Marla Stewart Owczarek

Marla Owczarek

Thank you for sharing your experience and concerns. Through the estate planning process, we make sure to include opportunities for clients to review drafts of their documents and for the attorney to go over the documents with the clients. During the review process, revisions are often needed. These revisions can result from incorrect information provided to our office, misunderstanding during verbal discussion of the plan, and clients reconsidering aspects of the plan. Both at the initial appointment and at the end of the representation, we also advise clients regarding their specific assets and how to title or otherwise designate each asset in light of the client’s plan. By the end of the process, we want to ensure clients have documents that are accurate, properly implement their wishes and are protected from challenge. The review time and asset discussions address the first two and our policies regarding confidentiality address the last. Confidentiality is essential, particularly to protect the plan, and we have strict policies regarding not disclosing client’s information to anyone other than the client and measures designed to provide protection of the documents themselves. The client receives all their original documents, along with copies, and the client themselves may choose to share aspects of their plan with trusted family members or advisors; however we would encourage serious consideration before sharing unprotected details with others. We strive to give clients confidence in their plan and are sorry that your experience through the process raised concerns, but we are glad that your final documents did meet your estate planning goals.