Folks that are considering getting organized about protecting your family's health and resources because it sounds good...but like most things it seems complicated and overwhelming, this is for you.
Now that you already know it's right, because you are responsible about mitigating risk and the feeling in your gut is having you look for sound family & estate planning - it's now time for the hard part, choosing a trusted advisor.
Situation:
I called Snyder Law from the delivery room of Hoag Hospital, with the birth of our second child, I got the haunting feeling that no matter what, we had to protect the welfare of these (2) very young children, with us in the world or out. I wasn't freaking out...but I was definitely freaking out. I called Synder and spoke to Hannah, their legal assistant (who was amazing), and was immediately passed to Carolyn, Kevin's wife. The profound professionalism for which she handled my questions on the call, along with the jest of my environment (no one had ever called from the delivery room), made the conversation fun and credible. I knew this was the right team to help me and my wife navigate.
Planning:
We had a pre-call with Kevin before our design meeting, in "design meeting" I mean a white boarding session of what exactly the heck all of this is about (let's be real, we had no clue), and he solidified our first impressions of the credibility and professionalism of their office - Kevin was extremely empathetic and wanted to make sure our goals and purpose for his services and our relationship was aligned for mutual benefit, while developing a long term ecosystem of trust and empathy that we can profit from for years to come.
We discussed pricing and services, it was very clear and aligned perfectly to the expectations that we had, while also integrating into new perspectives explained eloquently by Kevin. He had our deepest concerns and wellbeing in mind as we discussed the contractural elements of how his office could engage. We had legal insurance (ARAG) through my employer, but the costing was extremely fair and far worth the exceptional service offered by Kevin per our call.
Our preliminary meeting was great - the office is in Irvine, a quick drive, and my wife and I really enjoyed the subtleties of their family run boutique law office. WARNING. If you are NOT an attorney, do drink some coffee before your meeting. If anything impressed me more than the granular detail and highly esoteric nature of estate planning law that Kevin maintained, it was the sheer volume of legal jujitsu that you must reasonably understand (or be patient through) - I realized how thankful in that instant I was to hire Kevin, as I listened to him excitedly recite our strategy, in endearing monotone. (Nicely done Kevin!)
Our 3rd meeting was a "signing meeting", where met again to confirm our plan, names, logistics, and of course sign documents. I immediately felt like we had welcomed a new group of people into our family.
Conclusion:
I would refer anyone that I cared about, who I knew cared for the welfare of their family, legacy, and wellbeing, to immediately see Kevin and Carolyn. After we had signed, and even throughout, my wife and I felt INCREDIBLY safe and comfortable, in that we had poured a bullet proof foundation to develop upon, as we continue our lives and build new ones for our family.
You deserve to feel like no matter what happens to you or loved ones around you, your children and their children, will remember your responsible planning and efforts to protect what you hold most dearest to you now, and in the future. read more