Quality Service and Rock Climbing
What do quality service from a trusted advisor and rock climbing have in common? Stick with me on this one. Two things I did today came together for me as I was giving instructing this evening.
Earlier today I had lunch with a terrific accountant. We were discussing what makes a good advisor. We reached the conclusion that what matters most is that the advisor focuses on doing one thing well and takes no shortcut.
Conversely, we were discussing what makes a good client. We both agreed that if a client is shopping for an advisor based upon price, advisors who compete on price necesarily sacrifice service and expertise.
I have seen and heard of cases where children and spouses lost tens of thousands of dollars because they did not pay for the appropriate level of service and expertise. The axiom is true: you get what you pay for.
Later this evening, I was demonstrating rappelling and rock climbing at a training for adult scout leaders. As a certified instructor in rappelling and rock climbing, the main point I made was that training and attention to detail are paramount. There is no shortcut to safety. A loose knot, a weak anchor, an old rope, they all could lead to failure of the climbing system and catastrophic injury or death.
When I take Boy Scouts rock climbing and rappelling, I make sure everything is safe. Beyond that, every rope and anchor has a backup in case the first one fails. It requires training, experience, and diligent attention to detail, just like preparation of an estate plan.
Like the IRS, a cliff forgives no mistake--whether innocent or negligent. When an estate plan or rock climbing system fails, there is no second chance to go back and make it right. All the attention and effort needs to come before your actually put your weight on the rope or rely on the estate plan.
When tens of thousands of dollars, and the peace and comfort of your family are on the line, why leave the preparation of your wills, trusts, and other documents to chance? When your life is on the line, would you jump off a cliff unless a qualified expert set up the anchors and ropes?
