Mr. Robert Stoddard became the primary caregivers for his parents in 1994. Part of the task was deciphering the quagmire of things like living trusts, wills, broker statements, social security, health care, life insurance, patient advocacy, and making sure his parents did not run out of money.

When he found his parent's attorney, insurance agent, bankers, and broker were not on the same page, in fact had various stories, Mr. Stoddard found himself in a crash course in "estate planning."

Mr. Stoddard found out that "estate planning" is NOT just a living trust or a will.

True "estate planning" encompasses the legal documents, the money, the people that made the money (his parents), the family dynamics (how the family gets along), what his parent's wishes were during their lifetime and how to pass the family wealth to the children in a kind and loving manner. Mr. Stoddard found that a well thought-out "estate plan" would encompass all these things and allow the family to get along after his parents passed.

After his parents were stabilized in 1996, Mr. Stoddard worked for a large estate planning firm in Lake Forest. It was not long before Mr. Stoddard realized that his current employer could not meet the needs of all the families he was working with.

In 1998, Mr. Stoddard opened his private practice.

• The Stoddard Group has grown and protected hundreds of families nationwide
• Not one of our clients has lost any money that has been safeguarded by our firm!

Our team approach brings literally over 100 of the nation's brightest and trustworthy advisors, attorneys, brokers, and legal departments to the table to develop a quality "estate plan" that addresses all your issues and concerns.

The Stoddard Group gladly works WITH your existing advisors to develop a plan that works for you, our "newest member" of The Stoddard Group Family.