Probate Misconduct Leads to 5 Year Suspension

Curtis W. Bannert received an unwanted holiday present last December — a five-year suspension from the practice of law.

A grievance committee determined that after being hired to probate a will, he delayed filing the application for seven months.  After he finally filed the application, he did not take the normal steps such as setting the application for a hearing or having the will admitted to probate.

When the client called Bannert, he did not return his calls and even moved his office without providing the client with the new contact information until four months had elapsed.

Bannert also did not repay $161 in filing fees which the client advanced based on Bannert’s written promise to repay the money.

In another case, Bannert neglected a case where a client wanted legal assistance to be sure the client’s rights to an estate were protected.

Note that Bannert also had difficulties dealing with a bankruptcy case and a workers’ compensation case.