Frequently Asked Questions

Most clients finish within 4–8 weeks, depending on how long they take to review drafts. The process is efficient but gives you plenty of time to feel confident in your choices.

After scheduling, you’ll receive a secure link to DecisionVault, my online platform for gathering client information and storing completed documents. You’ll log in to your secure Client Workspace and then be guided through a questionnaire about your family, assets, and wishes. It usually takes less than an hour and helps us make the most of our time together.

I meet clients in a private conference room at Kiln Meridian (on Eagle Road just off I-84). After Kiln opens its location in downtown Boise (at Idaho and 4th Street), I also will offer meetings there. Both locations offer free parking. Or we can conduct your initial meeting virtually via Zoom.

Yes. For married couples, both spouses must attend. Estate planning decisions—like Guardians for children or how to structure a Trust—are joint decisions. Meeting together ensures you both understand your options and feel confident in the plan we’re building.

Yes. You’ll work directly with me from start to finish, and I draft every document myself. I take time to explain what each document does in plain English so you leave not only with signed documents, but with peace of mind that you understand exactly what they accomplish.

After your signing meeting, you’ll receive a portfolio with your original documents and you’ll be able to access electronic copies in DecisionVault. If you have a Trust, you’ll also receive clear instructions for transferring property into it.

Usually, yes. While your out-of-state Will may still be valid, certain documents—especially financial and healthcare Powers of Attorney—are state-specific. Updating your plan for Idaho law helps avoid delays or complications.

Yes. A Trust only works if your assets are properly titled in its name. I’ll provide clear instructions to help you transfer property, bank accounts, and other assets into your Trust.

No. For liability reasons, I don’t revise documents created by another attorney. However, I would be happy to prepare a new plan for you so everything works together seamlessly under Idaho law.

No. I focus solely on the planning side. For assistance with probate or trust administration, I recommend you reach out to Shaila Buckley Law.

No. For Medicaid or special needs planning, I recommend reaching out to a firm that focuses specifically on that area of law.

I don’t. I designed my practice to serve clients with a total net worth under about $4 million. I don’t create plans centered on complex federal estate tax avoidance strategies.

No. Due to licensing rules, I can only serve clients who reside primarily in Idaho.

I offer a flat-fee pricing menu, which lets you see exactly what each service costs before you decide. You can view my detailed pricing sheet here. During our first meeting, I’ll help you choose the services that fit your goals and budget.

The Base Fee covers the essential planning that most clients need. Add Ons apply to more complex planning, such as holding inheritances in further trust. We’ll review your options together so you can make an informed decision about which services are right for you.

No. I don’t require a retainer or other upfront payment. Generally, the fee won’t be due until after you’ve signed all of your documents and have your completed estate plan. The exact payment terms will be laid out in our engagement agreement.

No. While I deliberately set my prices at the lower end of the market, I can’t guarantee they’re the lowest. When choosing an attorney, it’s also important to consider their estate planning experience and the experience they offer their clients.

Online forms are inexpensive, but they can’t provide legal advice or help you think through decisions specific to your situation, like who should raise your children or whether a Trust makes sense for you. They also can’t ensure your documents meet Idaho’s signing requirements.

A Will is a legal document that names the people you trust to handle your affairs and raise your minor children after your death. You also can use a Will to direct how you want your property distributed. Without a Will, Idaho law makes all of these decisions for you.

Yes. A Will isn’t about wealth, it’s about making sure the right people care for your children, handle your affairs, and inherit what you own.

Beneficiary designations only cover specific accounts, while a Will ties everything together and covers the rest of your property.

Yes. A Will names Guardians for children and handles any property that didn’t make it into your Trust. At Willena, all Trust plans also include a Will.

You can, but online forms can’t provide legal advice, navigate your family dynamics, or ensure proper signing under Idaho law.

A Revocable Living Trust (also called a “Probate Avoidance Trust”) is a private agreement you create during your life to manage the distribution of your property after your death without the time and expense of the court-supervised probate process.

No. With a typical Revocable Living Trust, you stay in charge of your assets while you’re alive.

Yes. A Trust can add guardrails so your beneficiaries don’t deplete their inheritances or lose them in a divorce or to creditors.

Not entirely. You still need a Will to cover guardianship for children and any assets not titled in the Trust.

Your loved ones will still have to go through probate if your assets never make it into the Trust.

Online Trust templates can be tempting, but they don’t provide legal advice, help you choose trustees, or explain funding.

Powers of Attorney let you choose who can step in to handle your finances and healthcare decisions if you can’t.

Yes. After age 18, parents no longer have automatic authority to step in.

No. You stay in charge as long as you’re able.

Choose people you trust who can stay calm under pressure and make thoughtful decisions with your best interests in mind.

Statutory forms can work in very simple situations, but they’re one-size-fits-all. Without guidance, you may end up giving away too much power, too little, or the wrong kind.

Anytime there’s a major life change or every few years even if nothing has changed.

Schedule a meeting through my Returning Clients link, and we’ll review what needs to change.

All documents you create with Willena are stored in your secure DecisionVault Client Workspace.

I share updates through my newsletter, and the Returning Clients page will always point you to the latest information.