by Kathryn Simpson
Health wellness programs are becoming increasingly popular. Today, most people, if not directly participating in one, are at least familiar with the concept. Companies sponsor wellness programs for a number of reasons including lowering operating costs, helping employees avoid major issues and improving overall workforce performance.
Recently, I was working with a client and after I had concluded the representation he told me that it was a pleasure working with me, but he hoped he would not need my services in the future. It’s a common refrain among clients, since no one wants problems to occur that would require legal attention.
This particular client was involved with corporate wellness programs and I explain to him that in many cases lawyers’ services are generally used when there’s a problem. However, like his professional focus on wellness, we also help people in a proactive way to accomplish the very same things as a good wellness program.
Clients who voluntarily “enroll” themselves in legal wellness programs and proactively monitor and attend to things before they become problems realize the same benefits of lower cost risks, avoiding major issues and improving overall legal health.
Do you have a legal wellness program?
Think about changes in your personal life and how they impact legal matters. When was the last time you looked at your will? Did you have children when you drafted that will? Or are your children now grown with children of their own? Did you own a home at the time? Were you struggling from paycheck to paycheck and now you have some assets – assets that may result in significant taxes should your estate not be in shape?
How about your business? Have you reviewed your legal structure lately? Would you benefit from a change? What about all those business documents (by-laws, employment agreements, buy-sell agreements, leases, insurance policies, etc.) are they current and in order? Do you even know where they are?
If all these questions are making you a little queasy, you might want to consider starting your own legal wellness program. The attorneys at Mette, Evans & Woodside are experienced in advising and counseling individuals and businesses on their legal needs and are ready to help you achieve legal wellness.