Estate Planning
Having a comprehensive estate plan in place is essential, regardless of your age or the value of your assets. It is especially imperative if you have young children or children with special needs. We will make the process of preparing for death and disability as straightforward and smooth as possible, and our hope is that you will leave our office with a huge sense of relief.
MAKE AN ESTATE PLANNING APPOINTMENT.
The first step in the process is to book a complimentary estate planning consultation. We are available to take your call Monday through Friday, 9:00-5:00. The scheduling process takes less than five minutes. You can also set up an appointment by email.
PREPARING FOR YOUR ESTATE PLANNING CONSULTATION.
Once you have your appointment scheduled, you will need to fill out our confidential estate planning questionnaire and bring it with you to the appointment. If you have any old estate planning documents in place, please bring those to the consultation, as well. Should you need to bring your children to the appointment, they are more than welcome.
INITIAL ESTATE PLANING CONSULTATION.
The initial consultation will take about an hour. Our office is conveniently located in northern Colorado Springs near I25 and North Gate Blvd. When you enter the building, our office is directly ahead on the main floor. If you cannot meet in person, we will arrange a virtual appointment for you. During the consultation, you will meet with an experienced estate planning attorney and have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss your concerns. We’ll use the consultation to develop a plan moving forward, which may include Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, and Living Wills.
SIGNING YOUR ESTATE PLANNING DOCUMENTS.
After the consultation, the attorney will draft your documents and send them to you to review. You will then return to our office to sign the documents. The time between the consultation and signing appointment is usually about four weeks. At the signing appointment, the attorney will review all your documents with you in detail and make any last-minute changes. We will also discuss any remaining action items and give you instructions on where to store your documents and who to give copies to. After the signing is complete, you will leave our office with originals and copies of all your documents.
KEEPING YOUR ESTATE PLAN UP TO DATE
At Goines Law, we do not charge an annual maintenance fee for your estate plan. If you have questions or changes over the years, we will be available to assist you on an as-needed basis. We recommend that you touch base with us every 5-10 years, or if there are any major changes in your family situation or estate plan.
We know that the estate planning process can be emotionally difficult, but we make every effort to make it logistically easy. By making these decisions during your lifetime, you are often able to minimize conflict, uncertainty, probate expenses, and taxes at your death. The peace of mind you and your family will feel when you complete the estate planning process will be invaluable. Call our office to get started today.
