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Read GoFisch: July 2018 Edition of GFLF’s Newsletter

woman reading on phone with red nails

The July edition of GoFisch is live! This month’s edition features:

Spotify playlist cover art

 

  • A rundown on the website’s new features and fresh look
  • A curated Spotify playlist for when you’re working hard, but want to feel like you’re on summer vacation
  • Iowa-based nonprofit & philanthropy news
  • Must-read blog post highlights
  • Facebook Live video featuring me and the subject of estate planning

Like what you read? Don’t forget to subscribe to GoFisch and tell your friends. Here at GFLF we like to think of it as the least boring law firm newsletter you could hope to read.

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What the Queen of England can Teach us about Trusts

Buckingham Palace with gate

Britain’s Royal Family has been very much in the news lately. There was the recent wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. There’s also the hit Netflix series The Crown. (Who else can’t wait for season 3?!) Trump broke royal protocol multiple times on his recent trip. Prince George just turned five. And, earlier this summer (June 2 to be precise), Queen Elizabeth II marked the 65th anniversary of her 1953 coronation ceremony.

In front of more than 8,000 guests, including prime ministers and international heads of state, she took the Coronation Oath to serve her people. She was handed four symbols of authority—the Sovereign’s Orb, royal sceptre, Rod of Equity and Mercy, and the royal ring of sapphire and rubies. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Geoffrey Fisher, then placed St Edward’s Crown on her head to complete the ceremony.

An Unavoidable Unknown: Life Expectancy

I doubt very few of those dignitaries present would have guessed that Queen Elizabeth would reign for 65 years (and counting). In fact, I’ll bet if you told folks present at the ceremony that she would continue as Queen for well more than six decades, they would have thought you were, in English parlance, “crackers!”

But, one never knows about any one person’s life expectancy. Queen Elizabeth’s reigning longevity is surprising, but so, in reverse, is life of both celebrities and our family/friends alike cut too short.

There is a macabre and unfunny joke among estate planners: “Not everyone dies when they are supposed to.”  We all hope to live to be a ripe old age, like Queen Elizabeth II, and look back on a happy, fulfilling life. But it doesn’t always happen.

Ultimately Queen Elizabeth will pass away too. Everyone does. That’s why everyone needs an estate plan, even though you’re not the Queen of England and even if you’re not wealthy; even if you’re single; and even if you’re young.

Be prepared for the best, or be prepared for . . . less than the best. Have an estate plan in place so that your loved ones will not have to deal with the stress, ambiguity, and heartache of struggling with the confusion that comes with of intestate succession and not knowing your wishes or wants.

queen's crown

Royal Benefits of Revocable Living Trusts

A revocable living trust may make sense for many folks, not just royally wealth. The benefits of trusts are many, but one of the main ones is that assets avoid probate. This saves time and means distribution of assets to heirs more quickly and easily. Trusts avoiding probate generally mean less costs at death—less attorneys’ fees, less court costs, and, typically, less taxes. Living revocable trusts are also super flexible; in a single trust instrument you can name guardians for your minor children; protect assets from creditors; give to your favorite charities; and set up an endowment.

Along with a living revocable trust, you’ll also want several other legal documents: a power of attorney for health care; a power of attorney for financial matters; and a disposition of final remains, to name a few.

You don’t have to be a royal to know that estate planning is a smart, strategic, crowning achievement you can be proud of. Just like Queen Elizabeth’s longstanding legacy, you too can cement your place in history (if even just within your immediate family and with the charitable causes you care for). If you don’t have an estate plan yet, the best way to get started is by filling out GFLF’s free Estate Plan Questionnaire, or contact Gordon. If you already have an estate plan and want to invest in the benefits of a living revocable trust, don’t hesitate to reach out via email or by phone (515) 371-6077.

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Read GoFisch: First Newsletter of 2018

GoFisch January Newsletter

The January edition of GoFisch is live! This month’s edition features:

Estate Planning Spotify GoFisch

  • A curated Spotify playlist to get you inspired to finally fill out my estate plan questionnaire.
  • The rundown on resolutions you can (and will) actually keep this year!
  • Nonprofit & philanthropy news.
  • Must-read blog post highlights.
  • A short video explaining how helping causes and organizations important to you can also help with your tax bill.

Like what you read? Don’t forget to subscribe to GoFisch and tell your friends!

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Survey Results: You Spoke, I listened

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Two men having a conversation near the ocean

Several weeks ago, I held a survey about estate planning, through my GoFisch newsletter, blog, and social media platforms. I received over a hundred responses! Considering the sensitive and, indeed difficult subject matter, I thought this was a very significant number.

Action Time

You spoke loud and clear, and I heard you.

Child yelling into microphone

You don’t understand what an estate plan is. You’re not sure why you need an estate plan. You don’t know the process of putting together an estate plan. That’s understandable! Estate planning isn’t something most people deal with every day.

So, I wrote a series of short, but relatively thorough blog posts on each of these subjects, in plain English, free from legalese.

I explain what an estate plan is and outlined the six “must-have” documents everyone needs. I also detailed what a trust is, and about its benefits, here.

I wrote on the consequences of dying without an estate plan.

I also set forth my simple five-step process to get to a complete estate plan here.

But, that wasn’t enough, not nearly enough, by my own standards. Plus, actions always speak louder than words.

Cost Concerns Resolved

One of the most common concerns survey respondents cited was cost. There was tremendous confusion about how much an estate plan could/should cost. Some worried about the price being unaffordable for middle class Iowa folks. Worse, some respondents were genuinely fearful they would be told one price, and then pressured to a more expensive “package.” Or, that there would be a bunch of hidden fees and costs. Then there was the fear that you wouldn’t even know how much the estate plan would cost, until it was all over, and you got a bill (and by then, presumably, it would be too late to do anything about it if you thought the bill high or otherwise unfair). This approach, or the other with hidden fees, simply won’t fly with me; it’s advantageous for me to be transparent with my fee structure.

Estate Plan Sale

Again, actions always speak louder than words. You said you were concerned with cost, so I’m holding an estate plan sale.

estate plan sale image

For a limited time only (June 15 to July 15, 2017), you can receive a standard estate plan (which consists of the six “must-have” estate planning documents) for only $500. You will be billed only at the conclusion of this process, when you are executing the documents. So, obviously, you won’t pay anything until you are completely satisfied with both the plan and your understanding of the plan.

What if you need, or want, something more than the standard estate plan? Like, say, a revocable living trust? A standard estate plan, including a revocable living trust, will only cost you $1,000.

Let’s Talk…and Talk & Talk

I should note that either package comes with as many consultations (meetings, emails, and phone calls) with me as you reasonably feel we need to finish your estate plan. Again, you’re not sitting down to execute the documents, and so you’re not being billed (let alone paying anything!), until you are completely satisfied with both the process and the results of the process.

Now! Right Now!

Again, the special deal of $500 for a standard estate plan, and $1,000 for a standard estate plan plus a revocable living trust, will last only a limited time, June 15 to July 15, 2017. So, ACT NOW and do not wait!

Gordon Fischer discussing an Estate Plan with a Client

Contact Me

You can reach me most easily by email at gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com or call my cell, 515-371-6077. Don’t delay, write or call today.

A great place to begin thinking about estate planning is with my free, no-obligation Estate Planning Questionnaire.

Disclaimers
The Estate Plan Sale merely relates to pricing and in no way creates an attorney-client relationship, nor any other kind of professional relationship.
The Estate Plan Sale merely relates to pricing and does not create a contract or agreement of any kind.
GFLF, P.C. retains full and total discretion as to who it chooses to serve as clients and why. GFLF, P.C. retains the right to refuse service to anyone it chooses.
The Estate Plan Sale may not apply to individuals or families with a net worth of more than $1 million dollars. (You still need an estate plan, very much so, but it necessarily needs to be much more “complex.”).
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Estate Sale? No. It’s an Estate Plan Sale!

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estate plan sale

WHAT IS AN ESTATE PLAN SALE?

For a limited time only (June 15 to July 15, 2017), you can receive a standard estate plan (which consists of six “must-have” estate planning documents) for only $500 (five hundred dollars). You will be billed only at the conclusion of this process, when you are executing the documents. So, obviously, you won’t pay anything until you are completely satisfied with both the plan and your understanding of the plan.

man working at desk on computer

What if you need or want, something more than the standard estate plan? Like, say, a revocable living trust? A standard estate plan, including a revocable living trust, will only cost you $1,000 (one thousand dollars). A revocable living trust accrues several benefits, including avoiding probate; saving costs, taxes, and fees; getting bequests to beneficiaries more quickly; and privacy.

I should note that either package comes with as many consultations (meetings, emails, and phone calls) with me as you reasonably feel we need to finish your estate plan. Again, you’re not sitting down to execute the documents, and so you’re not being billed (let alone paying anything!), until you are completely satisfied with both the process and the results of the process.

Gordon Fisch Estate Plan

WHY?

Why have an estate plan sale? Several reasons, actually.

To begin, the mission of my law firm is to promote and maximize charitable giving in Iowa. Straight up, the more estate planning Iowans do, the more charitable giving will occur.

Sure, not everyone who constructs an estate plan uses it to give to charities, but many do. Again – it’s simply a numbers game; the more estate planning, the more money flowing to worthwhile causes.

Also, 60% of Americans don’t have a will/estate planning. I want to help combat that statistic in Iowa. We can do better. Working together, we will do better.

Grandpa face

Finally, everyone deserve access to a secure future and a legacy. For these reasons, I’m offering very special rates.

HOW?

How much money are you saving? Quite a bit actually!

Speaking very generally, an estate plan from my Firm usually costs a single person about $700, and a family about $850. So, under this Estate Plan Sale, that’s a saving of about $200 for singletons to $350 for your family!

Family: mom, son, and dad

Also, speaking very generally, an estate plan including a revocable living trust, from my Firm, usually costs a single person about $1,300, and a family about $2,200. So, under this Estate Plan Sale, that’s a saving of about $300 for singletons and a whopping savings of $1,200 for your family!

WHERE?

Any Iowan is eligible. I am licensed to practice law in Iowa, and I have clients all over the state. In our modern age of emails, scanning, and cell phones, mere physical distance is not an issue.

I have clients from Burlington and Carroll to Sioux City and Urbandale. If you want to work with me, I want to work with you, and we can easily find ways to do so.

HOW?

I write about my process at length, but it’s just five steps! Seriously, it’s not that painful, it truly isn’t. My clients report back to me that they have such relief and peace of mind when it’s completed.

Peace signs at the golden gate bridge

WHEN?

NOW! RIGHT NOW!

Again, the special deal of $500 for a standard estate plan, and $1,000 for a standard estate plan plus a revocable living trust, will last only a limited time, June 15 to July 15, 2017. I’m already backlogged, so ACT NOW. Do not wait!

We all know, of all the seasons, summer goes by the fastest. Time can run out on you; don’t let that happen.

You can reach me most easily by email at gordon@gordonfischerlawfirm.com or call my cell, 515-371-6077. Don’t delay—write or call today.

A great place to start in on the process is with my Estate Planning Questionnaire.

mom and son on street

DISCLAIMERS

The Estate Plan Sale merely relates to pricing and in no way creates an attorney-client relationship, nor any other kind of professional relationship. The Estate Plan Sale merely relates to pricing and does not create a contract or agreement of any kind.
GFLF, P.C. retains full and total discretion as to who it chooses to serve as clients and why. GFLF, P.C. retains the right to refuse service to anyone it chooses.
The Estate Plan Sale may not apply to individuals or families with a net worth of more than $1 million dollars. (You still need an estate plan, very much so, but it necessarily needs to be much more “complex.”).
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