Frequently Asked Questions
What is the process for getting a will or trust?
We initially meet with clients and go over their needs and wishes. We make recommendations and discuss our fee. Then upon their approval of our recommendations and fee, we draft the agreed upon documents. We will mail drafts of the documents to the clients so that they can review them and write down any questions they have. Then we will have another meeting to go over the documents, answer questions and sign the documents.
How much does it cost to have the Yanowitz Law Firm draft a will or trust for me?
There are many types of wills and trusts with varying levels of complexity. Once we understand what type of will or trust our client needs and wants, we then provide a fee quote. If the client decides they do not want us to go forward in drafting a will or trust, then we will just charge hourly for our meeting.
What sort of information do I need to provide to the Yanowitz Law Firm prior to my first appointment?
We like to collect information about our clients prior to the first appointment so that we can tailor our advice to their specific situation. As a result, when clients set up appointments we will generally send them an informational worksheet. This worksheet helps us gather information about their property and family. We will also ask our clients to provide us any prior estate planning documents that they had written by another firm (including wills, trusts, powers of attorney and healthcare directives) and their real estate deeds (if possible). We ask clients to provide us this information at least three days prior to our first appointment so that we have an opportunity to review it before we meet.
I just moved from another state. Can the Yanowitz Law Firm review my will and trust to let me know if I need to update these documents?
Yes, we regularly work with clients who move to Minnesota from out of state. We are happy to look over their out of state documents and recommend any needed changes.
Will I need to ever update my estate planning documents?
It depends. People sometimes need to update their documents because of changes in the law. There can be changes in family situations. For example, births, deaths, or divorces can cause people to change their estate plan. People’s wishes sometimes can change over time.
We want to be there for our clients every step of the way, and that is why we have the estate plan tune up program. For clients who have their wills or trusts with our firm we will meet with them at no cost every 3 years for 1 hour. If a client needs to meet more frequently then we charge a flat $99 to meet for 1 hour with a trust and estate attorney to go over the estate plan in place.
What are signs I need to come in for a tune up?
✔️ You have moved.
✔️The people named in your power of attorney and healthcare directive have moved or have new phone numbers.
✔️People named in your estate plan have passed away or become disabled.
✔️You or your spouse have received a serious medical diagnosis.
✔️You retired.
✔️Your children are now responsible adults. They were minors when you first created your plan.
✔️You have had additional children.
✔️You have gotten divorced or married since you last put your plan in place.
✔️Someone named in your plan has changed their name (i.e. upon a change in marital status).
✔️You have inherited a large sum of money from someone else.
✔️ You purchased new real estate.
✔️ You started a new business.
Our trust attorneys support individuals throughout Minnesota, from Rochester to Minneapolis and everywhere in between, and will be happy to make sure your documents always accurately reflect your wishes.
Does your firm keep our documents?
Our firm saves electronic copies of our clients’ documents. Our clients keep the originals. We also provide our clients electronic copies of documents at no additional charge.