Troutman Sanders Pro Bono Wills and Advance Directives Project at Dekalb Medical

TROUTMAN SANDERS PRO BONO WILLS AND ADVANCE DIRECTIVES PROJECT AT DEKALB MEDICAL

RETAINER AGREEMENT

I, ______(“Client”), have asked for limited legal help. I understand that a Volunteer Lawyer with the law firm of Troutman Sanders, LLP will help me. The Volunteer Lawyer will not charge me a fee for the services I receive. I understand that Atlanta Legal Aid does not represent me.

The Volunteer Lawyer agrees to help me prepare basic estate planning documents, which may include a Last Will and Testament, Financial Power of Attorney, an Advance Directive for Health Care, and a Nomination of Guardian and Stand-by Guardian for minor children.

I agree that the provision of legal services under this agreement does not create an attorney/client relationship between me and the entity or organization that might provide the facilities where I meet with the Volunteer Lawyer. Further, I understand that the provision of these services does not create an attorney/client relationship between DeKalb Medical and me.

WHAT LEGAL AID AND THE VOLUNTEER LAWYER AGREE TO DO:

1. The Volunteer Lawyer will represent me responsibly. Representation may consist of investigation, legal research and analysis, and/or advice to me.

2. The Volunteer Lawyer will keep me informed about my case, and will consult with me on major decisions in my case.

3. Any private or confidential information I give the Volunteer Lawyer will be kept secret if I wish it, unless the law requires disclosure of the information.

4. The Volunteer Lawyer will not help me plan to avoid federal or state taxes, creditor protection, and other specialized estate planning services. If I want those services I can agree to pay the Volunteer Attorney for any such specialized services.

5. When my case is closed, the Volunteer Lawyer will return any original documents to me.

6. The Volunteer Lawyer will meet with me in person to discuss the documents and/or sign the documents. Legal assistants who are not lawyers may help the Volunteer Lawyer get information about my documents, prepare my documents, and do other activities allowed by the State Bar of Georgia.

I UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING: 1. Representation is limited to preparation of basic estate planning documents and advance directives and not does include non-legal advice for issues such as investment strategy, life insurance, or other financial planning.

2. I give permission for the Volunteer Lawyer or any legal assistant to discuss my case with and to get help from Atlanta Legal Aid. I give permission for Legal Aid to discuss my case with and to help the Volunteer Lawyer or any legal assistant.

3. The Volunteer Lawyer may stop representing me if I do not cooperate fully and promptly, if I misrepresent or fail to disclose material facts. In addition, there may be other reasons why the Volunteer Attorney may withdraw from representing me. If I do not cooperate or if I misrepresent or fail to disclose material facts, I will not be referred to another Volunteer Lawyer with the law firm of Troutman Sanders, LLP for assistance.

4. I may fire the Volunteer Lawyer at any time for any reason. If I am not happy with the services of the Volunteer Lawyer, I must first let him or her know.

5. This agreement creates an attorney/client relationship between the Volunteer Lawyer acting in his or her capacity as a volunteer for the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, and me. This agreement does not create an attorney/client relationship between me and the Volunteer Attorney’s law firm, entity, or organization. I also understand that this agreement does not create an attorney/client relationship between DeKalb Medical and me.

6. I understand and agree that the provision of legal services under this agreement does not create an attorney/client relationship between me and the Atlanta Legal Aid Society.

7. The Volunteer Lawyer’s services end when my documents are completed. I agree that the Volunteer Lawyer is not obligated to advise me about changes in the law after my case is closed. I understand that it is a good idea to review my documents once per year to find out if they still meet my needs. I understand that I should get advice about changing my documents if I have major changes in my life such as my finances, marriage or divorce, birth or adoption of a child, or other major changes.

8. I will receive originals of my documents. The Volunteer Lawyer will not keep originals of my documents.

9. The Volunteer Lawyer makes no guarantee regarding the outcome of any part of my case.

10. I understand and agree that the provision of legal services under this agreement does not create an attorney/client relationship between me and any entity or organization which might provide the facilities where I meet with the Lawyer, including but not limited to DeKalb Medical.

______Date Client’s Signature ______Date Volunteer Lawyer’s Signature

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