Our Process
We Help Georgia Families Protect What Matters Most
A Proven Process Built Around Clarity, Comfort, and Peace of Mind
At Arch Legacy Firm, we’ve designed a clear, supportive process that makes estate planning easy to understand and even easier to complete. Whether you’re creating your first Will or Trust, updating an existing plan, or navigating probate after a loss, we walk beside you every step of the way. Our team of moms has helped over seven hundred families in Watkinsville and Athens and across Georgia build plans that reflect their values and protect their loved ones.
- Step 0: Attend One of Our Events
- Step 1: The Discovery Call
- Step 2: The Life & Legacy Planning Session
- Step 3: Design, Review, and Sign
- Step 4: Ongoing Guidance
Learn About Estate Planning in a Relaxed, No-Pressure Setting
We believe estate planning should feel approachable, not intimidating. That’s why we host free community education events where you can learn the basics, ask questions, and meet our team in a warm, friendly environment.
Join us for:
- Whiskey & Wills in Watkinsville, Monroe, Braselton, Jefferson, or Madison
- Tacos & Trusts at our office in Watkinsville, GA
- Tailored Webinars from the comfort of your own home
- These events are fun, informative, and completely free. No sales pitch, just the estate planning essentials you didn’t learn in school.
Let’s Get to Know Each Other
Every journey begins with a free 15-minute consultation. During this call, we’ll:
- Tell you more about our process and fees
- Answer your initial questions
- Identify if our services will be a good fit
- This is a no-pressure conversation to help you feel comfortable and confident about moving forward with your family’s estate planning.
Prepare For Your Meeting
Personalized Planning That Puts Your Family First
Once you’re ready to begin, we’ll schedule an hour and a half meeting to dive deeper. You’ll meet with one of our experienced estate planning attorneys at our Watkinsville or Lake Oconee office, or virtually if you prefer.
We’ll review:
- What you own and how it’s titled
- Your family dynamics and legacy goals
- What would happen under your current plan (or lack thereof)
Then we’ll present custom-tailored options, including Wills, Trusts, special needs planning, business succession tools, and more, to help you decide what’s right for you.
You’ll leave this session with clarity and direction. No confusing legal terms. No one-size-fits-all documents.
After your planning session, we’ll draft your documents and confirm the details with you to ensure everything is exactly how you want it. Once you’re satisfied, we’ll schedule a signing meeting so we can walk you through your documents and ensure that they are properly signed, witnessed, and notarized.
For Trust-based plans, we also guide you through funding your Trust, so your assets are actually protected, not just on paper.
Your Plan Should Grow with Your Family
Life changes. So should your plan. That’s why we offer ongoing support after your documents are signed. You’ll receive:
- Open communication – no hourly bills when you call or email us
- Automatic 3 year reviews to make sure your plan is up to date
- Access to plan updates and amendments
- Optional membership in our Legacy Membership Program
- Continued guidance for titling assets into your Trust
We’re not just a one-and-done law firm, we’re your long-term legal partners.
For Probate & Trust Administration Clients
If you’re here because a loved one has passed and you need help with Georgia probate or administering a Trust, we’ll walk you through a separate but equally supportive process.
We’ll help you:
Decide if Probate is Necessary
Understand Your Legal Duties
File Petitions With the Court
Communicate With Family Members
Administer the Estate
We take the burden off your shoulders and help you move forward with peace of mind.
Our Promise to You
- Flat fees. No hourly billing surprises.
- Compassionate, approachable attorneys who explain everything in plain English
- Local service with heart – right here in Watkinsville, serving Athens, Lake Oconee and surrounding Georgia communities
Trish Butcher is an Athens native, wife, mom to Max, and founder of Arch Legacy Firm. A graduate of the University of Georgia and Emory University School of Law, Trish founded Arch Legacy in 2020 to make estate planning more personal, approachable, and meaningful for Georgia families.
Her own family’s experience with a difficult and costly probate inspired her passion for helping families protect what matters most and avoid unnecessary court involvement and conflict. Today, Trish leads the Arch Legacy team in helping families and business owners plan confidently for the future through estate planning, elder law, probate, and business succession.
Outside of the firm, Trish enjoys spending time with her husband, Andy, and Max, cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs, traveling, and being part of the Athens community she has always called home.