Standard Terms of Representation

BUSINESS ENGAGEMENT AGREEMENT

STANDARD TERMS OF REPRESENTATION

Last Updated: June 2026

Welcome to Athena Legal Solutions LLC (“Athena,” “we,” or “us”). These Standard Terms of Representation apply to all client engagements and are incorporated into every signed Engagement Letter or Authorization Form with Athena Legal Solutions LLC.

By signing your engagement documents, you agree that these terms govern our attorney-client relationship.

1. Scope of Representation

Athena provides limited-scope business and estate planning legal services as defined in your Engagement Letter or Authorization Form. Our work is limited to the specific matters listed in that document.

We do not provide tax, accounting, or investment advice unless specifically stated in writing. If additional work is requested beyond the original scope, we will confirm the change and any related fee before proceeding.

2. Flat-Fee and Pay-in-Full Engagements

All Athena services are billed as either a flat-fee package, a pay-in-full discounted package, or an ongoing partnership fee as outlined in your Engagement Letter.

For flat-fee packages, 50% of the total fee is charged upon signing, with the remaining 50% charged when your documents are finalized.
For pay-in-full discounted packages, the entire fee is charged upon signing.
For ongoing partnerships or hourly matters, work begins once the initial payment is processed and is billed monthly thereafter.

All payments are earned when received and are the property of Athena Legal Solutions at that time. These payments are deposited directly into our business account and are not held in a trust account.

All payments are processed securely through an encrypted platform. Work does not begin until the initial payment has been successfully processed.

3. Automatic Payments and Payment Information

Athena utilizes automated payment processing to maintain efficient billing operations and minimize disruptions in client matters. By signing your Engagement Letter, Authorization Form, payment authorization, or payment plan agreement, you authorize Athena to charge the payment method you provide for agreed fees, scheduled payments, failed-payment fees, administrative fees, and other authorized amounts due under your engagement documents.

You are responsible for maintaining a valid payment method on file, updating expired cards or banking information, and ensuring that sufficient funds are available for scheduled payments. If your payment method changes, expires, is cancelled, or becomes unavailable, you must promptly provide updated payment information.

4. Declined Payments, Failed-Payment Fees, and Delinquent Balances

If a scheduled payment is declined, returned, reversed, or otherwise unsuccessful, Athena may automatically retry the payment within 2–3 business days. We may also notify you and request updated payment information.

After a second failed payment attempt for the same scheduled payment, Athena may assess a $35 failed-payment fee. If payment information is not updated or the account remains unresolved, Athena may assess additional $35 failed-payment fees every 7 days while the account remains delinquent. Failed-payment fees are in addition to the underlying amount owed.

Repeated failed payments or unresolved balances may result in review of your account for service suspension, payment-plan default, a written demand for payment, collections escalation, and withdrawal from representation where permitted by applicable ethical obligations.

5. Payment Plans

Athena may, in its discretion, approve a payment plan for eligible clients. Athena may charge an administrative setup fee for payment plans. Unless otherwise stated in writing, the setup fee is $125 for balances under $5,000 and $195 for balances of $5,000 or more. For payment plans extending beyond 90 days, Athena may add a $15 monthly administrative fee.

If a scheduled payment under a payment plan fails, Athena may retry the payment within 2–3 business days, send a failed-payment notice, and request updated payment information. A second failed payment may result in a $35 failed-payment fee and review of the account for service pause or other action.

Repeated failed payments, missed payments, or unresolved balances may result in cancellation of payment arrangements, immediate acceleration of outstanding balances, termination of discounted or extended payment terms, referral to collections, or termination of representation consistent with applicable ethical obligations.

6. Service Interruption for Nonpayment

Athena reserves the right to pause, delay, or suspend legal services until outstanding balances, failed payments, and delinquent amounts are resolved. This may include pausing active work, delaying filings or document delivery, restricting scheduling access, or suspending ongoing services. Athena will not pause, delay, or suspend services in a manner inconsistent with applicable professional responsibilities or court obligations. If nonpayment requires withdrawal from a matter, Athena will take reasonable steps consistent with applicable ethical obligations to protect your interests.

7. Expenses and Third-Party Costs

Athena’s flat fees include attorney time and standard administrative costs. You are responsible for any extraordinary or third-party expenses incurred on your behalf, such as filing fees, service of process, recording or publication fees, courier costs, or travel expenses.

If another professional such as an accountant or appraiser is required, you will engage that professional directly unless otherwise agreed in writing.

4. Communication and Client Responsibilities

We communicate primarily by email, text, and phone. You are responsible for keeping your contact information current and responding promptly to our requests so we can complete your work efficiently.

You agree to provide complete and accurate information and to make timely decisions necessary to move your matter forward.

Certain administrative or drafting tasks may be performed by Athena Legal Solutions’ supervised staff under the direction and review of an attorney. All legal advice and final work product will be reviewed and approved by an attorney.

5. Confidentiality and Data Security

All communications between you and Athena are confidential. We use secure, cloud-based tools to manage files and communications. By engaging Athena, you consent to our use of secure digital systems for document management and communication.

6. File Retention

Athena retains client files for seven years after your matter is closed. After that period, your file will be securely destroyed unless you request its return in writing before destruction.

Original documents you provide will be returned upon request at the end of your engagement.

7. Termination of Representation

You may terminate representation at any time by notifying us in writing. Athena may withdraw from representation for nonpayment, lack of cooperation, conflict of interest, payment-plan default, repeated failed payments, unresolved delinquent balances, or other reasons permitted by applicable professional obligations.

Upon termination, Athena will promptly return any original documents if requested. You remain responsible for earned fees, approved expenses, failed-payment fees, payment-plan administrative fees, and other amounts owed through the date representation ends.

8. Fee Disputes and Client Protection

If you have a question or concern about your invoice or fees, please contact us within seven days of receiving your bill so we can resolve the issue quickly.

You agree that fee questions, billing concerns, and disputes about amounts charged by Athena must be handled directly with Athena through the process described in this section, and not through a credit card chargeback, payment reversal, stop-payment request, or similar payment-provider dispute process. You agree not to initiate or pursue a chargeback, payment reversal, stop-payment request, or similar payment-provider dispute based on a fee dispute, billing concern, dissatisfaction with services, or disagreement about the amount owed, unless required by applicable law or expressly permitted by Athena in writing.

If a fee dispute cannot be resolved directly with Athena, you have the right to request binding arbitration in Dane County, Wisconsin, or to contact the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Fee Arbitration Program at (800) 728-7788 or visit www.wisbar.org.

You may also file a complaint with the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) at (877) 315-6941 or visit www.wicourts.gov/olr.

9. Governing Law; Venue

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Wisconsin, without regard to its conflict-of-law principles. Any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought exclusively in the state courts located in Dane County, Wisconsin, or the federal court for the Western District of Wisconsin located in Madison, Wisconsin. The parties consent to the personal jurisdiction and venue of such courts and waive any objection that such courts are an inconvenient forum.

10. Limited Liability and Insurance

Athena Legal Solutions LLC is a Wisconsin limited liability company. Our attorneys are personally responsible only for their own acts or omissions. Athena maintains professional liability insurance that meets or exceeds the levels required for law firms in Wisconsin.

11. Privacy

We value your privacy and safeguard your personal information in accordance with professional standards. We do not sell or share your information with any third party except as required to provide services or comply with the law.

12. Entire Agreement

These Standard Terms, together with your signed Engagement Letter or Authorization Form, form the entire agreement between you and Athena Legal Solutions LLC. No other promises or representations apply unless made in writing and signed by both you and Athena.

13. Contact Information

If you have questions about these terms or your representation, please contact:

Athena Legal Solutions LLC
Email: hello@athenalegalsolutions.com
Phone: (608) 293-4574
Address: 520 Melody Ln Unit 2, Verona, WI 53593.

ESTATE PLANNING AGREEMENT

STANDARD TERMS OF REPRESENTATION

Effective November 2025
Last Updated: November 20, 2025

These Standard Terms of Representation apply to all estate planning engagements with Athena Legal Solutions LLC “Athena,” “we,” or “us”). They are incorporated into and made part of your Estate Planning Engagement Letter. Please read them carefully, as they outline the rights and responsibilities that guide our attorney‑client relationship.

1. Scope of Representation

Athena will represent you solely in connection with the estate planning services specified in your Engagement Letter. Representation does not include tax preparation; investment, accounting, or valuation advice; or legal services for unrelated matters unless specifically agreed to in writing.

2. Attorney‑Client Relationship

The attorney‑client relationship begins only after: 1) You sign the Engagement Letter, and 2) The initial payment is received and successfully processed.

Athena represents only the client(s) named in the Engagement Letter. No third party is intended to benefit from this representation.

For couples completing a joint estate plan, you acknowledge that:

You are being represented jointly.
Information shared by one spouse may be disclosed to the other.
Attorney‑client privilege does not apply between the spouses.
If a conflict develops that makes joint representation inappropriate, Athena may withdraw from representing one or both of you.

3. Client Responsibilities

You agree to:

Provide complete, accurate, and truthful information.
Disclose all relevant financial, personal, and family information necessary for us to prepare your documents.
Respond to requests for information in a timely manner.
Make decisions regarding beneficiaries, fiduciaries, guardians, and distributions.

Athena is not responsible for consequences arising from incomplete, inaccurate, or withheld information.

4. Confidentiality and Privacy

All communications between you and Athena are confidential and protected by attorney‑client privilege to the extent allowed by law. If you authorize us to communicate with financial advisors, accountants, or other professionals, you agree that we may share information necessary to coordinate your estate plan.

5. Electronic Communication

You consent to communication via email, text message, videoconference, and other electronic means. You acknowledge that such communications may carry some risk of unauthorized access despite reasonable security measures.

If you prefer sensitive information not to be sent electronically, you must notify us in writing.

6. Fees, Costs, and Billing

Your estate plan is billed as a flat fee unless otherwise stated in your Engagement Letter.

The flat fee includes:

Consultation and planning meetings
Drafting of selected estate planning documents
Unlimited rounds of revisions
A virtual signing appointment

The fee does not include:

Significant changes requested after drafts are approved
Additional planning beyond the agreed scope
Court filings, recording fees, or third‑party professional services
Trust funding assistance unless specifically included

If documents are not signed within four months, Athena may charge a $250 monthly maintenance fee until completion.

Invoices are due upon receipt. Athena may suspend work for nonpayment. Payments within the first ten (10) days of the date of this invoice will not have any additional fees. However, Athena reserves the right to add an interest charge not exceeding 2% per month, or fraction thereof, for failure to make a payment within ten (10) days of the invoice date and Client agrees to pay such interest.

7. Use of Authorized Agents

If you appoint an agent under a financial power of attorney or otherwise authorize a representative to act for you, Athena may rely on that agent’s instructions if:

The document appears valid on its face, and
The scope of authority reasonably covers the matter at hand.

8. File Retention and Destruction

After your matter concludes, Athena will retain your digital file for seven (7) years. At the end of that period, the file will be destroyed unless you request it in writing before destruction.

Original documents provided by you will be returned. Copies will not be returned unless requested in writing.

9. Termination and Withdrawal

You may terminate representation at any time by notifying Athena in writing. You are responsible for fees earned up to the date of termination.

Athena may withdraw from representation as allowed under the Wisconsin Rules of Professional Conduct, including for nonpayment, lack of cooperation, conflicts of interest, or when continued representation would be unlawful or unethical.

Upon termination, you agree to sign any documents necessary to effectuate our withdrawal.

10. Fee Disputes and Client Protection

If you have a question or concern about your invoice or fees, please contact us within seven days of receiving your bill so we can resolve the issue quickly.

If a fee dispute cannot be resolved, you have the right to request binding arbitration in Dane County, Wisconsin, or to contact the State Bar of Wisconsin’s Fee Arbitration Program at (800) 728-7788 or visit www.wisbar.org.

You may also file a complaint with the Wisconsin Office of Lawyer Regulation (OLR) at (877) 315-6941 or visit www.wicourts.gov/olr.

11. Governing Law; Venue

12. Consultation With Other Advisors

You are encouraged to consult with tax, financial, and accounting professionals as needed. Athena will collaborate with them at your request.

13. No Guarantees

Athena does not guarantee any particular outcome.

Estate planning involves personal decisions and complex laws that may change over time. You are encouraged to review your plan periodically and update it when life circumstances change.

14. Right to Seek Independent Counsel

You have the right to have another attorney review these terms or your estate planning documents. Signing the Engagement Letter confirms that you understand and agree to these Standard Terms of Representation.

If you have any questions about these terms, we are always here to help you navigate the process with clarity and confidence — and ensure your plan reflects both your wishes and your legacy.

15. Athena’s LLC Status

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has adopted a rule permitting law firms to practice as limited liability organizations. Athena chose to become a limited liability company. Limited liability status generally exempts the partners from personal responsibility for the firm’s liabilities. The rule provides, however, that “Nothing in this rule … shall relieve a lawyer from personal liability for any acts, errors or omissions of the lawyer arising out of the performance of professional services.” The rule also requires the firm to maintain a certain level of professional liability insurance coverage and carries insurance coverage with much higher limits. If Client has any questions regarding Athena’s status as a limited liability company, please call Carolyn Jahnke at (608) 293-4574.

16. Limited Liability and Insurance

17. Privacy

18. Entire Agreement

19. Contact Information

If you have questions about these terms or your representation, please contact:

Athena Legal Solutions LLC
Email: hello@athenalegalsolutions.com
Phone: (608) 293-4574
Address: 520 Melody Ln Unit 2, Verona, WI 53593.