Estate Planning

I was practicing law for a little over 5 years when one afternoon while I was waiting for my case to be called in court I was lamenting with some older attorneys about how much time it took me to do my average Will & Trust. You see, I always took the time to make sure that I was servicing my client's needs and that the documents that I prepared handled my client's need exactly and that process just took a lot of time to do the right way. I told them that it felt to me like I was constantly reinventing the wheel. Much to my surprise each and every one of these seasoned attorneys said that a Will & Trust should never take more then an hour of the attorneys time from start to finish, including meeting with the clients. What was even more surprising to me was that earlier in the same conversation these big firm attorneys let me know that they routinely charge their clients over $2500 for this legal service. They said anything that takes over one hours worth of 'attorney time' can be done by a paralegal or legal secretary. I was stunned.

The conversation continued and after another 15 minutes or so of discussing the topic one of the attorneys spoke up and said, "Joe, I've been sitting here and listening to this discussion all afternoon. You just don't get it. It really is quite simple, and I know exactly what your problem is. Your problem is that you are not talking your clients into YOUR will & trust forms." I was flabbergasted ! Is that the way it is done in the 'real world'? Is that how the big city firms do business?

This was a major point in time in my legal career. I remember it well. This is an absolutely true story. I gave the matter much thought because I had a decision to make. It was just after that conversation where I had to decide what type of an attorney I was going to be. Was I going to be a 'bottom line' attorney where the goal was to make money in as short of time as possible OR was I going to be the type of attorney who did what was right - and let the bottom line take care of itself?

My first rule of practicing law, and it has been since day one and has continued for over 20 years, is to take care of the person who is in front of me. It sounds simple but it is my first rule of business. When you have me service your legal needs you have my full and complete attention. I take as long as it takes. If I am your lawyer it is going to be done right. You meet directly with me and only with me - no paralegals - no legal assistants. I keep my overhead low so that I will be the type of lawyer that you can count on and practice law in such a way as that I can be proud of.

Now I'm the seasoned attorney. When a young attorney asks me about the practical aspects of practicing law I always say the same thing, "Do it right. Take care of the client who is in front you. Take the necessary time to satisfy your clients needs. And let the bottom line take care of itself."

Will & Trusts, Estate Planning, and Probate Law is an area of the law that doesn't change much. You don't get another chance to correct the documents once you are in court. It is important that you hire an attorney who can do the right job the right way - the first time. I am that lawyer. Please contact my office at (704) 737-8215 right now so that we can begin the process of getting your estate in order.