Life is full of plans. We set money aside for dream vacations, help our children save for college, and look forward to the day we can enjoy retirement. We spend years building a life and creating opportunities for the people we love. Yet when people hear the words “estate planning,” many assume it is something they can worry about later. In reality, having a plan in place can provide peace of mind at any stage of life by ensuring that your wishes are known and your loved ones are cared for. And the attorney you choose can have a lasting effect on your estate plan. Knowing what to look for can help you find a professional who understands your goals and can guide you in creating a plan that meets your family’s needs.
In a perfect world, we would choose every professional based on trust alone. We would hire the mechanic with the best judgment and the contractor with the strongest reputation. However, most of us begin with a simpler question: “What will it cost?” There is nothing wrong with that. Cost is often the easiest factor to compare. Yet experience teaches us that the lowest price is not always the best value. The inexpensive mechanic who misses a serious problem may ultimately cost more than the experienced mechanic who charges a little extra to fix it correctly the first time.
The same principle applies when choosing an estate planning attorney. While cost is certainly an important consideration, focusing on price alone can cause you to overlook factors that may have a much greater impact on the quality of your plan. Your estate plan is designed to protect your wishes, your assets, and the people you care about most. If important issues are missed or documents are not tailored to your family’s specific needs, the consequences may not become apparent until years later when corrections may be difficult, expensive, or even impossible to make. The good news is that there are several practical steps you can take to evaluate an attorney beyond the price tag and make a more informed decision.
What to Consider When Hiring an Attorney
One of the best places to begin is by examining an attorney’s qualifications and professional background. While credentials alone do not guarantee quality representation, they can provide valuable insight into an attorney’s experience and commitment to their field. An attorney who has spent years helping families with wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and probate matters has likely encountered a wide range of situations and challenges. That experience can help identify potential issues before they become problems and allow for more personalized planning. Years in practice, however, tell only part of the story. An attorney who has practiced law for twenty-two years may have spent only two of those years handling estate planning matters. Asking how much of an attorney’s practice is devoted to estate planning can be just as important as asking how long they have been licensed.
Experience should also be considered alongside professional conduct. Louisiana maintains a lawyer disciplinary system overseen by the Louisiana Supreme Court through the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board, which investigates allegations of attorney misconduct and recommends discipline when warranted. By reviewing an attorney’s status, prospective clients can determine whether the attorney is currently authorized to practice law and whether any current administrative suspensions are in effect. A simple online search with the attorney’s name should reveal any disciplinary actions against the attorney. You can also check an attorney’s eligibility by visiting the Louisiana State Bar Association’s (LSBA) membership directory at www.lsba.org.
Another useful resource is your community. Online reviews on platforms such as Google or Yelp can provide insight into the experiences of former clients. Reviews may reveal patterns regarding communication, responsiveness, professionalism, and overall client satisfaction. At the same time, reviews should be viewed as one piece of a larger puzzle. Even Yellowstone National Park, one of the most visited and beloved destinations in the country, receives negative reviews. Some involve legitimate concerns about traffic congestion and crowds, while others complain that visitors are not allowed to swim in the park’s hot springs and geysers! It is important to look for consistent themes and consider reviews in the broader context of a business’s overall reputation. By independently assessing reviews, can gain a better understanding of the experiences that clients most commonly report.
Finally, it is worthwhile to explore whether an attorney is actively engaged in the estate planning profession. Laws change, regulations evolve, and planning strategies continue to develop over time. Attorneys who regularly participate in continuing legal education programs, publish articles, teach seminars, serve as adjunct professors, speak at professional conferences, or hold leadership positions in estate planning organizations often demonstrate an ongoing commitment to their area of practice. These activities suggest that the attorney is doing more than meeting minimum licensing requirements; they are investing time in staying informed and contributing to the profession. One can also visit www.lsba.org to see whether the attorney is a specialist certified by the Louisiana Board of Legal Specialization.
Find the Right Fit for You
Ultimately, choosing an estate planning attorney is about more than finding the lowest fee. It is about finding someone you trust to help protect your family, your assets, and your wishes. Cost will always be an important factor, and it should be. However, when considered alongside experience, professional reputation, ethical standing, and a demonstrated commitment to estate planning, cost becomes only one part of a much more complete picture. By taking the time to look beyond the price tag, you can make a more informed decision and gain confidence that the plan you create today will serve your loved ones well in the years to come, as everyone deserves an estate planning attorney they can trust.
The information provided is not intended to be legal or tax advice and does not constitute any attorney/client relationship. You should consult with an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.
Ms. Melancon is an attorney with Legacy Estate & Elder Law of Louisiana, LLC with offices in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Lake Charles, LA. The primary focus of her practice is estate planning, probate, special needs planning, and elder law. For more information or to attend an upcoming estate planning seminar, call her office at (225) 744-0027.
