All client meetings are held virtually via zoom, phone conference or over email.

 

Initial Consultation - "Fit" Meeting

 

An initial consultation is the very first meeting we have. This will be conducted over the phone or via email or zoom. This meeting is free of charge. We like to refer to it as a "fit" meeting since we will be discussing your goals and objectives and how Armentrout & Associates can help, and we decided if we are a good "fit."  

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To schedule a fit meeting, we ask you to click on one of the buttons below to begin the process.

 

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Process:

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Engagement / Initial Payment

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Once we determine that we want to proceed, you will be sent an “Estate Planning Engagement Letter” for your review and electronic signature. This establishes the lawyer/client relationship between you and our firm and outlines all of the rules we must follow when planning. You will also be sent a link to make your initial payment and a link to create your Virtual Account with us where you will fill out the online intake form. 

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Our firm utilizes a virtual platform called Legacy Architects™ as a key part of our estate planning process. The purpose of the online intake form is to provide basic information for estate planning purposes. At this stage, we are keeping it focused on simply information about you and your estate, not on estate planning decisions as of yet (that happens in the next phase). Once we receive your completed intake form, signed engagement letter, and initial payment, we will begin scheduling meetings. 

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Some individuals/families already know they want to move forward and do not feel a "fit meeting' is necessary. If that is your case, to become a client,  you can click on the button below to create an account with us right now. We will send you the above mentioned engagement letter and payment link upon receipt of your completed online intake form. 

 

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Design

 

Once we receive all of the above, we will set meetings over the phone, via email or zoom to begin to "design" your estate plan. We will use our virtual platform as a collaborative space where we will work together as attorney and client to review and manage your estate planning data and decisions. When we engage in any type of planning, we like to be sure you are getting a plan specifically tailored to your needs. Thus, our process takes a little bit of time. These telephone calls, video chats or emails may be longer since we get to know you and your individual situation. Even though you will be working with an attorney, we like to think of it more as working with a legal tour guide. It is our job to inform you of the laws, how we can apply them to your situation, but it is up to you to choose how your plan is ultimately formed. Each family and individual is different so we like to plan accordingly. You are the ultimate decision maker when it comes to certain aspects of your estate plan (such as whether to choose a will or a trust, who to name as successor trustees, etc.) and as you make these choices during our meetings together, we will capture and save your choices on your personal platform.

 

Finalizing

 

After we hold our “design discussions”, a critical part of the estate planning process is for you to review and finalize your data and decisions. You will review all information on your virtual platform. Once you review and finalize all your data and design choices, you will let our office know. Once we hear from you, we will request final payment. Upon receiving final payment, we will proceed with drafting your estate plan.

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Delivery of Documents

 

Once your plan is drafted, you will be given a copy for review. Upon review, if there are any errors or you feel you want to review everything together, will schedule a zoom or telephone conference. Once documents are ready for signing, we will prepare all documents in accordance with your preference. We can send them in electronic format for electronic signature and electronic notarization. Or, we will prepare hard copies which will be placed in an estate planning binder. We will send the binder to you in the mail with signing instructions. That will conclude your engagement with Armentrout & Associates, Ltd.