Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 6
CCBA Feature
Life is Too Short
Ellen Freedman, CLM
PBA Law Practice
Management Coordinator
R
ead the headline above and you know you've heard
this old trite saying before. Chances are you've said it
yourself many times. But how often does it take hold
of you, and reverberate down to your very core? That's what
happened to me yesterday. I was awakened by a call from my
doctor's receptionist. I have been going to this doctor for over
25 years. So as you can imagine, we have a trusting and close
relationship. We're the same age - his birthday predates mine
by a few months; something I delighted in kidding him about
each year.
The call was to inform me that he had suddenly died. Yes,
you read correctly. I still can't believe it. My age. Good physical
condition and health - certainly much better than mine. While
on vacation in Cancun he went swimming. He came out of
the ocean, plopped down in the sand saying he didn't feel well,
and in less than three minutes he was gone - having suffered
a heart attack. There happened to be an emergency room
medical doctor on the beach, but efforts to revive my doctor
failed.
Medical practice was his second career. He was formerly an
accountant. And as such, he was meticulous in the manner in
6 | New Matter
which his practice was managed from a business perspective.
He left behind a detailed set of instructions for his spouse to
follow in the event of his death or sudden disability. It was
fully detailed with step-by-step instructions on what to do,
and all the proper paperwork had been completed to enable
her to keep his practice running. Without losing a single beat,
she contacted one of several other doctors mentioned in his
emergency documentation. The receptionist informed me that
my next appointment would be kept, and future appointments
would be kept, as his wife would keep his practice running. In
all likelihood, she will eventually sell his practice. But thanks
to his foresight and good planning, she will have something of
value to sell.
What thought have you given to protecting your clients and
practice should the unthinkable occur? What planning have
you put into place? What documentation have you created to
assist family, partners, associates, and/or employees to carry on
if you are temporarily incapacitated or if you die?
Doylestown, PA solo practitioner Marty Ghen wrote an
excellent article entitled "When I Die . . ." which appeared in
the Winter 2002 issue of the American Bar Association GP
Link Newsletter. He identified the typical problems that will
be faced post mortem [email lawpractice@pabar.org for a PDA
copy of the article]:
1. Pending matters must be reviewed immediately for
deadlines or statutes. Opposing counsel and the court
administrative agencies must be notified. The client also
needs to be immediately notified.
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 1
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 2
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 3
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 4
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 5
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 6
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 7
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 8
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 9
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 10
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 11
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 12
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 13
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 14
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 15
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Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 17
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 18
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 19
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 20
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 21
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 22
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Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 24
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 25
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 26
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 27
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 28
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 29
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 30
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 31
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 32
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 33
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 34
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 35
Chester New Matter 1st Quarter 2017 - 36
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