Are there differences between big city attorneys, and attorneys in a distant suburb/exurb like Howard County? Obviously I’m going to be biased and say there aren’t significant differences, as a representative attorney from Howard County. Big city attorneys tend to be part of larger firms, and with larger firms come lawyers to throw at complex legal problems.
But for most clients this isn’t necessary. Estate planning isn’t exactly simple, and for all but the wealthiest people, the issues facing a client aren’t going to be overwhelming. Attorneys such as myself will have smaller footprints, and thus lower expenses. You, the client, benefit by paying lower prices.
Most of the people who live in Howard County have jobs in Baltimore or the DC area. That means they commute. It makes sense for them to work with an attorney who is local to their home rather than their work, particularly one who can accommodate their schedule. I live very close to where I work, so it’s easy for me to meet clients on the weekend or in the evenings. My commute is less than 20 minutes. Clients want to meet with an attorney near their home rather than staying late in the city. These are the advantages of a local suburban attorney.
Do Howard County attorneys offer any other advantages over a big city attorney? Yes, there are. For instance, a local attorney in this county has a pretty good idea of a person’s net worth based on the address of the client. That gives him insight into whether the client has exposure to the estate tax. If a client isn’t forthcoming about their net worth but needs estate tax help, this geographic knowledge is essential. People in Howard County tend to send their children to public schools, have affordable homes (compared to Montgomery County for example) and it is this understanding that can help an attorney tailor an estate plan and recommend a well-trained financial planner if necessary.
If you’re interested in reaching out to me, simply email me at rick@columbiaestateplanning.com or call 443 864 4819.