Who We Don’t Work With (And Why That’s a Good Thing)

Who We Don’t Work With (And Why That’s a Good Thing)

You should be selective about who you work with. And we are too.

Let’s be honest: not every law firm is right for every client, and not every client is right for every law firm.

At Monteforte Law, we’ve worked hard to define exactly who we serve best. We’ve built our reputation on deep relationships, strategic planning, and long-term thinking, especially for individuals and families who are serious about preserving wealth, avoiding estate taxes, and creating a legacy.

That kind of work takes trust, alignment, and a shared commitment to doing things right. It also means we are not the right fit for everyone, and we’re okay with that. This isn’t about turning people away for the sake of it. It’s about making sure we spend our time where it matters most - on clients we can genuinely help, and who are ready to take the process seriously. If you’re that kind of client, you’ll get our full attention, our full strategy, and a long-term relationship with a firm that treats your family like our own.

But to give that level of service, we have to be selective. So, here’s a breakdown of who we don’t work with, and why that’s a good thing for everyone.

1. Those Looking for the Cheapest Option

If your top priority is getting the lowest-cost estate plan, we’ll save you some time right now: we’re not your firm. We aren’t the most expensive estate planning firm (though we probably should be), but we aren’t the cheapest estate planning firm either. Estate planning isn’t a commodity - it’s a process that protects everything you’ve worked for. And that process requires time, experience, and strategy. We’re not going to hand you a fill-in-the-blank form, charge you $299, and send you on your way. That’s not planning - that’s gambling with your future.

When you work with Monteforte Law, you’re getting more than just documents. You’re getting decades of legal experience, in-house proprietary planning systems, and long-term legal guidance designed to protect your wealth for generations. The right plan can save your family hundreds of thousands—or even millions—in taxes, probate fees, and avoidable legal headaches. That kind of value doesn’t come at discount pricing. And we’re okay with that. So are our clients (go check out our reviews).

2. Do-It-Yourselfers

We’ve seen this movie before. You download a will from the internet, or use an on-line service, fill in a few blanks, print it out - and you feel like you’ve crossed estate planning off your to-do list.

But here’s what happens: the plan doesn’t work. It’s not legally sound. The trust wasn’t funded. The assets don’t pass the way you intended. Or worse—your family ends up in court anyway. We reviewed an estate plan from an online service for a Massachusetts client and the document was full of references to California law!! They couldn’t even get the state right!

DIY estate planning gives people a false sense of security. And in our line of work, false confidence can be devastating. We’re not here to shame anyone for trying to take control—but we are here to say: if you’re serious about protecting your home, your savings, and your legacy, then you need real legal planning—not just paperwork.

3. Procrastinators Who Stay Stuck

We understand – everyone procrastinates. We all put this stuff on the back burner. But you can’t let it stay there. We’re incredibly patient. We understand that estate planning feels overwhelming for many people, especially when it involves confronting uncomfortable realities like death, disability, or long-term care. But there’s a big difference between needing time to make a thoughtful decision and putting it off forever.

That’s why we’ve designed a process that walks you through everything step-by-step. We explain things in plain English. We give you guidance, and we’re happy to answer your questions.

If you’ve had multiple consultations but can’t bring yourself to act… if you ask for a draft but never open it… If you’re always “just thinking about it” for the last six months, we might not be the right firm for you. Unless you’re finally ready to take the next step. If you’re comfortable just letting it simmer forever and never finishing, then we aren’t the firm for you.

The truth is, the longer you wait, the fewer options you have. And we’d rather work with clients who are ready to protect their family now—while they still have every option on the table.

4. People Who Don’t Trust Their Advisors

We don’t expect blind trust—and we welcome thoughtful questions. In fact, we love working with informed clients who want to understand their plan. That’s why we teach seminars, write books, and break complex topics down into digestible, real-world strategies.

But trust has to be mutual. If you walk in assuming every lawyer is out to take advantage of you, or if you’re constantly second-guessing every move we make, the relationship just won’t work. Estate planning is personal. It requires you to open up about money, family, and future fears—and you can’t do that if you’re in constant defense mode.

If you can’t trust any advisor, you’ll never feel confident about your plan. We’ll answer your questions, explain our reasoning, and earn your trust through transparency. But if you’re not willing to trust anyone, you won’t trust us either—and that’s not a foundation we can build on.

5. Rude or Disrespectful Individuals

We take this one seriously: We have a strict “no jerks” rule.

Everyone on our team - from our interns to the attorneys - shows up every day to help people. We’re a values-based firm. We believe in treating people with dignity, compassion, and respect. So, if you’re the type to belittle our intake coordinator, roll your eyes at our legal assistant, or shout at the person scheduling your appointment, don’t bother.

We’ll refund your fee, cancel your meeting, and wish you well. Life is too short to deal with jerks.

We work hard to build a positive, supportive environment for our staff and our clients. And we will never let someone disrupt that culture.

6. People Who Want to Hand Everything Off and Disengage

Believe it or not, we sometimes get clients who say, “Just do whatever you think is best,” and don’t want to be involved at all.

Now, we appreciate the trust, but you still need to care about your own plan.

We’re not just creating documents, we’re helping you make decisions that could affect your kids, your business, your health care, and your financial legacy. We need your input. We need to know what you value. We need to know what keeps you up at night, like a doctor asking you, “where does it hurt?” And we need your participation in the process.

If you don’t want to be part of that process, we can’t make the plan work for your goals—because we won’t know what they are.

7. People Without Assets to Protect

This might sound a little harsh at first glance, but hear us out: if you don’t have any significant assets - no home, no savings, no retirement accounts - then you likely don’t need the level of sophisticated planning that we provide.

We specialize in asset protection, estate tax mitigation, and legacy planning. Those services are most valuable to clients who have built some wealth and want to make sure it’s passed on properly. Our firm is best suited for individuals and families with more robust financial situations: people who own homes, have investments, retirement accounts, or family businesses.

Does that mean we only help rich people? No. But if your net worth is less than $500,000, including your retirement, home equity, and life insurance benefits, you don’t need our level of expertise.

If that doesn’t describe you, it doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. In fact, it might mean that a simple will from a lower-cost provider will meet your needs for now. And that’s okay. We’re not in the business of selling you something you don’t need.

We want to be upfront, so we don’t waste your time or money. If you don’t have assets to protect, then Monteforte Law may not be the right fit for you right now.