What should attorneys have in their Engagement Letters?

The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel's Fellows discuss the ins-and-outs of effective professional Engagement Letters. Engagement Letters or Engagement Agreements are an invaluable tool for attorneys and set the stage for the representation and managing a client's expectations. Please visit ACTEC Foundation to read more about the 3rd Edition of Engagement Letter, created by the ACTEC Professional Conduct Committee.

 The document builds on the initial editions by:

• Updating the forms and checklists to address the latest version of the Model Rules and modern challenges to a lawyer's ethical responsibilities;
• Respond to other changes in the law;
• Provides cross references to the latest edition of the ACTEC Commentaries;
• Includes checklists and forms that address a variety of engagement scenarios that were not dealt with in the prior Edition;
• Offers additional drafting options;
• Includes Word versions of each letter.

ACTEC Trust & Estate Talk offers professionals best practice advice, insights, and commentary on subjects that effect the profession and clients. ACTEC, a professional society of peer elected trust and estate lawyers, is passionate about estate and trust issues including elder law, estate planning, wealth planning, probate law, wills, living wills, power of attorney, guardianship, medical power of attorney, trusts, irrevocable trusts, special needs trusts, charitable trusts, trust funds, Rockefeller trusts, marital trusts, asset protection, family partnerships, estate taxes, gift taxes, tax legislation, tax law, and tax reform.