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6 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing an Estate Planning Attorney

Choosing an estate planning attorney is one of the most important decisions you will make for the people you love. And yet most people have never done it before, so how do you know what to look for?

As a woman, whether you are single, a single mom, navigating a divorce, or simply taking charge of your finances on your own terms, the stakes are high. The last thing you need is to invest time and money with an attorney who does not truly understand your life. After years of working with women and individuals throughout Denver, I have seen what happens when the wrong choice is made. The documents are incomplete. The plan does not hold up. The people you love are left scrambling during an already devastating time.

Here are the six most common mistakes, and what to do instead.

Mistake 1: Choosing Based on Price Alone

“I found a will online for $99” is a sentence I hear more than you might think. While a bargain feels smart in the moment, a poorly drafted estate plan can cost your loved ones far more in the long run, through probate fees, legal challenges, or assets ending up in the wrong hands. Price matters, but value matters more.

Mistake 2: Hiring a General Practitioner

Estate planning is a specialized area of law. An attorney who dabbles in it alongside personal injury, criminal law, and real estate may not have the depth of knowledge to anticipate every scenario that affects your loved ones. Look for an attorney whose primary focus is estate planning, trusts, and legacy work.

Mistake 3: Not Asking About Their Process

A great estate planning attorney does not just hand you a stack of documents. They take the time to understand your full financial picture, your loved ones dynamics, your values, and your goals. Ask prospective attorneys: “What does your planning process look like?” If they cannot clearly explain how they get to know clients, move on.

Mistake 4: Skipping the Relationship

Your estate plan is a living document, it should grow and change with your life. The attorney who drafts your plan should also be someone you can call when you buy a new home, have a baby, go through a divorce, or launch a business. Look for an attorney who values long-term relationships, not one-time transactions.

Mistake 5: Not Verifying Their Credentials and Reviews

It sounds obvious, but many families skip basic due diligence. Check your attorney is licensed and in good standing with the Colorado State Bar. Read reviews. Ask for referrals. A trusted attorney should have a strong reputation in the community and be transparent about their background and experience.

Mistake 6: Waiting Until It Is Too Late

The biggest mistake of all is not choosing an attorney because you have been putting it off. None of us knows what tomorrow holds. Choosing the right attorney, and actually creating your plan, is the most loving gift you can give your loved ones.

What to Look for in an Estate Planning Attorney

When you work with Enliven Law, you get more than legal documents. You get a trusted guide who will walk with you through every stage of life. Alexa Tetzlaff has spent her career building genuine relationships with her clients, creating plans that are thoughtful, personalized, and designed to actually work when your loved ones need them most.

By Alexa Tetzlaff, Esq. · Enliven Law · Denver, Colorado

Estate planning attorney at Enliven Law, helping individuals, families, single parents, couples, and business owners across Denver and Colorado create plans that protect what matters most.

Enliven Law · (303) 900-4116 · enlivenlaw.com