NOTICE OF SUSPENSION WITH CONDITIONS (By Consent)
Case No. 99-011-GA Philip B. Navarre, P-38819, Jackson, Michigan, by Attorney Discipline Board Calhoun County Hearing Panel.
1) Suspension - 179 Days; 2) Effective July 7, 1999. Respondent pled no contest to allegations that he neglected a decedent's estate by failing to take prompt an diligent action to administer and/or close the estate; neglecting to timely file the decedent's final tax return; failing to timely file the inventory in the estate; failing to diligently transfer the estate's stock to the sole heir; failing to send the sole heir a copy of the closing statement; and failing to maintain reasonable communication with the sole heir or respond to her numerous telephone calls. Respondent also pled no contest to allegations that he failed to provide notice to the sole heir or successor counsel of the fees that he charged and/or intended to charge; failed to provide appropriate notice to the sole heir of her right to object to respondent's fees; and, the fees charged were clearly excessive under the circumstances of the case.
Respondent pled no contest to charges that his conduct violated MCR 8.303(B); MCR 9.104(1)-(4); and Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct 1.1(a)-(c); 1.2(a); 1.3; 1.4; 1.5(a); 3.2; 3.4(c); and 8.4(a)-(c).
The parties stipulated that respondent be suspended from the practice of law for a period of 179 days, make reimbursement to the sole heir in the sum of $6,628.75, and attend both a law office management course and a continuing legal education course in probate law. Costs were assessed in the amount of $285.26.