Opinion ID: 1121926
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the peralta-quiroz matter

Text: In September 1967, Mrs. Peralta and Jorge Quiroz went to petitioner's office to retain him to contest the will of their aunt, Mrs. Perez. After a discussion of the facts, petitioner stated they had a pretty good case and agreed to take it for $500 plus ten percent if we win.... At this initial visit they paid a down payment, signing an installment note for the balance. Both witnesses testified the note represented their fee arrangement with petitioner for the will contest. The blanks in the note had been filled in by petitioner and in one space he had inserted the wording [a]bove is fee owing in criminal case for J. Quiroz. Mrs. Peralta testified she did not read the note when she signed it, and Jorge Quiroz testified the note he signed did not contain the wording regarding the criminal matter. A handwriting expert testified all writing on the note except for the signatures was by petitioner. He further testified the clause (a)bove is fee owing on criminal case for J. Quiroz was written by petitioner but on a surface different from the one used in writing the other insertions made by him. Mrs. Peralta and Jorge Quiroz paid off the note over the following two years. During this period petitioner, by his own admission, gave legal advice regarding the will contest and settlement but never contested the will nor took any action on their behalf. Mrs. Peralta testified her inquiries to petitioner regarding the case were consistently met with his assurances not to worry because he was representing her and taking care of everything although he was reluctant to discuss the matter in any detail because he kept forgetting the file at home. Jorge Quiroz testified to similar experiences. Petitioner testified the $500 was paid for his services in defending Juan Quiroz in a criminal matter in 1965. Though Juan is the son of Jorge and the nephew of Mrs. Peralta, he was being reared by Mr. and Mrs. Perez, Jorge's aunt and uncle. Jorge was not contributing to Juan's support and it was Mr. and Mrs. Perez who employed petitioner to defend Juan. Petitioner billed them for the services but did not file a creditor's claim against either estate when they died though he was well aware there were assets in the estate of Mrs. Perez. Petitioner admitted he had never requested payment for the criminal matter from Mrs. Peralta or Jorge Quiroz prior to the time they visited him regarding the will. Petitioner also testified he does not handle probate matters and so advised Mrs. Peralta and Jorge Quiroz when they first visited his office, urging them to consult other counsel. His partner testified petitioner never discussed this or any other probate matter with him. Petitioner attacks the credibility of Mrs. Peralta, contending she first testified she did not sign the note and later changed her testimony stating she did sign the note. The record reveals her negative response referred to the signing of a note obligating her to the debt in the Juan Quiroz criminal matter.