Estate Planning Referral Partnership — For CPAs, Financial Advisors, and Real Estate Professionals

If you advise clients on their money, their taxes, or their real estate, you regularly see the moment an estate planning need appears — usually before any attorney does. A client buys a house. A client inherits. A client’s parent dies without a trust and the family calls you first. When that moment comes, you need an attorney you can refer with confidence.

Why the Dual Credential Makes Collaboration Work

I hold both a J.D. and a CPA license. For referring professionals, that means a shared vocabulary: I read the returns, understand the basis issues, and recognize the planning implications of what you’re already doing for the client. CPAs don’t need to translate tax concepts for me. Advisors don’t need to explain why an account is titled the way it is. The collaboration starts at competence, not at a glossary.

What Referral Partners Can Expect

• Communication. You’ll know your client was taken care of — promptly, and with updates where the client authorizes them.
• Professionalism. Your referral reflects on you. I treat it that way.
• No client poaching. Your client relationship is yours. I handle the legal matter and send them back. I do not provide tax preparation or investment advice, and I don’t intend to start.

Common Referral Scenarios

• “My client just bought a house and needs a trust.” — The classic. Two to four weeks from introduction to signed, funded plan.
• “My client just inherited and needs trust administration help.” — I guide successor trustees through notices, accountings, and the tax coordination you and I will both touch.
• “Something looks wrong in my client’s parent’s trust.” — An honest litigation assessment, including when the honest answer is “don’t.”