The role of the estate planning attorney has evolved significantly over the years. Today, clients have higher expectations from their attorneys compared to previous decades. Estate planning attorneys today serve as the “hub of the wheel” for clients’ entire financial, insurance and long term care plans. Managing client expectations with the tools that many lawyers have available is difficult at best. And little attention has been paid to the needs of an estate planning practice, although tech companies are starting to pay attention.
Republished here from the Washington State Bar’s NW Sidebar Blog, post on July 10, 2024.
Estate planning used to be a more straightforward, document-centric practice focused primarily on the legal aspects of asset transfer and tax minimization. Legal services were often standardized, with less emphasis on personalized planning. Client involvement and education were minimal, with attorneys taking the lead in drafting documents with limited input from their clients. While this approach may have been efficient, it lacked the comprehensive, holistic perspective that defines modern estate planning practice.
Today, clients’ expectations from their estate planning attorney have evolved to encompass a broader range of services and considerations, such as:
- Comprehensive Planning: Clients now seek comprehensive estate planning services that go beyond basic document drafting. They want an attorney who can help them navigate complex family dynamics, tax laws, and changing financial landscapes.
- Holistic Approach: Estate planning is no longer just about distributing assets. Clients expect their attorney to consider their entire financial and familial situation, including retirement planning, health care needs, and long-term care arrangements.
- Tailored Solutions: Clients want personalized solutions that address their unique circumstances and goals. One-size-fits-all approaches are no longer acceptable.
- Communication and Collaboration: Clients expect open communication and collaboration throughout the estate planning process. They want to be involved in decision-making and understand the implications of their choices.
- Technology Integration: With the exponential growth of technology, clients expect estate planning attorneys to leverage digital tools for document storage, communication, and accessibility.
While this type of modern estate planning practice is very fulfilling, it is also rife with mental overload for the attorney. There are endless details to manage and documents to produce, all replete with inefficient management tools.
How Can Technology Aid the Modern Estate Planning Practice?
While estate planning requires personalized service, technology can help attorneys maintain a high level of customization without compromising efficiency. Many online intake tools integrate seamlessly with practice management software, allowing for smooth transitions from client intake to case management and document drafting. One such software platform built for Washington state estate planners is Agile Estate Planning.
- Online Estate Planning Questionnaires: From the dentist’s office to the escrow agent, clients are completing intake information online. Online questionnaires are safer, more sophisticated, more efficient and less error prone than PDFs or paper forms. Agile Estate Planning’s estate planning questionnaires are pre-built, reflect community property laws, and include attorney-facing tools, like automatic calculations of asset values.
- Client Education: Clients are more informed today, thanks to the availability of information online. They expect their attorney to educate them about their options and empower them to make informed decisions. Online questionnaires allow you to embed education next to the questions being asked. Agile Estate Planning’s estate planning questionnaires include a terms glossary, articles discussing common estate planning questions (like “How do I choose a fiduciary?”), and descriptions of common estate planning goals and issues.
- Document Automation: Automated document drafting systems can include specific client details and preferences seamlessly, ensuring each document reflects the unique needs and wishes of the client. Agile Estate Planning’s Washington Estate Planning Forms include wills, trusts, powers of attorney and directives with a Washington-specific approach. When coupled with the online questionnaire system, you can maximize your efficiency and reduce errors created by manual data entry and search-and-replace forms.
Today’s clients expect more than just basic document drafting; they seek comprehensive, personalized solutions that address their unique needs and goals. Washington attorneys now have a state-specific tool built by estate planning attorneys to help them harness efficiency, enhance client satisfaction, and return their focus back to high-value lawyering.
