Terms & Conditions
Slocum & Co LLC's services may include, but are not limited to, downsizing planning; sorting and organizing; packing; move coordination; clean-outs; estate liquidation; sale or auction coordination; donation and drop-off coordination; trash removal coordination; repairs, renovations, modifications coordination; and any other service requested by Client and agreed to by Slocum & Co LLC. The Service Agreement does not constitute a real estate brokerage agreement. Should Client choose to contract Company to perform real estate related services, Parties acknowledge that as a separate business encounter, entered into by Brokerage Agreement under Company’s brokerage relationship with eXp Realty, subject to Virginia real-estate law. (keep/delete?)
These Terms & Conditions apply to all services performed by Slocum & Co LLC (“Company”), unless a separate written agreement specifically states otherwise, and are incorporated by reference into the Client Service Agreement and any Statement of Work or Estimate issued to Client ("Client"). Where these Terms conflict with a signed Client Service Agreement, the Service Agreement governs.
1. Estimates & Project Scope
Estimates are prepared from the information available at the time of the assessment and are good-faith projections, not fixed prices, unless issued in writing as a Fixed-Price Quote. Estimates are valid for thirty (30) days from the date issued.
Actual scope can differ from the assessed Estimate once work begins - volume, property condition, and time on site are not always fully visible in advance. Where that happens, Slocum & Co LLC will document the change and obtain Client's approval before proceeding with the affected work, except where immediate action is reasonably necessary for safety or to prevent further loss or damage.
2. Booking & Deposits
A project is confirmed on Slocum & Co LLC's calendar only once the signed Estimate/Statement of Work? and Deposit are received. Booking a date does not guarantee availability until both are complete.
3. Payment Methods & Due Dates
Deposits, additional deposits for changes in scope, final payments, and à la carte invoices are collected through Invoice/program? via ACH or card. Balance-at-closing payments are coordinated as a disbursement through the settlement/title company. Invoices unpaid ten (10) days past their due date accrue a late fee of 1.5% per month, and Slocum & Co LLC reserves the right to pause active work until the account is current.
4. Collection Costs & Attorney's Fees
If Slocum & Co LLC must pursue collection of an unpaid balance, Client agrees to be responsible for reasonable collection costs, administrative fees, returned-payment fees, and attorney's fees incurred in that collection, to the extent permitted by law.
5. Cancellation & Rescheduling
• Cancellations made more than fourteen (14) days before the scheduled start date: retainer is refundable, less any costs already committed to vendors on Client's behalf.
• Cancellations made within fourteen (14) days of the scheduled start date: retainer is non-refundable.
• Rescheduling is accommodated with as much notice as possible, subject to crew and vendor availability. Repeated rescheduling (more than once) may incur a $150 rebooking fee.
6. Refunds
Payments for work already performed are non-refundable. If Client terminates mid-project under Section 15 of the Service Agreement, Slocum & Co LLC will provide an itemized accounting of work completed and refund any amount paid in excess of that value, less committed vendor costs.
7. Scheduling & Project Timelines
Any timeline or completion date Slocum & Co LLC provides is an estimate based on information available at the time and is not guaranteed unless expressly stated in writing. Timelines can shift due to property conditions, weather, staffing, vendor availability, or client decisions.
Slocum & Co LLC is not responsible for delays caused by waiting on the Client - decisions, approvals, access, documents, keys or codes, or responses from family members, buyers, or vendors.
8. Changes to Scope
Any request that expands the scope beyond the Statement of Work - additional rooms, added services, or compressed timelines - requires a signed Change Order and associated fee before Slocum & Co LLC proceeds with the added work.
9. Property Access & Safety
Client is responsible for providing safe, timely access to the property, including keys, codes, or a scheduled walkthrough. Slocum & Co LLC's crew - and any third party vendors - may decline to proceed in conditions it reasonably determines to be unsafe (structural hazards, pest infestation, mold, etc.) until the condition is remediated, and any resulting delay does not extend Slocum & Co LLC's other project deadlines.
10. Excluded Items & Materials
Clients are responsible for disclosing known safety concerns, hazardous materials, illegal substances, structural concerns, weapons, ammunitions, medications, biohazards, mold, pest activity, environmental issues, chemicals, unsafe utilities, and any condition that requires specialized handling.
Slocum & Co LLC reserves the right to pause, reschedule, modify the scope of work, or refer Client to a licensed specialist if it discovers conditions that are unsafe, were not disclosed in advance, fall outside the agreed scope, or require expertise beyond what Slocum & Co LLC reasonably provides.
In the event that undisclosed conditions - safety hazards, restricted access, hazardous materials, specialized disposal needs, or added labor, equipment, PPE, or vendor support would push costs beyond the original estimate, Slocum & Co LLC will notify Client, outline the anticipated additional cost or revised scope, to obtain Client’s approval before proceeding with that portion of the work. The exception is when immediate action is reasonably necessary to protect people, protect the property, or stop further damage.
• Hazardous materials (chemicals, asbestos, biohazards, firearms, ammunition) are excluded from standard clean-out and removal services and require licensed specialty handling, arranged separately.
• Client must remove from the premises the following items which Slocum & Co LLC does not handle: cash, jewelry, precious stones, medications, stocks, bonds, coin, stamp or other collections, precious metals, checks, credit cards, firearms, ammunition, fireworks, any other explosives, etc.
• Items of significant unknown value (art, antiques, jewelry, collectibles) should be identified by Client in advance for appraisal; Slocum & Co LLC is not responsible for identifying or valuing such items on Client's behalf.
• Slocum & Co will not pack and is not liable for clock internal movements, and recommends Client allows the moving company to pack, move, and set up analog clocks.
• Slocum & Co LLC does not take title to, or responsibility for the sale price of, any item unless expressly engaged to do so under an Estate Sale or Auction scope.
11. Reasonable Discretion During Active Work
Once Client approves the general project plan, Slocum & Co LLC may use reasonable professional judgment when sorting, packing, donating, or discarding ordinary household items not specifically flagged by Client for separate handling. This allows work to continue efficiently when Client is not present for every decision, while still honoring any exclusions, priorities, or instructions Client has identified in advance or in writing.
12. Estate Sale, Auction & Resale Outcomes
Where Slocum & Co LLC coordinates an estate sale, auction, or resale of items, Slocum & Co LLC does not guarantee sale price, buyer interest, or that any item will sell. Unsold items will be donated, disposed of, or returned to Client according to the approved plan.
13. Limitation of Liability
Slocum & Co LLC's liability for loss or damage to any single item is limited to its documented fair market value at the time of loss, and Slocum & Co LLC's aggregate liability for property loss or damage while engaged in a given Service Agreement is limited to the total fees paid under that engagement, consistent with Section 13 of the Client Service Agreement. Resolution is based on fair market value, not sentimental value, except where otherwise required by law.
14. Damage & Service Claims
Slocum & Co LLC will use reasonable care when handling client property. Slocum & Co LLC is not responsible for damage caused by pre-existing conditions, normal wear and tear, hidden defects, or fragile and deteriorated items; for items that were improperly packed, unstable, or not disclosed as requiring special handling; or for damage resulting from unsafe property conditions or the actions of third-party vendors. Any claim regarding damage, missing items, or service concerns must be reported to Slocum & Co LLC in writing within twenty-four (24) hours of service completion or discovery, but no later than 7 calendar days following the completion of services. Slocum & Co LLC may not be responsible for claims reported after that window - particularly once other parties have accessed, moved, occupied, cleaned, or altered the property after services are completed.
15. Insurance & Utilities
Client is responsible for maintaining homeowners, renters, or estate insurance on the property and belongings involved in the project, and for keeping utilities active where reasonably necessary for safe access, lighting, climate control, or completion of the Services. Slocum & Co LLC shall not be liable for consequential, incidental, indirect, punitive, or special damages, including damages caused by circumstances outside Slocum & Co LLC's reasonable control, loss of use, loss of sale proceeds, emotional distress, or loss of profits.
16. Items Remaining After Completion
Items remaining after the agreed Services are complete will be handled according to the approved project plan or client instructions. If additional visits, storage, transportation, or disposal for items left behind are necessary and fall outside the approved scope additional charges may apply. Slocum & Co LLC will notify Client, outline the anticipated additional cost or revised scope, to obtain Client's approval before proceeding with that additional billable work. The exception is when immediate action is reasonably necessary to protect people, protect the property, or stop further damage.
17. Vendors & Subcontractors
Slocum & Co LLC may connect client with a trusted network of third-party service providers to assist with various aspects of the transition process or services. Please note that while we coordinate access to these professionals, they operate independently and are not employees or agents of Slocum & Co LLC. Vendor pricing is passed through at actual cost. By choosing to engage with any third-party provider, Client does so at their own discretion and assumes full responsibility for any agreements, services, and outcomes. Slocum & Co LLC is not liable for any damages, losses, or issues that may arise from the use of third-party services. Any warranties, guarantees, or service terms are solely between Client and the third-party service provider. Slocum & Co LLC will assist in good faith to resolve vendor issues but does not guarantee vendor work.
18. Force Majeure
Slocum & Co LLC is not liable for delay or failure to perform caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including severe weather, natural disaster, labor shortage, or governmental restriction. Timelines will be adjusted in good faith once the condition resolves.
19. Communication
Slocum & Co LLC aims to respond to Client communication within one (1) business day during an active engagement. Project updates are provided at each milestone or on a cadence agreed in the Statement of Work.
20. Electronic Communication & Acceptance of Terms
Client agrees Slocum & Co LLC may communicate by phone, text, email, electronic documents, and digital notifications; and that electronic signatures and approvals sent through these channels are binding. By approving an estimate, signing electronically, scheduling services, communicating approval though text or email, making a payment, or allowing Slocum & Co LLC to begin work, the client acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
21. Privacy & Confidentiality
Personal and financial information shared by Client is used solely to perform the Services and is not sold or shared with third parties outside of what is reasonably necessary for vendors and professionals directly involved in the engagement, except as required by law. Slocum & Co LLC may encounter private, personal, financial, medical, legal, family, estate, or property-related information during a project. Slocum & Co LLC will make reasonable efforts to protect confidential information including documents, security information, access codes, keys, records, papers, and private family details.
22. Media, Marketing, Project Documentation
As set forth in the Client Service Agreement, Slocum & Co LLC may use project photography for project documentation, before and after results, information gathering purposes for estimates, item condition, inventory, sorting, donation, resale, portfolio and marketing purposes - with identifying details withheld, unless Client separately consents to release.
23. Authority to Authorize Services
Client represents that they have the legal right, ownership interest, or authority necessary to authorize the Services requested, including sorting, packing, selling, donating, discarding, repairs, renovations, modifications, and granting property access. Client agrees to indemnify and hold Slocum & Co LLC harmless from claims arising from competing ownership interests, family or heir disputes, or instructions given by someone who did not have proper authority to give them.
24. Right to Refuse or Discontinue Service
Slocum & Co LLC reserves the right to pause, refuse, or discontinue Services if Client, neighbor, family member, occupant, visitor, or other party engages in unsafe, threatening, abusive, or unlawful conduct; in the event of nonpayment; misrepresents condition of the project; fails to respond with decisions, approval, or provide requested access; or otherwise creates conditions that prevent Slocum & Co LLC from safely, professionally, and reasonably completing the Services.
25. Indemnification
Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Slocum & Co LLC, its owners, employees, contractors, and representatives from any claims, damages, losses, expenses, or liabilities arising out of: inaccurate or incomplete information provided by Client; Client's lack of authority to authorize the Services; conflicting instructions from multiple parties; family or ownership disputes; hazards or property conditions Client failed to disclose; issues involving third-party vendors, including those selected by Client; Client's breach of these Terms & Conditions; or Slocum & Co LLC's good-faith reliance on Client's instructions or approvals.
26. Amendments
Slocum & Co LLC may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time; the version in effect at the time a Statement of Work is signed governs that engagement.
27. Dispute Resolution & Governing Law
Most concerns are best resolved directly - Client is encouraged to reach out to Slocum & Co LLC as soon as an issue arises so it can be addressed informally and in good faith.
Where an issue can't be resolved that way, Client and Slocum & Co LLC agree to pursue mediation before turning to litigation, except where urgent legal action is required.
These Terms & Conditions, and the Services provided under them, are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to its conflict-of-law rules. Any dispute that mediation doesn't resolve will be handled in the appropriate Virginia court, unless otherwise required by law.
Slocum & Co LLC's services may include, but are not limited to, downsizing planning; sorting and organizing; packing; move coordination; clean-outs; estate liquidation; sale or auction coordination; donation and drop-off coordination; trash removal coordination; repairs, renovations, modifications coordination; and any other service requested by Client and agreed to by Slocum & Co LLC. The Service Agreement does not constitute a real estate brokerage agreement. Should Client choose to contract Company to perform real estate related services, Parties acknowledge that as a separate business encounter, entered into by Brokerage Agreement under Company’s brokerage relationship with eXp Realty, subject to Virginia real-estate law. (keep/delete?)
These Terms & Conditions apply to all services performed by Slocum & Co LLC (“Company”), unless a separate written agreement specifically states otherwise, and are incorporated by reference into the Client Service Agreement and any Statement of Work or Estimate issued to Client ("Client"). Where these Terms conflict with a signed Client Service Agreement, the Service Agreement governs.
1. Estimates & Project Scope
Estimates are prepared from the information available at the time of the assessment and are good-faith projections, not fixed prices, unless issued in writing as a Fixed-Price Quote. Estimates are valid for thirty (30) days from the date issued.
Actual scope can differ from the assessed Estimate once work begins - volume, property condition, and time on site are not always fully visible in advance. Where that happens, Slocum & Co LLC will document the change and obtain Client's approval before proceeding with the affected work, except where immediate action is reasonably necessary for safety or to prevent further loss or damage.
2. Booking & Deposits
A project is confirmed on Slocum & Co LLC's calendar only once the signed Estimate/Statement of Work? and Deposit are received. Booking a date does not guarantee availability until both are complete.
3. Payment Methods & Due Dates
Deposits, additional deposits for changes in scope, final payments, and à la carte invoices are collected through Invoice/program? via ACH or card. Balance-at-closing payments are coordinated as a disbursement through the settlement/title company. Invoices unpaid ten (10) days past their due date accrue a late fee of 1.5% per month, and Slocum & Co LLC reserves the right to pause active work until the account is current.
4. Collection Costs & Attorney's Fees
If Slocum & Co LLC must pursue collection of an unpaid balance, Client agrees to be responsible for reasonable collection costs, administrative fees, returned-payment fees, and attorney's fees incurred in that collection, to the extent permitted by law.
5. Cancellation & Rescheduling
• Cancellations made more than fourteen (14) days before the scheduled start date: retainer is refundable, less any costs already committed to vendors on Client's behalf.
• Cancellations made within fourteen (14) days of the scheduled start date: retainer is non-refundable.
• Rescheduling is accommodated with as much notice as possible, subject to crew and vendor availability. Repeated rescheduling (more than once) may incur a $150 rebooking fee.
6. Refunds
Payments for work already performed are non-refundable. If Client terminates mid-project under Section 15 of the Service Agreement, Slocum & Co LLC will provide an itemized accounting of work completed and refund any amount paid in excess of that value, less committed vendor costs.
7. Scheduling & Project Timelines
Any timeline or completion date Slocum & Co LLC provides is an estimate based on information available at the time and is not guaranteed unless expressly stated in writing. Timelines can shift due to property conditions, weather, staffing, vendor availability, or client decisions.
Slocum & Co LLC is not responsible for delays caused by waiting on the Client - decisions, approvals, access, documents, keys or codes, or responses from family members, buyers, or vendors.
8. Changes to Scope
Any request that expands the scope beyond the Statement of Work - additional rooms, added services, or compressed timelines - requires a signed Change Order and associated fee before Slocum & Co LLC proceeds with the added work.
9. Property Access & Safety
Client is responsible for providing safe, timely access to the property, including keys, codes, or a scheduled walkthrough. Slocum & Co LLC's crew - and any third party vendors - may decline to proceed in conditions it reasonably determines to be unsafe (structural hazards, pest infestation, mold, etc.) until the condition is remediated, and any resulting delay does not extend Slocum & Co LLC's other project deadlines.
10. Excluded Items & Materials
Clients are responsible for disclosing known safety concerns, hazardous materials, illegal substances, structural concerns, weapons, ammunitions, medications, biohazards, mold, pest activity, environmental issues, chemicals, unsafe utilities, and any condition that requires specialized handling.
Slocum & Co LLC reserves the right to pause, reschedule, modify the scope of work, or refer Client to a licensed specialist if it discovers conditions that are unsafe, were not disclosed in advance, fall outside the agreed scope, or require expertise beyond what Slocum & Co LLC reasonably provides.
In the event that undisclosed conditions - safety hazards, restricted access, hazardous materials, specialized disposal needs, or added labor, equipment, PPE, or vendor support would push costs beyond the original estimate, Slocum & Co LLC will notify Client, outline the anticipated additional cost or revised scope, to obtain Client’s approval before proceeding with that portion of the work. The exception is when immediate action is reasonably necessary to protect people, protect the property, or stop further damage.
• Hazardous materials (chemicals, asbestos, biohazards, firearms, ammunition) are excluded from standard clean-out and removal services and require licensed specialty handling, arranged separately.
• Client must remove from the premises the following items which Slocum & Co LLC does not handle: cash, jewelry, precious stones, medications, stocks, bonds, coin, stamp or other collections, precious metals, checks, credit cards, firearms, ammunition, fireworks, any other explosives, etc.
• Items of significant unknown value (art, antiques, jewelry, collectibles) should be identified by Client in advance for appraisal; Slocum & Co LLC is not responsible for identifying or valuing such items on Client's behalf.
• Slocum & Co will not pack and is not liable for clock internal movements, and recommends Client allows the moving company to pack, move, and set up analog clocks.
• Slocum & Co LLC does not take title to, or responsibility for the sale price of, any item unless expressly engaged to do so under an Estate Sale or Auction scope.
11. Reasonable Discretion During Active Work
Once Client approves the general project plan, Slocum & Co LLC may use reasonable professional judgment when sorting, packing, donating, or discarding ordinary household items not specifically flagged by Client for separate handling. This allows work to continue efficiently when Client is not present for every decision, while still honoring any exclusions, priorities, or instructions Client has identified in advance or in writing.
12. Estate Sale, Auction & Resale Outcomes
Where Slocum & Co LLC coordinates an estate sale, auction, or resale of items, Slocum & Co LLC does not guarantee sale price, buyer interest, or that any item will sell. Unsold items will be donated, disposed of, or returned to Client according to the approved plan.
13. Limitation of Liability
Slocum & Co LLC's liability for loss or damage to any single item is limited to its documented fair market value at the time of loss, and Slocum & Co LLC's aggregate liability for property loss or damage while engaged in a given Service Agreement is limited to the total fees paid under that engagement, consistent with Section 13 of the Client Service Agreement. Resolution is based on fair market value, not sentimental value, except where otherwise required by law.
14. Damage & Service Claims
Slocum & Co LLC will use reasonable care when handling client property. Slocum & Co LLC is not responsible for damage caused by pre-existing conditions, normal wear and tear, hidden defects, or fragile and deteriorated items; for items that were improperly packed, unstable, or not disclosed as requiring special handling; or for damage resulting from unsafe property conditions or the actions of third-party vendors. Any claim regarding damage, missing items, or service concerns must be reported to Slocum & Co LLC in writing within twenty-four (24) hours of service completion or discovery, but no later than 7 calendar days following the completion of services. Slocum & Co LLC may not be responsible for claims reported after that window - particularly once other parties have accessed, moved, occupied, cleaned, or altered the property after services are completed.
15. Insurance & Utilities
Client is responsible for maintaining homeowners, renters, or estate insurance on the property and belongings involved in the project, and for keeping utilities active where reasonably necessary for safe access, lighting, climate control, or completion of the Services. Slocum & Co LLC shall not be liable for consequential, incidental, indirect, punitive, or special damages, including damages caused by circumstances outside Slocum & Co LLC's reasonable control, loss of use, loss of sale proceeds, emotional distress, or loss of profits.
16. Items Remaining After Completion
Items remaining after the agreed Services are complete will be handled according to the approved project plan or client instructions. If additional visits, storage, transportation, or disposal for items left behind are necessary and fall outside the approved scope additional charges may apply. Slocum & Co LLC will notify Client, outline the anticipated additional cost or revised scope, to obtain Client's approval before proceeding with that additional billable work. The exception is when immediate action is reasonably necessary to protect people, protect the property, or stop further damage.
17. Vendors & Subcontractors
Slocum & Co LLC may connect client with a trusted network of third-party service providers to assist with various aspects of the transition process or services. Please note that while we coordinate access to these professionals, they operate independently and are not employees or agents of Slocum & Co LLC. Vendor pricing is passed through at actual cost. By choosing to engage with any third-party provider, Client does so at their own discretion and assumes full responsibility for any agreements, services, and outcomes. Slocum & Co LLC is not liable for any damages, losses, or issues that may arise from the use of third-party services. Any warranties, guarantees, or service terms are solely between Client and the third-party service provider. Slocum & Co LLC will assist in good faith to resolve vendor issues but does not guarantee vendor work.
18. Force Majeure
Slocum & Co LLC is not liable for delay or failure to perform caused by events beyond its reasonable control, including severe weather, natural disaster, labor shortage, or governmental restriction. Timelines will be adjusted in good faith once the condition resolves.
19. Communication
Slocum & Co LLC aims to respond to Client communication within one (1) business day during an active engagement. Project updates are provided at each milestone or on a cadence agreed in the Statement of Work.
20. Electronic Communication & Acceptance of Terms
Client agrees Slocum & Co LLC may communicate by phone, text, email, electronic documents, and digital notifications; and that electronic signatures and approvals sent through these channels are binding. By approving an estimate, signing electronically, scheduling services, communicating approval though text or email, making a payment, or allowing Slocum & Co LLC to begin work, the client acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms & Conditions.
21. Privacy & Confidentiality
Personal and financial information shared by Client is used solely to perform the Services and is not sold or shared with third parties outside of what is reasonably necessary for vendors and professionals directly involved in the engagement, except as required by law. Slocum & Co LLC may encounter private, personal, financial, medical, legal, family, estate, or property-related information during a project. Slocum & Co LLC will make reasonable efforts to protect confidential information including documents, security information, access codes, keys, records, papers, and private family details.
22. Media, Marketing, Project Documentation
As set forth in the Client Service Agreement, Slocum & Co LLC may use project photography for project documentation, before and after results, information gathering purposes for estimates, item condition, inventory, sorting, donation, resale, portfolio and marketing purposes - with identifying details withheld, unless Client separately consents to release.
23. Authority to Authorize Services
Client represents that they have the legal right, ownership interest, or authority necessary to authorize the Services requested, including sorting, packing, selling, donating, discarding, repairs, renovations, modifications, and granting property access. Client agrees to indemnify and hold Slocum & Co LLC harmless from claims arising from competing ownership interests, family or heir disputes, or instructions given by someone who did not have proper authority to give them.
24. Right to Refuse or Discontinue Service
Slocum & Co LLC reserves the right to pause, refuse, or discontinue Services if Client, neighbor, family member, occupant, visitor, or other party engages in unsafe, threatening, abusive, or unlawful conduct; in the event of nonpayment; misrepresents condition of the project; fails to respond with decisions, approval, or provide requested access; or otherwise creates conditions that prevent Slocum & Co LLC from safely, professionally, and reasonably completing the Services.
25. Indemnification
Client agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Slocum & Co LLC, its owners, employees, contractors, and representatives from any claims, damages, losses, expenses, or liabilities arising out of: inaccurate or incomplete information provided by Client; Client's lack of authority to authorize the Services; conflicting instructions from multiple parties; family or ownership disputes; hazards or property conditions Client failed to disclose; issues involving third-party vendors, including those selected by Client; Client's breach of these Terms & Conditions; or Slocum & Co LLC's good-faith reliance on Client's instructions or approvals.
26. Amendments
Slocum & Co LLC may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time; the version in effect at the time a Statement of Work is signed governs that engagement.
27. Dispute Resolution & Governing Law
Most concerns are best resolved directly - Client is encouraged to reach out to Slocum & Co LLC as soon as an issue arises so it can be addressed informally and in good faith.
Where an issue can't be resolved that way, Client and Slocum & Co LLC agree to pursue mediation before turning to litigation, except where urgent legal action is required.
These Terms & Conditions, and the Services provided under them, are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to its conflict-of-law rules. Any dispute that mediation doesn't resolve will be handled in the appropriate Virginia court, unless otherwise required by law.
