Tier 1
Core Estate Planning
Clients $500K – $10 Million
“Over my 40+ year career, I have found the biggest mistake people make is failing to continually review and update their estate plan.
Most clients go too long without reviewing or giving additional thought to their estate plan. We recommend a review every year at best and at least a review every time there is a significant event in your life at worst case.”
– Matt Dana, Founder
What is Core Estate Planning?
Some studies show that almost 60% of adults in the United States don’t even have a Last Will and Testament (“Will”).
Certainly, a larger percentage of that group of people don’t have a Revocable Living Trust, which, in most cases, is more advantageous than a Will. For most people, they should at least have a Last Will and Testament. If they have assets in excess of $500,000, they would greatly benefit from a Revocable Living Trust.
These are the basic Estate Planning documents that this group needs to provide “peace of mind” to them and their loved ones:
Revocable Living Trust
A legal document that allows you to place your assets into a trust during your lifetime—and retain control over them. You can change or revoke the trust at any time while you’re alive.
Click here to learn about the benefits of a Revocable Trust.
Pour-over Last Will & Testament
A legal document that ensures any assets not already in your trust at the time of your death are transferred—or “poured over”—into your revocable living trust. It acts as a safety net to make sure all your assets follow your estate plan.
Click here to learn about a Pour-over Last Will & Testament.
Durable Financial Power of Attorney
A legal document that allows someone you trust to manage your financial affairs if you become unable to do so. It stays in effect even if you are incapacitated, ensuring your bills, accounts, and property are handled without court intervention.
Click here to learn about a Pour-over Last Will & Testament.
Health Care Power of Attorney
A legal document that lets you appoint someone to make medical decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to speak for yourself. It ensures your health care wishes are followed by someone you trust.
Click here to learn about the benefits of a Health Care Power of Attorney
Living Will
A legal document that outlines your preferences for medical treatment if you’re seriously ill or injured and unable to communicate. It guides doctors and loved ones on end-of-life care based on your wishes.
Other
In addition to those mentioned above, we also provide estate planning in thie following areas:
- IRA Planning
- Life Insurance Planning
- Retirement Planning
Specialty Trusts
- Gun Trusts
- Pet Trusts
- IRA Look Thru Trusts
- Life Insurance Trusts
- Charitable Trusts
- Clients
- 7K+
- Locations
- 15
- Combined Years of Experience
- 80+
- Attorneys
- 9
- Paralegals
- 4
“Financial advisors and Wall Street are spending millions of dollars developing ‘online estate planning platforms’ for use by financial advisors. These advisors pay subscription fees to access these services, which they then use as a draw to attract clients to their financial offerings. Many of these same advisors are also using social media to criticize what they call the ‘evils of lawyer-led estate planning.'”
– Matt Dana
Lawyer and LLM (Taxation)
What’s the Process?
Submit an inquiry as provided below and we will email you a simple two-page “Fact Finder” so we can collect some general information about you so that we can assign the appropriate lawyer for you and choose the most appropriate office location to meet. We can also offer a Zoom conference if more convenient.
2. Request an Attorney (Optional)
From our Attorney bios on this website, if you see an Attorney that you would like to work with, make that request in your submission.
Once you submit your Fact Finder, we will call you to schedule a Complimentary Initial Consultation to see if we are a good fit.
During your initial consult, we will quote a flat fee for each “design session” needed in designing your new Revocable Trust. In most cases it will be one design session but may be two depending on your needs. Designing a trust is like designing a custom home.
5. Flat Fees Quoted to draft and Implement your Trust
After your design sessions, our attorneys will quote a flat fee to draft and implement your Revocable Trust.
Keep Your Trust Updated
All of our fee quotes to do a Trust include our help and guidance in making sure the Trust is properly funded. Make sure that your Trust stays properly funded, sign up for our Trust Shield – annual client members subscription plan.
The face of Estate Planning is changing
Women are at the forefront of today’s unprecedented generational wealth transfer—are you ready to take charge? Explore how Hallie Tessendorf, Sandra Gardner, and Becky Easton empower women to shape their financial future through intentional, values-based estate planning. Get insights into their unique strategy, read authentic client testimonials, and access curated resources designed for women navigating inheritance and financial empowerment.
Estate Planning with Purpose™
Protecting the Lives You Love
We understand that it is not death that we are dealing with, it is the lives of those left behind that matter. Estate Planning with Purpose™ is about living. It is about their peace of mind and financial security.
Avoid Common Estate Planning Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes of Estate Planning is failing to properly transfer your assets into the Trust. This is commonly called “Funding your Trust”.
Meet our Funding Coordinator, Aylza
Our Firm Concierge, Aylza, is here to assist with all client needs. Whether you’re looking for information or need help with your trust, Aylza is your go-to person.
Client needs may include:
- Requesting copies of important documents
- Assistance with funding a trust
- Deeding property into a trust
- Amending a trust
Any other support—whatever the client needs, Aylza is here to help!
Need to Amend An Existing Trust?
Check out our sister law firm that specializes in amending trusts.
Here are some of the most common reasons your Trust may need to be updated:
- Out of State Documents
- Changes in the Law
- Changes in Washington – Taxes
- Changes in Size of Estate
- Changes in Relationships
- Divorce
- Death in the Family
Schedule a Free Appointment
Frequently Asked Questions About Core Estate Planning
What is core estate planning?
Core estate planning is the foundation of protecting your assets and loved ones. It typically includes essential documents like a will, revocable living trust, powers of attorney, and a living will to ensure your wishes are carried out.
Do I need a will or a trust?
Most people should have at least a will, but if you have assets over $500,000, a revocable living trust is often the better option for avoiding probate and maintaining control of your assets.
What is a revocable living trust?
A revocable living trust allows you to place your assets into a trust while maintaining control during your lifetime. You can modify or revoke it at any time, making it a flexible and powerful estate planning tool.
How often should I update my estate plan?
It’s recommended to review your estate plan at least once a year or after any major life event, such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, or significant financial changes.
What happens if I don’t have an estate plan?
Without an estate plan, your assets will be distributed according to state law, which may not reflect your wishes and can create unnecessary stress for your family.
What documents are included in a core estate plan?
A complete estate plan typically includes:
What is a pour-over will?
A pour-over will ensures that any assets not already placed in your trust are transferred into it after your passing, helping keep your estate plan consistent.
What does “funding a trust” mean?
Funding a trust means transferring ownership of your assets—like real estate or accounts—into the trust. This is a critical step that many people overlook.
Why is funding a trust so important?
If your trust isn’t properly funded, it may not function as intended, and your assets could still go through probate—defeating one of the main benefits of having a trust.
How long does the estate planning process take?
The process typically involves an initial consultation, one or two design sessions, and document drafting. The timeline can vary depending on the complexity of your needs.
What is a design session in estate planning?
A design session is where you work with your attorney to structure your trust and overall plan—similar to designing a custom home based on your goals and needs.
How much does estate planning cost?
Estate planning is typically offered at a flat fee based on your specific needs, ensuring transparency and no surprise costs.
Can I update my trust after it’s created?
Yes, a revocable living trust can be amended or updated as your life circumstances change, ensuring your plan stays aligned with your goals.
What are the most common estate planning mistakes?
Common mistakes include:
- Not having a plan at all
- Failing to update documents
- Not properly funding a trust
- Relying solely on online templates instead of professional guidance
Check out our article by Matt Dana that discusses the 10 Common Mistakes in Estate Planning.
Why choose attorney-led estate planning?
Attorney-led estate planning ensures your documents are legally sound, customized to your situation, and aligned with current laws—providing greater protection than generic online solutions.