Recently when I attended a Red Wagon Club event, one of our members shared how much he enjoys being part of the club. He even suggested I talk about it more on our radio show. Inspired by his suggestion, this week’s focus will be on the Red Wagon Club.
I run an estate planning law firm called Sechler Law Firm, and when we explain trusts to clients, we often use a little red wagon as a metaphor. Once clients understand how trusts work, many choose to create one. Because they’re familiar with the red wagon concept, we invite them to join our Red Wagon Club, where they can continue working with us.
Estate Planning is NOT a Transaction
Estate planning should be more than just a transaction. Many lawyers treat it as a simple exchange—you pay them to draft documents, and that’s it. But I believe in building ongoing relationships with clients because estate planning is complex. Life changes, laws evolve, and your goals might shift, all of which can affect your legacy. That’s why we created the Red Wagon Club—to offer continued education and support, helping clients stay informed and up-to-date with their estate plans.
When people think of estate planning, the first document that usually comes to mind is a Will, which decides who inherits your assets when you pass away. But a Will doesn’t address who manages your affairs if you become ill or how you’ll pay for long-term care if needed. Nor does it help in passing down your stories and memories to future generations.
For example, can you name all eight of your great-grandparents? Most people can’t, yet these are the people responsible for your existence, with rich life stories often lost to time. As a Red Wagon Club member, we guide you in preserving your stories so they can be passed down, just as you would with your assets. This is part of our storytelling and memory planning class, one of the many educational sessions we offer.
We Help You With Trust Funding
Another popular class is on trust funding, the process of placing assets into a trust to make it effective. Legal documents are important, but they must be aligned with your financial accounts to work properly. We know that some people avoid trust funding because of the cost of hourly legal fees, or they try to handle it on their own and make mistakes. That’s why we help our members with trust funding, offering workshops where we assist you in filling out forms and communicating with banks. This service is included in the Red Wagon Club membership, rather than being billed separately.
What is Healthcare Planning?
In addition to Memory Planning and Trust Funding, we also focus on healthcare planning—a critical aspect often overlooked by other law firms. Have you thought about how you’ll get the care you need as you age, and how you’ll pay for it? Medicare only covers acute care, not long-term care, which can become a significant expense. We offer guidance on navigating long-term care options and government programs, ensuring you receive the care you need on your terms. Our social worker Megan, and our attorney Roxanne, who also has a nursing background both lead these workshops.
We also offer a webinar for your adult children who may be named as your Executor. We teach them about their role, so they understand what’s involved in administering your estate. In that way they’re better prepared when the time comes.
The Red Wagon Club is about more than just legal documents. It’s about providing ongoing support and education to help you and your family with every aspect of estate planning. It is not about just deciding who gets your stuff when you pass away.
We soon realized that bringing our clients together for these classes was educational and fun. That’s why we started hosting social events, like our Monday Fun Days. This provides our clients who in similar situations with an opportunity to meet, learn, and enjoy themselves together.
Learn More
By joining the Red Wagon Club, you gain access to resources and support that go beyond the typical estate planning experience. We’re here to help you navigate life’s changes, ensure your plan stays up-to-date, and preserve your legacy for future generations.
To learn more about the Red Wagon Club or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Send an email to RuthAnn Bowen at redwagonclub@sechlerlawfirm.com or contact our office at 724-841-1393.
