Legal Question in Legal Ethics in New York
Destroying of Legal Files
How long do you have to store client files before you can destroy them and do you have to notify the client of the file destruction?
Asked on 4/09/01, 11:56 am
1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles Aspinwall
Charles S. Aspinwall, J.D., LLC
Re: Destroying of Legal Files
Always a thorny question, most I know follow the IRS rule and retain client files for 5 years. Following that time they are offered to the client for return, and destroyed if the client isn't found or doesn't want the files.
Personal documentation such as deeds and titles should never be destroyed, but should be returned or retained indefinitely.
Answered on 6/09/01, 8:59 am
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