Attorney Must Return Unreasonable Estate Fee
An attorney must return $95,000 in fees paid by an estate, according to a recent decision of the North Dakota Supreme Court.
In August 2013, the beneficiaries of the Estate petitioned for court determination of reasonableness of fees and for settlement and distribution of estate. The petition objected to the fees charged by Magers and [attorney] Widdel for their services to the Estate and Trust. In September 2014, the district court found Magers had breached her fiduciary duty in several ways, which included paying Widdel large fees without question. The court also found administration of the Estate and Trust was not complicated and Widdel’s fees were unreasonable in light of the nature of the work performed. The court ordered Widdel to return attorney’s fees in the amount of $95,000.
The district court found that the estate was not complicated and that Widdel did not handle the litigation.
The attorney’s “corporate veil” had been properly pierced
When a client engages the services of a lawyer, whether that lawyer is acting through the form of a professional organization or otherwise, the client has the right to expect preservation of a highly confidential relationship rooted in confidence, integrity, and professionalism. Such are the requirements expected of an officer of the court. Under the circumstances of this case, it would be inappropriate for Widdel to be allowed to hide behind the corporate veil and thus escape the professional and ethical requirements demanded by his profession.
And the district court properly found the fees unreasonable
In this case the district court considered the evidence and testimony before it and determined the fees collected by Widdel in his service to the Estate, as an attorney, were unreasonable. The district court did not abuse its discretion in determining the fees were unreasonable. The district court did not misinterpret or misapply the law in holding Widdel personally responsible for the unreasonable fees he charged.
(Mike Frisch)