Drafting Client Engagement Letters in Trust and Estate Planning

Client engagement letters are the foundation of a successful representation in trust and estate planning, administration or fiduciary litigation.  It’s where expectations are set – about fees, timelines, and who you are representing. Difficult issues involving conflicts of interests and decision-making can also be framed and addressed. These letters clarify goals and substantially reduce the risk of later dispute.  This program will provide you a practical guide to using client engagement letters to provide the foundation of a successful relationship in trust and estate planning, administration and litigation.

Schedule:

• Most important elements of successful client engagement letter
• Spousal representations – joint representation or separate, and practical difficulties of each
• Representing multiple generations of a family – who is in charge?  
• Lawyer as fiduciary – what must you do if you’re the trustee
• How to handle extant or developing client incapacity
• Ongoing communication and billing issues
• Providing for withdrawal from an engagement – when and how