“Nancy always said baking is a science,” Randy Hallstrom says of his late wife. “Cooking you can do whatever you want, but baking? That’s a science.” After more than 30 years as a Home Economics/Family & Consumer Science teacher, Nancy would know!
By that definition, estate planning might be more like baking than cooking. Deviating from a recipe can lead to disastrous results (watch an episode of Nailed It! for evidence), similar to how neglecting key elements in estate planning can cause devastating complications for your loved ones. Estate planning requires precision, perfectly-executed timing, and well-thought-out strategies, and that’s why Randy and Nancy trusted Schromen Law with their plans.
When Randy and Nancy first came to Schromen Law, they came based on the recommendation of their business attorney who had heard nothing but good things about St. Paul attorney Rachel Schromen.
“Nancy and I looked at the website and just thought, ‘Rachel sounds like someone we wanted to talk to,’” Randy shares. From that first meeting, they both felt “very comfortable.”
That was not the experience they had when working on their documents in the decade prior. “We met with an attorney who was very business-like and matter-of-fact,” Randy says of that experience. They were looking for more warmth when it was time to revisit and revise their plans.
A New Experience
When Nancy and Randy initially sat down to talk with Rachel, Nancy was already sick with cancer. They appreciated the kindness and care they experienced during their consultation. “You could tell she listened to us,” Randy says. “She was very patient with all of our hundreds of questions.”
That compassion didn’t erase the professionalism, though. On the ride home from that first meeting, Nancy confirmed Randy’s impression when she stated, “She clearly knows her business.”
Randy knows first-hand that we really don’t have enough time. “That’s a big mistake that we all make” he wisely states. “We think we have time. Nancy getting sick was telling us that we didn’t have time. We had to take steps to make sure everything was in order.”
After signing their estate planning documents, Nancy died in June 2023 surrounded by Randy, her children, and her grandchild.
Connecting Through Grief
“I can remember calling the firm and talking with Rachel at that time,” Randy recalls. “She was kind and said there was no rush to do what had to be handled there. In the back of my mind, I never had to worry about that. I had peace of mind having you guys in my corner.”
If we were to give away an award for “Schromen Law’s Biggest Cheerleader,” Randy’s name would be at the top of the list.
“I don’t give my recommendations out lightly,” he says. “I only give them out when I really, really trust somebody, and I know they’ll have a good experience. I don’t hesitate to recommend Schromen Law.”
And to those who live outside of the Metro area who are worried about the drive, Randy has some advice: “We all have Google maps. You can get anywhere. You won’t regret it.”
In the end, thoughtful preparation — as evidenced by Randy and Nancy’s experience — is the key ingredient that turns the daunting task of estate planning into a recipe for peace of mind.
If you’re interested in starting the process with a free consultation, contact Schromen Law, LLC today.
The material contained herein is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to create or constitute an attorney-client relationship between Schromen Law, LLC and the reader. The views expressed in this article are not a statement of support or endorsement by Schromen Law, LLC. The information contained herein is not offered as legal or medical advice and should not be construed as legal or medical advice.
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