Earlier this year I was admitted to the Central Coast Estate Planning Council. I already wrote about how much I enjoy the discussions in my blog post The Three Most Important Things in Estate Planning. Here, I wanted to give you a bit more background about the organization from my point of view.
Lawyers, CPAs, Financial Planners, Fiduciaries, and other professionals working together in Estate Planning
Estate Planning has many dimensions and no single professional can competently cover all of them. A true professional knows what they know and what they don’t, collaborates effectively with other specialists, and always prioritizes the best interests of the client.
While they excel in their field and can look beyond the narrow limits of their profession or specialty, they also appreciate and leverage the additional value that professionals in related fields can offer, recognizing the importance of a holistic approach to achieving the best outcomes for their clients.
| Estate Planning Attorney | Professional Fiduciary | Tax Accountant | Financial Planner |
| Drafting legal documents | Managing assets for beneficiaries | Tax preparation | Financial planning |
| Probate avoidance | Making financial decisions | Tax planning | Investment strategies |
| Healthcare directives | Administering trusts and estates | Compliance | Retirement planning |
| Asset Protection | Investment management within trusts | Tax-efficient strategies | Risk management |
| Tax-efficient wills and trusts | Risk management | IRS disputes | Aligning financial goals with estate plans |
Table 1. Core Responsibilities of Professionals Involved in Estate Planning
A look at the core responsibilities of these various professionals should make it clear that there is considerable overlap and shared responsibility, and coordination is needed. The purpose of the California Central Coast Estate Planning Council is to bring together professionals who see the value of a coordinated interdisciplinary approach to get to know and help each other, learn and stay current, and, most importantly, better help our clients.
Until the recent efforts of Teresa Rhyne, Esq., and a group of other dedicated founders, the nearest estate planning council was in Santa Barbara.
California Central Coast Estate Planning Council Members
As of August 1, 2024, the CCEPC has the following 15 members:
| Name | Business Name | Location | Discipline |
| Anie de la Rosa Clark, MBA | Cal Poly | San Luis Obispo, CA | Member of the California Central Coast Philanthropic Community |
| Taylor Cothran, CPA | 4 Corners Financial Forensics | Bellevue, WA | Certified Public Accountant (CPA) |
| Jennifer Foster | Premier Valley Bank | San Luis Obispo, CA | Trust or Bank Officer |
| Rob Garcia, CFP® | Corvus Wealth Advisors | Templeton, CA | Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) |
| Sue Gibson | SLG Senior Care | Atascadero, CA | Elder Services |
| Klaus Gottlieb, JD, MBA | Wealth Care Lawyer | San Luis Obispo, CA | Attorney |
| Jesse Hancox | Teresa Rhyne Law Group | Paso Robles, CA | Attorney |
| Victor J Herrera | Carmel & Naccasha | San Luis Obispo, CA | Attorney |
| Gregory Honegger, CPA CLPF | Gregory W. Honegger, CPA | Templeton, CA | Certified Public Accountant (CPA) |
| Lisa Lambert | Lisa Lambert Law | Paso Robles, CA | Attorney |
| Jennifer Langstaff, CFP® | Legacy Retirement Advisors | Paso Robles, CA | Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) |
| Michael Leeder | Merrill Lynch | San Luis Obispo, CA | Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) |
| Teresa Rhyne | Teresa Rhyne Law Group | Paso Robles, CA | Attorney |
| Brooke Salvini | Salvini Financial Planning | San Luis Obispo, CA | Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) |
| Natali M. Sanchez, ChFC®, CPWA®, CRPC® | Edward Jones | Atascadero, CA | Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) |
The National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC)
Members of local councils belong to the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils. The NAEPC is a leading professional organization in estate planning, dedicated to promoting excellence, professionalism, and collaboration among its members. It provides educational resources, professional credentials, networking opportunities, and best practices to enhance the knowledge and skills of estate planning professionals. NAEPC offers accredited designations like the Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) and facilitates networking through local councils and national events. The organization advocates for high ethical standards, produces industry publications, and offers members exclusive benefits such as discounts and access to a national directory.
Membership Standards for the California Central Coast Estate Planning Council
The California Central Coast Estate Planning Council (CCCEPC) has specific standards for membership, categorized into Voting and Non-Voting Memberships:
Voting Membership Qualifications:
- Eligibility: Voting membership is open to licensed or certified professionals in fields such as law, accounting (CPA), financial planning (CFP, ChFC), trust services (CTFA), fiduciary services (CLPF), elder services, and members of the philanthropic community. Other professionals related to estate planning may also be eligible, subject to board approval.
- Experience Requirement: Applicants must have been actively practicing in the estate planning field for at least the last 5 years.
- Dues: Annual dues are $240, with a reduced rate of $120 if joining mid-year.
Non-Voting Membership Qualifications:
- Eligibility: Non-voting membership is available to individuals in related professions who do not meet the qualifications for Voting Membership. Each application is evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the CCCEPC Board of Directors.
- Dues: Annual dues are $200, with a reduced rate of $100 if joining mid-year.
Application Process:
- Meeting Requirement: Prospective members must attend two membership meetings.
- Sponsorship: Two Voting Members must sponsor the applicant.
- Approval: Applications are reviewed and approved by the CCCEPC Board of Directors.
These standards ensure that members are qualified, experienced, and actively engaged in the estate planning profession.
How to get in touch
The best way to experience the Central Coast Estate Planning Council is to attend one of their monthly meetings. These gatherings are held at carefully selected venues that alternate between North and South County, offering a perfect blend of convenience and variety. Attendees can look forward to an evening of good fellowship and education, enhanced by appetizers and great wines. For those who are not yet members, the fee to attend is $25.00 per event, making it an accessible way to connect with professionals and experience the value of the Council firsthand.
To check out current events, go to the home page at https://www.cccepc.org/ and look for “Featured Events.” Once you click on that link, more information and an opportunity to register for the respective event will become available.
