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Georgia duty to inform12/26/2023 ![]() If an executor, spouse, or family member of deceased client is legally entitled to the same access that the decedent had when alive, then the lawyer can ordinarily provide access to all those files. The duty applies to all information gained in the professional relationship, whatever its source, and continues after the death of a client. ![]() What if an executor, spouse, or family member of deceased client asks lawyer to hand over the client’s file or to disclose information the lawyer obtained in the relationship?Ī lawyer is generally prohibited from revealing information relating to the representation of a client unless the client gives informed consent. Client Confidential Information and Client Files Thus, the lawyer’s representation will end. If there is no pending litigation and there are no plans to open an estate, a lawyer’s authority to act on behalf of the decedent’s interest is limited, and typically, a lawyer may not seek to have an estate opened. May, if necessary, seek to have an estate opened and a public administrator appointed, who would then direct the lawyer or.If there are no plans to open an estate or if the lawyer cannot locate any family members of the decedent, then the lawyer: If the personal representative consents to the continued representation, the lawyer may need to substitute the estate as the party.If not, the lawyer must file a motion to withdraw or notice of substitution with the new lawyer. Once a personal representative is appointed, the lawyer should ask if he or she wants the lawyer to continue as the lawyer for the estate in the pending litigation.If no, the lawyer should file a motion to withdraw or notice of substitution with new lawyer. If yes, obtain the consent of the family to continue the representation until the estate is opened and a personal representative is appointed. Determine whether there are plans to open an estate. ![]() If litigation is pending, the lawyer should Without authorization from the decedent’s representative, an attorney of a deceased client is without authority to act. Typically, the death of a client terminates the attorney-client agency relationship, and the attorney’s authority to act ends. The attorney-client relationship is an agency relationship, in which the client is the principal and the attorney is the agent. Imagine this: You’ve been hired by a client to represent them, but during the representation, the client dies. ![]()
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