The world is changing and many of our needs can now be met over the internet. People now shop online, communicate with their friends and family around the world using Facetime and WhatsApp, and now even professional services are being offered virtually. Virtual legal services can be a powerful tool in making legal services accessible and convenient while still providing you with quality service and maintaining your privacy. We here at S&J Law focus and encourage virtual legal services, but understand people’s preferences for face-to-face services. That is why we offer both virtual and in-person services for estate planning, trust administration, and probate representation.
WHAT ARE VIRTUAL LEGAL SERVICES?
Virtual legal services are legal services delivered remotely and entirely online using technology and the internet. For example, video calls, secure portals, and email for communication, advice, and document handling. Virtual services, eliminate the need for a traditional physical office and typically offer cost savings and flexibility for clients.
HOW CAN VIRTUAL LEGAL SERVICES BENEFIT ME?
We don’t know about you, but life seems to be getting busier over the decades no matter what stage of life you are in. For people middle aged or younger they are stretched thin with the demands of work, the patience required for younger children, the shuttle service demands from teenagers, the need to work more to help their grown children leave the nest, or taking care of an elderly parent. Even our elderly clients tend to be busier with the average retirement age being pushed back, the need to help with childcare of their grandchildren, or with frequent travel plans. The traditional in-person model requires clients to coordinate a day and time during the week where they can head down to the attorney’s office. There are benefits to the traditional model given the serious nature of estate planning. On the other hand, there are significant benefits to virtual legal services that could outweigh the traditional model depending on your situation.
• No Travel Required
Time is a valuable commodity and there are costs associated with traveling to an attorney’s office. Gas, mileage, possibly parking, time taken off of work, potentially child care, etc. By utilizing virtual legal services, you can bypass all of those costs. You could take an extended lunch and hold a video conference with your attorney and other family member from a quiet corner on your phone, tablet, or computer.
Some clients are elderly or disabled making transportation cumbersome. When traveling to an attorney’s office you will have to coordinate taking medication, the use of restrooms, and transfers to and from the car and possibly utilize a mobility device. On the other hand, when using virtual legal services, a client can sit in their favorite chair with access to their own restroom and medications only a few steps away. It is perfectly acceptable and we don’t mind if a client needs to excuse themselves for a few minutes for self-care.
• Flexible Scheduling
As working parents, we completely understand the need for flexibility. Virtual legal services are ideal for this. Whether it is unforeseen change in plans or availability outside the traditional work schedule, we have you covered.
Traditional law firms are opened Monday through Friday usually somewhere between 8am to 6pm. As a result, you would have to find a way to head to your attorney’s office within those parameters. Typically, you would want to schedule a 30 minute or 1 hour meeting to make it worth your while. Sure, you could always call or write an email, but depending on the law office, response times can be frustrating. Especially if you need an answer right away. But with virtual services availability is often more robust.
We here at S&J Law are willing to meet with clients on nights and weekends. We will gladly jump on a short meeting with you if you need some questions answered A.S.A.P. We’ve even had one scenario where we scheduled meeting times and durations around a baby’s nap time. We understand everyone’s situation is different and how important it is to get your estate plan done. Therefore, we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
• Service Offered Across California
With the traditional attorney office model, services are rendered to clients locally or to those willing to drive to that location. With virtual legal services are able to serve all California residents whether they are here in California or traveling out of state. Our ability to serve them comes down to whether or not they have the proper equipment, an internet connection, and the differences in time zones.
Virtual Estate Planning Process
Working with us remotely is simple and streamlined:
1. Initial Consultation
Schedule a virtual 30 minute consultation where we will go over what an estate plan is, how it will benefit you, and what level of service your situation might require. During this meeting we will give you a broad overview of estate planning and the entire process we will undertake together if you choose to engage with our firm. Unfortunately, we cannot give specific legal advice for your situation during this initial consultation.
2. Document Collection & Communication
Once you engage our firm for estate planning via an attorney/client agreement, we will send you various intake forms regarding family history, assets & liabilities, appointment of agents, distribution structure and asset management wishes.
3. Plan Design & Review
Depending on the legal of service you choose, we will meet several times either through videoconference or over the phone to go over or customize your advanced health care directive, power of attorney, will, and trust. Also, if you choose this higher level of service options we will meet with you to discuss how to fund your trust and how to manage your trust during your life time. Before finalizing the documents, you will be given an opportunity to review and request revisions to the documents. Also, during our meetings, we will screen share and walk you through or review each document with you.
4. Signing & Finalization
We will provide you a binder for your estate plan and flag all the places you are required to sign and notarize. Once you have it in hand, we will hold a close out meeting and walk you through the process. Then you can sign the documents at your connivence with a notary.
What If I Am Not Tech Savvy?
Our clients have varying comfort levels when using their computer/table/phone. We are more than willing to set up a test meeting or add extra time to a consultation to work through all the technical difficulties. We will send you written instruction and will walk you through the process over the phone. Using a computer with camera and microphone is best so we can share our screen with you. However, many of our clients have used their tablets or phones.
Additionally, we always have the option to conduct our meetings over the phone or in person if we cannot make you comfortable when doing a videoconference. Again, our priority is to offer you excellent legal services within your comfort zone.
If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to help!