My Practice
This page is to introduce you to Cutchin Law Firm and to let you know how we may be of valuable assistance to you.
My Practice is Focused in Scope
My practice is focused in scope. My practice is a non-litigation practice which includes the legal portion of:
• estate planning
• business planning
• business succession planning
• tax planning
• asset protection planning
• probate
• and related work that includes preparation of documents related to this planning
Unique Qualities of My Practice
Of course, there are several attorneys in this area who do similar work. At Cutchin Law Firm we distinguish our practice because:
➣ Our primary aim is to solve the client’s unique concerns and needs.
✓ Each client has a unique situation and “one size does not fit all.” We customize the solutions and documents to the client, rather than forcing the client to fit a standard form-book solution.
✓ To accomplish this, we offer the initial consultation at no charge. This initial consultation lasts as long as needed for the particular client (usually from one to three hours) and its purpose is to uncover the client’s concerns, educate the client, and to see if there is a good “fit” between us and the client. We always prefer the client’s financial and/or tax advisor to be present at the initial consultation.
✓ We discuss Estate Planning and other areas of the law in plain and simple English, avoiding legalese as much as possible.
➣ We endorse and strongly recommend the “team approach” for the client.
✓ The “team approach” simply means that the client’s financial advisor, tax advisor, and attorney should work together as a team for the client’s benefit. The old adage that two (or three) heads are better than one certainly applies here.
✓ I often see the need for services and products which I am not licensed to provide. So I work with financial professionals to provide those items. My relationship with financial professionals is one of mutual cooperation and respect in which we all work together for the betterment of our mutual client.
➣ The primary area of concentration for my firm is Estate Planning and related areas.
✓ I do not have a general law practice because it is impossible for me to keep up with all areas of the legal field.
✓ If a client needs legal assistance in an area other than Estate Planning, Asset Protection, Probate, or Business Law, I will refer the client to an attorney who works in the appropriate area. I also do not handle any litigation in any Court other than the Probate Court.
➣ My background experience provides me with a unique point-of view.
✓ I was in commercial banking (primarily commercial lending) and in private business for 26 years before I started law school at the age of 48. As a result of this I think I contribute a more well-rounded approach and unique perspective to the areas of my law practice.
➣ Estate Planning for me is primarily Trust-based as opposed to Will-based (although I do occasionally recommend that a client not set up a trust if his or her situation is best solved without one).
✓ Each trust package is completely custom designed to meet the needs and concerns of the individual client.
✓ The trust packages we offer to our clients are very comprehensive and complete.
✓ The trusts we design include many items which may not be needed, but which are there if they are needed. For example, each trust has a "safety-net" Special Needs Trust built-in. This allows a beneficiary who is on Medicaid at the time of the Trustmaker’s death, to not become ineligible to receive his or her Medicaid benefits due to the inheritance, but to continue to receive Medicaid as well as benefit from the assets left him or her.
➣ Our practice is systems-guided.
✓ We have a systematic procedure we use with the client to determine the client’s true needs and concerns and to be sure those needs and concerns are properly addressed.
✓ For each trust we set up, we require that we assist the client in fully funding the trust. Fully funding a trust means we change the title or beneficiary on ALL the client’s assets (including real estate, vehicles, insurance policies, IRA’s, deposit and investment accounts, etc.) to place them in the trust. We do this because, in our experience, most clients do not get around to funding the trust on their own or the client thinks it is too difficult or stressful. This also prevents assets from being inadvertently left out of the trust.
✓ My paralegal, Angel Marshall, dedicates her time to assisting clients with funding the trusts. Angel has the latest software to help her in this task, and we are able to successfully follow-up on the funding and keep the client notified of the status of his or her particular trust.
✓ We have a unique optional Trust Preventive Maintenance Program which keeps the client and the trust up-to-date.
➣ All fees for the client are quoted up-front, before the client has decided to retain us.
✓ If at all possible, I give a fixed-price quote for the work we are going to do. I avoid hourly billing if at all possible.
✓ The client knows in advance the full amount of his or her investment in the legal portion of the estate plan before a decision is made to retain us.
✓ We do not “nickle and dime” the client by charging extra for photocopies, faxes, phone calls, etc.
➣ Finally, we maintain our practice on the cutting edge:
✓ We are a member of WealthCounsel, LLC, a national organization with membership of over 1,000 law firms. These members are all estate-planning attorneys. To learn more about WealthCounsel, please visit their website at www.wealthcounsel.com.
✓ I teach several courses each year on Estate Planning to other professionals as well as to non-professionals.
✓ Our software for creating Estate Planning documents is up-dated at least monthly so we are able to offer documents which we know are current.
✓ My type of planning stresses quality and expertise with a personal, “hands-on” approach. My clients are unique people and families with unique situations which call for unique solutions. My goal is to offer extraordinary services. I believe I do that.
✓ I use conservative and tested techniques which are up-to-date, but which are not intended to promote disputes with the IRS. I don't want my clients to take on the government as an opponent, and so I avoid planning techniques that are of doubtful validity.
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