Estate Planning

We provide straightforward, affordable estate planning services designed to give you peace of mind and protect your loved ones.

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Getting Started

The first step is to meet with Attorney Erin Gallivan to discuss your goals, review your assets, and learn about the estate planning options available to you.

Initial Consultation: $285 flat fee
During this meeting, we will:
- Explain the estate planning process
- Review your personal and financial situation
- Help determine whether a simple plan or trust-based plan is right for you

Following the consultation, you may choose to move forward with one of our flat-fee packages or, if your situation is more complex, continue on an hourly basis.

Estate Planning Packages

Individual Plans

Simple Will Package – $300
- Last Will and Testament
- Power of Attorney
- Advance Health Care Directive
- HIPAA Medical Authorization

Will & Trust Package – $475
- Everything in the Simple Will Package
- Revocable Trust

Couple Plans

Simple Will Package – $550
- Wills for both individuals
- Powers of Attorney
- Advance Health Care Directives
- HIPAA Medical Authorizations

Will & Trust Package – $950
- Everything in the Simple Will Package
- Revocable Family Trust

Each package includes:

Preparation of all documents
Review and explanation of documents
A signing meeting at our office with witnesses and a notary

Understanding Your Estate Plan

A well-rounded estate plan typically includes the following key documents:

Last Will and Testament

Directs how your assets are distributed and names the person (Executor) responsible for handling your estate.

Power of Attorney

Allows a trusted person to manage your financial and legal matters during your lifetime if you are unable to do so.

Advance Health Care Directive

Specifies your medical wishes and appoints someone to make health care decisions on your behalf if needed.

HIPAA Medical Authorization

Gives your chosen person access to your medical records and information.

Revocable Trust (if applicable)

Allows you to hold assets in a trust during your lifetime so they can pass to your beneficiaries without going through probate.

Avoiding Probate

Many clients want to simplify things for their families and avoid probate court where possible.

There are several strategies that can help:

Payable-on-Death (POD) and Transfer-on-Death (TOD) Accounts
Bank and investment accounts can pass directly to a named beneficiary without going through probate.
Transfer-on-Death Vehicle Titles
Vermont allows vehicles to be transferred directly to a beneficiary.
Using a Revocable Trust
Assets placed into a trust during your lifetime can pass outside of probate.

Please fill out the following form to start the process of scheduling an Estate Planning consultation.

First name

Last name

Preferred Name & Pronouns

Phone

Address

City

State

Zip Code

Children Names and Ages

Spouse First Name

Spouse Last Name

Spouse Preferred Name

Spouse Pronouns

Is this a second marriage?

If yes, any stepchildren?

Spouse US Citizen?

Do you currently have estate plan documents?

Do you have any particular concerns or questions?

I wish to schedule a one-hour estate planning consultation with an attorney. I understand that: (1) I will have to pay a $285 flat fee before scheduling; (2) this is for only a consultation meeting, and this does not mean the attorney will draft any documents; and (3) if I want the attorney to do any further work beyond this consultation I will have to sign an additional engagement agreement and make further payment.

The material on this web site has been prepared by Vermont Family Law for informational purposes only. This material is not, and is not intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and emails. But contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. You are not our client unless we agree in writing to represent you. If you are not already our client, please do not send us any confidential or private information. In order to protect our existing clients, we cannot treat any information you might send us as confidential. If we agree to represent you, then you will be our client, and we may exchange confidential information freely.

Planning Ahead: What to Gather

Before your consultation, it’s helpful to organize information about your assets, including:

Bank accounts
Investment and retirement accounts
Real estate
Vehicles
Life insurance policies
Business interests
Valuable personal property

This information helps us create a plan tailored specifically to your needs.

Don’t Forget Digital Assets

Modern estate planning also includes your digital life. You should consider:

Leaving instructions for online accounts and digital files
Storing passwords securely
Naming a trusted person to manage your digital accounts

Planning ahead ensures your loved ones can properly manage or close accounts after your passing.