When an LPCC dies, what is the most likely to happen to her records?

• A. The records will be destroyed immediately
• B. The records will be handled as specified in her will
• C. The records must be kept confidential indefinitely
• D. The records will be transferred to a family member

Answer: (B)

When an LPCC dies, handling of the records typically aligns with the stipulations provided in the professional's will. This means that the deceased counselor's wishes regarding the disposition of her records—whether they should be transferred to another professional, destroyed, or maintained in some other manner—will guide what happens next.

In most cases, ethical guidelines and legal standards require that records are treated with care and respect following a practitioner’s death and that confidentiality continues to be upheld. If the LPCC has specified how her records should be managed, those directions must be followed, provided they comply with applicable laws regarding client confidentiality and record retention.

This emphasizes the importance of having clear and thoughtful plans in place for the management of client records in the event of a counselor's death, ensuring that the confidentiality of clients is maintained as much as possible.