As much as we attempt to create a sustainable culture from an environmental standpoint, many of our actions continue to exhibit a free-spirited “throw-away” mentality. We see this a lot with legal advice and tax advice. As great as the Internet is, it has caused a lot of these problems. When a client prefaces  a question with, “I was reading on the Internet…”, a sense of dread comes over the professional who is attempting to give advice. A great CPA friend of our law firm dreads those types of questions, as it only makes an already tough job much more difficult. It’s akin to talking shop with a brain surgeon after reading an article online about why your right hand shakes.

Additionally, it’s very difficult when a professional dispenses with advice and then the “hearer” decides to debate such learned advice with blog posts he or she found on the Internet. Skilled professionals not only build a strong foundation of knowledge through countless years of education, becoming accredited and licensed, and continuing professional education, but a wealth of wisdom is derived through years of practical experience. This is especially true for firms that aggregate their wisdom and experience; this only furthers the benefits of strong counsel.

All too often we hear about people choosing to ignore the advice dispensed by a professional advisor or in other words, they “throw it away.” For some reason, an impersonal computer screen, or a do-it-yourself website, brings more comfort and security. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Our law firm always marvels at the stellar work completed by another lawyer or law firm, a CPA, a financial advisor, or any other professional who truly has a passion for their trade and profession.

Find a strong a group of professional advisors and listen to them. We believe that everyone needs a solid attorney, CPA, and financial advisor. Further, these three should work together as a team so that you, as the client, truly benefit from the synergistic energy built on years of experience. Don’t look on the Internet or the phone book. Find a trusted a colleague who can refer you to a professional with a proven track record.

Lastly, don’t shop on price alone. Think about the other items you shop for in life: your flat screen TV, your house, your car, your vacation, your jewelry, your clothing, your concert tickets. Strong and reliable professional advice is just as important—if not more.