Estate Planning
We Provide Sophisticated Advanced Estate Planning
We help our clients take advantage of the nuances of the various laws in ways to plan for incapacity, minimize tax, meet multi-generational objectives, provide asset protection and meet charitable objectives. With many years of experience in this field, our team works together to ensure a multi-layer approach to estate planning.
Understanding Estate Planning Documents
There are four legal documents that are commonly referred to as an estate plan. It is a common misconception that the sole purpose of an estate plan is to avoid probate court upon death. To the contrary, an estate plan is tailored to your individualized personal and financial needs to assist during your lifetime, incapacity, and after you pass away. It entails holistic life planning at every age.
In each document you nominate a trusted family member, friend, or advisor to follow your directions as specifically outlined in your documents. Often called a surrogate decision maker or fiduciary, this trusted individual(s) ensures that your medical and financial affairs are properly taken care of when you are unable to do so for yourself or upon your death.
How to Choose the Right Estate Planner
Choosing an estate planning attorney is about more than legal documents — it's about finding someone who listens, understands your unique journey, and helps you protect what matters most.
At Schluter & Hughes we are passionate about helping individuals and families plan for those important life events. What makes the firm different is our holistic approach. Each client is unique, and our firm has developed a Continuum LifePlanSM, an innovative system that ensures clients get a truly customized estate plan and a personal experience to help navigate life's journey.
Here are some thoughtful questions to ask, and what to consider when choosing the right person to guide you:
What is the key to finding the best person to help with my estate plan? The best estate planner for you is someone who not only has the right experience but also takes the time to understand your values and goals. Look for someone who listens carefully, explains clearly, and treats you with patience and respect. You should feel at ease asking questions — and confident that they genuinely care about your future and your family.
At Schluter & Hughes, our team of attorneys are knowledgeable as well as compassionate. Helping our clients gives us great satisfaction. We are dedicated to helping families through life transitions and challenges, finding solutions to the important questions relating to the “here and now” and “what if I need help” in the future.
How much of your practice is devoted to estate planning? This question helps you gauge whether estate planning is a central focus or a side offering. Ideally, you want someone who regularly works in this area — that means they're more likely to be up-to-date on current laws and creative strategies.
At Schluter & Hughes, estate planning is one of the primary focus areas of our practice. We meet regularly meet with clients to draft estate plans and handle additional estate planning needs.
Have you helped clients in situations like mine? Can you tell me about estate plans you've done for them? A good attorney won't share confidential details, but they can talk about the kinds of plans they've crafted and how they approach challenges similar to yours — whether you're a blended family, have a child with special needs, or are a small business owner.
How would you work with my other advisors, like my CPA or financial planner? Estate planning doesn't happen in a vacuum. A collaborative attorney will work alongside your other trusted professionals to make sure your plan aligns with your financial and tax goals — creating a well-rounded, well-informed result.
Who will I be working with, and who will actually be doing the work? Ask whether the attorney you meet will be the one doing the planning or if much of the work will be handled by others. It's helpful to know who's drafting your documents, who to contact with questions, and what kind of attention your plan will receive.
At Schluter & Hughes, we value a team approach. We are a collaborative firm, and our attorneys work together to serve our clients' needs. As a result, our clients benefit from the collective knowledge and experience of the attorneys on the team. A client will know the attorney who will be drafting their plan as well as who to contact with questions.
Can you provide a fee estimate? Transparency matters. A reputable estate planner will walk you through how fees are structured — whether flat rate or hourly — and give you a clear estimate once they understand your needs.
At Schluter & Hughes, we believe in transparency when it comes to our fees. If a prospective client decides to move forward and hire the firm, the attorney will be able to discuss a fee arrangement, whether a flat fee or hourly rate. This is memorialized in our Engagement Agreement so that all parties understand the fee structure up front.
Can you provide references? Many attorneys can connect you with clients who've offered to share their experiences. While not everyone asks for this, it can offer reassurance, especially when you're feeling unsure about the process.
Schluter & Hughes is proud of the way we serve our clients, and that includes respecting their confidentiality. If our clients provide us with permission, we would be happy to provide references.
How will you charge me for the first consultation? Some offer free introductory calls or a flat fee for an initial consultation. Be sure you know what to expect before your first meeting so there are no surprises. The first meeting provides both the attorney and potential client an opportunity to engage, ask questions and to see if the firm is a good fit for the prospective client's needs.
After the first call or meeting, ask yourself:
“How comfortable do I feel working with this attorney?”
Did they speak in a way that made sense to me? Did I feel listened to? Was I rushed, or did they take the time to understand my concerns? Sometimes, your instincts are the best guide. A good fit should leave you feeling relieved, not overwhelmed.
Choosing an estate planner is a personal decision. You deserve someone who not only has legal expertise but who genuinely cares about your story, your family.