The Cowles checklists are designed for use during the initial appointment. Information may be gathered, phrase selections made, and supporting documents, funding documents and correspondence selected, all while the client is available to provide detailed information, and while all is fresh in everyone's mind. Using the checklist also allows for specific fee quotes to be given at the end of the initial appointment.

At the end of the initial appointment, the checklist may be routed to an assistant for data entry and completion of the estate plan, so the drafter has the completed plan for review shortly after the initial appointment. The drafter may complete data entry, but with use of the checklist, data entry by the drafter is optional.

Unlike decision tree systems, drafting decisions are not made at the computer, since it is not feasible to draft at the computer while meeting with clients without compromising communication with the client. The checklist allows the drafter to make substantive drafting decisions while with the client, significantly enhancing the ability to make decisions based on perceptions of the client's needs and goals that are most apparent during the appointment. The checklist-based system also protects attorney time, since data entry may be delegated while the attorney meets with clients or invests time in projects that utilize his or her special knowledge and expertise.

Checklists may be downloaded free of charge from Cowles Members Only. The following checklists are available:

• Revocable Trust - also drafts the pourover will, financial powers of attorney, health care directives, community property agreements (where applicable), correspondence, invoice, various other supporting documents, all funding documents and correspondence, and even document covers and envelopes!
• Third-Party Trustee - similar to the revocable trust checklist with specific options for the third-party trustee module.
• Will - for use for clients who do not require or desire a revocable trust. This checklist is used for drafting of wills, financial powers of attorney, health care directives, community property agreements (where applicable), correspondence, invoice, and document covers and envelopes.
• Irrevocable Trust - to remove assets from the settlors' taxable estates for estate tax purposes. This checklist is used to draft the trust agreement, the application for taxpayer identification number, correspondence to settlors, trustees, insurance companies/agents, and beneficiaries (when Crummey Powers are utilized), and also generates the invoice and document covers and envelopes.
• SNT Addendum - designed to work with the revocable trust, third-party, or will checklists when a supplemental needs trust is created as part of the trust or will.
• Irrevocable Supplemental Needs Trust - appropriate when a client wants to establish a separate trust for a disabled beneficiary. This trust removes assets placed in the irrevocable SNT from the client's taxable estate and insures that the assets will be available for the beneficiary despite future developments in the client's lifetime.
• Trust Termination - The Cowles TrusTerminator system includes a checklist for completing postmortem procedures.
• Tutorial - provides an example for those new to the Cowles system.

Call us today at (800) 366-1730, or email us at west.appsupport@thomson.com if you have any questions or would like more information on the Cowles system.

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