Estate Planning is a core practice area for Gregory F. Birney. Greg learned the field of estate planning in law school courses and under the direction of long-time Boston Trusts & Estates Attorney Andrew Doggett. Additionally, Greg regularly continues his education through seminars and continuing legal education courses.
You will not be passed off to a paralegal to fill in the blanks on a form. Most estate planning clients have an initial consultation where the parties decide whether representation is appropriate. Greg then commits your plan to a draft that is reviewed with you. Any alterations are made and shared with you well before you sign a final version of your plan. Unless unusual circumstances exist, you can expect three meetings for any “basic” plan: the initial discussion, the review of your documents, and finally the signing ceremony. Most estate plans are completed for an agreed upon flat fee so that the client is able to ask questions and have concerns addressed without the fear of unnecessarily increasing costs. A typical set of documents can be completed in about a month to six weeks, depending on the complexities involved. Shorter turnaround times can be accommodated, especially when clients are hospitalized or facing other personal emergencies.
In addition to other pro bono work, Greg has volunteered with the Wills for Heroes program providing first-responders and veterans with estate planning documents.