What is the difference between a good estate planning attorney and a great estate planning attorney? From my office here in Oakley, and in my opinion, only, I’d list three factors that can account for the difference between the two. First, this discussion presumes that each attorney has the appropriate education and credentials to practice estate planning.
Estate Planning Attorney Experience: An attorney is not required to focus on just one area of law. We all know of “divorce” or “personal injury” attorneys. These individuals chose to concentrate their practice on one area. Other attorneys provide a full range of services from bankruptcy to estate planning to divorce. From my perspective, like any service provider, be it a physician, mechanic, or architect, those who focus their practice in one area tend to become highly skilled in that specialty. Hiring an estate planning attorney who focuses their practice on estate planning, stays up to date on the relevant laws and navigates the probate process routinely is the attorney I’d hire if it were me. I would know that individual’s advice and guidance would be based on what they do every day, not something they may handle periodically.
Estate Planning Attorney Personality: You may not be able to select your estate planning attorney based on their personality, but, again, from my perspective, the difference between a good estate planning attorney and a great one may be affected by the attorney’s personality. A little research reveals that over half of all attorneys (not just estate planning attorneys) fall into just a quarter of the Myers Briggs personality types, with INTJ being five times more common among attorneys than the general population! (Source: Unispace) If you are a fan of the Enneagram Personality Test, you might find it interesting that Enneagram Type Ones tend to be great attorneys because they are truth-seekers who want what is morally right. They also tend to be very wise and organized, both critical traits of an attorney. This is not to say other types won’t make a great estate planning attorney, but sometimes having the basic characteristics can be beneficial.
Estate Planning Attorney Motivation: Again, strictly my opinion, but an estate planning attorney who is truly motivated by a genuine desire to help clients would be my first choice. I would want an attorney who would want to help me protect all my hard-earned assets.
Who would help me ensure my loved ones are cared for when I die. And who will be a close and caring guide for my loved ones when I’m gone. Building a practice is a good goal, but I wouldn’t want an attorney who is only interested in acquiring as many clients as possible.
There are good and great examples of practitioners in every profession, from brick-layers to brain surgeons. These three factors, and I’m sure many more, could likely be applied to each. All I know is if I am given a choice between a good or a great provider, I’ll probably opt for the better one each time. In closing, while I am sure there are several great estate planning attorneys in the Cincinnati area, including Oakley, I’d like to say that I work very hard to be a great estate planning attorney.
I concentrate my practice on estate planning. I am genuinely motivated to help my clients create an estate plan that is uniquely appropriate for them and them only. I want what they want, whatever that might be. And last, I must admit, my Myers-Briggs personality type is the perfect foundation for my chosen career.
Let me help you build an estate plan to protect your hard-earned assets and your loved ones. I’d be honored to do so. Visit www.davidlefton.com or call 513-399-7526