Building Your Estate Planning Practice
Estate planning is all about helping your clients manage their money (for the present and for the future). To be an estate planner is to be part legal advisor, part financial advisor, part family advisor. It is this mix of skills that draws smart attorneys to the estate planning practice.
- Estate planning requires a deep knowledge of state and federal inheritance law and tax law. Particularly in the current legal climate where the whole notion of inheritance tax is in flux, it requires a mix of close legal analysis and "reading of the tea leaves."
- Estate planning requires a thorough understanding of financial instruments. Different instruments are treated differently for purposes of income tax and inheritance tax. Some instruments grow "tax fee", while others offer an annuity. Some are secure investments and others are risky. The estate planner is expected to be able to balance the risk and rewards in setting up an effective plan.
- Estate planning require solid people skills, the ability to know your client, know your client's spouse, and understand the dynamic between them and their family. Realize that estate planning is more than document drafting. More than likely, the estate planner will be involved in the administration of pre-testamentary trusts; the probate; and then supervision of estate administration. So getting to know "all your clients" is important.
A lawyer who can balance these different skills will garner the respect of his or her clients, and gain their recommendations to others. These referrals are the basis of a busy estate planning law practice. Combined with effective marketing, "you will work plenty."
Profiting from Your Estate Planning Practice
Just because you are busy, however, does not mean that you are maximizing the potential profits from your practice. While estate planning clients are very demanding on your time, they do not tend to be very generous with their payments. So, tools and processes that let you get your work done more efficiently will bring money to your bottom line.
Basha Systems, and the systems we have created and support, can help you get the profits you deserve from your hard work. You will find in these pages useful information about how document assembly and case management can help you get the most out of your practice.
| Automation |
Take a look at how you do business, what you do, and how it is done. Identify those areas where the return on investment ("ROI") justifies the investment of your time and money. |
| Document Assembly |
Document assembly is a must tool in the arsenal of every estate planner. It brings order to chaos. It brings consistency. It brings quality. It brings productivity. |
| Case Management |
Case management or practice management is nothing short of rationalizing and ordering your business and the information flow that is the life blood of your business. With an effective legal case management system you can "Get Things Done". |
| Integration |
Two power automation tools, HotDocs and Time Matters, should not function in isolation. They should work together. We build the glue that binds your automation systems together. Coming Soon |
| Testimonials |
Many of our clients ask us to keep their systems "confidential". They don't want their competitors to know how much of a competitive advantage they have over them. But we convinced a few clients to talk. Read what they have to say about us. Coming Soon |
| Links |
Are you looking for some extra technology resources? We have gone through what is out there for estate planners looking to automate their practice and gave you our opinionated view of those resources. |
Wealth Transfer Planning & Services for ILS Members
Interactive Legal Systems, with the help of Basha Systems, has built one of the most comprehensive and sophisticated HotDocs systems for Estate Planners; some say the best. You really should look at this system and consider it for your practice. Basha Systems provides ongoing support, training, and special customization services for owners of WTP.
| WTP Home |
If you don't know what WTP is, you should look here. If you do have WTP, you might want to review some of the training curriculum and take a look at some of our support packages for users of the system. |
| Content |
WTP is a comprehensive system with dozens of forms. |
| Services |
ILS has opened up the templates for customization. But with regular updates and the complexity of the system, customization can be daunting task. The WTP Template Maintenance Contract gives you the help you need. |
| Training |
Basha Systems conducts regular classes for ILS on customization. If you missed a class or if you want to run a refresher or get the course outline, this is the place to go. |
| Virtual Tour |
You should contact ILS for a private demo. But here is a brief preview of some of the highlights of the system. Coming Soon |
| Pricing |
Pricing for a full range of services and products developed specially for WTP Subscribers. |
| Support |
Have any questions about EPMS or want to get some instant help. Give us a call and then click this link for live remote desktop support. |
The Basha Systems Estate Planning Management System ("EPMS")
You need to see EPMS to believe it. Imagine a case management system built
by someone who understood your needs and fulfilled your wishes. If however
you are seeking a generic office management system (that isn't particular
to Estate Planning), be sure to check out our Office Management
System for Time Matters Front Office.
| EPMS Home |
Why should you buy EPMS? The real question, if you are an estate planner, is why are you waiting? |
| Features |
EPMS is a large feature package with hundreds of features. It took a long time to create. Take a look at what you get for your money. |
| FAQ |
We answer your questions about EPMS, what it will do, and what it won't do. As questions arise, we will periodically update this page. |
| Integration |
You might buy EPMS for the looks. But many people hear about it because of the link to Wealth Transfer Planning. Find out how the link works. And if you don't have WTP, find out how you can integrate this with your HotDocs templates. |
| Virtual Tour |
You can always call for a demo. You can contact Nicole at ILS or you can call Rose at Basha Systems. But if you have a few moments now, take a look at our video tour. Coming Soon |
| Requirements |
Want to know what you need to run EPMS. If you have WTP and Time Matters, that should be it. |
| Services |
You get more than just the package. You get installation and training. A host of other ongoing services are available. |
| Pricing |
No. We are not giving it away. But if you compare the cost to D.I.Y. ("do it yourself") or the costs of "status quo ante" the system is a bargain. |
| Support |
Have any questions about EPMS or want to get some instant help. Give us a call and then click this link for live remote desktop support. |
