Opinion ID: 1335128
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Real Estate Matter

Text: In November 2006, respondent was paid $250 to conduct a title search and prepare a deed for property a client intended to purchase from a seller residing out-of-state. The client delivered $16,500 to respondent to hold in escrow for the seller until the deed was delivered. The deed was not delivered until June 2007 because of delays not attributable to respondent. Between November 2006 and June 2007, respondent used portions of the funds to be held in trust for office expenses. By the time the seller delivered the deed in June 2007, respondent had misappropriated the full amount of the funds. Respondent sold property he owned to replenish the funds. He delivered a trust account check to the seller with a request that the seller not negotiate it immediately based on respondent's expectation that the proceeds of his own sale would be available in the trust account to cover the check. The seller negotiated the check upon receipt and it was returned for insufficient funds. The seller contacted respondent, who requested that the seller present the check to the bank a second time. By that time, respondent had replenished the funds in the trust account with his own money and the check to the seller was paid.