How far does attorney/client priveledge go??
I am the beneficiary of a trust. The trustee has submitted an invoice from an attorney and a cooy of a check for a retainer paid to said attorney. ( both of which i suspect are fake or fabricated) will said attorney tell me if he was retained, if the invoice actually came from him, and if he recieved the check made out to him.
I agree with Attorney Abbott, and will add that it is more likely that the lawyer will confirm an engagement with the trust if s/he can independently verify, based on his/her review of the trust instrument, that you are a settlor/grantor, co-trustee or beneficiary of the trust. The more credible a ground on which you assert standing as to information rights, the more likely the lawyer will confirm that a trustee has retained him/her for counsel or services for the trust. Be well.
The attorney likely will tell you if they represent the Trustee. I would not expect them to discuss invoices or payment.
Nothing contained herein should be considered as legal advice for any specific situation and nothing herein is intended to create a lawyer-client relationship. Every case is very "fact-specific" and persons wishing legal advice on a specific matter should contact me or another attorney for an appointment to review their particular circumstances and to create a lawyer-client relationship.
