Cowles: Success Stories

Rudy Beck, Esq., loves his clients. And even after 30 years, he has a contagious enthusiasm for his law practice, which focuses on estate planning, elder law, and postmortem services. Since 1993, Beck has used Cowles Legal Systems to streamline his practice and aid in document generation.

In the post-9/11 environment, when many firms were struggling to maintain revenues, Rudy's revenues increased by more than 25 percent each year. Initially with a larger firm, Rudy found that with streamlined systems, the financial and personal rewards were greater with the freedom of his own practice.

In 1993, Rudy wanted to develop an efficient system in his office. "Prior to bringing in Cowles' Trust Plus system, I tried many other systems - many terribly difficult to work with," says Rudy.

"I also developed my own system, which was very extensive, but I was willing to scrap mine when I saw how easy Cowles' systems were to adapt and use."

"The Cowles' checklist separates you from other planners because the thorough questions and the issue-spotting guidance allow me to focus on the client, and make the client aware that they're not talking to someone who's just filling in the blanks and punching it into a computer. When I'm meeting with a client, I know I can get as sophisticated as needed. I can listen, knowing I've got a system that will allow me to pull out all the stops and to provide whatever my client requires."

"Without the Cowles' system," Rudy says, "in order for productivity levels to remain high, I would have to hire two to three more people to do the document production that one person now handles. And support is fabulous! Cowles has done in their office what I hope people find when they call ours. From the moment that person says 'hello' to the minute you say 'goodbye', it's an enjoyable experience."

Streamlining his practice with the Cowles' systems has allowed Rudy to expand by adding an associate. "The systems allow me to delegate, and to duplicate myself while ensuring accuracy and consistency. I was able to train a new associate quickly, and last week he produced $14,000 in new business. He couldn't do that if the system didn't provide the comfort level, consistency, and ability to produce quality, comprehensive documents."

The ability to delegate computer data entry allows the attorneys more personal time with clients. Utilizing the system to duplicate himself through associates and assistants also provides an eventual exit strategy - which can otherwise be a challenge in a practice where value is in the attorney's personal services.

Cowles' systems also help the firm with postmortem services. Rudy states, "Cowles' TrusTerminator system is elegant, flawless, and complete. Clients love the regular contact promoted by the system, beneficiaries appreciate the reports generated, and financial institutions and others appreciate the way contacts are handled. The entire process is managed chronologically in a thorough and easy-to-follow process."

Rudy appreciates that Cowles recognizes that a software system in and of itself isn't enough to create a successful practice.

"Cowles shows the practitioner how to network with other professionals and provides materials and instructions for building the successful practice, as well as substantive legal help, legislative updates, and document sharing and email discussion groups with other Cowles' users," says Rudy. "It gives any attorney wanting to get into this side of the business an incredible set of tools to work with."

"If you want a system that gives you the freedom to take in as much estate planning work as you wish and still handle it in an efficient yet personal manner with an accuracy that gives you peace of mind as the document preparer, then Cowles is for you. If you want to deal with a company that provides you backup support second to none, then Cowles is for you."

The pager sounds. It is Sunday, 3:30 a.m., in Corona, California. While the rest of the city sleeps, hospital administrator Byron Streifling immediately reaches for his briefcase and heads toward the hospital.

Unfortunately, time at the park with his son this afternoon is on hold. Days that start like this usually end after dark.

Although he enjoyed his career, being called to work at any hour of the day or night, canceled plans with his family and friends, along with the thought of not seeing his son grow up, compelled Streifling to make a change.

That was then.

Today, Cowles Legal Systems provide attorney J. Byron Streifling, M.P.H., J.D., with the flexibility in his schedule to be at his family's side whenever he chooses. He doesn't miss his pager going off at 3:30 a.m. or the disappointment on his son's face when plans are cancelled at the last minute.

When Byron opened his practice, he decided to do thorough research and try several trusts and estate planning systems. He said, "I bought them all and worked with them all. But what I found is when I needed to do a set of documents or a trust package for an individual, I invariably turned to Cowles first because it was streamlined. It worked for me." Byron hasn't looked back since.

The Cowles systems streamline the entire trust, will, and postmortem process using a checklist-based concept which allows attorneys like Byron to really focus on the client and their needs.

Using a checklist allows Byron to focus on listening to clients, understanding their needs and motivations, and incorporating those into the estate plan.

Cowles systems actually make drafting the trust, will, or supporting documents efficient and virtually worry-free with the checklist-based process it provides. The attorney can systematically go through every detail without worrying that an issue may have been overlooked or inadvertently left out. In the same sense that Byron once woke at 3:30 a.m. to the sound of his pager, it may be safe to assume that many professionals like Byron wake to the thought of perhaps forgetting something that should have been considered and included in an estate plan or thinking that something was just not quite right. Cowles systems do not allow for this type of inaccuracy and let the attorney rest assured that the estate plan is complete and accurate.

Most importantly, the Cowles' system enables professionals like Attorney Streifling to have a life away from work.

"If I didn't use the Cowles system, I would be spending a whole lot more hours producing the documents, doing research, and doing all kinds of extra work that's already taken care of. I'd hate to do my work without it," said Byron.

Technological advantages enhance service for customers. "I may meet with several clients in a given day. With some of the systems I used - before I realized Cowles was the one that worked for me - I would have postponed completing the draft for those clients by days or waited until the weekend." By that time, details may be forgotten, and the to-do list gets longer and more stressful.

"Because Cowles streamlines the process so thoroughly, by the end of the day, at a minimum, I have a draft of all documents completed for each client I met with that day. The support Cowles provides is phenomenal."

When you walk into the Sparks, Nevada, law office of Attorney Dena Gilbert-Sheldon, you would never know that she launched her estate planning practice just over a year ago.

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."