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PLAN BY EMAIL

Preparing an Estate Plan  email letters

Yes, it is possible to create your estate plan with me by e-mail (and telephone) communication.  As we do so we will both take precautions to ensure effective communication in our attorney client relationship. I look forward to working with you.

Here's what we need to do (YOU will be you and JRH will be me):

1.    YOU read this website and decide if YOU would like to proceed;

2.    YOU use the feedback form and inform me of your intention to employ me to assist YOU with your estate plan; when YOU do, please tell me the time of day and days of the week that would be best to contact YOU for an initial conversation (telephone appointment);

3.    JRH will e-mail YOU with a time for a telephone appointment, then telephone YOU on that date or time (if I am late by 5 minutes, call me 1-415-459-6635). At this appointment we will set out a time line for our activities, including the time and date for an extended telephone appointment;

4.    Prior to the extended (second) telephone appointment, YOU download, then prepare and email (or send by facsimile) the following forms:  Confidential Client, and Financial Summary.

5.    Prior to the extended (second) telephone appointment, YOU download, look over and have available the following forms: Questionnaire, Your Decisions and Information Requested.

6.    We will then have our extended (second) telephone appointment.  At the conclusion of the conversations we should be able to agree on an appropriate estate plan for YOU and the appropriate attorney fee to JRH's office.  JRH will direct YOU as to the information he needs (Information Requested). We will confirm the time for the pre-signing (third) telephone conference.

7.     JRH will forward by email an employment agreement and, if YOU are married, a letter concerning ethical requirements (YOU agreeing I can be the attorney for each of YOU); then, YOU return the letters and one-half of the agreed attorney fee by mail.

8.     As soon as possible after the extended (second) telephone conversation YOU forward by email completed forms: Questionnaire, Your Decisions and Information Requested.

9.      Within the week of receiving the letters and forms JRH will forward by email drafts of all estate plan forms (depending on the estate plan, other letters and documents that will also need to be signed will later be mailed).

10.     Two days (about) before the pre-signing telephone conference JRH's legal assistant will telephone to learn if YOU have any changes to the documents.  After the telephone call the documents will be put in final form.

11.     YOU and JRH will complete the pre-signing (third) telephone conference at which your questions will be answered and the documents explained.

12.     JRH will then mail the final draft of all documents to YOU and enclose detailed instructions as to how to sign before two unrelated witnesses who do not receive through your estate plan and a Notary Public.

13.    Within the week of receipt YOU promise to sign and return documents according to the instructions; YOU also return the remainder oof the attorney fee (some additional costs will be billed according to our agreement).

14.     JRH will review the documents, the forward your originals to YOU with instructions for safekeeping.

15.     Depending on the type of estate plan we may have a final telephone conference two months after signing.

Copyright © 2003 Law Office of J.R. Hastings
Last modified: 01/25/04