Annual Estate Planning Review Program
Estate planning is an ongoing process. It is important to regularly revisit your documents to ensure they accurately represent your current circumstances, wishes, and priorities.
By enrolling in our Annual Estate Planning Review Program, you'll be able to revisit your plan with me on an annual basis to ensure that your wishes are upheld, your assets are protected, and your legacy is preserved in accordance with changing circumstances.
Why an Annual Review?
When changes in your life occur, it's easy to overlook how those changes may impact your Estate Plan. In most cases, your Estate Plan is the last thing on your mind.
By reviewing your plan with me annually, we will have the opportunity to discuss recent life changes and identify any impact they may have on your Estate Plan. Here are some examples of events that may lead to updates.
Death of a loved one or designated agent
Birth of a child
Adding or removing beneficiaries
Marital status change
Major financial changes
Selling assets that were once planned for
Change in needs as you age
Change in family dynamics or potential disputes
How It Works...
Enroll
When you enroll in the program, you'll receive one year FREE! An automatic recurring payment will begin one year after enrollment.
Check-In Survey
Each April, you will be sent a check-in survey leading you through a series of questions to determine if there are necessary or desired changes to your Estate Plan.
Check-In Call
You will have the option to book a check-in call to go over recent changes in your Estate Plan in order to understand how they may impact your estate planning process.
Periodic Updates
If there are any updates that need to be made to your Estate Plan, you will receive a discounted price for certain amendments or document updates (see pricing below).
Don't Let It Happen To You...
As an Estate Planning Attorney, I've seen it all. The failure to revisit and update an Estate Plan has led to difficult circumstances for clients in the past. I created this annual review program to give you the tools to protect your Estate Plan and avoid circumstances like I've seen in the past.
Click on each option below to read some stories of issues I have seen with outdated plans
(some of the issues are because clients came to me involving outdated plans I didn’t prepare)
Adult children were unable to provide care for their father...
A husband and wife named each other and each of their same-age best friends as a successor ten years ago. While the husband experienced cognitive decline first, his otherwise healthy wife passed unexpectedly and his best friend moved several states away to retire. The husband no longer can update his documents because he no longer has the mental capacity. The couple's adult children will now have to go through a Court guardianship/conservatorship proceeding to provide care for and to manage the husband’s affairs, which will result in costly bond and legal fees, on-going reporting to and oversight by the Court, and delays in getting access to accounts needed to pay bills.
An individual failed to fund their trust and was subjected to a lengthy and costly probate process...
A single person paid for the creation of a trust and promised that they would make the trust the beneficiary of various accounts and change the deed to their house to reflect their trust as the owner. Of course, life obligations turned into procrastination on this task, and the trust did not get funded. This person’s estate must go through the lengthy and costly probate process despite already paying the costs to create the trust.
Adult children began costly legal proceedings against each other...
20 years ago, a decedent prepared a will making distributions of real estate to each of her three children. She subsequently sold two parcels of land, essentially leaving only one child with a distribution since she did not update her will after selling some assets. Handwritten edits were made on the will, creating challenges with the admission of the Will into probate. The children whose specific distribution was sold have involved the third child in contentious litigation that will easily cost between $25,000 to $50,000. More significantly, the decedent’s children are no longer on speaking terms due to the confusion caused by failing to update the Will making the decedent’s wishes clear.
A family was left without access to their loved one's medical records...
A wife listed her husband as her only authorized agent, but they subsequently separated. The wife died unexpectedly, and her family wants answers on the cause of her death to pursue either a wrongful death or a malpractice lawsuit. However, her family will have to pursue legal action just to get the medical providers to release her records if the estranged husband will not cooperate.
Program Benefits
By enrolling as a member in this program, you will have access to an annual check-in survey and a FREE annual check-in call with Attorney Tyechia White or a member of the Trusted Legal Warrior team. Together, these resources will help you determine if any changes are needed for your estate plan. Additionally, you will receive roughly a 30% discount on any updates to your estate plan (see below).
INCLUDED Annual Check-In Call
Each year, you’ll have access to a free 30-minute call with Attorney Tyechia White to discuss any recent life changes and how they may impact your Estate Plan.
Member
FREE
INCLUDED Annual Check-In Survey
Each April, you will received an automated annual check in survey of questions curated by Attorney Tyechia White, leading you through a series of questions to help you determine whether or not any changes should be made to your Estate Plan.
Member
FREE
Update Beneficiaries & Trustees (Trust)
You may need to update your beneficiaries and trustees in the event of birth, death, interpersonal conflict (e.g. separation or divorce), or changes in asset distributions involving your trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries to avoid unintended consequences in your Estate Plan.
Non-Member
$650
Member
$455
Update Beneficiaries & Personal Representative (Will)
Although infrequent, you may need to update your beneficiaries and personal representative in the event of birth, death, interpersonal conflict (e.g. separation or divorce), or changes in asset distributions involving your trustees, personal representatives, and beneficiaries to avoid unintended consequences in your Estate Plan.
Non-Member
$500
Member
$350
Update Ancillary Documents
The individuals designated to make decisions on your behalf are aging with you and changing circumstances may require you to update your ancillary documents. Trusted Legal Warrior will update you Power of Attorney, Healthcare Agent and HIPAA documents to meet your changing desires and needs.
Non-Member
$300
Member
$210
Funding Services
Once your trust is created, it is vital to fund it. Trusted Legal Warrior will do the legwork of drafting one (1) quit-claim deed, up to four (4) bank accounts, two (2) life insurance policies, two (2) retirement accounts, two (2) non-retirement investment accounts, and two (2) vehicles. Each additional account can be funded for $150 and each additional deed can be drafted for $500 (see below). For deeds, a separate recording fee will apply.
Non-Member
$1000
Member
$700
Additional Account Funding
Trusted Legal Warrior will work with you to change the beneficiary designation of any additional accounts that you need funded.
Non-Member
$220
Member
$150
Additional Real Estate Deed
If you have more real estate asset, it is crucial to change ownership of the deed to your Trust or business entity. Trusted Legal Warrior will draft the necessary deed (if located in DC, MD or NC) to protect your real estate assets. A separate recording fee will apply.
Non-Member
$650
Member
$500
FAQ
Will the cost of the program ever change?
The current cost of the program is $150 per year. Once you sign up, you will be locked into that price as long as Trusted Legal Warrior maintains the program. Costs of additional program benefits may fluctuate over time, but you will receive a 30% discount on those services and will receive notice if/when the prices for these additional benefits increase.
When will I be billed for the Annual Estate Planning Review Program?
Once you enroll in the program, you will receive one year free. Although you will enter your payment details upon enrollment, you will not be charged for the program during that first year. Your first payment for the program will be automatically deducted exactly one year from your enrollment date.
Does my spouse need to enroll in the program too?
No. The cost of program enrollment is per Estate Plan as opposed to per person. Therefore, if you prepared a joint Estate Plan, you and your spouse are both covered under one program enrollment fee.
Can I opt out of this program at any time?
Yes! Just let us know that you’d like to unenroll from the program prior to your renewal date and we’ll be happy to cancel your membership.
What if I want to completely redo my Estate Plan?
While it is rare, significant life changes may cause you to want to completely redo your Estate Plan. Depending on the complexity of your Estate Plan, this can cost between $3000 to $5000. As a member of this program, you will receive a 30% discount on your restatement based on the applicable rate for the estate package in the year needed.
What happens if I don't need any changes in a given year?
No problem! The goal of this program is to ensure that you’re checking in on an annual basis. You will simply be charged the annual $150 fee, and will receive the check-up email the next year.
Does enrollment in this program mean that we have an ongoing attorney-client relationship?
No. The annual check-up program is an administrative process to work with you to keep your estate planning top of mind. A new attorney-client engagement will be provided only when you agree to work with Trusted Legal Warrior to update your plan or draft additional documents.
Is the notary fee included in the membership price?
No. At this time, you will pay any notarization fee directly to the notary public when you sign the updated documents.
Is there a fee to notarize documents or record deeds?
The above price list includes the cost of Trusted Legal Warrior's services. However, in some cases you may need to pay an additional fee to record a deed or notarize documents. These fees will be paid directly to the third party.
Can I pay monthly instead of annually?
Yes! We offer the option to pay an annual ($150) or monthly ($15) payment. Regardless of which option you choose, you will not be charged during the first year of the program.
Who can I contact with additional questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] if you have additional questions about the program.