Joseph M. Placer, Jr., LL.M.
[email protected] Placer Law Firm, L.L.C. 337-237-2530 WILL DRAFTING AND RELATED ISSUES December 12, 2017 “As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the masculine gender may include both feminine and neuter genders, words used in the singular may include the plural, or the plural may be read as the singular...” - important in a will, and applicable to these materials. A. Initial advice to the client. Contrary to what most clients expect us to say, the simple fact is that not everyone needs a will. The first task of the estate planning attorney, therefore, is to determine whether a will is appropriate for the client. After you have determined that your client does need a will as part of his estate plan, you must then convince him of the need. Most people (attorneys being high on this list) do not want to do anything that requires them to face their own mortality. A client, even after accepting the need intellectually, will tend to put off the drafting or execution of his will indefinitely unless you can overcome this resistance. This is where the “counselor” portion of the phrase “Attorney and Counselor at Law” comes into play. Your client needs legal counseling to help him to overcome an emotional obstacle. PLACER LAW FIRM, L.L.C. PAGE 1 WILL DRAFTING AND RELATED ISSUES 12/12/2017 QUESTIONS FOR CLIENT: “If you and (client’s spouse) die in a car accident on the way home from this meeting, what happens?” “Who takes custody of your children?” “Who manages their inheritance(s)?” Take the time to explain fully and clearly to client the possible pitfalls of poor or inadequate estate planning, including the consequences of dying without a will.