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Bowen’s estate practice gives clients peace of mind

Bowen’s estate practice gives clients peace of mind

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Amanda Bowen (Staff photo by Kevin Harnack)
Amanda Bowen (Staff photo by Kevin Harnack)

Amanda Bowen doesn’t like to talk about death, but …

“I help clients with a crucial need and when they leave they’re not unhappy. They feel relief,” said Bowen, an estate law attorney with The Schroeder Group in Waukesha. “I know people don’t want to talk about death, but once they complete an estate plan they feel relieved.”

Bowen said meeting with clients is one of the best parts of her job.

“I enjoy getting to know and meet different people,” she said. “It feels good to know that I can help and reassure them.”

Bowen became interested in estate planning while interning with The Kingsbury Firm in Delafield during her last semester in law school.

“I learned everything about estate law there and that showed me it would be a good fit,” she said, adding that she previously envisioned a career in business law.

One of Bowen’s biggest challenges is educating clients that estate planning is for everyone, even those without a lot of assets. Beyond developing wills and trusts, estate plans also include financial power of attorney and health power of attorney.

“Once it is done, an estate plan is meant to last a long time,” Bowen said. “If there are changes in a family, then some adjustment may be needed.”

She also focuses on keeping up-to-date on tax law changes that may affect clients’ estate plans.

“You want to make sure that any old documents are up-to-date and comply with any changes in the law,” she said.

Wisconsin Law Journal: What makes your work important to you?
Amanda Bowen: I really enjoy working with my estate planning clients. My clients appreciate the time I spend creating a detailed and customized plan to meet their goals. Being able to provide someone with peace of mind is a really great feeling.

WLJ: Who is your hero in the legal field?
Bowen: I worked for attorney John K. Bartosz for about 3-1/2 years. He owned The Kingsbury Firm. Unfortunately, John passed away earlier this year at the age of 47. He experienced a multitude of health issues due to the late effects of the cancer treatment he received in his 20s. Even when I know he wasn’t feeling well, he still came to work with a positive attitude and strong work ethic. Also, because John lost his son to pediatric cancer, he strived to make a difference for all children with cancer. John and his family created a foundation to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer research. His family is continuing the fight against pediatric cancer and their charitable organization, Gold in September, has been very successful.

WLJ: What do you do outside of work to deal with stress from the office?
Bowen: We bought a new house this summer, so we are very busy with various projects and having fun decorating. We also spend a lot of time with family and friends and love spoiling our dog, Ollie.

WLJ: What’s one thing many people get wrong about what you do?
Bowen: Most people think that you need millions of dollars in order to have a trust, but almost anyone with significant assets, such as a house, should consider creating a revocable trust. Trusts avoid probate and offer flexibility and many planning opportunities.

WLJ: What’s your favorite memory from law school?
Bowen: Honestly, probably graduation day.

WLJ: Is there a certain case that stands out to you?
Bowen: In a probate case, the personal representative provided us with the will of the decedent, and we were all surprised to find out that the will was not executed properly. Now, when a client or potential client tells me that they already have estate planning documents in place, I insist on reviewing them.

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