Probate Lawyers Go Bad and Pay the Price

The January 2006 issue of the Texas Bar Journal in its Disciplinary Actions section tells the stories of two misbehaving probate lawyers.

Elizabeth A. Darnall received a two-year, partially probated suspension with the first six months actively served in response to a list of improper behaviors.  For example, she agreed to probate a will and thereafter failed to file the probate and failed to surrender the client’s file and unearned fee.  In another case, she was hired to prepare a will and thereafter failed to do so and failed to refund the $300 fee.  She also failed to respond to the client’s numerous attempts to contact her.

Jay L. Nye agreed to a two-year, fully probated suspension because, among other reasons, he accepted a probate matter and “failed to keep the client reasonably informed about the status” of the case.