More About Estate Planning

We get several calls every month from people who want to know, “How much does a simple will cost?” The answer is always the same: “The will is free. We don’t charge for documents. The documents are necessary, but they are a by-product of an attorney-client relationship. That relationship, and the advice and guidance you get because of it, is really what you’re paying for.” Nine times out of ten, that person who called about a simple will finds out that in her situation, a simple will for the best price today would have cost thousands of dollars tomorrow, not to mention suffering and headaches for their loved ones.

"Estate Planning from a Mom’s Perspective" means that you go into this important planning fully informed, enabling you to make the best possible decision for your family. The decisions about what type of plan you design to suit your needs is ultimately yours to make; it’s my responsibility to ensure that you’re not making those decisions in the dark. At the same time, most families have similar needs when it comes to choosing an estate planning firm to work with.

Here is what our clients have told us about what families need (and how we’ve responded to those needs):

• Families don’t like worrying about calling their lawyer before making important legal and financial decisions, so we have thrown away the time clock! We charge flat rates only. You’ll never be surprised by a bill from us!
• Families want to be taken through this often scary process with a lot of hand-holding, and so we make it all easy for you!
• Families want plans that work, and so we offer to fund their trusts for them and we keep up with our clients to make sure that their plans are always up to date. We even offer a free three-year review for all clients!
• Families want their quick questions answered without having to wait all day or even all week, and so we have a team in place to support our clients.
• Families want a lawyer that they can call on throughout life for all of their legal problems, and so we offer an exclusive membership program for our clients.
• Families have so much more to leave behind than material wealth, and so we include our Priceless Conversations™ program for all of our clients.

At the Law Offices of Candice N. Aiston, our clients know that they have affordable access to their Family’s Lawyer who will be there for their families when they can’t be.

Read on to learn more about our planning process.

THE PLANNING PROCESS

Step One: The Family Treasures Information Session

This session is critical to being able to get all the information you need to start your planning with your eyes wide open. In this session, we get to know one another and discuss your “Family Treasures” – your loved ones and your hard-earned assets. We will give you an assessment and recommendation based on our analysis of your situation, and you will make a decision on how to proceed. There is no obligation to move forward with us to do your planning. To set up this appointment, you can call our office at (503) 235-5150 and talk to our Client Services Director. If you mention that you are calling after looking over this website, we’ll even waive the fee (valued at $750.00). Because we only take a limited number of appointments each month, we will need a credit card to secure your appointment. We will not charge your credit card unless you cancel your appointment without giving us a week’s notice and without rescheduling.

Click here to see our plan rates.

Step Two: The Design Meeting

At the Design Meeting, we go through and design what your plan is going to look like. This step can often be taken during the Family Treasures Information Session. When we are dealing with a complex estate, we may schedule a Second Planning Session for about 2-4 weeks after the Family Treasures Information Session.

Step Three: The Signing Meeting

We will sign all of your documents and go over them with you about 4-6 weeks after your Initial Planning Session. At this point, you will not leave with anything, but if something should happen to you, your family would be protected and they could contact our office to view the plan and assist with closing your estate. After this meeting our office will assemble the documents and have them scanned and put on a CD for your convenience.

Step Four: The Final Meeting

We will meet about 4 weeks after the Signing Meeting to give you your Estate Planning materials and discuss any further questions you might have. If you choose to do so, we will record your Priceless Conversation™, a program that helps you to pass on your true wealth – all of your values, insights, and precious memories – to your family.

Step Five: The Rest of Your Life

Because we want our clients to have plans in place that work, we offer our clients a free Estate Plan Review every three years. Things change, and busy families can forget to take steps to protect themselves, so we will be sure to contact you to remind you to set up your appointment. You will also continue to receive our newsletters and other communication. We encourage our clients to stay in touch. We offer free quarterly events for our clients, and we hope to see you and hear from you often!

Step Six: For the Client Who Needs More

Most of our clients wanted more, and we responded! We developed our Family Treasures VIP Membership because our clients wanted affordable access to their Family’s Attorney for all of life’s legal issues that arise. We don’t know when you’ll need an attorney or why you’ll need and attorney, but when you do, we’ll be there to guide you.