Opinion ID: 1755962
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Neglect in handling estate.

Text: The grievance commission's findings are thoroughly supported by the record in this proceeding. Respondent failed to send the commercial tract buyer an abstract for four months. During most of that time the buyer was in possession of the real estate, yet made no down payment or monthly payments to reduce the balance of the purchase price. Respondent made no effort on behalf of his clients to obtain the funds. After he obtained a copy of the title opinion, respondent's efforts to satisfy the objections were dilatory and ineffective. Respondent further failed to prepare the various personal and estate tax returns required to be filed by his clients. Our decisions should have warned him we will not tolerate such flagrant neglect of proper estate administration. See Thompson, 328 N.W.2d at 522; Committee on Professional Ethics & Conduct v. Sylvester, 318 N.W.2d 212, 212-13 (Iowa 1982); Committee on Professional Ethics & Conduct v. Rogers, 313 N.W.2d 535, 536 (Iowa 1981); Committee on Professional Ethics & Conduct v. Bitter, 279 N.W.2d 521, 524-25 (Iowa 1979). We find respondent's conduct constitutes neglect in violation of the Iowa Code of Professional Responsibility for Lawyers, EC 6-1, EC 6-4, and DR 6-101(A)(3).