Section 1.15 Sample Instructions on How to Open a New Estate Planning File

• Library: Elder Law 2015 Forms

How to Open a New Estate Planning

File at the ABC Law Firm

At the ABC Law Firm, estate planning refers to wills, trusts, special needs trusts, and durable powers of attorney.

Once a potential client becomes an estate planning client (i.e., signs a fee agreement and gives us a retainer check), the Attorney is responsible for making sure the Client Intake Form, Family Information Worksheet, Fee Agreement, and File Deadline Worksheet have been completed. Also, the Attorney must see to it that a copy of the client’s retainer check is made for the file.

The Secretary should double check to make sure the forms listed above are in the new client file. If not, the Secretary must inform the Attorney that these things are not in the file. It is the Attorney’s responsibility to place them in the file.

1. Client Contact Sheet. The Secretary must enter all new client data into the ACT computer database. A Client Contact Sheet must be printed out for every new client file and affixed on the left side of the primary file folder.

2. Engagement Letter With Attachment. An Engagement Letter should go out within 48 hours of the initial Attorney-Client meeting. The Secretary or the Legal Assistant is responsible for making sure the letter is sent. There are form Engagement Letters in the computer that can be modified to address the individual client situation. (See the Attorney notes on the Family Information...