California Estate Planning Practice Blog

Making Up for Another Lawyer's Misdeed.

I don't know where to begin with this post. I am not even sure I should be posting about it... but I will.

On Saturday, April 1, 2006, Michelle and I participated in Bill Handel's Law Day. Read my post about it here.

I spoke to many people that day. I also spoke to a very warm and loving middle aged couple. They told me that they hired an attorney based on a recommendation from her work for estate planning. I do not wish to write everything that transpired other than they paid him $1500.00 for estate planning documents.  And to this day, they still haven't received their documents.

I believed them.

I offered to prepare their estate planning documents at no charge to show them that not all lawyers are greedy and irresponsible. The stereotype of greedy lawyers bothers me. I do not think I am one of them. Or rather, I hope not.

After multiple correspondence by phone, email and fax, they came into my office this afternoon to execute their estate planning documents. They live almost two hours away. They made the trek. I did the work. They are nothing but thrilled and relieved to have their estate planning documents in place.

They have lodged appropriate complaints about this attorney with various agencies including their referral source.

It felt good to be able to help them out.

Is it the Tissue?

Huh? What am I talking about?

Well, it is about a very funny observation in my office when I meet with estate planning clients.

First, let me remind you of my post on February 3 that estate planning is a happy time.

Last year when I met with clients, many of them cried during our meeting. They cried about the thought of their dying and leaving their children alone. They cried at the thought of another loved one's passing. It is tough sitting in my chair sometimes. I don't know what to say or do sometimes other than just offer the box of tissue sitting to the right of my desk.

So I offered the tissue. And kept offering it as I met with different clients.

One day, the box of tissue was not in my office. It was in my partner's office. She needed it for one of her clients.

And I didn't retrieve the box of tissue for a while.

I noticed that clients stopped crying. I had no idea why.

Then it hit me, they cry if they see the tissue. It gives them comfort knowing that they can reach into the box and cry into the tissue.

I really want to reinforce that estate planning is a happy time so I often share this exact tissue observations with my clients if I notice them tearing up. We laugh at the notion. And then we continue on. It's a nice little segue to taking a mental break.

So you may be wondering, where's the tissue?

It's under my desk now. I bring it out if there's a flood of tears.

Do you think the tissue box should be on my desk? If so,  post a comment and tell me your thoughts.