WebCredenza 2024 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.

• 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.

Opinions and positions stated by presenters of MoBarCLE programs are those of the presenters and not necessarily those of The Missouri Bar. This program is intended as information for lawyers in Missouri, in conjunction with other research they deem necessary, in the exercise of their independent judgment.