21 Jul How to Choose an Estate Planning Attorney

(So Your Family Isn’t Left in Court, in Conflict, or in the Dark)

“All I Need is a Simple Will”

Let me tell you a true story.

Frank was in his late 60s and had a comfortable nest egg, a paid-off home, and kids he adored. He wasn’t reckless with money.  In fact, he prided himself on being practical. So when it came to estate planning, he didn’t see the point in spending big money on a fancy lawyer. He just needed a “simple will,” right?

He walked into one of those big-name law firms you see advertised everywhere. You know the ones:  nice reception, slick branding, promises of “comprehensive estate plans at an affordable rate.”

But here’s what really happened:

After a brief intro meeting with a partner, Frank was shuffled off to a junior associate… then passed to a paralegal to fill out information forms.  No real discussion about his goals for what he wants to have happen to his assets after he dies, his family, tax exposure, or future planning. Just a bunch of checkboxes. His questions went unanswered. His phone calls weren’t returned. Eventually, the law firm had him take a day to drive to their office and sign a bunch of documents.  They put those documents in a fancy binder filled with legalese, boilerplate forms, and no explanation.

Frank skimmed it, stuffed it in a drawer, and forgot about it.

Fast forward a few years. Frank passed away unexpectedly.

That “simple plan”? It failed. Catastrophically.

His estate got tied up in probate. His kids fought over who got what. Legal fees and taxes ate up more than $50,000. His loved ones were left scrambling to pay bills. The legacy he spent a lifetime building became a source of conflict, confusion, and court battles.

All because he “saved money” upfront — and paid dearly on the back end.

Don’t Let That Be Your Family’s Story

You didn’t work this hard just to have it all fall apart when you’re gone. A templated will, a generic trust, or a “quick-fix” plan may seem fine now. But when the time comes, it either protects your family… or it doesn’t.

If you think estate planning is only about documents, you’re already at risk. This is about protecting your spouse. Your kids. Your business. Your life’s work.

All of that is at risk if you pick the wrong estate planning attorney.

Because what you’re really protecting isn’t just money.  It’s your loved ones’ financial security, their future, and the clarity and control your loved ones will need when you’re no longer the one making decisions.

And here’s the hard truth: most estate plans, especially the ones handed out by high-volume firms or sold online, fail when they’re needed most.

They look fine in a binder. But when it’s time to act?

They collapse.

And your family is left scrambling.

What the Wrong Estate Planning Attorney Gets You

If your estate plan is built on a “simple will,” templated trust, or one-size-fits-all approach, here’s what your family may face:

• Months or years of probate court delays — draining time, money, and emotional energy
• Needless taxes and legal fees — often costing hundreds of thousands (possibly millions) on a large estate
• Confusion and indecision — no clear plan for who’s in charge or what’s next
• Lack of privacy — your family’s financial details on public record

And all of it was avoidable.

Not with more documents. But with the right attorney asking the right questions and crafting a plan that actually fits your life.

10 Questions to Ask Before You Hire an Estate Planning Attorney

These questions are designed to help you filter out the firms that see you as just another billable event and find the one that can help you preserve everything you’ve built.

• “Will I work directly with an attorney throughout the process?”

If the answer is “no” or vague, expect to be handed off after the first meeting.

• “Do you create custom plans or use pre-filled templates?”

Each family is different.  Your family relationships are different.  Do you live a fill-in-the-box life?  Don’t settle for a fill-in-the-box plan.  Get something that fits you and your particular situation.  Generic solutions don’t work.

• “How do you address business ownership and succession in the plan?”

If you own a business, customized planning is especially important.  Many large law firms have their corporate department and trust and estate (they call it “T&E”) department siloed from each other.  Details of your business and non-business assets and how they all integrate with your estate plan frequently get lost in translation from one department to the other.  It’s a case of one hand not knowing what the other hand is doing.  If they don’t have a clear answer, they likely don’t understand how to protect your business.

• “What steps do you take to avoid probate?”

A solid plan should make the court system irrelevant, not inevitable.

• “What advanced strategies do you use to protect my assets and reduce estate taxes?”
  
  

SLATs, ILITs, GRATs, and dynasty trusts, explained in plain language so you can understand them, should be part of the conversation.  Not blank stares.

• “How often should my plan be reviewed or updated?”

A good plan is a living strategy, not a one-time transaction.

• “Do you help my spouse and children understand their roles in the plan?”

Clarity prevents confusion. Education prevents mistakes.

• “Can you explain complex legal issues in plain English?”

If they talk in legalese, it’s a red flag.  You need someone who makes things clear.

• “Do you offer flexible signing options like remote notary services?”
  For signing of your documents, will they require you to travel to them (and take a half day or more out of your schedule)?  Your attorney should adapt to your schedule.  Not the other way around.

• “What makes your approach different from other firms?”

The right attorney should have a clearly defined philosophy.  Not just a list of services.  If they try to impress you with legal jargon and how smart they are instead of how they can help you solve what you’re concerned about, run the other way.

Your Estate Plan Should Be a Blueprint.  Not a Gamble

A “cheap” or “standard” estate plan might check a box, but it won’t protect a sizeable estate from tax erosion, probate courts, and costly missteps.

You don’t need paperwork.

You need a comprehensive strategy that preserves wealth, guides your loved ones, and ensures everything you built is passed on with intention.

At Garza Business & Estate Law, we don’t do quick fixes or generic templates. We build bespoke estate plans for successful families who want:

• Personalized advice
• Direct access to experienced attorneys
• Multi-generational protection
• Strategies designed for complexity, not simplicity

We work with a limited number of clients each year so we can give each family the attention and precision their legacy demands.

If You’re Serious About Protecting Your Legacy, Apply to Work With Us

Not everyone is a fit for our approach.  And we’re selective by design.

But if you’re looking for a long-term partner to help you protect your wealth, preserve your family’s privacy, and prepare your heirs for the future, we invite you to take the first step.

👉 Apply here: https://lgarzalaw.com/schedule-online

Your estate plan should do more than exist. It should perform — when it matters most.

Let’s make sure it does.