"See Attached Statement": Logging a Box That Points to Another Page

Jane Doe sends the Firm a Doe Holdings account form, and the box printed "Other items" shows only the words "See attached statement".

In this method, the Preparer logs each such box by hand: its file page, the box's printed label word for word, the words that point elsewhere as printed, the page those words name, and whether that page is in the file. The Preparer asks the client about any named page that isn't in the file, and about any line logged "Can't tell". Each log line, and each entry whose citation the Preparer checked against a log line, stays open for the Reviewer's decision.

The plugin drafts; the Firm's preparer prepares; the Reviewer signs off. Every step here is one the Firm writes and keeps, in whatever systems the Firm already uses, and the Firm can adapt the document-handling steps; the Reviewer's sign-off on the whole file stays as it is.

This piece states no rule about what any box, form or statement means or how it is treated. In this method, no one carries a figure from one page to another.

An insert, a split table, missing pages, or a box that points elsewhere

For a cover letter, an insert or instruction pages that came with the document, follow the enclosure steps in cover letters and inserts where they apply.

For one table that runs over a page break, follow the split-table steps in a table split across pages where they apply.

For a document whose own pages didn't all arrive, follow the missing-pages steps in missing pages in a client document where they apply.

Here a box on a page prints words that name another page, such as "See attached" or "See statement". In this method, the Preparer doesn't supply anything a page doesn't print.

What counts, in this method

In this method, the Preparer logs a box on the pointer log when all of these are true:

• The page prints the box's label, with a box, line or space for an entry.
• In or beside the box, the page shows words that name another page or statement.
• The words are on the page itself, not in the file name, the upload or the folder.

The Preparer logs the file page of any page whose printed heading or title uses the name the box prints, or "Not in this file" if no file page prints it. If the Preparer can't make out the words, or can't tell which page they name, the Preparer logs "Can't tell" with a plain note of what shows.

The pointer log

In this method, the Preparer logs each box that meets the list on the file index, by hand, on its own line.

The Preparer copies legible labels and words as printed, uses "Can't tell" for unreadable words, writes no reason and copies no figure onto the line.

In this method, the Preparer keeps each document as it came in. Any further document steps follow the Firm's own policy.

Citing a page with a logged box

In this method, the Firm's instructions ask for the document, file page and printed page in each drafted entry's citation; the Preparer checks each citation against its page and the pointer log by hand. A pattern the Firm can adapt:

"[document], file page [file page], printed page [printed page or no page number printed]"

A line for the Firm's AI instructions

In this method, the Firm adds a line, in its own words, to its instructions for the drafting pass on these documents. A version to adapt:

"[document]. The Firm's instructions ask for each entry's citation by document, file page and printed page, and for nothing a page doesn't print."

The line is the Firm's wording, not a promise about what any drafting software does. The Preparer still checks each entry by hand.

Asking the client about a named page

In this method, the Preparer asks the client about each log line marked "Not in this file" or "Can't tell". The Firm can adapt this message:

Hi Jane Doe, thanks for sending [document]. Box "[printed label]", [file-page location], shows "[words, as printed]". [That page isn't in this file; or we can't read the words or identify the page: plain note of what shows.] Could you send that page, or tell us what you know about it? Thanks, [Preparer name] at [Firm]

If the page the box names belongs to a document whose own pages didn't all arrive, the Preparer follows the missing-pages steps linked above where they apply.

Marking entries drafted from a page on the log

In this method, the Preparer marks by hand, in the entry's note, every drafted entry with one or more of these marks.

When the client answers

If the client sends the named page, the Preparer logs it separately on the file index and adds its file page in the box's "In this file" cell, keeping the earlier wording. The Preparer runs the drafting pass on that page and marks its entries by hand.

If the client says what they know, the Preparer quotes the answer word for word on the log line and in the note of each entry the Preparer checked against it, marked "Client answer noted". If the client can't say or doesn't answer, the Preparer notes that on the log line.

In each case, each log line, and each entry the Preparer checked against it, stays open for the Reviewer's decision; any further document steps follow the Firm's own policy.

The pre-review check

In this method, the Preparer reads the file against this check and sends it to the Reviewer.

• The Preparer checks each box covered by "What counts, in this method" has a log line naming who logged it.
• The Preparer checks each log line shows its file page, the box's printed label word for word and the words as printed.
• The Preparer checks each log line names the page, as printed, and shows a file page, "Not in this file" or "Can't tell".
• The Preparer checks each "Not in this file" and "Can't tell" line names the client question.
• The Preparer checks the Firm's instructions include each logged document's line.
• The Preparer checks each entry's citation for document, file page and printed page, and each entry for a mark set by hand.
• The Preparer checks client replies against "When the client answers" and the log and notes.

Who logs and who decides

The Preparer sets each mark and log line status to show the Reviewer where to look. A mark isn't a sign-off and doesn't stand in for one. The Reviewer sees every marked entry and the log and decides on each entry and each log line; the Reviewer signs off on the whole file, pointer log included.

No file is done without the Reviewer's sign-off.

A Doe example

The names and file below are made up for illustration.

Jane Doe, a synthetic client, sends a Doe Holdings account form. Alex Doe is the Preparer; Pat Doe is the Reviewer.

On a form page, the box printed "Other items" shows the words "See attached statement". Alex reads every file page, sees no heading or title naming "attached statement", and handwrites the document, box's file page, label, words and named page verbatim in "The pointer log": "Not in this file". The log line stays open for the Reviewer's decision.

Alex adds the instruction, messages Jane Doe and runs the pass. Alex checks each citation by hand and marks each form entry "Checked against a logged box". Each entry stays open for the Reviewer's decision.

Jane sends a Doe Holdings page headed "Attached statement". Alex logs its file-index line and appends its file page in the box's "In this file" cell, preserving earlier wording. Alex runs the pass on that page. Alex checks its citations by hand and marks its entries "Checked against a named page". Alex copies no figure between the pages. Each log line and entry stays open for the Reviewer's decision.

Alex runs the pre-review check and sends the file to Pat. Pat reviews the marked entries and the log, decides on each log line and each entry, and signs off on the whole file.

Where TracePrep fits

We've built a TracePrep plugin that drafts these steps in your Firm's workflow, while your preparer decides and your Reviewer signs off. Join the waitlist and we'll tell you when plugin access opens.

Get on the list for plugin access

This is general information, not tax or legal advice. In TracePrep's workflow, the plugin drafts, the Firm's preparer prepares, and the Firm's Reviewer signs off. Access to the plugin is by waitlist. Keep client data inside the systems your Firm has approved.