For years, we have heard how much ICLE Partners value the How-to Kits. Partners have reported that kits are “particularly valuable as a fast education and review tool” and that they save time by quickly getting you “up to speed.” Survey responses almost always include requests for more kits. We add kits to the collection every year. In fact, 16 have been added since last summer, including Serve Process Internationally Under the Hague Convention, Draft a Prenuptial Agreement, Prevent Improper Hospital Discharges Under Medicare, and File a Lien for Unpaid Condominium Assessment Fees.
So what five kits have ICLE partners accessed most so far in 2014?* The table below shows the five kits with the highest number of hits and the most unique users. Take a look to see if you missed anything that will save you time and money.
Administer a Decedent’s Estate—Unsupervised Administration garnered the greatest use so far this year. The kit walks you through the default form of estate administration that applies unless supervised administration is sought and granted. It includes a master checklist with links to legal commentary, SCAO forms, and instructions for completing those forms.
Before using the kit on unsupervised administration, you may want to look at the kits on appointing the personal representative (the fourth-most-used kit, linked in the table below) and establishing the attorney-client relationship with the personal representative. This kit contains a very helpful form engagement letter and fee agreement that sets forth the duties of a personal representative.
Real property kits also appear in the top five. Both deal with nonpayment issues: 565 ICLE Partners have referred to the kit Evict a Residential Tenant for Nonpayment, and 423 have used Bring an Action for Land Contract Forfeiture.
Next time you’re tackling a new task or need a refresher on a task you haven’t done in a while, be sure to check ICLE’s How-To Kit collection. Here are all the kits, viewed by practice area; chances are you’ll find something to help. If we don’t have the particular kit you’re looking for, be sure to let us know. We value your suggestions for helping expand our resources.
* From January 1, 2014, through June 17, 2014.