Client: A Client has a signed, active Client Engagement and Fee Agreement or Limited Legal Service Agreement and has paid the required fee for estate planning or probate/estate administration. Only Clients have a current attorney-client relationship with us. If you previously met these criteria and your matter is complete, you are considered a Returning Client. If you have never met both criteria, you are a Prospective Client.

Returning Client: A Returning Client previously had a signed agreement with us, paid the required fee, and completed their matter.

Prospective Client: A Prospective Client does not have both a signed agreement and a paid fee. This includes individuals who have paid for a consultation, whether or not it has taken place.

Ampersand Law includes one full-time attorney (Heather Hazelwood), a part-time legal assistant, Lee, who focuses on estate planning, and a part-time paralegal, Patti, who handles probate and estate administration. You will primarily communicate with Heather or Lee. Our business hours are Monday through Thursday, 11 am to 5 pm, and Fridays by appointment. We are closed on all federal holidays and may be closed at other times as needed.

As a small firm, we accept only as many clients and matters as we can serve while maintaining individualized attention and high-quality legal services. Therefore, we prioritize communications with Clients.

I check email, voicemail, and text messages two to three times daily while managing other responsibilities. Brief requests may receive a prompt reply, but most messages will be answered within one to two business days. Messages sent on or after Thursday afternoon are typically reviewed the following Monday.

If you require a response within 24 hours during business hours, please begin your message with URGENT. Messages marked URGENT and sent after Thursday afternoon will typically be reviewed the following Monday.

Clients should use URGENT only for situations beyond their control, such as imminent court deadlines, immediate threats to legal rights, or emergencies that could cause significant harm or loss if not addressed promptly. Issues that could have been anticipated or previously resolved do not qualify as URGENT.

Returning and Prospective Clients should not use the URGENT marker, as we do not have a current attorney-client relationship.