Step 1: Make an Appointment
To make an appointment call Lily Brown, Mary Anne’s legal assistant, at (206) 624-6271 or email her at lbrown@reedlongyearlaw.com
After you make your appointment, Mary Anne will call you to briefly discuss the issues that are important to you and will give you an estimate of the cost to prepare your estate plan. There is no charge for this initial telephone conversation.
Step 2: Complete an Estate Planning Questionnaire
Before your appointment, which because of COVID-related cautions will be by telephone, complete an Estate Planning Questionnaire (EPQ) found on Mary Anne’s attorney page. You can fill out the EPQ directly on your computer or print it and complete it by hand. If you would like us to postal mail you a paper copy, just ask. When Mary Anne receives your completed EPQ , Lily will contact you to make a telephone appointment with Mary Anne to discuss the EPQ.
Step 3: Meet with Mary Anne
At your appointment, Mary Anne will review your completed EPQ with you and answer your questions, such as “What type of person would make the best Executor?” or “Will the government take taxes from my estate at my death?” We will validate your parking ticket if you park in our office building when you come to our office to sign your new estate planning documents with our Reed Longyear staff.
Step 4: Establish the Attorney-Client Relationship
Mary Anne will ask you to sign an Employment and Fee Agreement (Agreement) and pay an advance fee deposit (AFD) of approximately half of the estimated cost for your work. You may pay your advance fee deposit online by Visa or Mastercard, or mail a paper check to our office address.
Step 5: Writing the Documents
Once we have received all required information from you, we will write your documents. Other attorneys in the Reed Longyear firm often assist Mary Anne in writing you documents.
Step 6: Reading Your Draft Documents
We will email or postal mail you your draft documents for review. Please set aside at least 30 minutes to review your draft documents within the first week of receiving them. E-mail or call us with any questions or changes. We will send revised drafts to you with your changes.
Step 7: Your Will Signing
When you are ready to sign your documents, contact us to schedule an appointment to come to our office for signing. The office staff will witness and notarize your documents. After signing you will take your original signed documents with you. Reed Longyear will keep an electronic copy of the signed documents and email a signed copy to you . You must store your original signed documents in a fireproof and waterproof place such as a bank safe deposit box or a safe in your home. Notify your nominated Executor, your contingent Executor and our firm where you have stored your documents.
Step 8: Thank Yourself
We hope this process gives you the peace of mind you deserve for having thoughtfully provided for your family and friends in the years to come.