KERRY DEVINE
ATTORNEY AT LAW
KERRY DEVINE
ATTORNEY AT LAW
OUR PROCESS
What is Estate Planning?
Estate planning is the process of reviewing what you own during your lifetime and making a plan to ensure that your legacy is passed on to your loved ones according to your specific wishes. Without a proper plan, your property will be distributed among your heirs according to your state's intestacy laws. It is always better to make your own plan to avoid this default.
Estate planning typically includes a will and/or a revocable living trust; a power of attorney to make financial decisions; and a combined healthcare directive to name a healthcare agent and provide instructions for them to follow. If you have minor children, you must have a will to name legal guardians for them in case something happens to you. A comprehensive estate plan can also help minimize estate and income taxes, which means more of your estate is passed on to your family and less to the government. In this way, estate planning is an investment that maximizes the value of your estate and gives you control over its disposition.
Estate planning can be a daunting and emotional task, and it can be difficult to think about what will happen to your family after you pass away. I'll walk you through the process and make it easier. We'll focus on organizing the best possible plan for your family, and you'll have peace of mind knowing that you've planned ahead for them.
What to Expect at Our Initial Consultation:
First, I'll meet with you free of charge to discuss your estate planning goals and see how I can help you. This initial meeting usually takes less than an hour, and can be in person, by phone, or on zoom -- whichever you prefer.
We'll discuss your family, goals, concerns, and any existing estate plans. We'll talk about estate planning generally, and about what happens in New Jersey or New York if you don't have a plan. We'll discuss various options and I'll explain how they work. I'll answer your questions and we'll address any worries you may have.
At the end of this meeting, I'll suggest a preliminary plan and quote a fee range so you can make an informed decision about proceeding. If we decide to work together, you'll return our engagement agreement with a partial payment, and we'll get started.
Designing Your Family's Plan:
We'll review your goals and discuss in detail any issues identified at our first meeting. Together, we'll create a customized estate planning strategy that meets your objectives and addresses your concerns. This meeting typically lasts an hour and half to two hours. It usually takes place at my office, but we can meet on zoom or wherever is most convenient for you.
Next, I'll draft the appropriate documents to ensure that your plan will work as intended. We'll schedule our next meeting to review and sign the documents, usually about three weeks later.
Signing & Delivery:
We'll go over your completed documents together to make sure your plan meets your goals and alleviates your specific worries, and I'll answer any questions you may have. You'll sign the documents at my office with the proper legal formalities.
Complimentary Follow-up:
We offer all estate planning clients a complimentary check-up meeting. During this meeting, we'll discuss any changes to your family or estate and review your estate plan to determine what, if anything, needs updating.
Please feel free to call or email me any time there is a change in your family circumstances, and whenever you have questions or concerns about your plan.