Opinion ID: 2634770
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Complaint of Kelly Anderson (DA 8683)

Text: On July 20, 2002, Kelly R. Anderson and her husband, Cory S. Anderson, met with the respondent regarding a potential stepparent adoption proceeding regarding Mrs. Anderson's 13-year-old daughter. Thereafter, on August 1, 2002, Mr. and Mrs. Anderson retained the respondent to file a stepparent adoption in behalf of Mr. Anderson. The respondent explained after the petition was filed and notice was published in the newspaper, an adoption hearing would be held. She quoted Mr. and Mrs. Anderson a fee of $750 for an uncontested adoption. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson paid the respondent $750 for attorney fees. On August 2, 2002, the respondent filed a Petition for Adoption in the District Court of Johnson County, Kansas, and scheduled a hearing for September 12, 2002, at 9:30 a.m. In anticipation of the adoption hearing, the Anderson family planned an adoption party to celebrate the adoption by Mr. Anderson. In order to prepare for the adoption hearing, Mrs. Anderson called the respondent's office a number of times. However, the respondent failed to return Mrs. Anderson's calls. By September 9, 2002, the respondent knew that the adoption hearing could not be held because proper service by publication had not been obtained. However, she did not call Mr. or Mrs. Anderson. On September 11, 2002, at 5 p.m., the respondent called Mr. Anderson on his cellular telephone and notified him that the hearing would have to be continued to another date because proper service had not been obtained. She told Mr. Anderson that it was best to communicate with the respondent by electronic mail. On September 13, 2002, Mrs. Anderson sent the respondent an electronic message. The respondent did not respond to Mrs. Anderson's message. After sending the electronic message, Mrs. Anderson called the respondent and left numerous messages. The respondent did not return Mrs. Anderson's calls. On September 19, 2002, Mrs. Anderson filed a complaint with the Disciplinary Administrator's office. On October 22, 2002, the respondent provided a written response to Mrs. Anderson's complaint. On October 29, 2002, November 5, 2002, and November 12, 2002, notice of the adoption proceeding was published in The Legal Record. On November 18, 2002, the court held the adoption hearing and entered a Decree of Adoption.