Ethics Hotline & Opinions

ETHICS DOCKET NO. 1987-34

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MARYLAND STATE BAR ASSOCIATION, INC.

COMMITTEE ON ETHICS

ETHICS DOCKET NO. 1987-34

Trust Accounts: Successor to lawyer


  In your inquiry you state that you are involved with the distribution of funds from two escrow accounts held by a deceased lawyer and ask how you can withdraw the funds to distribute them to the appropriate parties.

Rule 1.15 Governs the disposition of funds of clients which are held by lawyers. However, your question concerns the mechanics of the method by which you can distribute these funds on behalf of the deceased lawyer. It is the opinion of the Committee on Ethics that this is a question of law and as such, is outside the scope of the Committee.


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DISCLAIMER: Opinions of the Maryland State Bar Association (MSBA) Ethics Committee are an uncompensated service of the MSBA. This Committee’s opinions are not binding on the Maryland Court of Appeals, Maryland Attorney Grievance Commission, MSBA or this Committee. The reader is advised that subsequent judicial opinions, revisions to the rules of professional conduct, and future opinions of this Committee may render the Opinions stated herein outdated. As such, the Committee’s opinions are advisory only and neither the Committee nor the MSBA assumes any liability whatsoever with respect thereto. Accordingly, reliance upon the opinions of this Committee is solely at the risk of the user.