Opinion ID: 1824918
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The M.M. Incident

Text: M.M. retained the services of Schramek through the Clinic to prepare a living trust. As part of that living trust, Schramek prepared a quitclaim deed to transfer M.M.'s real property to the trust. The forms prepared by Schramek were not included within the forms contained in either the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure or this Court's Approved Simplified Forms. Further, the quitclaim deed was defective. Although the property was initially owned by M.M. and her husband, upon the husband's death, title to the property vested in M.M. alone. In preparing the deed, Schramek failed to recognize that fact and erroneously included a line on the deed which required the signature of M.M.'s deceased husband. When the deed was executed, Schramek signed the deceased husband's name on the deed and then notarized the signature. Consequently, to clear the title to the property after M.M.'s death, her heirs were required to formally probate her estate, which resulted in costs to the estate of at least $6,650. The referee found that Schramek, in preparing the living trust and related documents, gave legal advice to M.M. regarding the effects of a living trust, failed to properly advise M.M., and failed to complete the transfer of her assets into the trust. Because M.M.'s estate was subjected to probate and additional expenses, her estate was harmed by Schramek's incompetent advice and document preparation. Additionally, costs and expenses were incurred by M.M.'s estate that would have not been necessary if M.M. had received proper advice in creating the living trust.