cost.