Why You Don’t Want an Initial Consultation, But a Life & Legacy Planning® Session Instead
Estate Planning That Works When Life Happens
Too many people walk away from a lawyer’s office thinking they’ve “done their estate planning.” Usually, that means they had a short initial consultation, got a list of recommended documents, paid a fee, and a few weeks later picked up a binder.
On paper, it looks complete. In reality, it often fails.
At Pillar Oak Law, we see this all the time: families discover only after a death or incapacity that the paperwork they relied on doesn’t actually protect the people they love. That’s because a transactional consultation and one-size-fits-all documents aren’t enough.
That’s why we don’t offer consultations. We offer something different—something better. Our Life & Legacy Planning® Session is the foundation of The Pillar Oak Way. It’s a working session designed to give you clarity about your choices, confidence in your plan, and control over how your legacy is carried out.
Why Consultations Fall Short
In a traditional consultation, the lawyer’s role is to tell you what documents you “need.” A will. A trust. A power of attorney. A health care directive. Then comes the price tag.
The problem? You leave without really knowing:
If those documents will actually work in real life.
How your family will navigate court, taxes, or conflict.
Whether your values, wisdom, and guidance will be passed on—not just your assets.
A consultation gives you answers, but not understanding. It produces papers, but not peace of mind.
How a Life & Legacy Planning® Session Is Different
At Pillar Oak, we designed the Life & Legacy Planning® Session to be a working meeting that puts you—not a stack of forms—at the center of the planning process.
Here’s what happens in your Session:
1. Education About the Law
We walk you through exactly what would happen to your family and assets if something happened today. For most people, it’s a wake-up call—because what the law says will happen is usually very different from what you’d want.
2. Review of Your Family and Finances
We go beyond an inventory of bank accounts and property. We talk about your loved ones, their needs, and potential challenges. Who would step forward to care for your children? Would your spouse have enough support? Are there family dynamics that could cause conflict?
3. Clarifying Your Priorities
No two families are alike, and neither are their goals. For some, it’s privacy. For others, it’s protecting children’s inheritances from divorce or creditors. For others still, it’s making sure a business or property is passed down smoothly. The Session helps you identify what matters most—so your plan reflects your unique values.
4. Choosing the Right Path Forward
By the end, you won’t just hear, “You need a trust.” Instead, you’ll see the planning options available, how each one works, and the investment for each. You’ll make the choice that’s right for you—with your eyes wide open.
The Pillar Oak Difference
Estate planning isn’t just about documents—it’s about people. It’s about making sure your spouse, your kids, and even future generations are supported and protected when they need it most.
That’s why we focus on more than just the “what” of planning. We give you the why and how—so your loved ones inherit not just your assets, but also your wisdom, values, and guidance.
When you leave your Life & Legacy Planning® Session, you’ll know:
Exactly what would happen to the people you love under the law.
How your plan can prevent court, conflict, and confusion.
That your choices reflect your deepest priorities.
That your plan will work when life happens.
That’s peace of mind. That’s the Pillar Oak Way.
Ready for Clarity, Confidence, and Control?
If you’ve been thinking of estate planning as a quick meeting and a stack of papers, now you know why that approach fails so many families.
Your loved ones deserve more. And so do you.
Schedule your 15-minute Right Fit! Call here today and discover how a Life & Legacy Planning® Session can give you clarity about your choices, confidence in your plan, and control over your legacy.
