Opinion ID: 1744526
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: The Bovard Trust

Text: Spencer Bovard claims that Guy Green prepared the Bovard trust. We find that unbelievable. In the first place, on May 12, 1948, Guy Green filed a claim against the estate of John Hoover for the balance due him for legal services as of the date of death. The claim, verified under oath, is carefully itemized as to work performed by Green between February, 1946 and April, 1947, which includes the date of the Bovard trust (November 6, 1946). The claim specifically mentions the preparation of the Piper trust, and some three or four coal leases, including the lease to Abner Hobbs. It states that fourteen days were devoted to acquisition of the Northwestern stock and in preparing and approving various instruments in connection with the purchase. The total charge is $1,000, billed to Hoover alone, and shows $350 paid on account by Hoover on February 17, 1947. The statement makes no mention of the Bovard trust and we think it most unlikely that the same attorney would have prepared two repugnant instruments affecting the same property. The statement does mention conferences with Spencer Bovard, referred to as Mr. Hoover's agent and associate. But if Bovard were an equal owner, as he claims, why would words have been used which relegated him to a lesser status, and why would the charges for legal services not have been addressed to both of them? We reject as well Mr. Bovard's claim that he hired Guy Green in 1948 to protect his interest against the Hoover estate. It is enough simply to note that no claim was filed on Bovard's behalf by Green or anyone else against the estate of John Hoover and it would not have been ethical for Green to have filed such a claim.