Joe Is a Paralegal Who Has Worked for an Estate

Joe is a paralegal who has worked for an estate planning attorney for seven years and has become acquainted with many of the attorney's clients, and in some cases, the client's family members. A wealthy, longtime client, Alice, met with the attorney to update her estate plan. After discussion, Alice and the attorney decided to prepare an entirely new estate plan. The new estate plan will disinherit Alice's grandchild, Courtney, because she is dating Peter, an unemployed gambling addict. The attorney asks Joe to prepare initial drafts of Alice's new estate plan. Joe knows Courtney because Alice once asked Courtney to assist on a title transfer matter. As he is preparing the draft, Joe receives a call from Courtney. Courtney explains that she spoke with Alice and that Alice has changed her mind about the disinheritance. Courtney claims that Alice instructed her to call Joe and change the estate plan so that Courtney receives the same as all other grandchildren. From the options listed below, what is Joe's best response?

A) Follow Courtney's instructions and change Alice's estate plan.
B) Tell Courtney that he can only speak to Alice herself about the estate plan and then inform his employer of Courtney's call.
C) Tell Courtney that she is trying to steal from her grandmother and hang up.
D) Tell Courtney that she must break off her relationship with Peter.

Correct Answer:

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