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Giebel helps clients plan for the inevitable

Giebel helps clients plan for the inevitable

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Carissa Giebel (Staff photo by Kevin Harnack)
Carissa Giebel (Staff photo by Kevin Harnack)

Carissa Giebel realizes most people want to avoid seeing an attorney, but she’s happy she’s an exception to the rule.

“People usually want to meet with me, which is nice,” said Giebel, an estate planning specialist with the Legacy Law Group LLC, Appleton.

Giebel said she is there to make sure clients’ wishes are carried out after their death. She became interested in estate planning after a course on it during her third year at the Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Va.

“Everyone needs an estate plan,” she said. “It’s not always about money. We discuss all kinds of things, from setting a guardian for minor children, to health powers of attorneys and living wills.”

That last topic can be a touchy one, she said, especially if clients haven’t thought of it before. It’s not unusual for her clients to get emotional, Giebel said.

While she meets with clients of all ages, Giebel said one area seeing growth in the over-60 set is looking at irrevocable trusts. With that kind of planning, the trust – rather than the individual – owns the house. So if, for example, someone needs to go into a nursing home, their home is protected from being sold before the person qualifies for Medicaid.

“People are really looking to protect their assets,” she said. “I also remind people that an estate plan isn’t something you do one time and you’re done. It needs to be updated as changes happen in people’s lives.”

Giebel said plans also need to be thorough, and always make them official.

“The more you put in writing, the better,” she said.

Putting together estate plans is challenging, but fun, Giebel said.

“It’s something I really enjoy, plus it’s a great area of law to be in if you have a young family like I do since it’s very flexible,” she said. “I enjoy meeting with my clients and hearing about their lives and then coming up with a plan that will work with them and that they will be happy with.”

Wisconsin Law Journal: What career would you have pursued if you hadn’t become an attorney?
Carissa Giebel: Social work

WLJ: What app can’t you live without?
Giebel: Amazon Price Checker

WLJ: What was the last book that you read?
Giebel: “Bringing Up Boys” by Dr. James Dobson

WLJ: What was the first concert you attended?
Giebel: John Mayer

WLJ: What was your favorite toy as a child?
Giebel: My Cabbage Patch doll

WLJ: If you could have drinks with anyone, who would you choose?
Giebel: Jesus

WLJ: What activity could you spend hours doing outside of the office?
Giebel: I have an 8-month-old and a 2-year-old, so there’s not much time to do anything else right now, but I do enjoy reading, running and flower gardening.

WLJ: Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Giebel: Croatia

WLJ: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Giebel: I wish I could relax and clear my mind more often.

WLJ: If you could pick one super power, what would you choose?
Giebel: Definitely fly.

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