Running an estate planning or elder law firm comes with many challenges—changing laws, evolving client needs, and the pressure to stay ahead. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, especially when balancing client work with the need to grow your practice. If you’ve ever felt like you’re wading through molasses trying to keep up with client communication, marketing, or operational demands, you’re not alone.
I’ve written before about managing challenges in marketing, but right now, as we balance growth with well-being, it’s the perfect time to revisit how structure can bring clarity. New technology doesn’t solve old problems. And staying focused amidst overwhelming demands is an old problem many estate planning and elder law attorneys face.
The Impact of Overload on Your Practice
With increasing responsibilities and client expectations, many attorneys feel the weight of running their firm. More than ever, practice management strategies need to be sustainable—not just effective. The key isn’t pretending everything is fine; it’s being honest with yourself and creating a plan that makes managing your firm more achievable.
If you need a way to regain control and clarity, the 5P Framework can help simplify your approach and give you a roadmap through the chaos.
The Power of the 5Ps in Estate Planning
When everything feels like too much, I return to the 5Ps framework. It helps me step back, see the big picture, and break firm management into manageable pieces.
1. Purpose
Start with your “why.” If your firm feels overwhelmed with client demands, stop and ask: What actually matters right now? Is it ensuring smooth client onboarding? Strengthening client relationships? Streamlining operations? Knowing your purpose will guide your next steps.
2. People
Look at who’s involved—your clients, your staff, and your referral network. Are you trying to serve clients without fully understanding their concerns? Engaging with the right people—whether through better client education, workshops, or team collaboration—can bring clarity to your approach.
3. Process
This is your “how.” If managing your firm feels chaotic, start documenting your processes. Which tasks can be streamlined? Are you overcomplicating things? Clarity often comes from simplifying and systematizing your workflows, whether it’s client intake, case management, or follow-ups.
4. Platform
These are your tools and data. Are you using the right practice management software? Are your client communications effective? Don’t let the wrong tech create more work—choose platforms that support your firm’s growth and client service.
5. Performance
Measure what actually matters. If new client inquiries are dropping, is it because of external factors, or are you focusing on the wrong outreach efforts? During difficult times, maintaining stability might be a win. The key is tracking progress based on what’s important to your firm and your clients.
Putting It All Together
Here’s how this plays out in practice. When I felt overwhelmed this morning, I:
- Checked our purpose: Are we focusing on what matters most?
- Connected with our people: What do our clients and team need right now?
- Reviewed our processes: Where can we streamline our workflows?
- Assessed our platforms: Are we using the best tools to manage our firm efficiently?
- Looked at performance: Are we measuring what truly matters?
The result? Clarity about where to focus my efforts today—and what to let go of.
Making It Work for Your Firm
Start small. Pick one area where you feel stuck and run it through the 5Ps:
- What’s the real purpose behind this challenge?
- Who needs to be involved?
- What process would make it easier?
- Do you have the right tools and data?
- How will you know if it’s working?
Remember, the goal isn’t perfection. It’s about finding enough clarity to take the next step forward.
Your Next Step
Look at your biggest challenge in managing your firm right now. Which P feels most out of alignment? Start there. Maybe your purpose isn’t clear. Maybe your processes are creating inefficiencies. Or maybe you’re measuring the wrong things. I’d love to know—which P resonates most with where you’re struggling right now? Let’s work through it together, because by sharing challenges and solutions, we all get better at navigating estate planning and elder law—one step at a time. Need additional help? Book a Discovery Call today.