Frequently Asked Questions

The basics

Do I have to stop using Gmail?

No. You keep using Gmail exactly as you do today — same app, same inbox, same archives. We configure your domain so mail addressed to you@yourdomain.com lands in your existing Gmail inbox, and we set up Gmail's "Send mail as" feature so outbound mail shows your custom domain. Nothing about how you check email changes.

How much does it cost?

$200 one-time setup + $199/year ongoing. Total first year: $399. The annual fee covers DNS health monitoring, deliverability checks, renewal of any required configurations, and priority support if anything breaks. Cancel anytime.

How long does setup take?

24–48 hours if you already own a domain. 72 hours if we register a new domain for you. No meetings or screen-shares required — we handle everything on our end and notify you when your new email is live.

What if I already tried this and it didn't work?

You may have what we call a "zombie setup" — partially configured DNS records that cause more problems than they solve. We audit and fix this as part of every setup. If your prior attempt left bad records, we replace them.

What if something breaks later?

The $199/year annual plan includes ongoing DNS health checks, deliverability monitoring, and priority support. If anything goes wrong — a record gets dropped, deliverability degrades, your domain registrar changes something — we fix it.

Can I do this myself?

Sure, if you know the difference between SPF and DMARC and you're confident an MX record has nothing to do with Mexico. Otherwise, that's exactly what we handle so you don't have to.

For attorneys

Where does my mail actually live? Can you read it?

In the default configuration (used by ~95% of customers, including most attorneys), your mail is stored in your existing Gmail account. We do not have ongoing access to your mailbox — setup is a one-time DNS and Gmail "Send mail as" configuration; we do not retain your Google credentials. Your mailbox privacy is the same as your existing Gmail use, governed by Google's policies. We are not in the path to read your messages.

What about attorney-client privilege?

Your privilege posture does not change. Mail at rest is in your Gmail account, where it is today. EmailForProfessionals is never in possession of your mailbox content, so we are not in the privilege chain. The same considerations that apply to your current Gmail use apply going forward.

If you want stronger separation from any single big-tech provider, you can opt into Forward Email's encrypted IMAP mailbox instead of keeping Gmail. In that configuration, mailbox contents are encrypted at rest such that neither EmailForProfessionals nor Forward Email can decrypt them. This is an opt-in alternative — contact us to discuss.

What if I get a subpoena for my email?

Because your mail is in your Gmail account, the process for responding to a subpoena is the same as it is today: you control what you produce, and Google's legal process governs anything served on Google directly. EmailForProfessionals does not store or have access to your mailbox content, so we have nothing to produce in response to a subpoena targeting your mailbox.

Can my paralegal or assistant share access to my mailbox?

Yes — through whatever sharing mechanism your email provider supports. In Gmail you can use Google Workspace delegation, or if you use Forward Email's encrypted IMAP we can configure aliases that route to multiple recipients.

What about HIPAA / compliance for attorneys handling medical or privileged data?

The default Gmail configuration relies on Google's compliance posture (Google Workspace can be HIPAA-compliant under a Business Associate Agreement; consumer Gmail accounts cannot). If your practice handles regulated data and requires HIPAA / BAA coverage, we recommend the Forward Email IMAP configuration and we'll help you select an appropriate setup. Contact us before purchasing.

Will using a custom domain hurt deliverability?

The opposite — properly configured SPF, DKIM, and DMARC (which we set up for every customer) typically improve deliverability over a bare Gmail address. We monitor your domain's reputation as part of the annual service.

What if EmailForProfessionals shuts down?

You own your domain. Your mailbox is in Gmail (or Forward Email if you chose IMAP). If we cease operations, your email continues to work — you'd just be responsible for renewing your domain and managing the DNS yourself, or moving to another provider. There is no lock-in.

Architecture and infrastructure

Who actually delivers my email?

We use Forward Email as our underlying email infrastructure provider. Forward Email handles inbound mail routing and outbound SMTP relay. We are an Enterprise customer of Forward Email, which authorizes us to operate as a third-party provider on behalf of our customers. Forward Email's privacy and security policies are referenced from our Privacy Policy.

Is my email encrypted?

In transit: yes — TLS 1.3 between sending and receiving servers, standard for modern email. At rest: depends on configuration. In the default Gmail setup, mail at rest is encrypted by Google in their infrastructure (under their existing terms). In the optional Forward Email IMAP setup, mailbox contents are encrypted at rest such that even the provider cannot decrypt them.

What records do you set up on my domain?

We configure: MX records (email routing), SPF (sender authorization), DKIM (cryptographic signing of outbound mail), DMARC (anti-spoofing policy), and TLS-RPT (delivery reporting). All standard, all required for modern email deliverability and security.

Can I move to another provider later?

Yes. You own your domain. If you cancel, you keep your domain (you'll need to renew it on your own); your existing email at Gmail (or Forward Email IMAP) remains accessible; you can repoint DNS to any other provider you choose. We hold nothing of yours hostage.

Billing and cancellation

How do I cancel?

Through your Stripe billing portal at any time. Your service stays active until the end of your current billing period; we don't issue refunds for partial periods.

Will my subscription auto-renew?

Yes. Texas law (House Bill 2259) requires us to send you a renewal reminder at least 30 days before each annual renewal date with the renewal date, amount, and cancellation instructions. You can cancel any time before that date through your Stripe portal.

Do you offer refunds?

If something goes wrong during setup and we can't make it work, we issue a full refund. Once setup is complete and email is delivering, we don't refund the setup fee. Annual service fees are not refundable for partial billing periods (cancel anytime, service runs to end of current period).

Have a question we didn't answer? Email support@emailforprofessionals.com or see our Terms, Privacy Policy, and SLA.