PRE-ENGAGEMENT: INTRODUCTORY VISIT
Before engaging our firm,
our Laureate clients have an opportunity to meet us in person, and for us to gain an overview of
your unique situation and concerns.
This brief visit is designed to provide you an opportunity to begin a personal relationship with
our firm, to give us an overview of your most pressing concerns and desires,
and to determine if our firm will be able to assist. During this complimentary
meeting, we will explain our planning process and, if we feel that we can be
of particular value to you, invite you to move forward with the Review
Engagement.
REVIEW ENGAGEMENT: Clarity of Problem
GATHERING THE DATA
When
you engage our firm to review your affairs to gain a complete understanding of
your situation and goals, we will quote a fee for the Review Engagement, and then proceed to gather
all relevant documents and information, including you:
Existing Estate Planning documents, including pre-marital and post-nuptial agreements
Most recent individual and business tax returns (past 3 years)
Business entity documentation, including articles, buy-sells, stock-ownership plans, current financial statements, etc.
Life insurance policies, including ownership, current CSV/IRV, premiums, beneficiaries and purpose for each policy
Current financial statements, including the ownership and basis of all holdings
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
Within 30 days of receiving
your information and documents, we will conduct a thorough review and evaluation to determine if, at a minimum, we can save
you significant taxes and expenses.
INITIAL
VISIT
As
part of the Review, we hold a day-long retreat with you, your loved ones, business partners,
and your other trusted advisors. Away from your normal responsibilities, we
help you to discover your enlightened dreams for your family and wealth. The
goal of the Retreat is to understand your every estate planning nuance and
desire and to heighten and expand your expectations. Your detailed input is
essential to prepare an appropriate and effective Wealth Strategies
Plan.
At
the end of our Review Engagement, you will be presented with an organized
portfolio, easily accessible and understandable to you and your
advisors.
DESIGN ENGAGEMENT: Clarity of Solution
ANALYZE
& TEST
In collaboration with
your team of trusted advisors, we analyze, test, and challenge combinations of planning theories and strategies for the allocation, distribution, and protection of
your assets. We determine which options will best fulfill your stated needs and desires for
yourself and your loved ones. This Preliminary Plan is enhanced by the contribution of the entire team of a clients 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 Estate 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
you and your Advisor Team to walk through the big picture and then the finer points of the preliminary
Integrated Wealth Strategies Plan design. We facilitate a critique of the plan to ensure that it is truly tailored to
meet and exceed your 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.
IMPLEMENTATION
ENGAGEMENT: Putting the Plan to Work
We review and confirm all aspects of the plan with
you. With your understanding and approval, we assign every detail of the plan to the appropriate advisors for immediate action. Each advisor provides
you with a detailed plan and implementation schedule.
CONFIRMATION
During this celebratory visit, we answer any remaining questions and present
you with your completed Integrated Wealth Strategies Plan.
THE
BAY LAUREL COUNSELOR PROGRAM: Continuity of Relationship
After becoming intimately involved with
the lives of your family, many clients want to keep us involved. Through
our Counselor Program, we will be available to you as needed on an ongoing basis
to address concerns as they arise and to keep your Plan current. In the tradition of the old-fashioned family lawyer, we created the
Bay Laurel Counselor Program to give you the opportunity to enjoy continuity
in our relationship by placing us on retainer.
