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How I Make Your Estate Plan Easy to Understand

  Understanding your estate plan is just as important as signing it. A lot of information is packed in there, and months or years later, it can be difficult to remember the details. That’s why each one of my clients receives a written summary and a simple diagram showing how the documents work together. I started creating these summaries and diagrams because I wanted clients to have something they could easily refer back to, and if they choose, share with their children, successor trustees/executors, or other interested parties. Whether you’re just reminding yourself what’s in your estate plan, or you decide to gather your family to explain your wishes, the summary and diagram make everything clearer. Instead of trying to walk everyone through pages of legal language, you’ll have an easy-to-follow overview. It’s much simpler to review a one-page diagram than to hand your kids a 25-page trust. I hope these tools can help make those family discussions easier and leave everyone ...
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Why I Believe in Transparent, Fixed-Fee Pricing

  At Kirk Estate Planning, transparent, fixed-fee pricing is more than a billing method. It’s part of my commitment to making estate planning straightforward and stress-free. While many law firms choose not to publish their fees, I believe in the opposite approach. Knowing the cost upfront often helps clients prepare and feel more comfortable moving through the process. I certainly appreciate knowing what to expect when I’m making an important financial decision, and I think my clients do too. With a fixed fee, you’ll know the cost before we begin, so there are no surprises. Estate planning also involves important questions and deserves thoughtful conversations.   Those conversations shouldn’t be cut short because you’re worried that every question is adding to an hourly bill, and I don’t want to be watching the clock instead of focusing on you. If taking some extra time to answer one more question gives you confidence in your estate plan, then that is time well spent. Whe...
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A Trust Only Works If It's Funded

  If it’s been a while since you signed your estate plan, consider this a friendly reminder to make sure your trust is fully funded.   This means that your key assets (bank accounts, investments, life insurance, vehicles, and real estate) are titled in the name of your trust, or you’ve named your trust as the beneficiary on those assets. It’s the single best way to ensure all that careful planning you and your attorney did will work exactly as intended. Also, if you’ve been keeping a list of your assets with your trust documents so that your successor trustee knows where your money is (which I recommend doing), take a few minutes to review and update it. Add any new accounts or property you’ve acquired, and note any accounts you’ve closed or property you’ve sold. The most beautifully drafted trust can’t do its job unless your assets are actually in it. Keeping things titled correctly now saves your loved ones a world of paperwork later. If you're a Kirk Estate Planning...
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Location: Clayton, MO, USA
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