Opinion ID: 1437677
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: facts relevant to the wolf matter

Text: The settlement memorandum for Frank and Agnes Wolf was prepared on October 2, 1991. The settlement resulted in a total of thirty-one thousand dollars ($31,000.00), and a deposit was made on their behalf on September 23, 1991. The attorneys' fees and expenses totalled nine thousand, three hundred and thirty-three dollars and thirty-three ($9,333.33). According to the settlement memorandum, the Wolfs were entitled to eight thousand, eight hundred and seven dollars and ninety-four cents ($8,807.94). Mr. Wolf signed the settlement statement dated October 2, 1991 to the effect that he received eight thousand, eight hundred and seven dollars and ninety-four cents ($8,807.94). The outstanding disbursements totalled twelve thousand, eight hundred, fifty-eight dollars and seventy-three cents ($12,858.73). Therefore, that money due to varied lien holders was supposed to be kept in trust on behalf of the Wolfs. In June 1992, there were still liens outstanding that were to be satisfied by the Wolfs' funds, one of which was on behalf of Deerhead State Hospital, in the amount of twelve thousand, five hundred and twenty-nine dollars and thirty-five cents ($12,529.35). In the month of June, however, the escrow account descended below that amount to only three hundred, forty-five dollars and forty-one cents ($345.41), and once to forty-two hundred seventy-four dollars and thirty-six cents ($4,274.36). In August of 1991, Respondent was also keeping funds for his other clients, the Hilnbrands, who are complainants in regard to this Petition, as well. There weren't sufficient funds to pay the Wolfs had each client demanded payment simultaneously. Nevertheless, Respondent issued two checks in August, 1991, one for twenty-five hundred dollars ($2500.00), and one for fifteen hundred dollars ($1500.00). After the two checks were distributed, the Hilnbrands still had ninety-four hundred, forty-eight dollars and eight cents ($9448.08) entrusted to Respondent. The escrow account balance, however, was fourteen thousand, two hundred and forty-two dollars and ninety-one cents ($14,242.91). This was not enough money to honor the Wolfs' trust account totalling eight thousand, six hundred and five dollars and forty-four cents ($8,605.44) at the time. Mr. Wolf misadvised Respondent, in 1991, that there was a Medicare lien to be satisfied from his settlement funds. This misinformation relayed to Respondent caused a delay in distribution, and the Wolfs received a final disbursement on August 12, 1992. On August 12, 1992, Frank Wolf was paid eleven thousand, nine hundred and thirty-seven dollars and thirty-five cents ($11,937.35), which represented the difference between the prior claim of Deerhead Hospital and the actual claim of Deerhead Hospital.