When someone passes away in an accident, an attorney is often retained by the estate to press claims against those who might be responsible for the accident. If the attorney is not trustworthy or the executor of the estate is not properly watching the attorney, then the estate might end up being the victim of fraud, as is alleged in a case in Iowa.
A young man named Bodee Peterson died from injuries sustained in a water skiing accident in 2011. The family hired attorney David Alan Roth to press claims for the estate against the responsible party. A settlement was eventually reached.
The family is now alleging that Roth misled them about the amount of the settlement. Roth was to have set up annuities for Peterson’s siblings, something he allegedly failed to do.
A surprise twist to the story? Roth committed suicide a few months ago.
Consequently, the Peterson family is pursuing its claims against his estate.
The WCF Courier has more of the story in an article titled “Bodee Peterson’s parents file claim against Roth estate.”
A key takeaway from this story is this: if you are overseeing a loved one’s estate, it is very important that you hire the right attorney to pursue any claims that the estate has. In addition, stay on top of things. You should contact the attorney regularly so you know what is happening and make sure that the attorney is on top of things.
Please contact our office today at 239-225-7911 to schedule an appointment with Barbara M. Pizzolato if you are interested in protecting your legacy and need to create or update your estate plan. You may also wish to attend one of our free seminars.
Reference: WCF Courier (February 8, 2015) “Bodee Peterson’s parents file claim against Roth estate.”
