People and businesses are always looking for efficiencies and ways to save money. We all do. It’s a way of life, especially during odd and erratic economic times. Conserving cash should be a primary objective for both businesses and individuals.

However, a common sense approach when addressing legal needs should be applied. The price is only one component of retaining a legal professional.

Online, do-it-yourself, websites provide a great tool for document preparation. They highlight the great strides that we have made with technology.  However, when people and businesses engage law firms, the primary objective is to  receive strong and creative legal advice and have a trusted advocate to use as a resource. This aspect is completely devoid with websites.

While the websites are sexy, and they produce some nice glossy binders that accompany clean/crisp documents, there is no underlying legal strategy. Legal documents are highly diminished if they haven’t been structured properly. A skilled attorney spots the necessary issues in order to cultivate a document that explicitly addresses every pertinent issue. There is a reason why attorneys go to graduate school to obtain their juris doctorate, pass an extremely gruesome exam, and must fulfill yearly continuing education credits in order to remain licensed. We may be biased, but there is no substitute for a skilled legal practitioner. We rely on our colleagues’ advice on a daily basis.

When we give seminars or speak with prospective clients, we always tell companies and individuals to not seek the cheapest legal services or the least costly route to obtain legal documents. Find a trusted legal professional that you feel comfortable with and develop a strong bond that can potentially last a lifetime or for multiple generations.

Similar to cars, entertainment, food, and travel—you get what you pay for. The difference with legal services is that the “cheap” route can materially and adversely affect you for years to come.

The good news is that you have the ability and power to avoid these pitfalls from the start!