Now I Know Why Attorneys Get a Bad Rap.

I met with a potential client today who wanted me to review her existing estate plan. She had a pretty complicated distribution requests and wishes for her family.  She wanted to her existing attorney to prepare an amendment to her Living Trust to reflect her change of wishes and nomination of successor trustee.  He pretty much refused. She's a well-kept younger lady so capacity is not at issue here.

She came to me because she was thinking about changing attorneys. She said he was rude and not very responsive to her requests. She also wanted to retrieve the original copies of her documents and he refused to turn them over.

If you are not happy with your estate planning attorney, you can change at anytime. You are not obligated to work with the same attorney if you are not happy with the services being provided. Some conduct by attorneys are considered sanctionable by the California State Bar. If you have a gripe, consider contacting the State Bar for assistance.

Her words after leaving my office was that I was a breath of fresh air. I'm shocked actually to find that other estate planning attorneys are not kind and careful about their perception of customer service. It is, after all, a customer service business. Clients should be happy with their representation.

Of course, some clients, and you may be one, are considered high maintenance and become a thorn in the attorney's practice due to unreasonable demands. That's rarely an excuse for poor customer service though.  Gotta handle it with a smile. No need for cranky attorneys.

Comments

[Jessica Duquette]

Unfortunately, it seems that as bad as attorneys have it as far as reputation is concerned, estate attorneys have it all the worse! I agree, Jennifer, that you are a breath of fresh air and I wish I had known you when I needed to refer one of my clients! He was charged thousands and I mean THOUSANDS of dollars for almost nothing. When you are grieving and overwhelmed and confused, that is not the time to have to worry about someone cheating you and not returning your calls and overcharging.

I encourage everyone to set up their estate plan well in advance of needing it. Find a good attorney and keep their number in the file with your plan and/or will!