Hi, I'm Chuck Roulet, founder and president of Roulet Law Firm. I want to personally welcome you to our firm and tell you how much I'm looking forward to meeting with you.
At our meeting, we’ll discuss your planning goals and how we can work with you to put a plan in place to achieve them. This article will help you prepare for our meeting and make the most of our time together.
Your Questionnaire: The Foundation of Great Planning
Why This Matters So Much
The questionnaire you received isn't just paperwork – it's one of the most important tools we'll use together. Think of it as the blueprint for your custom plan. The more complete and thorough you are, the better I can assess your unique situation and make recommendations tailored specifically to your needs and goals.
How to Complete Your Questionnaire
You have two options:
- Electronic submission: Fill it out online and submit it digitally
- Print and bring: Print it out, complete it by hand, and bring it to our in-person meeting
Choose whichever method feels more comfortable for you.
Important People in Your Plan
If You're Married
We need the names, addresses, and phone numbers of at least one person (though you can certainly name more) to serve as your backup personal representative or trustee. This person would step in if your spouse couldn't act for you for any reason.
You'll also need the same information for your backup health care decision maker.
If You're Single
Please provide at least one person as your primary personal representative and health care decision maker, plus at least one backup for each role. Again, naming more than one person for each role is perfectly fine.
Your Financial Information: What We Need (And What We Don't)
Put Your Mind at Ease
Here's something important: we don't need your account numbers. Your privacy and security matter to us.
Why Details Help You
The more complete your financial information, the better our recommendations will be. Here's why: different types of assets require different planning strategies under the law.
For example, how we plan for your family home is often quite different from how we must handle your 401(k) or IRA. These details also help us identify strategies that could save you money on taxes.
Remember: the details matter, and they help us serve you better.
Meeting Logistics Made Simple
In-Person Meetings
If we're meeting face-to-face, you should have received directions to our office with your welcome email. Can't find them? Just give us a call.
Virtual Meetings
Meeting over Zoom? You'll have received step-by-step instructions for logging into your meeting. We've made it as simple as possible.
What to Expect During Our Meeting
Time Investment
Our meeting typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes. This gives us enough time for a comprehensive discussion about your planning goals and how we can help you achieve them.
What We'll Cover Together
During our time together, I'll:
- Listen carefully to your unique planning goals
- Explain what happens if you don't have a plan in place (it's not pretty)
- Walk you through all available options for creating your written plan
- Discuss the pros and cons of each option
- Help you understand how each choice affects your family's future
My Philosophy: Your Decisions, My Guidance
It's Your Life, Your Choice
Here's something important about how I work: I don't think it's my job to tell you what to do. My job is to listen carefully to your planning goals, explain your options clearly, and outline the pros and cons so you can make truly informed decisions.
When I Make Recommendations
Based on the information in your questionnaire and your stated goals, I will "put my finger on the scale" by making specific recommendations. When I do this, I'll tell you exactly what I'm recommending and why. But the final decisions will always be yours.
After all, this is your family, your legacy, and your peace of mind we're protecting.
Our Selective Partnership Process
We Don't Work with Everyone
I want to be upfront with you: we don't work with everyone who comes through our doors. After discussing your planning goals and options, we'll both have a better sense of whether there's a good fit.
If it looks like we can truly help you achieve your goals – and you feel comfortable working with us – then we'll discuss the planning fee.
Our Straightforward Fee Structure
Why We Don't Bill by the Hour
Most attorneys have two billing options: hourly or fixed fee. I don't do hourly billing for estate planning because I believe it rewards attorneys for being inefficient. That's not fair to you.
Fixed Fees Mean No Surprises
We handle all planning on a fixed-fee basis. Once we confirm the details of your plan design, I'll provide you with one flat fee for your entire plan. This means you'll know exactly what to expect – no surprises, no hidden costs.
You deserve to know what you're investing in your family's protection upfront.
Looking Forward to Our Meeting
With nearly thirty years of experience in estate planning and elder law, I've had the privilege of helping thousands of families protect what matters most to them. Each family's situation is unique, and I'm genuinely excited to learn about your specific goals and explore how we can help you achieve them.
Whether you're concerned about avoiding probate, minimizing taxes, protecting assets for your surviving spouse, or ensuring your children's inheritance is safe from creditors and divorce, we'll work together to create a plan that gives you true peace of mind.
Questions Before We Meet?
If you have any questions prior to your meeting, please don't hesitate to reach out to our office. We're here to help make this process as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Thank you for considering Roulet Law Firm. I look forward to meeting you and beginning this important journey together.
