RetireLaw’s path to effective Estate Planning consists of the following ten steps, at the end of which clients almost invariably achieve the peace of mind which flows from dealing properly with an issue that, for many, has been an underlying concern for years.

Step 1:

Referring adviser or referred clients make initial contact with RetireLaw. This leads to an initial discussion about the clients' circumstances and needs, basic Estate Planning issues are explained, as is the RetireLaw lump sum fee schedule.

Step 2:

Having clarified that the clients are interested in knowing more, an appointment is made for an initial meeting which is on a no cost/no obligation basis. Such meetings are best held at either the offices of RetireLaw or of the referring adviser.

Step 3:

A copy of the RetireLaw Estate Planning Kit is sent out to the clients.  This kit contains explanatory material about testamentary trusts, Powers of Attorney and Appointments of Enduring Guardian, all essential parts of RetireLaw's Modern Estate Planning service. The kit also contains a questionnaire, the responses to which provide RetireLaw with the essential knowledge of the clients' personal and financial affairs, as well as other information needed to draft the various documents.

Step 4:

At the initial meeting, Modern Estate Planning advantages are explained to the clients and, after reviewing the information supplied in the questionnaire, the clients' particular needs are discussed, various options are considered and the most suitable plan recommended.

At this stage we discuss the cost of the service and the clients are free to proceed and retain RetireLaw or not, in which case there is no charge. Following this meeting a Contract for the Supply of Legal Services is sent to the clients confirming the fee and the work to be carried out. The covering letter also confirms the appointment for the clients to return (usually a week later) and sign the various documents.

Step 5:

Retire Law personnel then draft the documents and clarify any outstanding issues with the clients, or with their referring adviser or accountant by telephone or email.

Step 6:

At the signing meeting the contents of the various documents are explained to the clients and the documents are signed.  The procedure for getting family members or others appointed under Enduring Powers of Attorney and Appointments of Enduring Guardian to sign acceptances of such appointments is explained.  Normally, the original signed documents are left with RetireLaw for safekeeping.

Step 7:

Following the signing of the Wills, RetireLaw staff register them with the Wills Register kept by the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. The original Wills and other documents are scanned and retained in a digital format kept securely offsite, so that if the original is lost for any reason, there should always be a full copy of the original available for Probate purposes.

Step 8:

An Estate Planning Portfolio is then compiled for the clients, containing copies of all the documents signed plus explanatory material, including a plain language version of the Will, a guide for executors of Wills with testamentary trusts and FAQs about Powers of Attorneys and Appointments of Enduring Guardian. The Portfolios are sent to clients with a receipt letter confirming the clients' safe custody packet number containing their original documents, as well as the Wills Register numbers for their Wills. The letter also reminds them should any of their documents still need to be signed by appointees.

Step 9:

The clients return a signed copy of the receipt letter and any of the documents that their appointees have signed, eg. Enduring Powers of Attorney and Appointments of Enduring Guardian. When these documents are returned, they are also scanned and copies sent to the clients so that their Estate Planning Portfolio will ultimately contain copies of all signed documents.

Step 10:

Retire Law monitors laws, regulations, rulings and decisions that may impact on clients' Estate planning and ,as needed, contacts clients should the changes require modification of any of the clients' documents. A recommendation is made to clients as to the type and cost of amending particular documents, or whether a full revision is called for.