Lost Documents
If you Need File Copies (For our Former Clients)
By law, we cannot share a Client’s information with anyone—including their children, realtors, or bankers—without the client’s written permission. (The only exception may be where the original client is no longer able to make the request themselves.) Our former clients have all of their original Trust/Estate Planning Package documents and should never need to pay for a file retrieval from us. But if you need copies of documents from our archives here are the steps to do so:
*Complete and submit the File Retrieval & Authorization Form by clicking the link or the button below.
*Submit the completed and signed form along with valid ID. There is a space on the form for uploading this.
*If you are not the original client and you need copies of documents as the successor (i.e. if you are, or believe you are, the Successor Trustee, Executor, Power of Attorney agent, etc. for someone else who made a trust with us), our retrieval process may cover your situation. Please click the link and follow the form’s instructions for verifying your authority to receive copies.
*IMPORTANT: Even if you obtain a copy from us, please keep searching for the originals. COPIES ARE NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR LOST ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. We recommend a follow up consultation to discuss the remedies for properly replacing lost originals.
As long as you have your original documents, you do not ever need to order copies from us; your original documents are all you need and they included multiple sets of Certifications to cover financial transactions and purchase/sale situations.
*Unfortunately, we cannot store closed file copies forever, and securing, storing and searching archived files takes significant time and resources, as does the process of authenticating and processing requests to make sure we are protecting our former clients by only releasing information to the proper parties as allowed by law.
Depending on how long ago the documents were made, we may not always have a copy. We charge a small administrative fee for the search and retrieval service, as explained in the form. A payment link will open as soon as the completed form is submitted.