A Louisiana estate planning lawyer has pleaded guilty to six counts of theft in excess of $500 of funds belonging to his former clients. According to the New Star, Bernard Grenrood was ordered to five years probation and ordered to pay a total restitution of $106,200 to the clients that he stole from.
One such client's family claims that Grenrood possessed a decedent's life insurance checks which were written out to the decedent's children and grandchildren. He allegedly took those checks, wrote them out for himself, and transferred close to $32,000 from the decedent's checking account to his own trust account. The family claims that when they asked Grenrood where the checks were, he told them that they were stolen.
The family filed a lawsuit against the attorney claiming that he also forged his name on a power of attorney document. Donna Thornton filed a second lawsuit claiming that Grenrood failed to pay her all of her settlement money. The total amount missing was $10,000. Back in 2004, Grenrood requested to resign from practicing law in the state at Louisiana Supreme Court. The court prohibited him from ever practicing law in the state again.
While this all occurred in the state of Louisiana, it is still a story that resonates with many New Yorkers.
It is important to select a trust worthy attorney when you plan your own estate. If you plan on retaining the services of a NY estate attorney. Make sure you can look up to see if your New York estate planning lawyer is licensed to practice in the state of New York, does not have an disciplinary actions against him or her by the New York ethics committee, and if you can speak with other clients as a reference.
For more general information or to find a NY estate attorney near you, please visit our Related Resources links.
Related Resources:
- Estate Attorney James DiPasquale Arrested In Forged Will Case (FindLaw's New York Estate Planning News Blog)
- Locate A New York Estate Planning Lawyer (FindLaw)
- Family Of Monica Beresford-Redman Claims Will Is Forged (FindLaw's New York Estate Planning News Blog)
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