ECKERT BYRNE’S SAPLING PLAN

Who is the Sapling Plan for?

The Sapling Plan is designed for young adults who are beginning to navigate life on their own and want to ensure the people they trust can help if an unexpected emergency occurs. Whether you’re heading to college, starting a career, or living independently, this plan provides important healthcare, financial, and digital planning documents that help protect your wishes and give loved ones the ability to assist when needed.

How does the Sapling Plan help you?

Once a person turns 18, parents and loved ones often lose the legal ability to access healthcare information or assist with financial matters without proper authorization. The Sapling Plan helps bridge that gap by allowing you to document your wishes and authorize trusted individuals to act on your behalf if you become unable to do so yourself.

The Sapling plan also addresses digital assets and online accounts, helping ensure important information can be accessed and managed when necessary. By putting these documents in place before an emergency occurs, families can avoid unnecessary delays and uncertainty during stressful situations.

What does the Sapling Plan include?

  • Living Will
  • HIPAA Authorization
  • Health Care Proxy(s)
  • Power of Attorney
  • Last Will and Testament
  • Letters of Instructions to health care agents

How The Sapling Process Works

STAGE 1: Initial Intake Meeting

The first step in the Sapling Plan process is an initial client intake meeting. The intake can occur remotely by phone or in person in our office. A team member will walk you through the documents included in the Sapling Plan and discuss the implications of your decisions. You’ll want to have your signed engagement letter and payment submitted prior to the initial intake. You’ll also want to bring or send your filled out PIF.

STAGE 2: Flowchart Approval

After the initial intake you will have a chance to review your initial flowchart. You will need to provide approval on the flowchart as well as the decisions made on any outstanding decisions. Once the flowchart is approved, the plan can be drafted.

STAGE 3: Delivery Meeting

The final step will be a delivery meeting with your attorney. You will review your documents, making special note of those provisions specific to your plan. You will then sign the documents in the presence of two witnesses and a notary public. Clients are encouraged to continue an ongoing relationship via the firm’s Legal Checkup or Annual Maintenance program.
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