Sponsored By
Trusts & Estates logo

Bridging the Experience GapBridging the Experience Gap

Creating an expectation of premium services.

Craig R. Hersch

November 16, 2018

15 Min Read
hersch1218

Many estate-planning attorneys quote fixed fees for services. Therefore, I commonly ask my colleagues, “Do you ever quote a fee that’s below the true value of the services you’re about to render?” 

Resoundingly, almost every attorney to whom I make this inquiry answers, “Yes!” 

The next question I ask is more difficult to answer: “Why?” 

A variety of responses commonly emerge: 

The client won’t pay it.

They’ll visit the attorney down the street for a comparison quote.

My referral source might think I’m trying to gouge his client.

They’ll try to do it themselves on the Internet.

None of these answers justifies charging amounts below a fee commensurate with the true value of the services delivered, and it speaks to certain expectations that may ex...

Unlock All Access Premium Subscription

Get Trusts & Estates articles, digital editions, and an optional print subscription. Choose your subscription now and dive into expert insights today!

Already Subscribed?

About the Author

Craig R. Hersch

https://estateprograms.com/

Craig R. Hersch is the creator of The Freedom Practice™, The Family Estate & Legacy Program™ estate planning practice system and The Estate Settlement Program™ probate and trust administration practice system. He developed these practice systems in response to the quickly changing and challenging legal marketplace. He authored four books, Common Cents Estate Planning, Legal Matters When a Loved One Dies, The Florida Residency & Estate Planning Guide and Selecting Your Successor Trustee. These books are all used in his practice systems.

Craig is a Florida Bar Board Certified Wills, Trusts & Estates Attorney, practicing since 1989. He is also licensed as a Florida CPA, and is a founding shareholder and director of a private state-chartered trust company. His varied background in law, accounting, tax and finance along with his participation in Dan Sullivan’s Strategic Coach program since 2005 provides him unique insights and capabilities necessary to multiply his practice.

To that end, Trusts & Estates magazine tapped Craig a “Practice Development Xpert” where he writes a column under its wealthmanagement.com website. He hosts three podcast series geared to estate planning professionals, clients and trust administrators. Craig writes a weekly estate-planning column for a local newspaper, and presents as a featured lecturer at continuing education programs sponsored by The Florida Bar, the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the National Business Institute.

Craig is married to wife Patti and they have raised three daughters. In his spare time Craig enjoys adventure travel, training for and competing in triathlons, including Ironman distance races, boating the southwest Florida waterways and spending quality time with his family.