What Comes Next for a Potential New Client

First, you will sign a copy of our representation agreement. 

Second, you will receive a welcome letter signed by Attorney Charles Herrmann. 

Third, you will complete intakes form requesting information on your lost loved one, and on yourself, as a claimant for the loss of your loved one.

Fourth, you will use the email address you provided to your legal team to access the Established Client Login available on this webpage.

Then, you will provide your legal team with documents relevant to your family’s claim. The documents may include, but are not limited to, identification cards, family registry, death certificate, financial statements, educational degrees, educational transcripts, employment and/ or military documents, medical records, an essay on your lost loved one’s life, and photographs of your lost loved one’s life. Your legal team will speak with individual family members to identify any additional documents or information needed for your family’s specific circumstances.

Next, your legal team will begin the process of setting up probate in Washington state, an essential part of the case. With guidance from your legal team, your family will choose a personal representative to act on behalf of your lost loved one’s estate. The chosen personal representative and other family members will sign the documents necessary to successfully set up probate. To complete this process, your legal team must have a copy of the decedent’s death certificate, a copy of the decedent’s passport, a copy of the family relation certificates, and all claimants' passports so that all names are spelled accurately in the probate documents. If a claimant does not have a passport, your legal team will need the claimant’s full legal name written in English.

You, and all other claimants from your family, will meet with a certified public accountant who will review financial documents and help determine the losses suffered by your family. 

When the time comes to complete discovery (the fact-finding portion of the litigation), our team will reach out to you requesting that you review and sign documents, and that you provide any necessary additional information. 

You will receive status updates from Attorney Charles Herrmann whenever there is news to share.