Becoming a Client
Planning your family’s future shouldn’t feel overwhelming. While every plan we design is unique to your goals, we generally follow a clear five-step process that delivers clarity, control, and peace of mind—without the guesswork.
Step 1: Initial Call
In a 15-minute phone call or Zoom—whichever you prefer—you’ll get to know our approach while we learn what matters most to you. We’ll share initial guidance, explain what comes next, and set up your Vision Meeting so you can move ahead with confidence.
You’ll leave with: clear next steps and your Vision Meeting on the calendar.
Step 2: The Vision Meeting
Your Vision Meeting is about you—your priorities, your family, your peace of mind. In this personalized session, we’ll discuss your goals, values, and the legacy you want to create so your plan reflects what matters most. If you already have an estate plan, we’ll review it and explain where it fits—or falls short—of your needs. If you’re starting fresh, we’ll assess what you need and walk you through clear options, including the benefits and true costs of each. There’s no obligation at this stage—you’ll leave with practical insight and a recommended path forward.
You’ll leave with: a recommended design and a transparent flat-fee quote (no hourly surprises).
Step 3: The Design Meeting
This is where we align intentions with precise design. In this step, we work with you to translate your goals into a customized estate plan that safeguards your assets and the people you love.
We’ll counsel you through important decisions, such as:
- Who is in charge, and when (during incapacity and after death)—successor trustees, executors, and agents
- What each beneficiary receives, when, and under what conditions
- Who makes medical and financial decisions if you’re incapacitated, how they’re authorized to act, and what instructions they must follow
- How incapacity is determined and when agents can step in
- What happens if a beneficiary predeceases you or when no eligible beneficiaries remain
- How to protect family from remarriage, divorce, lawsuits, and creditors
We’ll discuss each choice together, outline the implications, and confirm your preferences so there are no surprises at signing.
You’ll leave with: a drafting timeline and Signing Meeting scheduled.
Step 4: The Signing Meeting
By the time we reach signing, we’ve already reviewed your documents together (often once or twice after the Design Meeting) and made any refinements. At this appointment, your estate plan will become official.
At Signing Meeting, you will execute your documents with the required notary and witnesses present. We provide execution formalities and signature guidance to keep everything clean and compliant.
What you leave with: your Funding Meeting scheduled to align titles and beneficiary designations so your plan works exactly as intended.
Step 5: The Funding Meeting
Great plans only work if your assets are aligned with them. We review each account and property and provide clear titling and beneficiary instructions. Where helpful, we coordinate with your financial advisor and supply letters of instruction and custodian form language. The result is a fully functioning, integrated plan—so everything goes to who you want, when you want, exactly as intended.
You’ll leave with: your original estate planning documents (organized and ready for safekeeping), your personalized Funding Table (by-asset checklist and tracker for accounts, real estate, business interests, insurance, retirement), and simple instructions to keep your plan well-maintained.
Step 6: Maintenance & Ongoing Care
Life changes—and your plan should, too. Keeping your plan current is essential to make sure it works exactly as intended.
TLC™ Estate Plan Maintenance Program (optional)
When you enroll in TLC™, you get proactive support to keep everything aligned with your goals—without surprise fees for routine guidance.
What TLC™ typically includes:
- No-charge guidance on where to title/fund new assets, including during periodic reviews
- No-charge phone calls or meetings to discuss matters related to your plan
- Law-firm–initiated updates when laws or best practices change (general updates that apply to all clients)
- Periodic specialized workshops for existing clients
- Annual plan review on request
- Funding/titling spot-checks and ongoing guidance
- Disability support: help your disability panel verify disability and appoint your successor trustee
- Family/helper meeting upon disability or death to explain your plan and outline next steps (any new/extra services, if needed, are quoted separately)
Self Maintenance
We still recommend a check-in every 3–5 years or anytime there’s a major life event—home sale/purchase, new accounts, business changes, marriage/divorce, birth/adoption, a health change, or the loss of a loved one.
Our goal: an ongoing relationship—not a one-time transaction—so your plan stays aligned with your life.
Guidance You Can Trust
Families from Shaker Heights, Ohio, know that Solace Estate Planning is the team they can trust. Even if you don’t know where to start, we’ll meet you where you are, explain your options in plain language, and move at a pace that respects your time. You will leave each meeting knowing what is done, what is next, and why it matters.
Protect your savings and plan for care with a local team that explains every step.