FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
After I get the needed information from my clients I usually offer to do the work for a flat fee. This is a set fee that the client knows ahead of time before he or she hires me, so there are no disappointing billing surprises when the work is done. I likewise always try to offer my clients the ability to pick and choose how much service they want to pay for. For example, I can create a set of estate planning documents for someone for a set fee, and then they can choose whether to also use me to notarize the documents or they can choose to go get it done less expensively at some place like their bank or a UPS store.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I typically have a short email or phone conversation with someone looking to get their estate planning documents created, and then I email them my Estate Planning Information Form which is easy to fill out on their computer. They then forward the filled-out form to me, and I look it over. I may have some follow-up questions for them. Once I have all the information that I need, I send them an official quote via my secure online system called MyCase. If they like the terms of the quote and want to proceed, then they pay the quote. This money goes into a trust account that is mandated by the Texas Bar Association until the work is completed. I then start doing the work. If any more questions come up, I contact the client for whatever I may need. Once I'm done with the first drafts, I forward the client electronic copies to look over for any possible misspellings or misunderstandings on my part. I make any changes or corrections if they are needed. After everything looks good to the client, I either mail the documents to them to get them notarized on their own or I meet them at my office to notarize them for them (assuming they live in the Austin area). If they don't want to pay for my notary services or if they don't live in the Austin area, it is easy to get them notarized either at their bank, a FedEx or UPS office, or some other notary service which can be done quite inexpensively.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1987. I graduated from Baylor Law School and passed the Texas Bar Exam in 1994.