Case Title: Cincinnati Bar Assn. v. Mid-South Estate Planning, L.L.C.

Citation: 2009-Ohio-749

Docket Number: 20081892

State: ohio

Court: Ohio Supreme Court

Date: 2009-02-25T00:00:00Z

Document:
[Cite as Cincinnati Bar Assn. v. Mid-South Estate Planning, L.L.C., 121 Ohio St.3d 212, 2009-
Ohio-749.] 
 
 
CINCINNATI BAR ASSOCIATION v. MID-SOUTH ESTATE  
PLANNING, L.L.C., ET AL. 
[Cite as Cincinnati Bar Assn. v. Mid-South Estate Planning, L.L.C., 
 121 Ohio St.3d 212, 2009-Ohio-749.] 
Unauthorized practice of law—Preparation of estate-planning documents—
Injunction issued and civil penalty imposed. 
(No. 2008-1892 — Submitted November 19, 2008 — Decided  
February 25, 2009.) 
ON FINAL REPORT by the Board on the Unauthorized  
Practice of Law, No. UPL 07-01. 
__________________ 
Per Curiam. 
{¶ 1} Pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VII(5b), the Board on the Unauthorized 
Practice of Law has recommended our approval of a consent decree proposed by 
relator, Cincinnati Bar Association, and respondent Mid-South Estate Planning, 
L.L.C. (“Mid-South”).1  We accept the board’s recommendation and approve the 
proposed consent decree submitted by the parties, as follows: 
{¶ 2} 1. By marketing and selling living trusts and other estate-planning 
documents in Ohio, Mid-South engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. 
{¶ 3} 2. By providing legal advice regarding estate planning in Ohio 
either directly or through agents or employees, Mid-South Estate Planning, 
L.L.C., engaged in the unauthorized practice of law. 
                                                 
1.  The board treated allegations against Mid-South separately from two other respondents charged 
in the underlying complaint, Senior Estate Planning Services of America, Inc., and Robert D. 
Tanner Jr., upon the filing pursuant to Gov.Bar R. VII(5b) of a joint motion for approval of this 
proposed consent decree.  See Cincinnati Bar Assn. v. Mid-South Estate Planning, L.L.C., 121 
Ohio St.3d 214, 2009-Ohio-747, ___ N.E.2d ___. 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
2 
{¶ 4} 3. Mid-South Estate Planning, L.L.C., its successors and assigns, 
and its officers, members, agents, representatives, and employees are permanently 
enjoined from advertising, soliciting, or marketing estate-planning products, 
including but not limited to living trusts, to residents of the state of Ohio. 
{¶ 5} 4. Mid-South Estate Planning, L.L.C., its successors and assigns, 
and its officers, members, agents, representatives, and employees are permanently 
enjoined from providing legal services or legal advice to Ohio residents or 
otherwise engaging in the unauthorized practice of law in the state of Ohio. 
{¶ 6} 5. Mid-South Estate Planning, L.L.C., shall pay a civil penalty of 
$17,500 within ten days of this judgment. 
Judgment accordingly. 
 
MOYER, 
C.J., 
and 
PFEIFER, 
LUNDBERG 
STRATTON, 
O’CONNOR, 
O’DONNELL, LANZINGER, and CUPP, JJ., concur. 
__________________ 
Thomas S. Calder and Sue A. Erhart, for relator. 
Montgomery, Rennie & Jonson and George D. Jonson, for respondent. 
_______________________