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<p class="MsoNormal">Agree with Eric (as usual)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I have had the misfortune of several of these over the years. Here is how I balanced the privacy of the client and the duty to the court.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">To protect the client privacy, I did not advise the other parties or file anything damning in the court file. I gave a last chance to the client and enclosed a copy of the report that I would be presenting to the court.
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I reported to the court, it was in chambers and the report was (at that point) unfiled. The report gave only facts and did not include any request for relief other than "... the court take whatever action sua sponte that the court
deems appropriate." Then I followed the lead from the court's order as I bailed. In each case, the court appointed a GAL to investigate.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> -Bruce Moen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Eric Nelsen<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, June 1, 2021 2:38 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [WSBAPT] Noisy Withdrawal in Guardianship.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I posted this in a similar situation back in March, which I’m not re-editing so it tells you some stuff you obviously already know. But, for what it’s worth:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">Start with <a href="https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_03_03_00.pdf">
RPC 3.3</a>, especially sections (c) and (f) and comment 14; coupled with <a href="https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/pdf/RPC/GA_RPC_01_06_00.pdf">
RPC 1.6(b)(8)</a>. The “shall” in RPC 3.3 coupled with the “may” in RPC 1.6 have been interpreted to mean that we are
<i>required</i> to disclose known malfeasance to the court.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">That said—we still have confidentiality and loyalty requirements to the client, so I bend over backwards to give the client every chance to give me what I need to protect them. I have been in this situation before,
and have explained to the client (without being accusatory) that I need backup documentation for my records because I can’t prepare submissions to the court without having verified information. On one occasion I made clear to the client that I am required
to report to the court any breach of fiduciary duty and strongly urged them to pay some money back to the estate, which repairs the breach and removes the duty to disclose. That convinced them to return the funds.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">On another occasion I was forced to withdraw because the client refused to provide documentation to me. It wasn’t a case where I had an actual indication of malfeasance; just an uneasiness about the scarcity of
statements coupled with the client’s resistance to providing anything to me. Per RPC 3.3, comment 8, my suspicions did not rise to the level of “known falsity” that had to be disclosed. But I wanted nothing further to do with that client.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.5in">I have yet to be thrust into a situation where I had documented evidence of malfeasance and the client refused to remedy the breach, such that I would be required to disclose. Knock wood...<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Eric C. Nelsen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Sayre Law Offices, PLLC<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">1417 31st Ave South<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Seattle WA 98144-3909<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">206-625-0092<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:eric@sayrelawoffices.com"><span style="color:#0563C1">eric@sayrelawoffices.com</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="background:aqua;mso-highlight:aqua">Covid-19 Update -
</span></b>All attorneys are working remotely during regular business hours and are available via email and by phone. Videoconferencing also is available. Signing of estate planning documents can be completed and will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Please
direct mail and deliveries to the Seattle office.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> <a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">
wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a> <<a href="mailto:wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Christopher Neil<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, June 1, 2021 2:24 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <<a href="mailto:wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com">wsbapt@lists.wsbarppt.com</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [WSBAPT] Noisy Withdrawal in Guardianship.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Anyone file a noisy withdrawal in a guardianship lately?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">My client is getting very sloppy with blocking bank accounts in the range of $30k. (see
<u>Karan</u>, <a href="https://caselaw.findlaw.com/wa-court-of-appeals/1320960.html">Treadwell</a>) And, rather then get them blocked the client wants to argue. <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.courts.wa.gov/court_rules/?fa=court_rules.display&group=ga&ruleid=garpc1.06&set=rpc">RPC 1.6(8)</a> allows (but does not mandate) disclosure of information of "breach of fiduciary responsibility", to the tribunal.
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<p class="MsoNormal">Thoughts?<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black">Chris Neil</span></b><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black"> | Attorney | Neil & Neil, P.S.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black">5302 Pacific Avenue,Tacoma,WA 98408 |
<a href="mailto:Chris.Neil@NeilLaw.com">Chris.Neil@NeilLaw.com</a><br>
(253)475-8600 | f:(253)473-5746</span><span style="font-size:10.5pt;font-family:"Verdana",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
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