The Living Planner Advisory Perspective Series presents questions to professionals each month. We provide our readers with this information to help them prepare for meetings with professionals they may consider using to help them plan and prepare for life.
This month, it is my pleasure to introduce Andrea Shoup of Shoup Legal.
Andrea K. Shoup is an experienced Estate Planning, Trust Administration, Probate, and Business Succession Planning Attorney serving Southern California.
Andrea K. Shoup is dedicated to providing the highest level of personalized service to her clients and understands this may be an unsure and difficult time. She founded Shoup Legal, a boutique law firm, on the idea that visiting an attorney’s office should be a pleasant experience, not an uncomfortable one.
Andrea grew up on the California Central Coast, in San Luis Obispo County. In 2002, she earned her Bachelors of Science Degree in Business Administration from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. Andrea decided to pursue a law degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude from California Western School of Law in 2006. While in law school, Andrea served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review and was an officer of the Pro-Bono Honors Society.
Following law school, Andrea worked as a Deputy District Attorney for the San Diego District Attorney’s Office. As a felony trial attorney, Andrea was dedicated to ensuring justice was served in every case.
After leaving the District Attorney’s Office in 2012, she opened her own law practice and pursued a career in Estate Planning. She now focuses exclusively on Estate Planning, Probate and Trust Administration, Business Succession Planning and Charitable Planning. Andrea works diligently and attentively to ensure every case and situation is handled effectively and appropriately.
Andrea enjoys getting to know each client, their concerns, and their wishes in order to tailor a plan to best serve their needs. She takes pride in providing excellent and individualized attention to each client, helping them understand every step of the process.
Andrea lives in Murrieta, California with her husband and three sons. Welcome Andrea!
Question 1. What do you enjoy about working with your clients?
I love seeing the relief in their eyes when they are “done.” Usually, estate planning is something they have been putting off and maybe they haven’t wanted to do it. I enjoy explaining how all of the documents work, helping them make the choices that fits their family, and then helping them complete their plan so that they no longer need to worry or stress about it.
Question 2. How would you suggest a potential new client prepare for a 1st meeting?
The best “preparation” would be a willingness to ask questions and learn. I explain a lot during our first meeting and invite many questions. I need to get to know my clients, their family situation, their concerns and their goals. I also try to ensure everyone has a better understanding of “estate planning” by understanding the uses of the different documents, such as revocable living trusts versus wills; powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and so forth. Most everyone have many questions about the documents, even other attorneys. So, an openness to ask questions and learn is important.
Question 3. When someone agrees to become a client, what can they expect immediately? Over time?
Immediately, I become a resource for questions and information. I also explain the process we will go through during our next series of meetings and what they can expect from me, and what “homework” they will have. I enjoy being a continued resource for my clients as a way to assist as well as keep in contact with everyone, so I encourage my clients to ask me questions as they come up, even years after the estate plan was done.
Question 4. What is your service philosophy?
I treat everyone the way I want to be treated. I want clear communication, I want to know what to expect, and I want “promises” to be met. So, I make sure my clients receive the same. I invite questions, I let them know what they can expect during the process and after, and I make sure I can meet the promises I make.
Question 5. What resources do you provide to assist “laypeople” with understanding what is being discussed?
I have different information brochures and articles on my website, newsletters, and available in my information packets to explain several topics. I try to take the “lawyerese” out of it so people can understand in plain English.
Bonus Question! If you were to relay one piece of advice to anyone reading this, what would it be?
Many people tell me that their family and children know their wishes so they do not need to plan. However, unless there are properly written documents, usually court cannot be avoided and a judge will not allow family members to follow those wishes. Though people think they don’t have a plan, they actually have the “government plan” which is written in the California Probate Code and must be followed. My advice is to know your options and give your family the legal tools necessary to follow your wishes through proper planning.
Thank you Andrea, for sharing your information with us. Andrea’s website is: Shoup Legal
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