Estate Of Delay

The Indiana Supreme Court has imposed a stayed 30-day suspension and probation for an attorney’s mishandling of several estate matters.

Count 1. In February 2009 Respondent was retained to serve as the attorney for an estate. From 2010 through 2016, Respondent failed to keep the co-executors reasonably informed about the status of the case, despite several requests from one of the coexecutors. Respondent failed to timely file the estate’s income tax returns and inheritance tax returns. In November 2016, after administering the estate, Respondent closed the estate.

Count 2. Between 1991 and 2014, Respondent filed 21 separate estates in LaGrange Circuit Court that were not closed by October 24, 2016. Since that time, Respondent has closed 14 of those 21 estates. None of the personal representatives or beneficiaries of these old estates have complained of Respondent’s handling of those cases. The parties cite no facts in aggravation. In mitigation the parties cite Respondent’s lack of prior discipline, her making of restitution, her cooperation with the disciplinary process, her remorse, and her recent progress in closing the majority of old estates.

Note the comment that provides additional information about the attorney’s political career (link here to Ballotpedia.). (Mike Frisch)