Charging What You're Worth: Fee Strategies for Estate Planning Attorneys

Episode Summary:

In this episode of Beyond the Legal Pad, Laura Cowan, an expert in estate planning, shares valuable insights on breaking the cycle of overwork and improving time management for estate planning attorneys. Laura explains how time management pitfalls like trying to do everything yourself can hinder productivity and offers practical tips to streamline your practice. She discusses the importance of hiring assistants, leveraging automation, and using AI tools efficiently. She also talks about outsourcing tasks like document drafting and using CRM systems for better organization and client management.

Whether you're a seasoned attorney or just starting your practice, Laura’s strategies for optimizing workflows, client communication, and case management are essential for maintaining work-life balance and growing your firm.

Time Stamps:

00:00 - Introduction
00:33 - Time Management Mistakes Attorneys Make
01:47 - Hiring Assistants and Using the ACE Model (Attract, Close, Execute)
03:21 - The Role of AI in Estate Planning
05:06 - Using AI for Marketing vs. Legal Tasks
06:55 - Outsourcing Drafting to Virtual Paralegals
07:38 - Where to Find Qualified Virtual Paralegals
07:47 - Being Proactive vs. Reactive in Estate Planning
09:29 - Tools for Efficient Scheduling (Calendly)
11:17 - Developing a Process and Organizing Client Cases
13:12 - Using CRM Systems for Case Management (Clio, Practice Panther, Lawkus)
14:23 - Starting Simple with Excel for Tracking Leads
15:51 - Helping Overwhelmed Attorneys Organize Their Processes
16:32 - Simple Systems vs. Comprehensive Software

About the Show:

Beyond the Legal Pad is a podcast dedicated to helping attorneys navigate the world of estate planning with ease. Hosted by Kevin Rosenquist, this show features industry expert Laura Cowan as she simplifies complex legal processes, offering advice on managing practices efficiently and effectively. Whether you're an attorney or someone interested in estate planning, this podcast is a valuable resource for insights, tips, and guidance on organizing your firm and achieving success.