The 2022 Clio Legal Trends Report has again confirmed what we all know: the billable hour is not particularly popular with clients. At 48% approval, the billable hour is almost 20 points behind flat fees and their 67% (only 1 point behind the leading option of "Fees based on outcomes").
This doesn't do much to shake up probate law in Ohio, where flat fees are very common. However, it serves as a reminder of the importance of automation in legal services. Where fees are predetermined and capped, any inefficiency falls solely on the attorney (which is fair).
Besides the motives for the attorney, efficient cases are resolved faster and that is at the top of the list of client concerns. Simply put, everyone is happier when flat fee cases are handled more efficiently.
The legal profession needs to take major steps forward in developing automated software systems to reduce time, eliminate waste, and provide services more efficiently than ever before. Doing so is best way of improving client satisfaction while also maximizing profits. (It might even result in some of that work-life balance stuff too.)
EstateAssist is built to streamline and automate data entry, document preparation, and communication. Designed by an Ohio probate attorney, it is made - and will continue to be improved - with the user experience as our first concern. We want to minimize your interactions with the app, while having the system do as much of the work and production as possible...and we've only just begun.
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