Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog

Editor: Gerry W. Beyer
Texas Tech Univ. School of Law

Friday, January 19, 2024

Probate lawyer says he's out of money and trying to withdraw from cases of 800-plus clients

Estate planningProbate lawyer Dennis Szafran in Tampa, Florida, closed his law firm abruptly and informed Judge Sherwood Coleman that he had been diligently trying to file withdrawal motions for over 800 clients. 

Szafran claimed no funds or assets in his name, firm name, or trust account. Some clients allege not receiving refunds after the firm closure, with the Florida Bar investigating the matter. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has also initiated an investigation. Judge Coleman emphasized Szafran's continued accountability for his responsibilities despite the firm's closure. Szafran declined to comment to news outlets and has not responded to inquiries from the ABA Journal.

For more information, see Debra Cassens Weiss "Probate Lawyer says he's out of money and trying to withdraw from cases", ABA Journal, January 17, 2024.

https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/trusts_estates_prof/2024/01/probate-lawyer-says-hes-out-of-money-and-trying-to-withdraw-from-cases-of-800-plus-clients.html

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