Opinion ID: 1824918
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Schramek's Testimony

Text: Although Schramek refused to answer any questions at the hearing before the referee based on his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, he did answer questions during his appearance early in these proceedings before the Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee. During that testimony, Schramek testified that he gave legal assistance only to the extent that he assisted people in filling out forms supplied by this Court and in filing those forms with a court. However, he admitted that those forms, as filed, included his modifications and that he also used forms supplied by the secretary of state (to prepare articles of incorporation) and forms prepared by local attorneys (to prepare living trusts), even though none of those forms have been approved by this Court for use by nonlawyers. Schramek also stated that he gives lectures to the general public on living trusts. In those lectures, he discusses the consequences of estate planning and the tax advantages that exist under certain circumstances. Additionally, because he has made the determination that a living trust is better than a trust directed to individual assets, he advises the public that a living trust is the better alternative. He further admitted that he acts as an advisor and a consultant to persons purchasing his extended family membership program when it comes to seeking advice as to how to settle an estate through a living trust agreement. His trust package includes a living trust agreement, durable family power of attorney, quitclaim deeds, and a last will and testament. In addition to the above, Schramek admitted that he has interpreted statutes for clients, that he sometimes calls the judge's office to set hearings, that he often physically takes the forms to the courthouse, and that he assists clients in filing appeals by filing a notice of appeal, by editing and clarifying clients' briefs, and by walking clients through the rules of procedure. Despite the foregoing testimony, Schramek maintained that he had never given legal advice and that, in fact, he did not know the meaning of giving legal advice because it had never been defined by the American Bar Association or The Florida Bar.