Hi there. If you're a therapist in private practice running your own business, there's one legal document you may not have, but absolutely need. Without it, your clients could be abandoned, and your family, if they end up succeeding to the interest in your business, could be blocked from helping those clients. What is that document? It's called a professional will. I'm Katherine Taylor, the lawyer for business owners, and I help licensed professionals protect their businesses and the clients and patients they serve.

So, what is a professional will?

In any situation where a person dies or becomes incapacitated, their assets may pass to their estate and ultimately to their beneficiaries. However, when a licensed professional owns a business, there are special restrictions. If a spouse or child inherits an ownership interest in the practice, that person does not have the legal authority to contact clients, access or review client files, or conduct business related to patient care unless they are also properly licensed.

So, what can a licensed professional do in this situation? That's where the professional will comes in. We can draft a document, commonly called a professional will in the mental health field, that appoints a licensed professional, along with an alternate licensed professional, to step in if the practitioner becomes incapacitated or passes away. That licensed individual is given direct authority through the document to access and manage patient files and handle client communications. Most importantly, they can immediately begin contacting clients, informing them of the situation, and helping refer them to another qualified mental health professional for continued care.

This is especially important for mental health practitioners because so many clients and patients rely on regular sessions and ongoing support from their therapist or counselor. Again, I'm Katherine Taylor, the lawyer for business owners. We can help you put the right protections in place for your practice and your clients. Please like and subscribe to the video on my YouTube Channel.

Thank you.