[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":3,"doc-seo-280382-105":53,"doc-detail-280382-en":126},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,14,19,24,29,34,39,44,49],{"id":8,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":11,"show_sort_weight":12,"slug":13},11,1,"Template","Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":15,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":16,"show_sort_weight":17,"slug":18},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":20,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":21,"show_sort_weight":22,"slug":23},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":25,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":26,"show_sort_weight":27,"slug":28},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":30,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":31,"show_sort_weight":32,"slug":33},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":35,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":36,"show_sort_weight":37,"slug":38},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":40,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":41,"show_sort_weight":42,"slug":43},18,"Letters",30,"letters",{"id":45,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":46,"show_sort_weight":47,"slug":48},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":50,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":51,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":52},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":54,"data":55},"ok",{"site_id":56,"language":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"keywords":60,"description":61,"schema_data":62,"social_meta":119,"head_meta":121,"extra_data":123,"updated_unix":125},105,"en","engagement-letter-letter-to-existing-clients","Engagement Letter - Letter to Existing Clients","","This engagement letter template addresses contingency planning for existing clients in the event the attorney dies, becomes incapacitated, or can no longer represent the client. It explains the potential appointment of a custodian attorney (or staff/personal representative), their limited duties, access to client files, return of property and documents, and assistance in closing the practice. It also includes consent language, signature instructions, optional additional provisions, and notice about custody attorney disclosures under the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure.",{"@graph":63,"@context":118},[64,80,101],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":41,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/engagement-letter-letter-to-existing-clients/280382/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/engagement-letter-letter-to-existing-clients/280382.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"Seraphina","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-19","2026-09-16",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":25},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",{"@type":102,"mainEntity":103},"FAQPage",[104,110,114],{"name":105,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":107},"What happens if the attorney dies or becomes incapacitated?","Question",{"text":108,"@type":109},"The letter describes contingency plans to protect the client’s legal rights. It may require appointing a custodian attorney or another representative to manage limited tasks and facilitate continuity.","Answer",{"name":111,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":112},"What duties would a custodian attorney perform?",{"text":113,"@type":109},"The custodian attorney may contact the client, access and review files, return property and documents, assist in closing the law practice, and destroy unclaimed files if required.",{"name":115,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":116},"Does appointing a custodian attorney mean they represent the client right away?",{"text":117,"@type":109},"No. The custodian attorney does not represent the client in the client’s legal matters unless and until the client retains the custodian attorney and the custodian attorney agrees to represent the client.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":120,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":91,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":122,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":124,"site_id":56},280382,1790000682,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":127},{"doc_id":124,"user_id":128,"nickname":88,"user_avatar":129,"doc_module":9,"category_id":40,"category_name":41,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":130,"file_id":131,"file_url":132,"file_type":133,"file_size":134,"view_count":25,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":79,"language":135,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":136,"faqs":137,"seo_title":138,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":139,"read_time":73},962075114101,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/e000253a75eb197efd?x-image-process=image/resize,m_fixed,w_180,h_180&k=1780044092746381165","LETTER TO EXISTING CLIENTS:  \nDear   :  \nAs your attorney, I strive to anticipate any future events that may affect your legal rights in the matters for which you have hired me. Toward that end, I have made contingency plans to protect you in the event that I die, become incapacitated, or am otherwise unable to continue to represent you and cannot communicate with you regarding that development.  \n[OPTION 1 – if custodian attorney is not identified] Should such an event occur, it may be necessary for a staff member, personal representative, or another lawyer I may appoint as custodian attorney to: (1) contact you,(2) have access to your files,(3) return your files and property,(4) assist with the closure of my law practice, and (5) if necessary, destroy all files and information in my possession relating to your matters if they are not claimed or retrieved by you in accordance with the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. Please be aware that any custodian attorney appointed by me does not represent you in any of your legal matters unless and until you retain him/her and he/she agrees to represent you. The custodian attorney’s initial task would be to contact you regarding your matters and to assist you in retaining new counsel as quickly as possible to help ensure an efficient transfer of your files to new counsel.  \nBy signing this letter, you consent to allow my staff member, personal representative, or custodian attorney to access and view your files for the purpose of contacting you and returning your property and files to you.  \nPlease indicate your consent by signing below and returning a copy of this letter to me by  \n[DATE].  \nSincerely,  \n[ATTORNEY NAME]  \n[OPTION 2 – if custodian attorney is identified] Should such an event occur, it will be necessary for [NAME], whom I have appointed as my Custodian Attorney, to (1) contact you,(2) have access to your files,(3) return your files and property,(4) assist with the closure of my law practice, and (5) if necessary, destroy all files and information in my possession relating to your matters if they are not claimed or retrieved by you in accordance with the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. Please be aware that [NAME] does not represent you in any of your legal matters unless and until you retain him/her and he/she agrees to represent you.  \n[NAME]’s initial task would be to contact you regarding your matters and to assist you in  \nretaining new counsel as quickly as possible to help ensure an efficient transfer of your files to new counsel.  \nBy signing this letter, you consent to allow my Custodian Attorney,[NAME], to access and view your files for the purpose of contacting you and returning your property and files to you.  \nPlease indicate your consent by signing below and returning a copy of this letter to me by  \n[DATE].  \nSincerely,  \n[ATTORNEY NAME]  \n[OPTIONAL ADDITIONAL PROVISION] Should it be necessary for [a/my] custodian attorney to assume control of my law practice, he or she will have the ability to do the following in order to protect your interests:  \n• Examine my files and records related to your matters and obtain information as to any matters that may require attention.  \n• Notify you of the custodian attorney’s assumption of my law practice to assist you in obtaining new legal counsel.  \n• As necessary, apply for an extension of time in your matters before any court or any administrative body pending your ability to hire a new lawyer.  \n• With your consent, file any motions and pleadings on your behalf as are required to prevent prejudice to your rights;  \n• Give appropriate notice to persons or entities other than you who may be affected by delay of your pending matters.  \n• Arrange for delivery of your papers, files, or other property to you or your new attorney.  \n• If necessary, destroy all of your files and client information if you do not claim them in accordance with the Texas Rules of Disciplinary Procedure.  \n• IMPORTANT NOTE: The custo","cbCaiqgGhRO96hlh","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaiqgGhRO96hlh","pdf",133433,"English","# Letter to Existing Clients\n## Custodian Attorney Appointment Options\n## Client File Access and Consent\n## Optional Additional Provision\n## Engagement Agreement Provision","[{\"question\":\"What happens if the attorney dies or becomes incapacitated?\",\"answer\":\"The letter describes contingency plans to protect the client’s legal rights. It may require appointing a custodian attorney or another representative to manage limited tasks and facilitate continuity.\"},{\"question\":\"What duties would a custodian attorney perform?\",\"answer\":\"The custodian attorney may contact the client, access and review files, return property and documents, assist in closing the law practice, and destroy unclaimed files if required.\"},{\"question\":\"Does appointing a custodian attorney mean they represent the client right away?\",\"answer\":\"No. The custodian attorney does not represent the client in the client’s legal matters unless and until the client retains the custodian attorney and the custodian attorney agrees to represent the client.\"}]","Engagement Letter - Letter to Existing Clients | PDF",1789538349]