Opinion ID: 2604440
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Hodson Matter

Text: Frank Hodson was an incompetent person. Mr. Reinmiller was appointed as his guardian in 1946 and thereafter acted as his own attorney. The ward died in October, 1947. Mr. Reinmiller, notwithstanding, continued in that capacity and filed a Supplemental Account and Report in October, 1952, five years later. It was evidently a final accounting because it was followed closely by an order approving the account count and directing distribution of the $355 then at hand. At the time the instant complaint was filed by the Bar (February 17, 1955) this distribution had not been made to those entitled thereto. The charges are delay in closing and withholding the moneys which were available to Mrs. Hodson's heirs. No suggestion is made that the defendant has commingled this fund with his own money. The defendant admits the delay and that he still holds the guardianship assets to which reference is made. In defense the defendant represents that because of the relatively small amount to distribute, it appeared desirable to avoid the expense of probate. Apparently, the decedent had only two heirs, a brother and sister, who, in turn, had claims which would have exhausted the estate if probated. Mr. Reinmiller claims to have secured the consent of the judge in the Probate Department of the Circuit Court to make payment direct to these heirs from the guardianship estate in lieu of probate. He further asserts that the brother and sister were slow in verifying their claims and that the brother died in 1954 before this was accomplished. Notwithstanding the possible delay of Frank Hodson's brother and sister, we find no valid answer for the first delay of five years and no convincing evidence excusing the delays following October, 1952. Had he acted with diligence after October, 1952, and employed the procedures available, he would have avoided the further complications and delay incident to the death of the brother in 1954.