who do i contact about a dishonest lawyer and trustee in ohio

by Dr. Dayne Lockman 10 min read

If you think your lawyer has violated an ethical rule, you may file a complaint with the disciplinary board in the state where the lawyer is licensed.

Consumers who would like to file a complaint or report a scam should contact the Ohio Attorney General's Office at www.OhioProtects.org or 800-282-0515.Apr 12, 2018

Full Answer

How do I file a complaint against a lawyer in Ohio?

A complaint form for lawyers may be obtained from the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, 65 E. State Street, Suite 1510, Columbus, Ohio 43215, click here, or from your local bar’s certified grievance committee. What happens after I file my complaint?

What to do if an attorney acts unethically?

If you believe an attorney has acted unethically, you may file a complaint with the certified grievance committee of your local bar association (if there is a grievance committee serving your area) or with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Generally, the OSBA considers grievances against judges and magistrates.

How to file a complaint against a lawyer for ethical violations?

Filing a Complaint If you think your lawyer has violated an ethical rule, you may file a complaint with the disciplinary board in the state where the lawyer is licensed.

How can a trustee be removed from a trust?

Appropriate reasons to remove a trustee include a breach of the trust by the trustee, the insolvency of the trustee, the unfitness of the trustee to administer the trust, a lack of cooperation among co-trustees that impairs the administration of the trust, the failure of the trustee to act, and excessive compensation to the trustee.

How do I file a complaint against an attorney in Ohio?

How do I file a complaint? If you believe an attorney has acted unethically, you may file a complaint with the certified grievance committee of your local bar association (if there is a grievance committee serving your area) or with the Office of Disciplinary Counsel of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

What happens when a lawyer lies to his client?

The lawyer should inform the client that if he does testify falsely, the lawyer will have no choice but to withdraw from the matter and to inform the court of the client's misconduct.

What is the most common complaint against lawyers?

Perhaps the most common kinds of complaints against lawyers involve delay or neglect. This doesn't mean that occasionally you've had to wait for a phone call to be returned. It means there has been a pattern of the lawyer's failing to respond or to take action over a period of months.

What is it called when a lawyer doesn't do his job?

Legal malpractice is a type of negligence in which a lawyer does harm to his or her client. Typically, this concerns lawyers acting in their own interests, lawyers breaching their contract with the client, and, one of the most common cases of legal malpractice, is when lawyers fail to act on time for clients.

Can I sue a lawyer for lying?

No matter what name the agency in your state goes by, they will have a process you can use to file a complaint against your attorney for lying or being incompetent. Examples of these types of behavior include: Misusing your money. Failing to show up at a court hearing.

Are lawyers allowed to lie to clients?

In California, the Rules of Professional Conduct govern a lawyer's ethical duties. The law prohibits lawyers from engaging in dishonesty. Cal.

What happens when a lawyer makes a mistake?

There are other options if you don't want to sue your former attorney for a mistake they made. You can report them to the state bar or the American Bar Association. They will conduct an investigation if the mistake is serious enough and the lawyer could face being disbarred or other disciplinary actions.

How do you disbar a lawyer?

Proceedings for disbarment or any administrative case against a lawyer may be filed before the Commission on Bar Discipline by submitting six (6) copies of a verified complaint to the same. He shall have the power to issue subpoenas and administer oaths.

What are the main areas of dispute and complaints for law firms?

Professional Negligence. Civil Fraud and Investigations. Financial Services Disputes. Wills, Trusts and Inheritance Disputes.

What is a Marsden hearing?

A Marsden motion is a formal request made by a criminal defendant to the court. The court hears arguments on the motion from the defendant and the attorney, without the presence of the prosecutor.

What can I do when my attorney ignores you?

If you believe that your attorney acted unethically, you should consider filing a complaint with the State Bar. You can complete a complaint form online or download a PDF complaint form from the State Bar's website.

How long should a lawyer take to respond?

A: The lawyer should be responsive to your questions within 24-48 hours after you left a message. If the lawyer is not responsive, perhaps he or she is on vacation and unable to return.

How to file a complaint against a lawyer?

In most states, you can file your complaint by mailing in a state-issued complaint form or a letter with the lawyer's name and contact information, your contact information, a description of the problem, and copies of relevant documents. In some states, you may be able to lodge your complaint over the phone or online.

What happens if a client fires a lawyer?

When a client fires a lawyer and asks for the file, the lawyer must promptly return it. In some states, such as California, the lawyer must return the file even if attorneys’ fees haven’t been paid in full. Lawyer incompetence. Lawyers must have the knowledge and experience to competently handle any case that they take on.

What is the role of a disciplinary board in a state?

State Disciplinary Boards. Each state has a disciplinary board that enforces state ethics rules for lawyers. The board is usually an arm of the state’s supreme court and has authority to interpret ethics rules, investigate potential violations, conduct evidentiary hearings, and administer attorney discipline.

What is the role of a lawyer?

Lawyers are given a lot of responsibility and often deal with serious matters, from criminal charges to child custody to tax and other financial matters. When you hire a lawyer, you are trusting him or her to represent your interests in the best manner possible. To protect the public—and the integrity of the legal profession—each state has its own code of ethics that lawyers must follow. These are usually called the “rules of professional conduct.”

What is incompetence in a lawyer?

Lawyer incompetence. Lawyers must have the knowledge and experience to competently handle any case that they take on. They must also be sufficiently prepared to handle matters that come up in your case, from settlement negotiations to trial. Conflicts of interest.

What is a public reprimand?

issue a private reprimand (usually a letter sent to the lawyer) issue a public reprimand (usually published in the agency’s official reports and a local legal journal or newspaper ) suspend the lawyer (the lawyer cannot practice law for a specific time) disbar the lawyer (the lawyer loses his or her license to practice law), and/or.

What happens if you don't report a violation of the law?

If there's no evidence of a violation, the board will dismiss the case and notify you. If the violation is minor, a phone call or letter to the lawyer usually ends the matter.

What to do if a trustee is misbehaving?

Whether your situation involves a misbehaving trustee or a misbehaving executor, you should consider filing a petition with the probate court to compel the executor or trustee to comply with the terms of the will or trust. If the court determines that the terms of the will or trust are not being carried out, it will enter an order requiring ...

What happens if a trustee fails to comply with a court order?

Failure of the trustee to comply with the court’s order could result in his being held in contempt or even removed as trustee. Another option for anyone who is dealing with a trustee or executor who is not properly handling the estate is to seek his or her removal.

What happens if a trustee fails to provide copies of a trust document?

If the probate judge finds that the trustee has failed and refused to provide copies of the trust document to the beneficiaries, he will order the trustee to produce the trust document within a specified period of time.

What to do if you suspect mismanagement?

If you suspect mismanagement or worse. You may also want to file a petition for an accounting with the probate court. If the court finds in your favor, the trustee or executor must provide a detailed breakdown of all monies or other assets that have come into or gone out of the trust. Moreover, if you believe the trustee or executor has embezzled ...

What is required of a trustee?

Moreover, the trustee or executor is required to act in accordance with the probate code and must communicate honestly and openly with the beneficiaries, gather all property of the estate, and prepare an accounting of all property that passes through the estate. The benefits of a professional trustee or executor.

What happens if a beneficiary refuses to communicate with the executor of a will?

As a beneficiary of a will or trust, if you find yourself in the position of dealing with a trustee or executor who refuses to communicate or is otherwise mishandling the estate, you are not at his or her mercy. You do have options.

Why do you seek an accounting and removal of a trustee?

Your goal in seeking an accounting and/or removal of a trustee or executor is to ensure the wishes of your loved one are carried out. Many times, the trustee or executor simply doesn’t know what to do or may have made an honest mistake.

Barbara A. Sonin

Contact an attorney ASAP! If one won't meet with you without a retain up front, call another. This should be a strong case for an attorney to take on a contingent basis. You need to file IMMEDIATELY, or those properties will be gone. More

Kenneth V. Zichi

If this is a court appointed fiduciary the court needs to hear about this. If this is a trustee, you need to consult the trust about how the trustee can be replaced. In either case a conversation with a local probate attorney is in order.

Eric Paul Enciso

I'm sorry to hear that this is happening. Who determined that she was incapacitated? Was the decision consistent with the trust's terms? Are you sure you can't remove the current trustee and appoint a new trustee? Groceries and a dentist will almost always fall within health, maintenance, and support so it sounds like something may be wrong here.

What happens if an attorney liases with your spouse?

If an attorney manages to liase many or all all your issues, then you have already lost, especially if they have told you not to talk to the spouse and they have served their purpose by fait accompli. If it comes down to money, you have lost, that is the level of basic understanding marriage has become for males.

What happens if you appeal a family court decision?

If you do decide to appeal the decisions of the family court, the Supreme Court, no less, will very likely uphold and support the malfeasance of the family court because the antics of the lower court personnel mirror those of the Supreme Court. I bet the family court personnel have recognized this and are busy minting.