Kevorkian

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

Kevorkian, age 76, and Petersdorf, age 64, are sisters. Their mother, Hazel Todd, died on March 13, 2002, and Kevorkian became trustee of Todd’s living trust. A probate matter, In re Hazel J. Todd Living Trust (Super. Ct. Tulare County, 2003, No. 03- 206315), was filed in Tulare County Superior Court in 2003. A dispute arose over real property that had been owned by Todd, leading to a separate lawsuit against Kevorkian and Petersdorf by their sister Esther Hoover. Hoover filed the complaint in Hoover v. Kevorkian (Super. Ct. Tulare County, 2005, No. 05-214266) in Tulare County Superior Court on May 4, 2005. Hurlbutt represented Kevorkian and Petersdorf in both matters. He signed a representation agreement with both clients for Hoover v. Kevorkian on July 11, 2005, and filed a substitution of attorney in the superior court for both clients in In re Hazel J. Todd Living Trust the same month. The parties reached a settlement agreement in Hoover v. Kevorkian after a mediation with a retired judge, Howard Broadman, on January 26, 2006. That action was dismissed on March 6, 2006, pursuant to the settlement. The parties reached a settlement in In re Hazel J.…