Vertical Estate Planning, LLC (VEP) is committed to you in reaching your Estate Planning needs by addressing your concerns and crafting a customized plan to address your concerns and reach your goals.

We believe that Estate Planning should be proactive and should never be reactive. It is much easier to plan Now. VEP customizes each and every Estate Plan assuring that all possible scenarios are addressed leaving you bulletproof for whatever life throws at you.

Proactive Estate Planning ultimately occurs when you are “Vertical” i.e. living, working, enjoying life.

Reactive Estate Planning is never preferred. Reactive Estate Planning occurs when you are faced with a debilitating injury, disease, or need to make emergency life altering decisions that affect you, your family and your legacy is never preferred.

We believe that waiting until you are Horizontal (down, sick, in a nursing home or worse, at death)is not the time to make decisions of this magnitude.

We know that the key to success in Estate Planning is all about… “Planning for the worst-case scenario, while hoping for the best!”

VEP has built its name by providing one on one customized education and planning to assist families in working through a plan that allows for protecting and maintaining the assets you have worked for all your life to acquire.

We use our knowledge experience and education to create an Estate Plan that protects your assets from disability, divorce, and government benefits. We successfully craft, customized strategies that allow your assets to pass seamlessly to your family, your loved ones, and/or the charity/s of your choosing.

Our goal is directly related to your goals… Allowing you to live comfortably and peacefully today while leaving a legacy to your family long after you are gone.

In addition to Asset Protection, we pride ourselves in creating a custom plan that allows you to maintain your dignity in the later years of life.

Planning NOW allows for “Dignity” later.

Dignity to make our own choices!

Dignity to remain in control of our assets!

Dignity knowing that our wishes will be followed!

Dignity to live or die on your terms chosen by You!

“Our Team at VEP” works with “YOUR TEAM” [“YOU, YOUR FAMILY, YOUR FINANCIAL & TAX ADVISORS”] to craft the Estate Plan that Protects your Assets as well as your Dignity.

About C. Blake West

C. Blake West has been an attorney for over 25 years, and has practiced Estate Planning and Elder Law, exclusively, for the last ___ years. Blake maintains his offices in Cullman Alabama, with knowledgeable support staff.

Blake and his staff host Workshops/Seminars designed to teach fundamental Estate Planning concepts to everyone.

This education can assist the client in determining the type of estate planning needed for their specific circumstances.

Blake assists his clients in creating individual solutions that work, including coordinating with their other financial, tax, and medical professionals. Blake meets with each client to sort the fact from fiction in estate planning, providing peace of mind and understanding in a complex field.

Relay For Life Chairman 2005 – 2008. Relay of Cullman chosen All-American Relay in 2005, National Heart of Relay in 2006 and finalist (top 3) in 2007 & 2008 (5,000 events).

Raised $1 Million + in 4 years.

ACS Community Volunteer for Mid-South Region 2005, 2006, 2007.

Volunteer of the Year for Alabama 2008.

President of Cullman City School Foundation 3 years.

Past Vice President and President of Cullman County Bar Association.

Sunday School Teacher at Baldwin Church of Christ.

Father of 7 year-old son, Brooks.

Husband of 26 years to Darla.

 

About JoAnn B. Higginbotham

JoAnn Higginbotham has devoted her entire legal career to representing and advocating for individuals in need. Since 1999 Ms. Higginbotham has successfully represented clients in a wide array of personal injury, wrongful death and consumer cases. Ms. Higginbotham is highly experienced and works as a zealous advocate for her clients.

Ms. Higginbotham’s practice includes the following areas of Law: Wrongful Death, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Trucking Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Medical Malpractice, Slip & Fall, Premise Liability, Wrongful Prescription, Dangerous Drugs, Work Injuries, Consumer Credit Claims, Debt Collection Harassment, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) Violations, Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Violations, Preparing Wills, Advance Directives and Living Wills as well as Probating Estates.

Ms. Higginbotham completed her undergraduate work at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.After attaining her Degree from UAB she was privileged to work at the Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital in Birmingham Alabama. During her employment with the VA Hospital she earned her Law Degree at the Birmingham School of Law.

Ms. Higginbotham resides in Odenville, Alabama with her husband Jon

Education

J.D., Birmingham School of Law

B.S., University of Alabama at Birmingham

Court Admissions

Alabama

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama

U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama

Memberships

Alabama State Bar

Birmingham Bar Association

Association of Trial Lawyers of America

Alabama Trial Lawyers Association