Hey Addie, What’s a Strategy Session?
Everything you need to know about scheduling, preparing for, and getting the most out of an estate planning strategy session with Addie Prewitt Law.
When it comes to an estate plan, there is no crystal ball.
No matter how hard we try, there is no way to predict the future.
Then why bother with estate planning at all, right? Respectfully, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. It’s way more important to plan for the unpredictable. Think about it: if you knew what was going to happen or had the kind of control that you might crave, then it wouldn’t be nearly as important to set up a comprehensive estate plan that protects yourself and your family to the best of your ability.
The best way to really get a strong estate plan is to do everything you can to establish a clear plan for whatever comes your way. More often than not, this means working with a licensed estate planning lawyer in your state. I’ve discussed the process of working with an estate planning lawyer in previous blog posts. But, here, we’re going to discuss what sets my solo law practice apart from the other estate planning firms.
While some lawyers offer extremely short consultations free of charge, others might skip the free consultation altogether and funnel you right into a high-ticket price service.
I meet my potential clients in the middle with what I call the Strategy Session.
I’ve found that a ‘free’ consultation might be a meeting that is free of charge, but it’s also a time when very little information gets exchanged either. Very rarely do potential clients feel informed and/or prepared enough to commit to full-scale estate planning services.
Estate planning is different for everyone.
It’s a very personal and customized process. If we don’t have time allotted to dig deeper into your situation, then there’s no way to plan for the process you’ll need to get the plan you deserve.
Here’s what’s cool about a Strategy Session: we get to commit to working together for 60 minutes before we ever engage in a long-term client/lawyer contract. And, after the 60-minute strategy session, we both have a very clear roadmap for the client/lawyer partnership that we do engage in.
Here’s the truth about estate planning in Louisiana:
To those who think that the process of working with an estate planning lawyer didn’t need improvement, I want to offer some cold hard facts about the state of estate planning among adults in Louisiana.
40% of adults have never had an estate planning discussion of any kind.
Only 32% of people in Louisiana have a will when they die.
Nearly 85% of people pass away without any other estate planning besides a will.
I’m here to tell you: if you’re ready to separate yourself from the pack, then you’ve come to the right place.
When you book a strategy session with me, you are:
taking a huge step towards preparing yourself and your family for what’s to come.
not going to put it off anymore.
going to do everything in your power to create peace of mind for those you love.
When you book a strategy session, you’re getting in the game, and you’re playing to win.
Set yourself apart from the pack, and get your estate plan prepared today.
Start at the beginning with Estate Planning
You’ve been thinking about it for a long time and you’re ready to make good on the estate planning promises you’ve been making to yourself over the years.
“I’m going to write my will this year.”
“Before the kids go off to school, I’m going to get my affairs in order.”
“By the time I retire, I’m going to get everything sorted out.”
First of all, there is something to be said for keeping estate planning on your radar.
I’m here to help you bring these promises to life.
At this point, you’ve read through some of my blog posts, including the super informative Working with a Louisiana Estate Planning Lawyer from Start to Finish. From your research, you understand that working with an estate planning lawyer will ultimately cut down on the time it would take you to complete your own estate plan. And, you’ll probably be better informed because of it.
Plus, you’ve come across too much information in your research that you didn’t know before, which makes the idea of working with an estate planning attorney that much easier.
But, you might be asking yourself: “how do I know which estate planning lawyer is right for me?”
Like most things, the answer to this question really depends on what you’re looking for, what your situation is, and what your expectations are.
As a Louisiana estate planning attorney, I believe everyone would benefit from a one-on-one conversation with a licensed estate planning lawyer.
There is so much information that is not common knowledge. Having the ability to simply ask questions about your specific situation can make a huge difference in your estate planning.
It is my main goal to make estate planning information as accessible as possible.
As an estate planning lawyer, I want to share this knowledge with anyone who is interested, and hopefully make estate planning easier and more common in doing so.
Aside from working with clients, I do the following:
Write these weekly estate planning blog posts right here on my website, which are available any time you need to do some research.
I have a weekly newsletter that’s full of the most up-to-date Louisiana estate planning information. I send you the basics of Louisiana estate planning including best practices, updated legislation, and common mistakes I often see people make.
For the Louisianan who’s ready to work with an estate planning lawyer, I offer unique 60-minute one-on-one virtual strategy sessions.
I haven’t seen many lawyers offer this kind of service, so let’s talk about what a strategy session with Addie Prewitt Law really looks like.
The first step in your estate plan is the hardest (and most important.)
The first step of working with me is scheduling a strategy session.
Many lawyers offer a free 15-minute consultation that may or may not result in any answered questions. I offer 60 minutes of my time - enough to take a deep dive into your situation.
From the estate planning strategy session page on my website, you’ll be able to select the time that works best for you, make a payment, and receive detailed information as soon as you book your strategy session.
Once your booking is finalized, you’ll immediately receive an email with information preparing you for our meeting, including an intake form.
You’ll complete the intake form prior to our meeting. The intake form serves as the basis for our strategy session and moves you forward in the process of deciding on your estate planning goals.
The intake form asks for information about you, and your situation, and has space for you to ask questions or include any information that you think is relevant. By completing this intake form, you are ensuring that I have all the information I need to best guide you on your estate planning journey.
During our meeting, I’ll be able to give you my opinion on estate planning options and begin advising you on the best estate planning practices for your situation. Because there are as many ways to create a great estate plan as there are people that need them, this strategy session is an introduction to the full estate planning process.
From this strategy session, we’ll be able to decide if we’d like to work together on your full estate plan.
A few important things to remember about the strategy session:
I can give you legal advice during our meeting, based on the information I have.
While I can give legal advice, this strategy session does not officially make you a client.
If we choose to work together, you’ll get a proposal of services with a fee structure and a contract to sign after the strategy session.
If you’re looking to deepen your understanding of estate planning, then sign up for weekly insights and best practices here:
2. What will we talk about during our strategy session?
Our session will be based on the information you provide in the intake form.
As you learned in my blog post, Louisiana Estate Planning Made Easy, I utilize technology to make our estate planning collaboration as easy and seamless as possible.
The intake form is a Google Form that, upon completion, will automatically be sent to me for review. You’ll also receive a copy for your records. While many people have more than enough information to complete the intake form, you’ll only need to fill it out to the best of your ability.
Our call will take place over Google Meet. During our meeting, we’ll go over the answers to your intake form, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions or update any information that you need.
During this session, we will strategize and brainstorm together, discussing estate planning options in detail. So, maybe you already have a will, but you need powers of attorney. Or, you have both a will and powers of attorney, but I think you should look into establishing a trust.
We’ll talk about your options, including the ones you didn’t know you had.
Plan Today for Peace of Mind Tomorrow
3. What happens after our strategy session?
Once we’ve completed our 60-minute strategy session, we will both have a clear idea of the estate planning process ahead.
I will review the information we discussed in our meeting and send a recap video (especially helpful if we talk about a bunch of stuff that’s new to you) and a proposal for estate planning services.
You can review my estate planning pricing here.
Because there are many ways to create an estate plan, it is only after the strategy session that I can give you a specific pricing structure for my services. The strategy session fee is applied to any further estate planning services I complete for you.
The recap/proposal I send will include the exact steps I will take to complete your Louisiana estate plan.
I most commonly quote fixed prices for estate planning services, so you’ll know exactly how much it will cost before we begin. Once the proposal is approved and the contract is signed, you will officially become my client.
4. How long does it take to complete my estate plan?
This will depend on the specifics of your estate plan. But, we will agree on a timeline together.
Once I’ve drawn up the paperwork, I’ll submit it to you to review.
I typically record a video to accompany your paperwork. This video contains explanations of the content of your documents and gives any necessary or additional information. You’ll be able to save both the video and documents for your records and for later review.
Certain estate planning documents require notarized signatures. If this is the case, we’ll meet in person and finalize your estate planning documents.
I’ll give you a folder in which to keep your estate plan for the duration. I strongly suggest keeping these documents in a safe, yet accessible place.
Since you live in Louisiana, you’re no stranger to hurricanes. So make sure the folder is waterproof and located in an easy-to-grab place, so you can take it with you if you ever need to evacuate.
It’s always a good time to plan for your family’s future.
5. I already have some estate planning done, do I still need a strategy session?
Yes! A strategy session is a great way to get legal insight into an estate plan that you’ve worked on yourself or with another lawyer.
Depending on your legal knowledge, a strategy session can be all the collaboration you need to finalize your estate plan. This is especially true for fellow lawyers and estate planning attorneys.
I encourage anyone who is beginning the estate planning process to schedule a strategy session because it will give you the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers that pertain to your situation specifically.
Google is good, but it can’t give you insights and options based on all of the factors that come together to form your experience.
Being able to ask questions and discuss options about your specific situation is incredibly important and valuable.
If you’re still in your research phase, I encourage you to read through these blogs and subscribe to my newsletter.
When you subscribe, you’ll receive weekly emails with the latest in Louisiana estate planning, including tips, best practices, and common mistakes to avoid.
The more knowledgeable you are, the better your estate plan will be.
When you’re ready to finalize an estate plan, you can schedule a strategy session with me to get started at any time.
There is no crystal ball when it comes to estate planning. To design the most effective estate plan, you are doing everything in your power to prepare yourself and your loved ones for the inevitable unknown.
One of the most powerful ways to create a strong estate plan is by getting a licensed estate planning lawyer involved as soon as possible. If you’re ready to make a strong estate plan in Louisiana, I’m here for you. Schedule a strategy session with me today.
Happy Planning!
Take Care,
Addie
Are you ready to create an estate plan that’s right for you?
FAQ
Q: Will you be able to give me legal advice during a strategy session?
A: Yes! Booking a strategy session means that we will be able to discuss your situation specifically. Please note that scheduling a strategy session does not automatically make you a client of Addie Prewitt Law.
Once we’ve completed the 60-minute strategy session, I will send you a proposal for my estate planning services. This document will include pricing information, a review of our conversation, and any other specifics that we discussed in the meeting.
Please note that any content shared outside of the one-on-one strategy session and our lawyer-client relationship is not legal advice. This blog post and any other blog post or informative content are tools of general information and are not legal advice.
If you’re looking for specific feedback on your situation, I highly recommend scheduling a 60-minute strategy session with me. You can find out more information and book yours here.
Q: How much does a strategy session cost?
A: A Strategy Session with me is $450.
I’ll gather information from you about your family, property, and debt, and we’ll discuss your estate planning goals.
I will be able to offer legal advice during this meeting when appropriate.
Make sure to bring any questions that you have for me!
DISCLAIMER - (I am a lawyer, after all :)
Scheduling this Strategy Session does not make you my client.
If we're a good fit to work together, I'll provide a proposal with scope and pricing information to you.
The fee paid for the strategy session does not cover full estate planning services. Though the fee will be applied to any estate planning services that you move forward with.
Q: Which documents will I likely need to create a complete estate plan?
A: It can vary from client to client, but generally, folks looking to make an estate plan can count on needing some, if not all, of the following documents:
Last will and testament
Living trust
Beneficiary designations
Financial power of attorney
Advance healthcare directive/healthcare power of attorney
Insurance policies (health, life, car, home, etc.)
Titles and property deeds (car, home, boat, rental property)
Proof of identity (social security card, prenup agreement, birth/marriage/divorce certificates, etc)
Digital logins and passwords (yes, all of them)
Funerary instructions (although I believe these should be given directly to your loved ones prior to your death.)
Take a look behind the legal curtain.
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Take a deeper dive into Lousiana estate planning with more posts by Addie Prewitt Law:
Regardless of what you already have in place (or not), if you don’t already have a power of attorney set up, then that should be your next step.
This is an often overlooked and misunderstood document that could save you and your loved ones a lot of stress when life serves up it’s favorite dish: the unexpected.
A quite note before we get started: a power of attorney document is not exclusively for estate planning. However, a successful estate plan always includes a power of attorney.