Cowles Estates Practice System

The level of success Dena has achieved is apparent from the level of knowledge, confidence, and organization of the attorney and staff; the professionalism of the office; and the volumes of satisfied clients. Practicing for several years in a larger law firm gave Dena insight into the importance of finding a system in crafting a successful practice.

For Dena, Cowles Trust Plus estate planning system was the answer. "The advice I'd initially received about starting my own practice was to take as many CLE classes as possible, acquire templates from various resources, build a database, and create estate plans. When I looked at this process, I knew it was going to take an extensive amount of time to develop and keep updated."

Acquiring and building templates while keeping up to date substantively would make it impossible for Dena to give the level of service she envisioned, while maintaining a balanced life. It was time for a streamlined process.

Cowles Trust Plus estate planning system generates estate planning documents, assists in establishing goals, provides education, and offers tools to analyze results as part of an entire process.

"With Cowles, you don't have to work any more than you want to. I don't. If you want to increase your bottom line and set up more appointments, you can. You can create the practice you envision, and I have."

Dena works Monday through Friday from 9 to 5. By tailoring the practice with Cowles, it leaves time for what's most important to the individual attorney. For Dena, that's her friends, family, and her community.

"Cowles has allowed me to spend more time with friends and family and the opportunity to volunteer and participate in charitable organizations. You get face-to-face time with people doing things you want to do anyway, while networking and bringing in clients."

The best use of time, whether in community activities or in the flow of appointments, is very important to Dena and her clients.

Clients frequently request "small" last-minute changes prior to signing their estate plan. The change would normally carry the signing to another appointment.

"I don't know how other attorneys do it. We have people that come in and change their mind at the last minute. If we didn't have the Cowles program, the client would have to come back another time."

The system carries changes throughout all documents as appropriate, including the revocable trust, will, financial powers of attorney, and health care directives.

In a matter of minutes the changes are made, new provisions reviewed and printed, and documents signed by the client - all while the client is still in the office.

Time has been invested with the client, while the system expedites generation of custom documents to incorporate the information gained from the personal meetings and coordination of all funding and supporting documents.

Dena concludes, "First and foremost, as an estate planner, you look out for the best interest of the client, family, and loved ones. If you're going to do that, you need to get to know your client, which means you're going to spend more time with them and Cowles allows you to do that. Cowles allows you to be the best that you can be."