I will assure you get high quality and cost-effective legal services to complete your Retirement Planning, Estate Planning & Closely Held and Family Business Planning.
While I am retired from the active practice of law; one of my goals for this Blog is to get you into the hands of good lawyers for your Retirement Planning, Estate Planning & Closely Held and Family Business Planning needs.
However, there may be occasions you want to consult with me about very sensitive matters.
You may want to disclose information you would rather others (including the government) not know about. Plus you would not want them to ever be able to bring it up in Court if that is possible.
A Lawyer/Client relationship carries with it your privilege that I cannot be compelled by subpoena or court order to disclose any content from our private conversations. This is called “Privileged Communications” and it is your privilege, not mine.
Even without this, I am duty bound to keep your confidences private and undisclosed. However, that is different than if a Court compels me to disclose what was private between us.
The reason for PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATIONS under the law is so folks like you do not hesitate to go to lawyers to get legal advice about their actions. They may have already done something wrong and the lawyer needs to know about that to do a good job. Also, in our system of justice it is the duty of the state to prove guilt; not the defendant to prove innocence. Lawyers serve as advocates for clients, who may be guilty under the facts; but, who are still entitled to have their guilt proven in a Court before their liberty can be taken away. So, the Lawyer’s job is to assure the State does its job and meets its burden. You may still have done something wrong; but, are not guilty in a Court of law unless that state proves it’s case “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
If you ever want me to become your lawyer, I try to limit my services for the above reasons. Even then, the purpose of representing you will be to help you evaluate what steps you need to take. At this time I am not drafting legal documents for client; so,I will still be trying to get you in the hands of a good lawyer to handle the situation you face. There are occasions where businesses ask me to consult on their planning where I perform some of the classic services I used to. Those are case by case and I do not maintain an office facility for those matters.
Before I do enter into a Lawyer/Client relationship with you, so you can get the benefits I mentioned above, and for my protection (which I explain below), there must first be a signed, written agreement. Please understand I need to be firm about this. There are cases where an attorney did not think he owed a duty of representation to a client. However, initial or casual conversations between that lawyer and the “client” were held to amount to legal representation; and, the lawyer got into a lot of trouble. More importantly, you want to be assured our conversations are “Privileged Communications.”
Please understand I am not being unnecessarily harsh. You might not complain (and I believe you would not); but, if you are unconscious, someone else who does not know about any “handshake” we had might, doing it on your behalf.
My charges under those circumstances will be $75.00 an hour; plus reimbursements of costs. I will require a non-refundable “retainer” of $500.00 before we start; which would be paid on signing the fee agreement.
The Fee Agreement and my Billing Policies cover all the details. If you want to see the Fee Agreement you would need to sign and the Billing Policies that are part of it, I am happy to send you copies.
Remember that, under Florida Bar rules, I cannot voluntarily tell anyone your private information either. If I ever did, you would have a right to file a grievance against me to the Florida Bar.
In addition, there are certain relationships with other lawyers where I serve Of Counsel and help them provide services to their clients.
CAVEAT: It is important that you know I do not carry legal malpractice insurance. If you want me to, I am happy to apply on the condition you will pay the costs over and above my other fees for services or materials. If you are interested I can explain to you what that is all about. We could do a one on one webinar about it.
CAVEAT 2: I am only admitted to the Bar in Florida. This limits my ability to enter into a Lawyer/Client relationship with an individual or entity in another state.
Ask questions and make comments in all my posts. The goal is to have a dialogue. This site will be a virtual place you can go until you have the Peace of Mind that comes when you complete your Retirement & Estate Planning.
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Scott F. Barnett, J.D., LL.M. (Taxation)
Get Free “The 9 Safest Ways to Build an Income that Will Last the Rest of Your Life“ and updates of new Blog Posts and other important information by completing and submitting the form below. Also, join me on my SCOTT F BARNETT CONSULTING YouTube Channel by CLICKING HERE for video presentations and live sessions.
This is all devoted to guiding you to complete your own Retirement Planning, Estate Planning and Closely Held and Family Business Planning; and you gaining the Peace of Mind that comes from knowing your own future is secure and your family is protected. I help you by coaching, not teaching, so you can complete the work you need to do.
Join in! Ask Questions! Comment on my Blog posts. Most important, get to the Peace of Mind that happens when you complete your Retirement & Estate Planning. Get free “The 9 Safest Ways to Build an Income that Will Last the Rest of Your Life“ and updates of new Blog Posts and other important information by completing and submitting the form below. Also join me on my SCOTT F BARNETT CONSULTING YouTube Channel by CLICKING HERE.
DISCLAIMER: Since I am a member of the Florida Bar I should make it clear interacting with me on this site does not create a lawyer/client relationship. If I would enter into one, it is only after we sign a written agreement setting it up. I am more than happy to help you find a good lawyer when the time comes. I am retired from law practice and now focus on this blog and the matters I discuss in it. (CLICK HERE to see the PRODUCTS & SERVICES page.) Thanks for understanding.
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