Before we begin
Your estate planning agreement, one step at a time
This is the same retainer agreement you'd sign on paper — reorganized so it's easy to read, understand, and complete. Most people finish in 10–15 minutes.
1Read short summaries, not legal walls. Each section is explained in plain English first. The full legal language is always one tap away — nothing is hidden.
2Go at your own pace. Your progress saves automatically. Close this page and come back anytime — you'll pick up right where you left off.
3Questions are welcome. Write down anything that's unclear and bring it to your intake meeting with your attorney — that's exactly what it's for.
What you'll need
Just your basic contact information. Payment details come at the very end, and you can pay by check instead if you prefer.
Get started · 1 of 2
First, a little about you
This determines which version of the agreement and which pricing applies to you — so you'll only ever see what's relevant.
Drafts of your documents will be emailed here.
Understand your agreement · 1 of 4
How the process works
Four meetings-and-milestones from start to finish, with a goal of completing your plan within 90 days.
Your flat fee includes
- Intake meeting (30–60 min) — in person, phone, or Zoom. Your attorney explains how everything works and reviews your questionnaire.
- Drafts emailed to you within 5–10 business days after intake.
- One draft-review meeting (30 min, optional) and one round of changes. Extra meetings or rounds are billed hourly.
- Signing & notary meeting (30 min) at the office. Prefer to sign elsewhere? A shipping fee applies, and you're responsible for proper execution.
Read the full legal language (Article 3)
3.1 Included Meetings and Draft Revisions (Flat Fee). Your flat fee includes the following services and meetings: First Estate Planning Attorney Intake Meeting (30–60 minutes), in person or remote by telephone, Zoom, or Teams. Estate Planning Drafts are emailed to you within 5–10 business days after your intake meeting. (Optional) Draft Review Meeting (30 minutes); additional meetings can be done on an hourly basis, above and beyond the flat fee, if needed. One reasonable round of changes after the first draft is included. Signing & Notary Meeting (30 minutes) — a signing appointment with a notary in our office.
3.2 If You Do Not Sign in Our Office. You may have your estate planning binder shipped to your home or office (additional shipping fee applies) or hire a mobile notary. If you do not sign in our office, we will not have a signed and notarized copy in our file unless you provide one. Client assumes all responsibility for the proper execution of documents.
3.3 90-Day Completion Goal and Rush Requests. Our goal is to complete your estate plan within 90 days of your intake meeting, assuming timely client participation. Rush requests can often be accommodated; a rush fee may apply. An estate plan normally takes about four to five weeks to complete.
The homework that makes it all work: funding your trust
A trust only avoids probate for assets that are actually titled into it. After signing, you'll get written instructions ("homework") for retitling accounts and property. Doing that homework is your responsibility — it's not part of the flat fee, though the firm can be hired separately to handle California deeds and business transfers.
The single most common estate-plan failure
A signed trust with unfunded assets can still go through probate. Set aside time for the homework — it matters as much as the documents.
Read the full legal language (Article 4)
4.1 Funding Is Your Responsibility. Our firm does not fund trusts as part of the flat fee. Funding is essential for probate avoidance. At your signing meeting, you will receive written funding instructions ("homework") explaining how to update ownership and beneficiaries.
4.2 General Funding Rules (Summary). Taxable accounts are typically titled in the name of your trust, or the trust is named as a pay-on-death beneficiary when appropriate. Real property and timeshares must be titled into the trust. Business ownership (LLC interests, corporate stock) must be properly transferred into the trust. Tax-deferred accounts (IRA/401(k)/annuities) are generally not titled into the trust; instead, beneficiaries are named. You are responsible for funding current and future assets, including after refinances and new purchases.
4.3 Separate Property. If you have separate property, it should generally be titled into a separate property trust (not a marital trust) to keep title clear and consistent.
Understand your agreement · 2 of 4
Who the firm represents
How the attorney-client relationship works for your situation.
Understand your agreement · 3 of 4
What's included — and what isn't
A clear boundary protects you: you'll always know what your fee covers and when something needs a specialist.
✓ Included in your estate plan
- Revocable living trust
- Pour-over will(s)
- Durable power of attorney (financial)
- Advance health care directive(s)
This is transactional estate planning only. A revocable trust is not asset protection — assets in it remain reachable by creditors, so keep everything properly insured.
Read the full legal language (Article 2)
2.1 Documents Included. We will prepare a California estate plan, which generally includes a revocable living trust, pour-over will(s), durable power of attorney (financial), and advance health care directive(s). This engagement is transactional estate planning only. It does not include trust funding, trust administration, probate, or post-death services unless separately agreed in writing.
2.2 Revocable Trust Is Not Asset Protection. A revocable living trust is not asset protection planning. Assets in a revocable trust remain subject to creditor claims. You must keep your assets properly insured.
✗ Not included (referrals available)
- Tax advice, tax planning, or tax returns
- Family law (divorce, prenups, property disputes)
- Irrevocable trusts / ILITs
- Business succession planning
- Funding your financial accounts (instructions only)
- Out-of-state deeds & non-U.S. assets — those need an attorney licensed there
- Litigation of any kind
Read the full legal language (Articles 6–7)
6.1 Assets Located in the United States. You may place assets located anywhere in the United States into your California trust.
6.2 Foreign Assets. We do not provide legal services involving assets located outside the United States. Foreign assets generally must be handled under the laws of the country where the asset is located. If you own foreign assets, you must retain counsel in that country.
ARTICLE 7 — To stay within our licensed practice area and keep fees reasonable, we do not provide: 1. Tax advice or tax planning (gift, estate, income tax strategies) 2. Tax return preparation 3. Family law advice (divorce, separation, community/separate property disputes) 4. Prenuptial or postnuptial agreement drafting or review 5. Irrevocable trusts, ILIT drafting, or ILIT maintenance 6. Business succession planning or buy-sell agreements 7. Trust funding of financial accounts (we provide instructions only) 8. Out-of-state deed preparation 9. Planning for non-U.S. assets 10. Litigation of any kind. If you need services outside our scope, we are happy to provide referrals.
Optional, for a separate fee
The firm can be hired to prepare and record California deeds moving real property into your trust, and to transfer business interests (LLC membership, corporate stock) into it — strictly for probate-avoidance, not as real estate or corporate counsel. You'll be able to add these in the services step.
Read the full legal language (Article 5)
5.1 California Real Property Transfers. We can be retained for an additional fee to prepare and record deeds transferring California real property into your trust. We are not a real estate law firm. We do not guarantee title is clear, provide title insurance, resolve title defects or boundary issues, or draft purchase contracts or living agreements. We obtain the most recently recorded deed and prepare a new deed transferring current ownership into your trust for probate avoidance. We cannot prepare or record deeds for real property located outside California.
5.2 Business Interest Transfers. We can be retained for an additional fee to transfer ownership interests into your trust, such as LLC membership interests, S-Corp stock and C-Corp stock. We are not a corporate law firm. We do not review corporate compliance, review entity structure, confirm good standing, draft bylaws, operating agreements, or shareholder agreements, or provide buy-sell planning or business succession planning. Our role is limited to transferring ownership into the trust for probate-avoidance purposes only.
Understand your agreement · 4 of 4
Rules worth knowing before you plan
Four California realities that shape what your plan can and cannot do.
Gifts to caregivers are restricted
California strictly limits gifts to caregivers (in-home caregivers, nurses, facility employees). In many cases such a gift requires a Certificate of Independent Review from a separate, independent attorney. There are no workarounds — naming a caregiver as trustee, agent, or indirect beneficiary doesn't avoid the rule, and the firm may have to decline or withdraw if a plan attempts it. The firm also strongly recommends your trustee be a U.S. citizen or lawful U.S. resident.
Read the full legal language (Article 8)
8.1 Caregivers and Restricted Gifts. California law has strict rules restricting gifts to caregivers and certain other individuals in a position of trust or dependence. In many situations, you may not leave a gift to a caregiver (including an in-home caregiver, nurse, or facility employee) unless strict legal requirements are met. Those requirements may include a Certificate of Independent Review signed by an independent attorney (not our firm).
8.2 No Workarounds. You may not avoid these restrictions by naming a caregiver as trustee or successor trustee, agent under a power of attorney, beneficiary, or a person receiving property indirectly through another beneficiary. If your plan would involve a restricted gift or restricted appointment, we may require additional documentation, independent counsel, or may decline or withdraw from representation.
8.3 Trustee Should Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Resident. For practical reasons, we strongly recommend that your trustee be a United States citizen or lawful U.S. resident. Non-U.S. trustees can cause delays and complications, including banking restrictions, identity verification problems, increased compliance requirements, and difficulty enforcing trustee duties if disputes arise.
Prop 19: your kids may not keep your property tax rate
When a parent dies, a child keeps the parent's low property tax base only if the child moves in, makes it their primary residence within legal time limits, and files the required claim. Otherwise the property is reassessed at market value. The firm does not give tax advice — if this matters to you, talk to a CPA or tax attorney.
Read the full legal language (Article 9)
California Proposition 19 changed the parent-to-child property tax rules. In general, when a parent dies, the child may keep the parent's property tax base only if the child moves into the home and makes it their primary residence within the legal time limits and files the required claim. If the child does not move into the home as a primary residence, the property taxes may be reassessed to current market value. We do not provide tax advice. If property tax planning is a major concern, you should consult a qualified tax attorney or CPA.
Why probate is worth avoiding
Probate is decided by how assets are titled at death — not by whether a trust exists. It's also public, and California's statutory fees run on the gross estate:
Example from the agreement
A $1.2M home + $700K other assets = $1.9M gross estate → roughly $32,000 attorney fee + $32,000 executor fee = $64,000, plus court and appraisal costs.
Read the full legal language (Article 12)
12.1 Probate Is Based on Title, Not Whether You "Have a Trust". Having a trust does not automatically avoid probate. Probate is determined by how your assets are titled at death, not simply whether you have a trust. Whenever you amend and restate your estate plan (and periodically over time), you should also review your asset titles and beneficiary designations to confirm they still match your plan.
12.2 Probate Can Be Expensive. California probate fees are generally calculated based on the gross value of probate assets (not the net value after mortgages or debts). Example: a home worth $1,200,000 and other probate assets worth $700,000 produce a gross probate estate of $1,900,000. Under California's statutory fee schedule, the estimated probate fees would be: Attorney fee $32,000; Executor fee $32,000; total statutory fees $64,000, plus additional costs such as court filing fees, appraisal fees, publication fees, and other expenses.
12.3 Probate Is Public. Probate is a public court process. Information about your assets, beneficiaries, and estate administration may become part of the public record.
No guarantees, and your plan needs upkeep
The firm cannot guarantee probate avoidance, tax outcomes, creditor protection, or benefits eligibility — results depend on proper funding and accurate information. This is a one-time engagement: the firm does not monitor your plan afterward. Update it after major life events, and restate it every 4–6 years (no later than 8–10) to keep it legally current.
Read the full legal language (Articles 11 & 14)
11.1 No Ongoing Duty. This is a transactional engagement. We do not monitor changes in the law or your circumstances after your documents are delivered.
11.2 When You Must Update Your Plan. You should update your estate plan after major life events, including moving out of California or becoming a permanent resident of another state, separation or divorce, death of a spouse (widow/widower status), remarriage, major changes in assets, beneficiaries, or family circumstances.
11.3 Recommended Restatement Schedule. To keep your plan legally current, we strongly recommend that your trust and related documents be amended and restated every 4–6 years, and no later than every 8–10 years, even if your wishes have not changed. Any estate planning attorney may be retained to amend and restate your plan.
ARTICLE 14 — California law requires us to disclose that we do not guarantee probate avoidance, tax outcomes, creditor protection, eligibility for Medi-Cal or other benefits. Results depend on proper funding, accurate information, and future events.
Almost there
Fees, billing & the working relationship
How payment works, what the firm expects from you, and how disagreements get resolved.
How billing works
- To get on the attorney calendar: a retainer check or credit card info, plus your completed estate planning questionnaire.
- Full fees are earned once drafts are delivered to you (by email, mail, or in person) — that's when payment is processed.
- Third-party costs (recorder fees, notary, shipping, rush fees) are yours unless listed in your fee schedule. Returned checks incur a $50 fee.
- You can request an itemized billing statement anytime (provided within 10 days), and you have the right to fee arbitration under California's Mandatory Fee Arbitration Act if there's ever a fee dispute.
Read the full legal language (Article 13)
13.1 Fees. Your flat fee (and any optional services) are listed in Exhibit A, which is incorporated into this Retainer by reference. Work outside the agreed scope requires a separate written agreement. To go on our attorney calendar, we require: (1) either a retainer check payable to the Law Office of Heidi Klippel or your credit card information and (2) your completed estate planning questionnaire. If paying by check, the retainer fee is to be equal to the requested service. Checks or credit card payments will be processed for full fees once drafts are provided to the client by email, mail, or in person. Full fees have been earned once drafts have been provided by email, mail, or in person. Any additional fees that may arise will be billed at your signing meeting or upon the delivery of final documents. Any check returned for insufficient funds will incur a returned check fee of $50.00. The firm reserves the right to require future payments be made in certified funds.
13.2 Costs. Clients are responsible for third-party costs, including (unless included in Exhibit A) county recorder fees, notary fees, delivery/shipping charges, document retrieval fees and rush fees (if applicable).
13.3 Invoices. You may request a detailed billing statement at any time. We will provide the statement within ten (10) days of your request.
13.4 Client Right to Fee Arbitration. If there is a fee dispute, you have the right to request fee arbitration under the Mandatory Fee Arbitration Act (Business & Professions Code §§ 6200–6206).
Your side of the bargain
Provide complete, truthful information; respond to drafts and emails promptly; disclose separate property and any pre/post-marital agreements; show up to meetings; follow the funding instructions now and in the future. The firm relies on what you tell it and isn't responsible for errors caused by incomplete information. Either side can end the engagement — you in writing anytime; the firm if fees go unpaid, communication stops, or a conflict arises.
Read the full legal language (Articles 10, 15 & 16)
ARTICLE 10 — Estate planning depends on accurate information and timely participation. You agree to provide complete and truthful information, promptly review drafts and respond to emails/questions, disclose separate property and any premarital/postmarital agreements, provide copies of relevant documents (such as operating agreements, bylaws, or share certificates), attend scheduled meetings and signing appointments, follow written funding instructions now and in the future, keep beneficiary designations current, and title future taxable assets into your trust (including real property). You understand that we rely on the information you provide, and we are not responsible for errors caused by incomplete or inaccurate information.
ARTICLE 15 — You consent to communication by email and electronic delivery of drafts and documents, understanding the risks of electronic communication. You will receive all original signed documents. We may keep electronic copies for a reasonable period, but we do not guarantee permanent file retention.
16.1 Termination by Client. You may terminate this engagement in writing at any time.
16.2 Termination / Withdrawal by Firm. We may withdraw as permitted by California law, including if you fail to pay fees or costs, you fail to communicate or participate, you request unethical or unlawful conduct, you provide incomplete or untruthful information, or a conflict of interest arises (especially in joint representation).
16.3 End of Engagement. This engagement ends when your estate plan has been signed and notarized (or delivered for signing), or we withdraw or you terminate in writing. No ongoing services are provided unless a new written agreement is signed.
If a dispute ever arises
Good-faith discussion first, then mediation, then binding arbitration in San Diego County.
You are waiving a jury trial
By signing, both sides give up the right to a jury trial for disputes covered by this clause. This is standard in retainer agreements, but you should know it's here.
The firm maintains malpractice insurance, and the agreement is governed by California law. You also consent to email communication and electronic document delivery.
Read the full legal language (Articles 17–19)
ARTICLE 17 — If a dispute arises, the parties agree to attempt to resolve it in good faith. If the dispute cannot be resolved informally, the parties agree to mediation, and if unresolved, then binding arbitration in San Diego County, California. By signing this Retainer, the parties waive the right to a jury trial for disputes covered by this clause.
ARTICLE 18 — The Firm maintains professional liability (malpractice) insurance.
ARTICLE 19 — This Agreement is governed by California law.
Make it yours
Choose your services
Based on what you told us, here are your options. If you're not sure which fits, your attorney will help you decide at the intake meeting — you can change your selection any time before signing.
Optional add-ons
We prepare & record the deed moving your home into the trust (California property only)
LLC membership, S-Corp or C-Corp stock assigned into your trust — $325 per document, or $550 flat for a combined package
Keeps property you owned before marriage (or inherited) cleanly separate from the marital trust
Lets named people access your medical information in an emergency
Timeline
90-day completion goal; most clients finish well inside it
+$600
+$1,200
+$1,500
Complete fee schedule (Exhibit A)
The options above cover the most common needs. Every service and fee in the firm's Exhibit A is listed below — anything not selected here can be added later at these rates.
View the complete Exhibit A fee schedule
| Comprehensive estate plan fees | |
| Marital Comprehensive Estate Plan | $3,630.00 |
| Single Comprehensive Estate Plan | $3,025.00 |
| Amendment & Restatement — Marital | $3,080.00 |
| Amendment & Restatement — Single | $2,475.00 |
| Will, Durable Power of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directive — Single | $1,690.00 |
| Will (2), Durable Power of Attorney (2), Advance Health Care Directive (2) — Married | $2,175.00 |
| Hourly rates | |
| Attorney services | $425.00 / hour |
| Paralegal services | $225.00 / hour |
| Deed and affidavit fees | |
| Primary Residence Deed or Affidavit of Death | $425.00 |
| Additional Property Deed or Affidavit of Death | $475.00 |
| Individual documents | |
| Separate Property Trust or Stand Alone Trust (incl. Certification of Trust) | $1,845.00 single / $2,285.00 marital |
| Testamentary Will | $850.00 |
| Pour Over Will | $410.00 |
| Advance Healthcare Directive | $410.00 |
| Financial Durable Power of Attorney | $520.00 |
| HIPAA standalone form | $190.00 |
| Attorney Certification Letter | $375.00 |
| Nomination/Acceptance/Resignation of Trustee | $425.00 |
| Small Estate Affidavit | $435.00 |
| Will Deposit | $375.00 |
| Corporate fees | |
| Business Assignments | $325.00 |
| Stock Certificates | $325.00 |
| Amendment to Operating Agreement for LLC | $325.00 |
| Combination of Stock Certificate / Business Assignment / Amendment to Bylaws or Operating Agreement (flat fee) | $550.00 |
| Rush fees | |
| 10–19 business days | $600.00 |
| 3–9 business days | $1,200.00 |
| 24–72 hours | $1,500.00 |
| Other fees | |
| Missed appointments — 24-hour cancellation policy | $75.00 |
| Death certificate (1st) | $100.00 |
| Each additional death certificate | $50.00 |
| Additional copy of estate planning binder | $175.00 |
| Reprinting of all documents including new binder | $175.00 |
| Notary fees | $15.00 per signature |
| Shipping fee | $75.00 |
| Courier fees | $75.00 |
| Special request to print draft documents | $30.00 |
Finish · 1 of 3
Review everything
One last look before you sign. Tap any section in the left column to go back and change it.
Finish · 2 of 3
Sign your agreement
Type your full legal name below — it becomes your electronic signature on this retainer agreement.
Law Office of Heidi Klippel — By: Heidi Klippel, Esq. The firm countersigns after you submit; you'll receive the fully executed agreement by email.
Finish · 3 of 3
How would you like to pay?
Nothing is charged today. Your card or check is processed only when your document drafts are delivered — that's when the fee is earned under the agreement.
✓
Your agreement is submitted
A copy has been emailed to you. Here's what happens next:
1Complete your Estate Planning Questionnaire. It's required before your intake meeting can be scheduled — we'll email you the link.
2Schedule your intake meeting (30–60 min, in person or Zoom). The office will reach out within 1 business day.
3Watch for your drafts by email within 5–10 business days after the meeting.
Questions before your meeting?
Call (858) 450-0505 or email heidi@heidiklippel.com — or write them down and bring them; the intake meeting is exactly for that.