How a Business Hired a Lawyer to Draft a Promissory Note Agreement in Louisiana

In 2025, a business in Louisiana sought assistance in drafting a legally binding agreement to recover approximately $9,000 for emergency tree removal costs that had been personally covered. The client faced significant safety concerns after an ISA-certified arborist classified a hazardous oak tree on a jointly owned property as an “Extreme Risk,” recommending its immediate removal due to the potential for catastrophic failure. Given the property owners' limited income and willingness to engage in repayment documentation, the client aimed to formalize a non-interest-bearing promissory note or lien that would support repayment only upon the sale, refinancing, or succession of the property. As a result, the client received four proposals from licensed lawyers, with flat fee bids ranging from $600 to $700, all submitted