Free Estate Planning Consultation

I made Arizona my home in 2013 and now operate the Citadel Law Firm in Chandler serving East Valley clients in Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, and Tax Law. Our practice designs personalized estate, business, and tax planning strategies for families, business owners, and professionals.

I genuinely care about my clients; they are family and get treated as such. My finance background allows me to provide comprehensive, coordinated, and optimized solutions tailored to clients, their families, and their businesses.

This integrated approach for most clients results in financial security, peace of mind for loved ones, and a clear understanding of the resources that will be available when difficult times arise.

Frequently asked questions about our Free Estate Planning Consultation

1) What can I expect during a free estate planning consultation?

During the free consultation, we will have a discussion to understand your specific situation, goals, and concerns related to estate planning. However, we will not provide any free legal advice or draft any documents during the consultation. The purpose is to determine whether our services would be a good fit for your needs.

2) How long does a free consultation typically last?

Typically, our free estate planning consultations last between 30 minutes to 1 hour. Here are some additional details:

The initial 30 minutes allow us to:

- Get an overview of your current situation, assets, and family dynamics

- Understand your specific goals and concerns regarding estate planning

- Explain the estate planning process and the key documents involved (wills, trusts, powers of attorney, etc.)

If more time is needed after the first 30 minutes, the consultation can extend up to 1 hour. The additional time may be used to:

- Dive deeper into more complex aspects of your situation (e.g. business interests, blended families, children with special needs, etc.)

- Provide a more detailed overview of possible estate planning strategies that could meet your goals

- Discuss pricing and our flat-rate packages in more detail

- Allow you to ask any additional questions you may have related to the process.

The length ensures we have sufficient time to gather the necessary information about your circumstances, address your questions and concerns, and determine if working together is a good fit. We aim to make the best use of the scheduled consultation window.

What estate planning documents or information should I bring to the consultation?

Any estate planning documents you already have like wills, trusts, powers of attorney, etc. This will give us a better understanding of your current situation.

4) Will you provide pricing details during the free consultation?

At the conclusion of the consultation, once we have a good understanding of your specific situation, goals, and needs related to estate planning, we will go over our flat rate pricing options and packages.

The flat rate structure allows you to know the full cost upfront before engaging our services. This provides transparency and eliminates any surprises with legal fees accumulating hourly.

Our flat rates are customized based on the complexity of your situation, but some typical packages may include:

• Last Will and Testament Package
• Trust Package (Revocable Living Trust)
• Trust Package Plus (Revocable Living Trust plus additional provisions)
• Estate Plan Review/Update (for current established clients)

We will outline what is included in each flat rate package so you can select the one that best fits your requirements. Certain add-ons like advanced tax planning may incur additional fees.

Very few situations fall outside of our flat rate packages. However, in unique, highly complex cases, we may need to propose alternative billing arrangements, which we would disclose upfront.

The goal is to provide affordable, predictable estate planning fees tailored to your needs before you make any commitments. All pricing will be presented transparently during the consultation.

5) Do you offer consultations virtually or just in-person?

Only in-person, if you are in town or incapacitated we may offer virtual at our discretion.

We generally prefer to have the initial free consultation in-person at our office. This allows for a more personal interaction and the ability to review any documents or information you bring.

However, we understand some clients may be out of town or have limited mobility. In those cases, we may be able to accommodate a virtual consultation over video conference on a case-by-case basis, at our discretion. In-person is still our strong preference when possible.

6) What are the benefits of having an estate plan prepared by an attorney?

While online templates exist, having an experienced estate planning attorney draft your plan ensures it is properly customized to your specific circumstances and goals. An attorney can account for factors like your assets, family situation, tax implications, and state laws.

They can recommend the right strategies and customize provisions in legal documents like trusts and wills to carry out your wishes effectively. Attorneys also keep up with changes in laws that could impact your plan over time.

7) Can you help me with estate planning if I have out-of-state property or assets?

Yes, absolutely. While we will start by focusing on your Arizona estate planning needs, we will also ensure any out-of-state real estate, investments or other assets are properly accounted for and aligned with your overall plan. In cases where you own property in other states, we typically recommend a revocable living trust, as it can more effectively manage and transfer out-of-state assets than just a will alone. Additional provisions or legal steps may be needed for out-of-state assets as part of your tailored plan.

8) Do you offer a free review of existing estate plans for new clients?

Yes, for new clients we are happy to review any existing estate planning documents you may have, such as wills, trusts, or powers of attorney, at no charge. Even if these documents were prepared in another state, they are generally valid in Arizona. However, your circumstances may have changed, or laws may be different here. During the review, we can identify any gaps or areas that should be updated in a new Arizona estate plan tailored to your current situation and goals.