Chapman v. Wells

SANDSTROM, Justice.

Daniel Chapman appeals from the district court’s summary judgment for Mary Wells and Bradley Wells. The district court found Chapman’s lien did not attach to the Individual Retirement Account (IRA). Chapman claims the IRA is not exempt from attachment and notice of the attorney’s lien relates back to the time the services were performed. We affirm, holding the IRA of less than $100,000 is exempt from attachment under North Dakota law.

I

Daniel Chapman rendered legal services to Mary Wells during her divorce from Bradley Wells. In the “qualified domestic relations order,” 1…