We have a few different versions of this in our office. Perhaps, you do to. Here is just one example:
I have a client that has been with me for 20+ years, before I went off on my own. I have seen her go through a few life changes, including her husband's death.
She is not a pleasant woman to deal with. She is not nasty, but pushy and wants things on her terms. Our admin staff do not like her and tend to get short with her. I don't blame them.
She does not have a complicated tax return, but she makes it more complicated than it needs to be. I shouldn't be doing her tax return any more, but I am not about to give her to another staff person. That would not be fair to them and would hurt morale. This and she ONLY wants to work with me. Perhaps, I have made her dependent on me. Ugh!
Normally, I would disengage somebody like this. But... I feel obligated to see her through the rest of her life (hopefully not too long - Did I say that out loud?). I cannot imagine any other tax preparer picking her up or wanting to deal with her. She has no children (or family or friends as far as I know).
In the meantime, she wears me down but, more importantly, wears down the morale of the office.
This year, we are considering cutting 20%-30% of our 1040 clients. She should be cut. I cannot justify keeping her and cutting an otherwise perfectly good client.
Is it worth the treasures in heaven??