Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Speice.
Hi Ashley, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I’m Ashley Speice, the owner of Speice Law, PLLC. I am passionate about using my legal skills to help others plan their futures and helping others grow generational wealth. This inspired me to open a law firm specializing in estate planning and business planning. My firm primarily focuses on helping families plan for the protection of their children and build a legacy for their family.
While I have lived in Texas the last 13 years, I originally grew up in Upstate New York. I started my undergrad degree at Ithaca College but ended up transferring to SUNY New Paltz halfway through to be at the same college as my now husband and pursue a Bachelor of Science in General Business. After graduating with my law degree and master’s degree in business from Western New England University, I started working for a tax consulting firm in Houston. In my decade of experience at this firm, I was able to work with clients in many different industries, including manufacturers, engineers, apparel designers, agriculture businesses throughout the country. While working with clients who owned small to medium-sized businesses, I learned about how their business operated and identified tax incentives for the companies. This was unique experience where I gained a lot of knowledge in client service and managing business operations in the decade I was there.
In 2022, I took a huge leap of faith and opened my own law firm. I had the desire to work for myself, passion for helping others, excellent client service skills, and had come from a family of business owners. I was also fueled further to open my own law firm specializing in estate planning after watching the misfortune my family experienced with my grandparents’ estate going through the probate process. Our whole family went through immense heartache and many obstacles with the probate process that could have been avoided if there had been better estate planning. Money makes people crazy, and after watching my family suffer, I wanted to help other people to avoid going through this type of situation and help them achieve peace of mind with their estate plan.
In addition to being an attorney and multi-business owner, I’m also a wife and a mom of two young boys who constantly keep me on my toes. I love volunteering with our local elementary school PTO, a member of the Executive Women’s Alliance, and in my spare time, enjoy being outside in my garden.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Educating the public about the importance of having estate documents in place has been my main obstacle. Many people are not aware of the benefits that a trust, will and/or power of attorney can have to protect them, their assets, and their families because it simply is not talked about enough. It’s not fun to think about your potential death or incapacity, but the alternative of not planning it can have major costly consequences. My goal is to educate people and make them aware of the variety of benefits and protections that these documents can have in place when drafted properly.
There is also a misconception that estate planning documents are cookie cutters drafts, and there is an abundance of “cheaper” DIY options online. However, planning how you pass on your assets is a very personal decision that should be customized and be drafted by an attorney according to your personal goals and state laws. There are major consequences if these documents are not drafted and signed in a certain way, and they can pass property to individuals you did not intend, or they may not work at all. This can also be a lot more costly to families and increase the length of time to close out an estate of the loved one.
We’ve been impressed with Speice Law, PLLC, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My law firm, Speice Law, specializes in estate planning and business law. Our mission is to provide excellent client service while educating our clients on their legal options to make choices to meet their unique goals. We pride ourselves on being extremely responsive and compassionate as we work with our clients while making the process understandable and affordable.
For our estate planning services, we offer will and trust-based packages at fixed fee prices. We discuss our client’s needs and goals to help them make educated decisions regarding how to leave their legacy and provide them with peace of mind. Every person should have an estate plan in place, and my goal is to help make this affordable and understandable to our clients.
For business owners, we can help with forming an entity, drafting a variety of types of contracts, and provide contract review services. Additionally, we help business owners with their business succession planning. Ultimately, we help business owners protect their personal assets and set their business up for success with the proper documents in place as they sell their products or services.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Covid taught me, and I think a lot of us, that life is short. Time with family and friends is precious, and we need to maximize the opportunities we have with them. The number of grieving families after a loved one has passed from Covid is staggering, but the situation can be even more dire when they’ve lost a loved one, and there is no estate plan in place. The grieving family now has to deal with sorting through their loved one’s assets and also face a more costly probate process. Only 33% of U.S. adults have an estate plan in place. My goal is to help increase that percentage as much as possible and help provide people with peace of mind that their affairs are in order and they are protected.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.speicelaw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/speicelaw/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpeiceLaw/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/speicelaw/
Image Credits
Julia Falconi Portraits
