Thank you for taking the time to learn more about Middle Class Estate Planning with the the Estate Planning System and the Not-So-Simple Will.  The EPS and the Not-So-Simple Will are more than just documents; they are a “system”.  The “system” includes the right questionnaires, decision trees, process flow, follow-up letters, and of course wills and trusts for non-tax and tax planning. The "system" is designed to simplify the estate planning process and ensure accuracy and consistency. View "The "Not-So-Simple Will” – a guide to expanding your Estate Planning services" that was presented by Thomas Begley, Jr. on October, 10.  Click Here

Middle Class Estate Planning With the Not-So-Simple Will

With the passing of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001, fewer clients will require estate tax planning. However, there are many non-tax reasons for clients to plan.  Certain non-tax situations dictate careful planning.  Many clients come to a law firm without realizing that there are special circumstances that require more than a simple Will.  It is up to the lawyer to ask the right questions and get the right information.   

Asking the right questions and getting the right information is the foundation of the EPS and the Not-So-Simple Will.  The Not-So-Simple will is more than just a different way to create documents, but it is the process you go through with your clients to help them see the additional value that you as the attorney provide through taking these situations into account:

By using the EPS, you and your firm will achieve the following results:

• Improved efficiency and consistency of the Estate Planning process and increase the value to the customer.
• Save time for you, your staff through quicker document preparation time. 
• Your clients receive the most comprehensive and customized Estate Plan possible.

Here are some of the choices the System allows the user to build into the Estate Planning package:

• • Where appropriate, the documents contain options for including children. Provisions for grandchildren are similarly included. There is also a provision for disinheritance.
  • An array of document choices with respect to estate planning strategies.  Click here to see the document list.
  • The documents contain appropriate options with respect to fiduciary provisions, including: the appointment of individual or co-fiduciaries; succession of fiduciaries; the trustee’s right to resign; fiduciary compensation; and fiduciary powers.

The Wills, Trusts, General Durable Power of Attorney, Living Will, and Health Care Power of Attorney include a custom-generated Table of Contents, which is very useful to both client and lawyer because of the length of these documents.

Why Do We Include Checklists and Decision Trees?

Like medical doctors, commercial airline pilots, and technical project managers, Estate Planning Attorneys perform many crucial tasks on a daily basis that have a tremendous impact in the lives of their clients.  With that in mind, Estate Planning Attorneys need to take advantage of the same tools – checklists – that medical doctors, commercial airline pilots and technical project managers do on a daily basis to remain focused and proficient in their daily schedule.  The EPS is based on those tools. 

Checklists help to ensure consistency and completeness in carrying out a task, while Decision Trees are tools for helping you to choose between several courses of action. They provide a structure within which you can lay out options for your client and investigate the possible outcomes those options will have in your client’s Estate Planning process. The Decision Trees ensure accuracy and reduce the number of return conversations with the client and your staff for more information.  Additionally, Decision Trees have the client’s name listed at top and bottom so it’s easy to identify one client’s documents from another.

By implementing EPS in your firm, you are building on a system of over 100 documents and letters that are customized for each client through the decisions trees and checklists. 

State-Specific Features

The System has important state-specific features. There are citations to state statutes for the following states: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

Built-in options are available for state requirements respecting two or three witnesses and requirements pertaining to whether or not a Will can contain a reference to a list of tangible personal property.  This information, and more, is contained in the firm information.

Additional Features

• EPS is designed specifically for middle class estate planning needs

• Tools for thorough analysis of client circumstances

• Client-centered documents with clauses for almost all family situations

• Content help screens throughout wills and trusts

• Single answer file for married clients

• Scenario Builder to set defaults for client types

• Checklists and questionnaires

• Decision trees to streamline client meetings and document preparation

• Quick start guide

The EPS includes a number of documents.  Here is a sample of a the Will, Individual Revocable Living Trust, Banking Power of Attorney, General Durable Power of Attorney, Engagement Letter, and CRAT.

Click here to see the list of documents.

Pricing and Ordering

We would also like to give a special thanks to these contributors to the EPS:  Linda Anderson, Tom Ebbinghouse, Bradley Frigon, Jo-Anne Jefferys, Jay Kearns, Ian Oppenheim, Jim Schuster, Dennis Toman, and Michael Weinraub.