From first call to signed binder, the process is unhurried, transparent, and thoroughly explained at every stage. Most plans complete in five to seven weeks; family-office engagements occasionally run longer. You will know what is happening, every step of the way.
Thirty unhurried minutes by phone or in our offices. We listen first. You describe your family, your assets, the events that brought you here. We sketch what a complete plan would look like for your situation and quote a flat fee in writing within twenty-four hours.
A written fee quote, an outline of recommended instruments, and a sense of whether the relationship feels right.
Should you proceed, you sign an engagement letter and complete our family-and-asset intake form. The form is detailed by design — it pulls together the information your plan must answer, in one place, before drafting begins.
A complete intake on file, a partner assigned to your matter, and a drafting calendar with two scheduled milestone calls.
Your assigned partner drafts every instrument personally, with internal review by a second partner before any document leaves the office. You receive a clean draft, a redline against any prior plan, and a plain-English summary of every meaningful provision.
We meet, walk through the draft section by section, answer every question, and capture every desired revision. There is no clock running; we stay until the document reads exactly as you want it to read. Revisions return within five business days.
You return to our offices to sign. Our paralegals serve as witnesses, our notary affixes seal, and the documents are made self-proving where applicable. Funding deeds for your trust are recorded the following business day. You leave with the original binder.
A leather binder of executed originals, digital scans uploaded to your secure vault, and a wallet card listing the location of every document.
Once your plan is in place, we keep it current. Optional annual-review retainer puts you on the firm's calendar for a yearly check-in — beneficiary audit, tax-law update, and any life-event revisions. Plans drift out of alignment slowly; the review keeps yours straight.
Slow drafting beats fast drafting, every time. The instruments we sign today are the ones a court will read in twenty years.— Eleanor Fairhaven · Managing Partner
Approximate values are sufficient. Real estate, accounts, retirement plans, life insurance, business interests, and meaningful tangible items.
Names of those you would consider as executor, trustee, healthcare proxy, and guardians for any minor children.
Any current will, trust, or power of attorney — even if old or never executed. We will tell you whether they are usable.
Bring every question you have, written down. You will leave with a written quote and clear answers — and the conversation is complimentary.
Reserve a complimentary thirty-minute consult with one of our partner attorneys. Calls available within five business days.
Reserve Your Consult