Northglenn, CO estate planning & probate attorney Andrew St. Pierre talks about the most rewarding aspect of his practice and his background & experience. He notes that what he values most about estate planning is the opportunity to truly help people. Much of his work focuses on the proactive side—drafting wills, trusts, and Powers of Attorney. Through this preventive approach, he helps clients avoid unnecessary court involvement, minimize disputes, and reduce both financial and emotional burdens. He finds it deeply rewarding to save families money, stress, and grief by planning effectively on the front end.

At the same time, he also appreciates being able to assist families after the loss of a loved one. In those moments, he guides them through the legal process, helping them tie up loose ends, navigate probate when necessary, and move forward during a difficult time with greater ease and reassurance.

Earlier in his career, he practiced other areas of law, including family law and criminal defense. Those practice areas kept him in court three to five days a week, often facing high-stakes hearings where outcomes could dramatically impact clients’ lives. While that work was meaningful, it came with significant stress and many sleepless nights. By transitioning to estate planning, he continues to find fulfillment in serving others, but now in a way that reduces his own stress while preventing future challenges for his clients.

He grew up in Northern Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C., raised by a single mother who was an elementary school teacher. She instilled in him and his younger brother a strong appreciation for education, reading, and lifelong learning. He later attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a business degree before pursuing a variety of experiences—serving in the U.S. Air Force, teaching English in Thailand, working as a personal trainer, bartender, and in sales.

At around 28, he made the decision to return to the University of Tennessee to attend law school. Since graduating, he has been practicing law for seven years. His early career was spent in East Tennessee, where he focused heavily on court-appointed cases. In that role, he represented parents who had lost custody of their children due to allegations of abuse or neglect. Many of his clients were of limited financial means and relied on court-appointed counsel to advocate for their rights. The cases were often intense, involving accusations ranging from neglect to serious abuse, including physical and, in some instances, sexual abuse.

Although that work was challenging and emotionally draining, he considers it invaluable experience. It allowed him to help vulnerable families while also deepening his skills as an advocate. Today, he is grateful to apply those lessons in a different setting—one where he can continue helping people, but in a way that is constructive, preventative, and far less adversarial.