Riggs, Ellsworth & Porter, P.L.C.

Revdex.com: I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted] , and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below [I called, I emailed SEVERAL times, with no response for days at a timeI tried to call twice and THEN, only then did I resort to emailsI also believe that after I told him everything that happened it was wrong to use the retainer to charge againstSee attached copy of billI was charged for him to read my emailsI did receive some money back, but I feel I should NOT have been charged the $(again see attached bill)] I am happy to receive some money back, but it should have been moreHe is not being truthful with how many times I did attempt to make contactI will accept things as they are, but I am NOT happy and feel he nickled and dimed the trust account, for none related expensesHe charged an HOUR to review an email that consisted of a few sentences, only AFTER I had to send it through his firm's CONTACT page, and when he received information that I had filed a complaint with the Revdex.com Regards, [redacted]

To Whom it May Concern; I am in receipt of a complaint made by Ms. [redacted] . I offer the following Response to Ms. [redacted] 's complaint: 1. Our firm was retained to represent a Mr. [redacted] in a Child Support Enforcement Action. 2. class="Apple-tab-span"> On August 27,20141 received an email from a Ms. [redacted] , whom I had never met, which simply stated that my client had passed away and requested that I mail her a check for the amount remaining in my client's trust account. I called the number provided in the email and left a message explaining that I would need some additional information before I could take any action and requesting she call me back. 3. 1 did not hear anything further from Ms. [redacted] until September 12th, 2014 when I was forwarded a message left at our Firm's [redacted] office located more than 170 miles away. 1 called Ms. [redacted] back the same day. 4. I explained to Ms. [redacted] that retainers paid to an attorney are deposited into a trust account and in the event of client's death those monies become part of the deceased client's estate. I explained that because she was not my client, I would need some additional information to verity her identity and that she was legally entitled to received the monies. I requested that she provide me with; 1) a copy of the client's Death Certificate, and 2) A copy of the client's last will and testament. I also informed her that in order to close out the file and issue any refund I would first need to draft and file a Motion and Order to Withdraw as attorney of record in the case. I also offered to file a notice with the Court informing them of the client's passing to avoid any future issues. 5. Ms. [redacted] provided me a copy of the Death Certificate but advised me that her Husband had died without a will. This presented a substantial ethical concern for our firm. When a client dies without a will the law firm is often required to hold any funds until the Probate Court can determine who is entitled to receive the funds as part of the deceased's estate. This is can be a very lengthy process and I wished to find an quicker resolution to assisted Ms. [redacted] , 6. After consulting with the [redacted] I emailed Ms. [redacted] and informed her that I would close the file and issue her the funds remaining in trust if she would be willing to sign a statement/waiver attesting that: 1) She is the rightful heir to her husband's estate, 2) She does not intend (or is not legally required) to file an action in the Probate Court, and 3) She will be will hold the firm harmless in the event that a probate action is filed or another potential heir claims ownership of the monies. Ms. [redacted] agreed. 7. 1 drafted the waiver and will have my staff draft a check for the funds remaining in the trust account.. Ms. [redacted] can come and pick up the check whenever it is convenient for her to sign the waiver.

To Whom it May Concern;
I am in receipt of a complaint made by Ms. [redacted]. I offer the following Response to Ms.[redacted]'s complaint:
1. Our firm was retained to represent a Mr.[redacted] in a Child Support Enforcement Action.
2.
class="Apple-tab-span"> On August 27,20141 received an email from a Ms. [redacted], whom I had never met, which simply stated that my client had passed away and requested that I mail her a check for the amount remaining in my client's trust account. I called the number provided in the email and left a message explaining that I would need some additional information before I could take any action and requesting she call me back.
3. 1 did not hear anything further from Ms. [redacted] until September 12th, 2014 when I was forwarded a message left at our Firm's [redacted] office located more than 170 miles away. 1 called Ms. [redacted] back the same day.
4. I explained to Ms. [redacted] that retainers paid to an attorney are deposited into a trust account and in the event of client's death those monies become part of the deceased client's estate. I explained that because she was not my client, I would need some additional information to verity her identity and that she was legally entitled to received the monies.
I requested that she provide me with; 1) a copy of the client's Death Certificate, and 2) A copy of the client's last will and testament. I also informed her that in order to close out the file and issue any refund I would first need to draft and file a Motion and Order to Withdraw as attorney of record in the case. I also offered to file a notice with the Court informing them of the client's passing to avoid any future issues.
5. Ms. [redacted] provided me a copy of the Death Certificate but advised me that her Husband had died without a will. This presented a substantial ethical concern for our firm. When a client dies without a will the law firm is often required to hold any funds until the Probate Court can determine who is entitled to receive the funds as part of the deceased's estate. This is can be a very lengthy process and I wished to find an quicker resolution to assisted Ms. [redacted],
6. After consulting with the [redacted] I emailed Ms. [redacted] and informed her that I would close the file and issue her the funds remaining in trust if she would be willing to sign a statement/waiver attesting that: 1) She is the rightful heir to her husband's estate, 2) She does not intend (or is not legally required) to file an action in the Probate Court, and 3) She will be will hold the firm harmless in the event that a probate action is filed or another potential heir claims ownership of the monies. Ms. [redacted] agreed.
7. 1 drafted the waiver and will have my staff draft a check for the funds remaining in the trust account.. Ms. [redacted] can come and pick up the check whenever it is convenient for her to sign the waiver.

Revdex.com:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
[I called, I emailed SEVERAL times, with no response for days at a time. I tried to call twice and THEN, only then did I resort to emails. I also believe that after I told him everything that happened it was wrong to use the retainer to charge against. See attached copy of bill. I was charged for him to read my emails. I did receive some money back, but I feel I should NOT have been charged the $330.00 (again see attached bill)] I am happy to receive some money back, but it should have been more. He is not being truthful with how many times I did attempt to make contact. I will accept things as they are, but I am NOT happy and feel he nickled and dimed the trust account, for none related expenses. He charged an HOUR to review an email that consisted of a few sentences, only AFTER I had to send it through his firm's CONTACT page, and when he received information that I had filed a complaint with the Revdex.com.
Regards,
[redacted]

To Whom it May Concern;

I am in receipt of a complaint made by Ms. [redacted]. I offer the following Response to Ms.[redacted]'s complaint:

1. Our firm was retained to represent a Mr.[redacted] in a Child Support Enforcement Action.

2.

class="Apple-tab-span"> On August 27,20141 received an email from a Ms. [redacted], whom I had never met, which simply stated that my client had passed away and requested that I mail her a check for the amount remaining in my client's trust account. I called the number provided in the email and left a message explaining that I would need some additional information before I could take any action and requesting she call me back.

3. 1 did not hear anything further from Ms. [redacted] until September 12th, 2014 when I was forwarded a message left at our Firm's [redacted] office located more than 170 miles away. 1 called Ms. [redacted] back the same day.

4. I explained to Ms. [redacted] that retainers paid to an attorney are deposited into a trust account and in the event of client's death those monies become part of the deceased client's estate. I explained that because she was not my client, I would need some additional information to verity her identity and that she was legally entitled to received the monies.

I requested that she provide me with; 1) a copy of the client's Death Certificate, and 2) A copy of the client's last will and testament. I also informed her that in order to close out the file and issue any refund I would first need to draft and file a Motion and Order to Withdraw as attorney of record in the case. I also offered to file a notice with the Court informing them of the client's passing to avoid any future issues.

5. Ms. [redacted] provided me a copy of the Death Certificate but advised me that her Husband had died without a will. This presented a substantial ethical concern for our firm. When a client dies without a will the law firm is often required to hold any funds until the Probate Court can determine who is entitled to receive the funds as part of the deceased's estate. This is can be a very lengthy process and I wished to find an quicker resolution to assisted Ms. [redacted],

6. After consulting with the [redacted] I emailed Ms. [redacted] and informed her that I would close the file and issue her the funds remaining in trust if she would be willing to sign a statement/waiver attesting that: 1) She is the rightful heir to her husband's estate, 2) She does not intend (or is not legally required) to file an action in the Probate Court, and 3) She will be will hold the firm harmless in the event that a probate action is filed or another potential heir claims ownership of the monies. Ms. [redacted] agreed.

7. 1 drafted the waiver and will have my staff draft a check for the funds remaining in the trust account.. Ms. [redacted] can come and pick up the check whenever it is convenient for her to sign the waiver.

I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID [redacted], and have determined that this proposed action would not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.

[I called, I emailed SEVERAL times, with no response for days at a time. I tried to call twice and THEN, only then did I resort to emails. I also believe that after I told him everything that happened it was wrong to use the retainer to charge against. See attached copy of bill. I was charged for him to read my emails. I did receive some money back, but I feel I should NOT have been charged the $330.00 (again see attached bill)] I am happy to receive some money back, but it should have been more. He is not being truthful with how many times I did attempt to make contact. I will accept things as they are, but I am NOT happy and feel he nickled and dimed the trust account, for none related expenses. He charged an HOUR to review an email that consisted of a few sentences, only AFTER I had to send it through his firm's CONTACT page, and when he received information that I had filed a complaint with the Revdex.com.

Regards,