Author: Thrash, Carroll & Vanway Law Group

A lot of people have a real phobia about meeting with a lawyer to ask estate planning questions or to get information. Dedicating time to plan for one’s death or disability isn’t on the top of anyone’s ” fun list” and doing it with a stranger in an unfamiliar environment like a lawyer’s office is all it takes for many people to procrastinate taking any action at all. If that sounds like it applies to you, we may have another option.

Our firm pioneered a program we call “Wine and Wills.” Someone volunteers to host such an event in their home, and invites their neighbors. Often times, all the “inviting” that needs to be done is by a posting to a neighborhood Facebook page or other social media outlet of general use in the neighborhood, requesting that anyone interested in attending make a reservation. The firm provides the wine and the appetizers.
Then one of our attorneys puts on a short presentation, and stays around to take questions. Often the questions last for quite a while.

Many of those who are now our clients, and other attendees as well, have told us they find gathering information in a relaxed environment like this is not intimidating. They also tell us the presentations are informative and help them clarify issues as to what planning is needed and why. If you are interested in either hosting or attending such an event when offered near you, feel free to contact us and ask about “Wine and Wills.”

Are you in an industry that finds you working with estate planning attorneys? Are you receiving and making referrals from or to attorneys who focus in this area? Other than our existing clients, some of our biggest fans are those who’s clients we have helped them taken care of. Often times these people are in the accounting, financial planning or life insurance industries, and we believe that the best results for clients generally come with a collaborative approach between the planning team. In addition, our clients have a wide range of needs for lawyers who practice in other areas, as well as needs for anything that impacts the aging process, from downsizers to estate sale consultants to estate appraisers. We highly value our referral relationships, and constantly search for the best referrals for our clients.

If you believe you have valuable services that would be helpful to our clients, we invite you to reach out and schedule a lunch meeting, so we can learn a little more about what you do.