FAQ
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Flat Fee Page
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Basic Will Plan | $1,545
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Medical Power of Attorney
- Global HIPAA Release
- Medical Directive
- Dec. of Guardian in Advance
- Basic Will
- Will Execution Ceremony
- Witness & Notary Service
- Written Legal Education
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Trust Plan | $4,015
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Medical Power of Attorney
- Global HIPAA Release
- Medical Directive
- Dec. of Guardian in Advance
- 1 Electronic Change Request
- Witness & Notary Service
- Written Legal Education
- Basic Trust
- Certification of Trust
- Trust Funding Education Memo
- 1 Texas Deed Transfer
- Trust-Based Will
- Asset Spreadsheet
- Personal Property Memo
- Memorial Instructions
- Secure Client Portal
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Comprehensive Trust Portfolio (Recommended) | $6,985
- Comprehensive Trust
- Trust-Based Will
- Asset Review With Attorney
- Secure Client Portal
- Witness and Notary Service
- Unlimited Changes – 1 Year
- 1:1 Trust Funding Education & All Document Education – 1 Year
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Directive to Physicians (Living Will)
- Medical Power of Attorney
- Memorial Instructions
- Declaration of Guardian in Advance
- Secure Document Storage – 1 Year
- 1 Texas Deed Transfer
- Trust Funding Education Memo
- Certification of Trust
- Personal Property Memo
- 1 Estate Plan Review – Month 11
- 1 Estate Law Review – Month 11
- HIPPA Release
- Quarterly – Live, Client Only Webinars
- Estate Plan Organization System
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Lifetime Lawyer Portfolio | $9,970
- Comprehensive Trust
- Trust-Based Will
- Asset Review with Attorney
- Secure Client Portal
- Witness and Notary Service
- Unlimited Document Updates
- 1:1 Trust Funding Education & All Document Education – Life of Settlors
- Secure Document Storage – Life of Settlors
- Yearly Estate Plan Review – Life of Settlors
- Yearly Estate Law Reviews – Life of Settlors
- Successor Trustee 1-Hour of Law Firm Time Included (Trust Education, Training, and Assistance) Upon Client Passing
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Directive to Physicians (Living Will)
- Medical Power of Attorney
- Memorial Instructions
- Declaration of Guardian in Advance
- Trust Funding Education Memo
- Certification of Trust
- Personal Property Memo
- HIPPA Release
- Quarterly – Live, Client Only Webinars
- Estate Plan Organization System
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Virtual Services FAQ
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What technology do I need for virtual services?For 100% virtual services, you will need a computer, tablet or smartphone with a camera and file sharing capabilities. Each document signer (husband, wife, etc.) will need a separate email address. A free email service such as Gmail or Yahoo will work just fine.
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What private technology does Crain & Wooley use?Crain & Wooley is dedicated to protecting your privacy. All video consultations and email communications take place via an internal, two-factor authentication protocol, and our document sharing portal is FINRA, SEC and GLBA compliant.
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Why would I choose to work with Crain & Wooley instead of an attorney in my town?Clients from across Texas choose Crain & Wooley due to our professionalism, subject matter authority, approachability, flat rate pricing, customer service promises and comprehensive planning approach.
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Flat Rate Services
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What is the first thing I should do?Stop procrastinating and schedule a complimentary consultation to talk 1:1 with one of our attorneys.
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What is a basic will?
A basic will directs for the immediate distribution of assets and contains no specific provisions such as a testamentary trust for minor children, etc.
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What is a basic trust?A basic trust directs for the immediate distribution of assets and contains no specific provisions such as divorce proofing via descendant’s trusts, special needs provisions, international asset distribution, etc.
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What is a comprehensive trust?A comprehensive trust contains more complex distributions instructions including, but not limited to, such things as divorce protection via descendant’s trusts, trusts for minor beneficiaries, education trusts, age appropriate distributions, generational trusts, annual distributions, charitable bequests and more.
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What are some benefits of trust planning?There are too many to list, but here are a few: trusts are portable state-to-state; trusts (when funding correctly) avoid probate; trusts keep your affairs private; trusts are flexible enough to accomplish personal goals like creating an education fund; trusts protect an inheritance from divorce; trusts plan for a loved one with special needs and much, much more!
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Why do you conduct monthly legal education?One of the keys to having an up-to-date estate plan is to keep abreast of changes and best-practices in all areas of estate and finance law. While not every month will pertain to your specific situation, you will find the information presented informative and empowering.
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Texas is a community property state. Why do spouses need to write a will or trust?Community property is vastly misunderstood in Texas. Community property means that each spouse owns 50% of asset “X” and as such needs to leave instructions on how to dispose of that 50% upon his or her death. Assets do NOT automatically transfer to a surviving spouse.
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Why is the Comprehensive Trust Portfolio most popular?The Comprehensive Trust Portfolio allows Crain & Wooley to provide you with the highest level of service without worrying about the billable hour. The first 12 months of having a trust are the most important; it is during these months that you fund your trust. This portfolio gives you access to the firm for 12 months for assistance, questions, advice, changes and more without incurring billable hour charges.
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What comes in the Annual Report?Around month 11 of Comprehensive Trust Portfolio service, we conduct a review detailing: implications of law and tax changes, beneficiaries, special beneficiary instructions, assets funded into the trust and power of attorney agents. This report acts as a reminder of how your plan works and what it accomplishes as well as gives you about 1 month to request any changes be completed free of charge.
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Why should I pay a lawyer to write my will or trust when I can do it myself online for A LOT cheaper?To be blunt, you get what you pay for. If you look closely legal self-help websites, you will see disclaimer statements like “this is not legal advice” and “services are not protected by attorney-client privilege or as legal work product”. These template services don’t provide you with the opportunity to engage with an attorney for comprehensive planning: current goals, future goals, what-if planning, tax planning and much more. So, the real question is why would you trust a non-legal entity to draw up documents that dispose of all your hard-earned assets?
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What is a digital document locker?Secure exchange of information is vital to crafting your perfect estate plan. Crain & Wooley utilizes SmartVault, an SEC and FNRA approved, cloud-based document storage system. When using SmartVault we can securely communicate about your assets, end of life plans and general estate information without worrying about cyber security. SmartVault also allows you to store all your vital information like life insurance contracts, estate planning documents, assets lists and more in a secure manner while being able to access the information from anywhere on the globe.
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How do I know if I need a will or a trust?Schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys; tell us your goals and concerns and then we will outline which estate planning tool best accomplishes your current and future goals.
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What is funding a trust?Funding your trust are the steps taken to make your trust is the owner of titled assets like your house, financial accounts, CDs, etc. Don’t worry – these actions do NOT impact your tax rate or your tax exemptions AND you remain in complete control of all assets. Your daily life does not change.
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Does a will require probate?Short answer – yes. There are at least 10 different types of probate. Schedule a time to talk with our attorneys to learn which type of probate fits your situation.
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What happens when my first 12 months is up?You have the option of renewing for $595/year to gain an additional 12 months of access to the firm. This access provides you with unlimited firm support for questions, changes and amendments without worrying about the billable hour. You will also receive an annual report for each renewal year.
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What if I only want a will or a trust and nothing else?Crain & Wooley does not try to up-sell or talk you into anything. We will lay out the best option for your situation and then complete only the work that you deem necessary.
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Do you offer payment plan options?Yes, our firm offers internal financing options.
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What services do you offer?Crain & Wooley is a full-service estate planning law firm. We have expertise in standard & taxable trusts, standard & complex wills, probate, adult guardianship, nursing home/Medicaid planning, small business formation, real estate transactions, existing document review/updates and more.
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I am not rich. Why do I need a will or a trust?If you have any type of asset (bank account, life insurance, house, condo, anything), you need a will or a trust. Gone are the days in which pay on death or beneficiary designations suffice.
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