Office of Disciplinary Counsel v. Clifton

The respondent undertook the dual roles of guardian and attorney for the guardianship of both the person and the estate of an incompetent woman who it appears had no close relatives. As the record indicates, respondent failed miserably in the performance of his duties in both roles. Over a six-year period respondent wasted his ward’s considerable estate through both negligence and design. Just as important, over those same six years, respondent failed to provide adequately for the care and comfort of his ward.

A guardian of the estate is required by R.C. 2111.14(B) to manage the estate for the…