Opinion ID: 2060867
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Representation of Muriel Crocker

Text: [¶ 2] Muriel Crocker, the sister of George Brunelle, was appointed as the personal representative of Brunelle's estate. Crocker hired Lefebvre to represent her in connection with the administration of the estate. Lefebvre told Crocker that his fee would not exceed $5,000. [1] Monies were collected from Brunelle's various bank accounts and deposited into an estate checking account. At Lefebvre's request, Crocker signed several blank checks and authorized him to co-sign checks drawn on the estate's account. [¶ 3] Lefebvre prepared an undated, single-page accounting of the estate. The document, signed by Crocker in her capacity as personal representative, showed a zero balance in the estate and contained the following type-written language: Distribution of checks January 27, 1993 as above. The accounting listed $7,926.41, or 5% of the value of the estate, as Lefebvre's legal fee. Although there was some question about the purpose of the document, Lefebvre testified that it was his final report to Muriel Crocker and the beneficiaries. [¶ 4] Concerned that this accounting did not reflect her understanding of Lefebvre's fees and the amounts to be distributed to the beneficiaries, Crocker requested from Lefebvre a clarification and all checks representing disbursements from the estate. When Lefebvre did not respond, Crocker retained another attorney. That attorney informed Lefebvre that Crocker's primary complaint was that his $7,926.41 fee was excessive and requested a statement for legal services rendered. Lefebvre did not respond. Crocker obtained copies of cancelled checks from the bank and discovered that four checks had been deposited in Lefebvre's account. One of the checks was dated March 3, 1993. The checks totalled $13,379.22, an amount not shown on the final accounting. [¶ 5] Crocker filed a complaint against Lefebvre with the Board and a petition for fee arbitration. See M. Bar R. 3.3(c). In connection with the arbitration, Lefebvre prepared an itemized statement of his services, something he had not done previously. A panel of the Fee Arbitration Commission found that there were no novel or difficult questions in settling the estate, although there were disputes between beneficiaries concerning some items of personal property. The panel determined that a fair and reasonable compensation for the services rendered by Lefebvre was $3,000. See M. Bar R. 9.