Preparing for the future key to Vanevenhoven’s practice

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Gregory Vanevenhoven realizes most clients don’t see the benefits of his work.

An attorney focused on estate planning services at Davidson Law Office LLP/The Estate Planning Group LLC in Kaukauna, Vanevenhoven said his clients’ families are the ones who benefit from the careful work he’s done on putting together documents after their loved-one has died.

“You can’t just say, ‘I have a will and that’s all I need,’” he said. “There are more documents that people should have. For example, by creating a trust you can pass on your assets without having to go through probate. I point that out to clients. Many are misguided about what they have and what it does.”

Vanevenhoven enjoys the interaction and the personal relationships he builds with clients.

“I enjoy sitting down with clients and making sure we’re all on the same page,” said Vanevenhoven, who grew up interested in pursuing a legal career. “I remember meeting with an attorney before I went to law school along with some family members to discuss health care power of attorney and some other things and was just amazed at what they do. I knew then that’s what I wanted to specialize in.”

Vanevenhoven said his goal is to keep his client’s family out of court by putting together the proper documents. He enjoys meeting with clients to talk over concerns and develop a solution.

“I want to help them and be an advocate for them and their wishes,” he said. “People think that trust planning is just for the wealthy and I want to destroy those falsehoods and see how proper planning benefits everyone.”

Besides handling estate law cases, Vanevenhoven also handles some business law litigation cases.

“In a smaller firm you work in a number of areas, but estate planning is my main focus and the one I enjoy the most,” he said.

Wisconsin Law Journal: What makes your work important to you?
Gregory Vanevenhoven: To me, it is the chance to talk with individuals about their particular legal concerns and figure out innovative solutions to address those issues. In estate planning this often means providing peace of mind by suggesting effective and efficient means to pass one’s assets to their chosen beneficiaries.

WLJ: Who is your hero in the legal field?
Vanevenhoven: Dr. James Tubbs, who was one of my professors at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Prior to becoming a professor, Dr. Tubbs was a practicing attorney. He had great insight into what it meant to be an attorney and what to anticipate in law school and beyond. And he taught using the Socratic Method, so what was there not to like? I would also have to say my colleague, attorney Kevin Davidson, whose integrity, dedication and willingness to go the extra mile for his clients is unmatched.

WLJ: What do you do outside of work to deal with stress from the office?
Vanevenhoven: Outside of work I enjoy a number of different activities. One of my favorite is to simply relax and read a good book. One of the most recent books I read was ‘Unbroken’ by Laura Hillenbrand, which was very well written. I also try to stay active in the Young Adult Community for the Diocese of Green Bay. This past summer I also started running more often and even participated in a few different races throughout the Green Bay area. There is nothing better than to go for a long run to relieve the tension and stress from legal work.

WLJ: What’s one thing many people get wrong about what you do?
Vanevenhoven: Many individuals think estate planning only deals with people who have already passed away. In reality, much of our focus is on ensuring the desires of our clients are satisfied and put in place prior to death. This forward-looking approach eases the stress of the person (knowing everything is in place) and on the chosen beneficiaries, who have less administrative headaches to worry about when distributions need to be made.

WLJ: What’s your favorite memory from law school?
Vanevenhoven: One of my first practical legal experiences in law school was participating in the Indian Wills Caravan, which was sponsored by the University of Wisconsin Pro Bono Program and Wisconsin Judicare. Myself and nine other law students, with attorney supervision, talked with and helped put in place legal documents to pass the participant’s assets on to their beneficiaries. It was the perfect chance to get a glimpse into what the practice of law would entail and to put our classroom knowledge into practical results.

WLJ: Is there a certain case that stands out to you?
Vanevenhoven: I have had a few litigation matters in my practice thus far, but the first one sticks out the most. It involved a claim for a relatively nominal damage amount that ultimately went all the way to trial. It was great experience and a highly memorable first case.