Estate Planning SErvices

What is estate planning?

Attorney, Rick Lutzel, recently wrote a book on estate Planning titled “How Do I Use My Revocable Trust”. It is available on Amazon.

Estate planning is simply the process of preparing legal documents so that your chosen individuals are appointed to take care of you, your children, your assets, and your finances in the event of your death or incapacity. The process also involves naming the people or organizations you want to inherit your assets when the time comes. An “estate plan” is simply a combination of documents strategically drafted to utilize and maximize the rules of law to accomplish your goals

If you don’t currently have a will or trust, you may think you don’t have an estate plan….but you do. It’s just that the state has written it for you! Every state has a set of statutes that governs who will care for your children and who will inherit your assets. If you have no estate documents, that’s the plan you have now. Estate planning is “opting out” of the state’s plan and putting your own wishes in place.

We have an easy, 3-step process designed to have your estate planning documents created and signed in 6-8 weeks:

The first step is to meet either in person or over Zoom. At this meeting we will discuss the law as it pertains to estate planning. We’ll discuss what it means to have a Will and what it means to have a Trust. We’ll discuss the benefits and drawbacks to each. We will discuss your goals and then devise a strategic plan to make sure your goals will be achieved.

The second step occurs when you are ready to move forward. We will email you an engagement letter and retainer fee agreement along with our Family Profile Questionnaire. Once you fill out the questionnaire, we will draft your documents, and send a copy for your review. This usually takes about two weeks. We’ll then make any changes or updates you’d like to make until the documents are exactly as you want them.

The last step is when everything looks good, we’ll coordinate an in-person Signing Session.

What can I expect?

An attorney who listens without interrupting and makes sure you fully understand your options before making any decisions! We believe you need to fully understand your plan and how it works, or we will have done you a disservice. We’ll also review our process, flat fees, and overall client experience so you know exactly what you are getting and what the investment will be.

What are the initial steps to get started?

When you are ready to get started just give us a call or send us an email.  We will schedule a time to talk either in person or over Zoom. We’ll explain the law and estate planning options. If you do decide to retain our firm, we will give you an exact cost breakdown of our fees before we start drafting. There will be no surprises in fees at the end.

We will guide you through the entire estate planning process. When all of your documents are completed and signed, we continue to assist you in insuring your plan works exactly as intended.  

We are members of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys

real Estate

Buying and selling real property can be an enjoyable experience or it can be a challenge.  Many times, the knowledge and experience of your legal counsel dictates how the transaction concludes.  Protecting your interests, regardless of whether you are buying or selling, is the sole concern of our attorneys.  

We pride ourselves on thorough title searches and inspections of contracts, title records, and bank documents to ensure a positive outcome at closing.

We also offer the option to our clients to use our patented closing software known as OSCAR.  With OSCAR you can receive real time email notifications as each step toward your closing is accomplished.  However, if high-tech isn't your cup of tea, we still use the good, old-fashioned telephone!

Our firm can make the difference in your next closing.  Our attorneys are skilled, experienced and knowledgeable in state and local laws and do all things possible to ensure a smooth transaction.

Business Law

Starting a new business, acquiring an existing business, or maintaining your current business can seem like daunting tasks.  It is exciting and yet, sometimes intimidating.  Whatever the case may be, our attorneys have done it and we are here to help you.

There are so many factors to be considered in choosing a business entity.  You must consider what type of entity will offer legal protection from liability; what type of entity will offer the best tax advantages; what type of entity will enable you to grow the business along with so many other questions.

Our law firm has assisted countless people who faced the same questions and emerged with successful, productive businesses.  Whether you need us to help you start the business you always wanted to be part of or acquire the business you always thought would be a great asset to take over, we can help.  Sometimes assisting clients in their business dealings is simply drafting the correct documents needed at that time; but, many times it is so much more.  We work toward establishing lasting relationships with our clients, not just performing fee generating services.  Let us assist you with your business needs today.

Asset Protection PLANNING

Asset protection is a strategy that utilizes legal techniques and a combination of statutory and common law to protect the assets of individuals and businesses from claims and threats by creditors, divorce, lawsuits and judgments. Did you know you can protect your personal assets and your business from unjust and undue claims from any third party? Our process is simple, yet thorough in every way. Once we make sure there are no lawsuits or efforts to attach to you or your assets at the time of our consultation, we proceed expeditiously and completely to set about the kind of planning you need to make sure your valuable assets are completely safe.

The secret to effective asset protection is a strategy of “shielding and sheltering'“. We use a series of trusts, LLC’s and strategic planning to protect your assets.

By using our strategy to shield and shelter your personal assets, business or property, we make sure that anything you have acquired can be protected.