Our Estate Planning Process

You do not need to choose between a will, a trust, or another planning tool before contacting us. We begin with your questions and goals, explain our recommendations, and guide you through preparing, reviewing, and signing your estate-planning documents.

Here is what you can expect when working with Fenton & Grimwood on a traditional estate plan.

Your Initial Consultation

Meet with us in person, by phone, or through Zoom. At your consultation, you will complete a brief intake form. We will discuss your situation and goals, answer your questions, and recommend next steps. Initial consultations for traditional estate planning are complimentary.

If you decide to hire us, we will agree on the scope of work and fee before moving forward.

Gathering Your Family &
Asset Information

After you hire us, we will provide a questionnaire covering important information about your family and assets.

We will review your responses and follow up with any questions or requests for additional documentation. This helps us gather the information needed to prepare a plan around your circumstances and goals.

Reviewing Your Plan

Once we have the necessary information, we will prepare draft documents and an easy-to-follow summary explaining how your plan works to accomplish your goals.

You will have an opportunity to review everything, ask questions, and request changes. We will proceed to signing once the final versions have been agreed upon.

Signing and Putting Your Plan into Place

Once your documents are finalized, we will arrange for signing and confirm the asset-ownership and beneficiary updates needed to coordinate your assets with your plan. We will explain which steps we will assist with and which you will need to complete.

You will keep your original signed documents, neatly organized in a tabbed estate-planning portfolio. Our firm will retain digital copies in our archives.

Keeping Your Plan Current

Your family, assets, and goals may change over time. When they do, contact us to discuss whether your estate plan needs attention.

We will also introduce our optional Evergreen Membership, which supports ongoing maintenance of your plan. Learn more about membership below.

Request a Complimentary Consultation

Ongoing Support Through
Evergreen Membership

Your estate plan should receive attention as your family, assets, and goals change. Evergreen Membership gives you continued access to Fenton & Grimwood for maintaining the estate plan we prepared for you.

Membership includes:

An annual review meeting to discuss your plan and changing circumstances.
Routine updates to your covered estate-planning documents.
Ongoing trust-funding guidance to help coordinate assets with your trust.
Digital copies of your covered estate-planning documents.

We will explain availability, annual fees, and membership terms during your planning process. Members should contact us when circumstances change so we can help determine whether updates are needed. Major planning changes and services outside routine maintenance require a separate engagement.