PRE-ENGAGEMENT: INTRODUCTORY VISIT
Before engaging our firm,
our clients have an opportunity to meet us in person, and we gain an overview of their unique situation and concerns. During this complimentary meeting, we will explain our planning process and the client will decide to move forward with
our firm. This complimentary visit is designed to provide an opportunity to
begin a personal relationship with the client, instill confidence in our firm and set expectations.
Clarity of Problem
GATHERING THE DATA
When
the client engages our firm, our first step to review their affairs to gain a complete understanding of their situation and
goals. We will quote a fee for the Engagement, and the proceed to gather and evaluate the following information:
• Business entity documentation, including articles, buy-sells, stock-ownership plans, current financial
statements, including the ownership and basis of all holdings, etc.
• Most recent individual and business tax returns (past 3 years)
• Life insurance policies relating to the business owners or key employees, including ownership, current CSV/IRV, premiums, beneficiaries and purpose for each policy
• Copies of all real estate deeds, co-ownership agreements and any liabilities on properties
• Confidential Client Profile completed by the Client or their Advisor
EVALUATION
Prior to substantive meetings with a
business planning client, we perform a thorough review and evaluation of the
gathered documentation.
During this review, we will schedule a
meeting with the client and any advisors they invite, away from all business responsibilities, to enable the client to tell us in detail about their
business and wealth strategy goals. The client’s specific input is essential to prepare an appropriate and effective Wealth Strategies Plan. At the end of this evaluation, the client will be presented with an organized portfolio, easily accessible and understandable to the client and the other advisors.
INITIAL
VISIT
We visit with the client,
business partners and their advisors to understand their every planning goal and desire and to heighten and expand their expectations.
Clarity of Solution
ANALYZE
& TEST
In collaboration with the client’s team of advisors, we analyze, test, and challenge combinations of planning theories and strategies for the
client’s business. We determine those that will best fulfill the client’s stated needs and desires for themselves,
their partners and families. This Preliminary Plan is often enhanced by the contribution of the entire team of a client’s advisors.
BUILDING
THE PLAN
Through the use of narratives, graphs, charts, models, and schedules, our firm and the other advisors build every aspect of your comprehensive and understandable
Business Succession Plan. While there is no perfect answer, we strive for the optimal impact within a manageable plan.
PRESENTING
THE PRELIMINARY PLAN
We then meet with the client and Advisor Team to walk through the big picture and then the finer points of the preliminary plan design. We facilitate a critique of the plan to ensure that it is truly tailored to satisfy and exceed the client’s every expectation. During this critique, we note every reaction, critique, and idea in order to further tailor the plan.
PRESENTING
THE ENHANCED PLAN
We present the fine-tuned plan with the enhancements and set fees, timelines, responsibilities for the Implementation of the plan. The infinitely complex plan is transformed into an understandable and workable model.
Putting
the Plan to Work
We review and confirm all aspects of the plan with the client. With the client’s understanding and approval, we assign every detail of the plan to the appropriate advisors for immediate action. Each advisor provides the client with a detailed plan and implementation schedule.
CONFIRMATION
During this celebratory visit, we answer any remaining questions and present the client with their completed
Entity or Business Succession Plan.
THE
FAMILY COUNSELOR PROGRAM: Continuity of Relationship
After becoming intimately involved with our
clients' business and lives, they often want us to remain involved, to be available to them on an ongoing basis and to keep the plan current, so, in the tradition of the old-fashioned family lawyer, we created the Family Counselor Program.
