Conflict of interest? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

docbungle · 08-13-2004, 04:19 AM

My father recently passed away and my two brothers and I have been dealing with the estate mess, as everything was left to us. We were referred to an attorney by a friend of the family, who works for the offices of said attorney. She said there are a lot of people out there who take advantage of people in our situation, and wanted to assure us we'd be in safe hands. We grew up accross the street from this person. So, we've been dealing with this mess for a few months now.

Yesterday, I got a call from the friend of the family, stating that our life-insurance checks had arrived and that we should stop by and pick them up. So I go up there after work to see her and we sign ppwk, discuss other issues regarding the estate, etc...and then it kind of dawns on me that I'm the only one she had called to come pick up my check. My brothers weren't there. Well, at the end of the meeting, I find out why.

As I'm getting up to leave, she starts telling me all these personal deatails about her private life, just out of the blue. How her husband left her and doesn't really help with the kids. How her credit is shot and how broke she is. She gives me details about her surgeries. Then, at the end of it all, she asks to borrow $10,000.00 from me. From my father's life insurance pay-out. I was shocked into silence at the time and told her that I'd, uh, have to get back to her on that.

This is the person that is helping our attorney handle my father's estate. At the very least I'm thinking this has to be illegal. I am also asking myself if this is the very reason she referred us to her offices in the first place.

These are just the facts, without too many of my pesonal opinions to distort things. Thoughts?

shakran · 08-13-2004, 04:46 AM

yeah, something's not right there. Take the money and run like hell.

gar1976 · 08-13-2004, 08:08 AM

Make sure your siblings take the money, and THEN run like hell. Cash out quick, man. This one's got "red alert for fraud" written all over it.

Just string her along, make sure your family gets what's coming to them, and scram. Also, once you get the money, inform the attorney of what happened. If they are unconcerned or blow you off, talk to the state legal board.

Bill O'Rights · 08-13-2004, 08:41 AM

First...my condolences on the loss of your father.

Second...oh hell, yeah!! This stinks like a two year old's diaper, on Taco Tuesday. By all means, conclude your business, and report the incident.

william · 08-14-2004, 04:43 PM

Contact your state Bar association. This is a clear defintion of an ethics violation. You say you grew up across the street from this person - someone she knows. Think of how she'd treat those she doesn't know.

dim5 · 08-15-2004, 09:03 PM

I agree you need to be careful. In most states that I am aware of, it is very, very, very bad for lawyers to ask for loans from clients, in almost any circumstances. If your friend isn't a lawyer, she may still be getting her bosses (who are lawyers) in trouble.

docbungle · 08-16-2004, 07:09 AM

Thanks everyone. I appreciate your input.

Merlocke · 08-18-2004, 02:43 AM

when someone in a position of authority or trust breaks something like that - it's a really bad thing...

08-13-2004, 04:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
docbungle It's all downhill from here Location: Denver	Conflict of interest? My father recently passed away and my two brothers and I have been dealing with the estate mess, as everything was left to us. We were referred to an attorney by a friend of the family, who works for the offices of said attorney. She said there are a lot of people out there who take advantage of people in our situation, and wanted to assure us we'd be in safe hands. We grew up accross the street from this person. So, we've been dealing with this mess for a few months now. Yesterday, I got a call from the friend of the family, stating that our life-insurance checks had arrived and that we should stop by and pick them up. So I go up there after work to see her and we sign ppwk, discuss other issues regarding the estate, etc...and then it kind of dawns on me that I'm the only one she had called to come pick up my check. My brothers weren't there. Well, at the end of the meeting, I find out why. As I'm getting up to leave, she starts telling me all these personal deatails about her private life, just out of the blue. How her husband left her and doesn't really help with the kids. How her credit is shot and how broke she is. She gives me details about her surgeries. Then, at the end of it all, she asks to borrow $10,000.00 from me. From my father's life insurance pay-out. I was shocked into silence at the time and told her that I'd, uh, have to get back to her on that. This is the person that is helping our attorney handle my father's estate. At the very least I'm thinking this has to be illegal. I am also asking myself if this is the very reason she referred us to her offices in the first place. These are just the facts, without too many of my pesonal opinions to distort things. Thoughts? __________________ Bad Luck City

08-13-2004, 08:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
gar1976 Custom User Title Location: Lurking. Under the desk.	Make sure your siblings take the money, and THEN run like hell. Cash out quick, man. This one's got "red alert for fraud" written all over it. Just string her along, make sure your family gets what's coming to them, and scram. Also, once you get the money, inform the attorney of what happened. If they are unconcerned or blow you off, talk to the state legal board. Last edited by gar1976; 08-13-2004 at 06:42 PM..

08-13-2004, 08:41 AM	#4 (permalink)
Bill O'Rights will always be an Alyson Hanniganite Location: In the dust of the archives	First...my condolences on the loss of your father. Second...oh hell, yeah!! This stinks like a two year old's diaper, on Taco Tuesday. By all means, conclude your business, and report the incident. __________________ "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

08-16-2004, 07:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
docbungle It's all downhill from here Location: Denver	Thanks everyone. I appreciate your input. __________________ Bad Luck City

08-18-2004, 02:43 AM	#8 (permalink)
Merlocke Location: Canada	when someone in a position of authority or trust breaks something like that - it's a really bad thing... __________________ -=[ Merlocke ]=-

08-13-2004, 04:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
shakran Tone.	yeah, something's not right there. Take the money and run like hell.

08-14-2004, 04:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
william Psycho	Contact your state Bar association. This is a clear defintion of an ethics violation. You say you grew up across the street from this person - someone she knows. Think of how she'd treat those she doesn't know.

08-15-2004, 09:03 PM	#6 (permalink)
dim5 Crazy	I agree you need to be careful. In most states that I am aware of, it is very, very, very bad for lawyers to ask for loans from clients, in almost any circumstances. If your friend isn't a lawyer, she may still be getting her bosses (who are lawyers) in trouble.