A news story illustrates why lawyers get such a bad rap. In this case, the negative reaction to the lawyering involved is absolutely deserved.
In a case venued in Duluth that includes counsel from a Forest Lake firm, an ongoing probate dispute has apparently depleted the estate's assets. Functionally, someone passed away and there is a contest over who should get the assets of the estate. The estate had approximately $250,000.00 in assets.
As probate lawyers know, the estate pays the attorney's fees for the lawyer representing the personal representative of the estate. Those fees come directly out of the estate's assets.
In a case of what I consider to be horrific lawyering, the lawyers in this dispute have drug out the fight so badly that the beneficiaries are looking at getting nothing from the estate. $250,000 spent on a fight. Lawyers getting paid. Family members getting nothing.
Your lawyer should never get you in that position. A fundamental element of a case analysis is what resources should be committed to the case to produce a positive outcome for the client. $250,000 is a lot of money, but should not be looked at as a pot from which you get paid. The analysis must be to make tough decisions so the right people get the money. The lawyers are not the right people.
I will not get you in a situation where my fees and expenses are outspending the case. Don't get yourself caught in that situation.
