Keenan & Austin, P.C.

This client engaged our law firm to handle a relatively simple probate matter. Her mother had passed away, leaving her home to the client and client’s brother. The mother had died several years ago and her estate had not been probated. Client was renting the home to tenants, but now wanted to sell it, and clear the title by probating the estate.<br><br>Our firm filed all the necessary documents and paid all the court costs. While the case was on-going client’s brother passed away. In order for us to finish the probate case, a probate case needed to be opened for the brother as his estate now owned his interest in the property. We contacted the client and asked her to contact her brother’s wife to let her know she needed to start a probate case for him. We heard nothing from the wife. Then, (after obtaining her address from the client) we sent a letter to the brother’s wife explaining the situation, and received no response. We later learned the wife, too, had passed away leaving their children sole intestate heirs. <br><br>We suggested to client she start a quiet title action to clear title when her brother passed away and an estate had not been opened for him. This is a separate case, completely different from the probate action. The case would most likely be filed in a different court, involved additional legal time/costs and was a more complicated case. We really had no choice but to request an additional fee from the client. She hesitated to pay. In the meantime, her brother’s wife died, adding an additional complication to the case. We again requested the same fee for the same quiet title legal action (her brother’s and wife’s children now have an interest in the property) and the client still has not paid or consented to us filing what needs to be done. This again is an action to quiet title such that the matter can be concluded.<br><br>Although, we are saddened the client was dissatisfied with our legal representation, the passing of her brother and his wife created legal complications far beyond the initial probate representation. The client refused to pay the reasonable and necessary legal fees /costs to conclude he matter.<br>

Thank you John; we appreciate your business!

We are very sorry that Ms. Rozell is unhappy with the pace of her father’s Trust and Estate administration; which has been completed. It should be noted that Ms. Rozell is not, and never has been, our client. Our client in this matter was the Personal Representative of the Estate, and Trustee of the Trust.<br><br>Unfortunately, the Will and Trust were not as “straight forward” as Ms. Rozell believes. There were numerous assets from numerous entities to be discovered, obtained, and distributed. Some were more difficult than others to obtain from the entities holding them.<br><br>Ms. Rozell was a minor when the administration began, and was not familiar with the process of probating a Will or administering a Trust, and did not know the complications that can occur. This was actually one of the more difficult estates we have had to deal with, and the difficulties we had prying loose assets from mutual funds and former employers were very frustrating for us, as well as the beneficiaries. We did succeed in obtaining all of the assets and distributing them to the beneficiaries, but not as quickly as we would have liked. We sincerely apologize that we were not able to do this as quickly as Ms. Rozell wished as well.

Thanks Gabrielle! It was a pleasure working with you.

Thanks very much Tracy!

Thank you Marilyn!

Thanks Jody! We appreciate your business.

Thanks Vicki! It was our pleasure.

Thank you Rosemarie! We appreciate you.

Thank you Ron. We try to provide this kind of service to all of our clients.

Thanks very much for your kind words.

Hi Beth, I’m sorry if we were abrupt with you. We do only work with landlords, but we certainly do not mean to be rude when letting you know that. It can be difficult to find a private attorney who represents tenants because many tenants cannot afford their fees. Therefore, they are mostly served by legal aid offices. We are in the process of compiling a list of referral attorneys for just such this situation but we, also, have not had much luck in finding private attorneys who take on tenants as clients. Here, however, is a list of some of the local legal aid offices:<br><br>Detroit Free Legal Aid Clinic, Inc. 313-833-0058<br>Legal Aid and Defender Association 313-967-5555<br>Neighborhood Legal Services Michigan 313-964-1975<br>The William Booth Legal Aid Clinic 313- 361-6340<br><br>Best of luck to you and, again, our sincere apologies.<br><br>- John Keenan

Hi Ron, I am so sorry that you had a negative experience. Our records do not show that you have ever been a client of ours. We strive for 100% customer satisfaction. Please give us a call so we can discuss this matter with you in more detail.<br><br>We can be reached at 313-532-2100 Monday - Friday.<br><br>We hope to talk to you soon,<br><br>John J. Keenan, Esq.

Thanks Ryan,<br><br>Being a small family owned business ourselves, we really enjoy working with other small businesses to help make / keep them successful.<br><br>Best of luck with your property management business. If you ever need additional help you can always call on us.<br><br>We can be reached at 313-532-2100 Monday - Friday.<br><br>Thanks again,<br><br>John J. Keenan, Esq.