Estate planning isn’t about death. It’s about living life to its fullest, without worrying about what could happen when you pass away. Everyone has a plan for what will become of their wealth and dependents once they’re gone. Unfortunately, it usually isn’t the plan they would have chosen. Probate court may take age and waste tens of thousands of dollars determining what to do with an intestate estate. The decedent’s children, parents, and other loved ones can only wait in turmoil in the meantime. Don’t jeopardize your legacy. Engage an estate planning attorney who will make everything clear and manageable while you’re still here on earth – and equally so for your beneficiaries once you’ve departed for the hereafter.
“I actually got into law by accident,” said Heather Bock, founding principal of Bock Law, LLC. “I’d been working on my PhD in political science at Emory University when a foreclosure attorney offered me a job. I helped him with filing and title exams; nothing thrilling. After some time, he offered to pay me to go to law school, and promised to give me his business when he retired. “I stopped work on my PhD as an ‘all but dissertation’ and applied to law school. Unfortunately, my boss retired and sold his firm before fulfilling his promise. His buyer would not cover my law school, either. “That was fine. I worked full-time during the day and part-time on weekends, and graduated as valedictorian from John Marshall Law School. I soon joined McCalla Raymer, where I spent nearly 15 years focusing on litigation for the big banks. I ultimately worked my way up to partner in the firm’s bankruptcy department.
“Everything changed the day my father passed away. That loss led me to realize that I wasn’t doing the only thing actually worth doing in life, which is helping people. After some
encouragement from an estate planner friend, I shifted tracks to the most helpful field of law
there is. “Or, perhaps more accurately, potentially helpful. Too many estate planners are content to deliver boilerplate, one-size-fits-none documents and call it a day. They don’t think about the bigger picture; the details that make each family special, and the life changes that could render existing documents obsolete. They also don’t keep in touch with their clients after delivering the documents, which could cause even the best-written plan to fail – especially if a trust isn’t properly funded.
“That’s why compassion is so critical to estate planning. It doesn’t just mean being nice, and
genuinely caring for everyone I have the privilege of working for. (Which I do.) It’s not just
delivering fantastic documents. (Which I also do!) It also motivates me to delve deeply, and fully comprehend each client’s unique needs. It’s why I explain every step of the process in plain English – not legalese. It’s also why I offer each client free meetings every three years (or anytime they’d like to connect), just to ensure that their plan continues protecting everything they cherish, completely.
“Above all else, that includes young children: the most beloved, and just as vulnerable. They can easily end up in protective custody, even if they’re only there to wait for their new full-time guardian to arrive. But the estate plan I provide will do far more than prevent that from happening to your children, and safeguard whichever material wealth you pass down to them. It also includes a Guardian Guide: a complete summary of your wishes for your children’s upbringing. Is there a faith you would like them brought up in? A language, or an instrument you hope they will learn? Would you like them to go to college, or pursue a different path? The ‘Guardian Guide’ truly is just that. It leaves no doubt as to how you would have raised your children. “If you have children from a previous marriage and are remarrying, then I implore you to set up or, barring that, update your estate plan. Though I would never cast aspersions on your new spouse, it is entirely possible that they may inherit everything from you someday, and effectively disinherit your own children in the process. It happens more often than you’d care to think, which is why lifetime and marital asset protection trusts are a regular part of my services.
“I serve many seniors whose children are long grown up. In addition to plain speak, they
appreciate how accommodating I am. Don’t have a computer, or any intention of using one?
Can’t make it into my office? Don’t fret it. I’ll meet you where you are, and we’ll work together to create your best plan. “None of my clients are multimillionaires. Even so, they deserve the same standard of representation as one. Healthcare directives. Living wills. Assurance that the right people will act on your behalf if you’re incapacitated. The simple knowledge of knowing who will take care of your dogs. Together, we will ensure everything is in place to make your worst-case scenario as good as possible.
“And I do mean ‘together.’ My mission includes educating my clients, so they can take
confidence in their role as co-planners. When we first speak, it will be during a 20-minute phone conversation. I’ll explain my process and assign you a little homework (for want of a better word; it’s quite quick and easy). Once you have done it, I’ll waive the fee for our upcoming two-hour planning session where I’ll learn all of your goals and concerns. If you decide to hire me, you’ll choose your preferred plan and be charged on a flat fee basis. We’ll then have a signing ceremony in about four weeks. Voilà! You’re now protected, and I’ll remain by your side to see that you stay that way.”
Protect your loved ones with personalized, detailed, and compassionate estate planning. Call (404) 769-8141 or visit BockLawLLC.com today to schedule your initial 20-minute consultation.
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