If you are like many of us, you like to know what to expect before going into a new situation. If you are considering, or have already scheduled, an initial estate planning consultation at Ambler Keenan Mitchell Johnson in Denver, Colorado, the following will give you a general idea of what you can expect. The Estate Planning Organizer When you call the office to schedule your meeting, the staff at Ambler Keenan Mitchell Johnson will send you an estate planning organizer (by mail or email). We ask that you fill this out as completely as possible and bring it to the meeting with you. The information on this organizer includes basic contact information, distribution wishes, general asset information, business information, and past estate planning history. This information is used by the attorney to make sure they are giving you the best options for your specific needs. Reminder You will receive a reminder call from the staff at Ambler Keenan Mitchell Johnson prior to your meeting. We will remind you to bring your estate planning organizer and any previous estate planning documents you have. It is important that both parties attend this meeting if the estate plan is for a couple. The staff will make sure you know how to get to the office and know where to park. This call is also made to answer any last minute questions you may have. The Meeting When you arrive at the office for your initial estate planning consultation, you will be greeted by one of our staff, and be offered a beverage. The attorney will then come out to introduce themselves and walk with you into the conference room. The attorney will give you all the information you need to have an understanding of how an estate plan works. They will discuss the reasoning behind completing an estate plan. If you have any questions, your attorney will address them during this meeting. After reviewing estate planning generally, and going through your organizer to determine what options are best for your specific needs, your attorney will discuss these options and the pricing with you. It is very difficult to give an estimate on the cost of your estate plan prior to reviewing your documents with your attorney. At Ambler Keenan Mitchell Johnson, each estate plan is customized to the client’s specific needs and wishes. After the Meeting At the end of the meeting, your attorney will ask if you have any other questions and tell you what to expect from the office. Occasionally, your attorney may request a follow up meeting if more information needs to be gathered before the estate plan can be drafted. You may choose to pay a retainer to begin work on your estate plan right away. However, if you need time to think about which option you want to choose, you may just head home without paying a retainer. This retainer can be paid after the meeting when you are ready to start the work on your estate plan. Follow Up Depending on your circumstances, you may schedule a follow up meeting or receive a letter reminding you to follow up. If you paid a retainer, you will be receiving a summary of your estate plan for your review by mail. This ensures that all information in the final documents is correct. Schedule a Meeting If you are interested in updating an old or out-of-state estate plan, or creating a brand new estate plan, call our office for a free, one-hour initial consultation, 303-407-1542, or fill out the form to have our staff contact you to set up a time to come in.