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Estate fo Keatinge v. Biddle
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MAINE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT Reporter of Decisions
Decision: 2002 ME 21
Docket: Fed-01-338
Argued: October 9, 2001
Decided: February 8, 2002
Panel:SAUFLEY, C.J., and CLIFFORD, RUDMAN, ALEXANDER, and CALKINS, JJ.
ESTATE OF MURRAY KEATINGE
v.
ELIZABETH E. BIDDLE et al{1}
ALEXANDER, J.
[¶1] The United States District Court for the District of Maine
(Hornby, C.J.), acting pursuant to 4 M.R.S.A. § 57 (Supp. 2000) and M.R. App.
P. 25{2} (formerly M.R. Civ. P. 76B), has certified the following questions:
A.When the holder of a power of attorney engages a lawyer to
perform legal services such as those relating to a sale of
property owned by the grantor of the power, or legal
services related to the grantor's commercial businesses, can
the engagement ever result in an attorney-client
relationship between the hired lawyer and the grantor of
the power?
B.If yes, is there any change in the proof necessary to
demonstrate the existence of such an attorney-client
relationship? Specifically, in Board of Overseers of the Bar
v. Mangan, 763 A.2d 1189 (Me. 2001), the Law Court
adopted the formulation
that an attorney-client relationship is created when
(1) a person seeks advice or assistance from an
attorney, (2) the advice or assistance sought pertains
to matters within the attorney's professional
competence, and (3) the attorney expressly or
impliedly agrees to give or actually gives the desired
advice or assistance.
Id. at 1192-93 (citations and quotation marks omitted). When
the holder of the power engages the lawyer, is it appropriate to
modify the first of the three requirements so as not to require
the grantor personally to seek the advice or assistance, but
rather to require that the lawyer be asked for advice or
assistance "on behalf of the grantor"?
C.With respect to the third requirement taken from Mangan
("the attorney expressly or impliedly agrees to give or
actually gives the desired advice or assistance"), is the Law
Court disposed to adopt the Restatement (Third) of the Law
Governing Lawyers § 14(1)(b) (1998) alternative formulation
that it is sufficient on that element if the lawyers failed to
manifest lack of consent to provide legal services when
they knew or reasonably should have known that the
grantor reasonably relied on them to provide the services?
[¶2] In the exercise of our jurisdiction over the questions certified, see
Darling's v. Ford Motor Co., 1998 ME 232, ¶ 2, 719 A.2d 111, 114, we answer
question (A) in the affirmative. We do not answer questions (B) and (C),
however, because we find the situation presented in Mangan to be dissimilar to
the case before us.
I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND
[¶3] The factual and procedural history, as certified by the District
Court and indicated in the record, is as follows:
[¶4] In November 1997, Kent Keatinge engaged Elizabeth Biddle, an
attorney employed by Strout & Payson, P.A., to draft a power of attorney to give
Kent authority to act for his father, Murray Keatinge, who had undergone
bypass surgery and was seriously ill. That power of attorney was drafted by
Biddle and signed by Murray Keatinge. It was replaced in March 1998 by a
durable power of attorney, drafted by another attorney and signed by Murray
Keatinge. The new power of attorney also gave Kent, the designated "Agent" or
"Attorney-in-Fact," authority to act for Murray, the designated "Principal."{3}
[¶5] In 1998, pursuant to the power of attorney, Kent directed Biddle
and her firm to perform title work to secure a line of credit for the Norumbega
Bed & Breakfast, one of Murray's businesses. Biddle also performed other work
relating to the Norumbega at Kent's direction, including giving legal advice to
its manager regarding its operation and formation of a corporate operating
entity.
[¶6] During the summer of 1998, also pursuant to the power, Kent
directed Biddle and her firm to provide legal services to effectuate the sale of
Greyrocks, a parcel of property to which Murray Keatinge held title. Biddle
sent Murray documents for his signature during the course of this transaction.
Also, during the course of the transaction, and acting on information given her
by Kent Keatinge, Biddle wrote a letter to Gardiner Savings Institution, which
held cross-collateralized mortgages on Greyrocks and the Norumbega, stating
that Murray Keatinge had agreed to invest some of the proceeds of the
Greyrocks sale in the Norumbega. She stated that Murray needed some of the
proceeds to support his retirement and to pay the capital gains tax on the sale.
[¶7] Prior to the closing on Greyrocks, Biddle received Kent Keatinge's
authorization to sign in his place as holder of the power of attorney.
Accordingly, at the closing, Biddle signed the settlement statement twice, once
as "Murray Keatinge by Elizabeth E. Biddle, his Attorney-in-Fact," and the
second time as "Murray Keatinge by Elizabeth E. Biddle, Esq., his Atty-in-
Fact." Out of the sale proceeds, Biddle and her firm were paid approximately
$6000 in fees for work associated with the closing. Although Murray had
concerns about the bill and in a telephone call asked Biddle to itemize it, she
never did.
[¶8] Murray Keatinge understood that Kent would handle his business
affairs through the power of attorney. He also understood that Strout &
Payson was handling legal issues for the sale of Greyrocks. Through September
1998, the only direct contact between Murray and Biddle was the
correspondence regarding the Greyrocks closing and the telephone call
regarding the bill.
[¶9] One month after the closing, Biddle and her firm brought suit
against Murray Keatinge on behalf of Kent Keatinge. The subject of the suit
was Murray's alleged failure to fund a trust for Kent's benefit. Murray Keatinge
cross-claimed, alleging that Kent had dealt improperly with Murray's property.
In a judicially approved settlement in 1998, the Keatinges agreed on various
property transfers and released all claims against one another.
[¶10] Murray Keatinge then brought a lawsuit against Biddle and
Strout & Payson, alleging that he had an attorney-client relationship with the
defendants that they breached by suing him. Murray Keatinge died during the
proceedings and the executrix of his estate, Cecelia Cole, was substituted in
his place. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the estate, awarding $660,000
in damages.
II. DISCUSSION
[¶11] A durable power of attorney is defined as a "power of attorney by
which a principal designates another as the principal's attorney-in-fact" in a
writing that evinces the principal's intent that the authority conferred upon
the attorney-in-fact is "exercisable notwithstanding the principal's subsequent
disability or incapacity, and unless it states a time of termination,
notwithstanding the lapse of time since the execution of the instrument." 18-
A M.R.S.A. § 5-501(a) (1998). In essence, an attorney-in-fact is the alter ego of
the principal.
[¶12] The Maine Probate Code provides that acts taken by the
attorney-in-fact pursuant to the power of attorney while the grantor is disabled
or incapacitated "have the same effect and inure to the benefit of and bind the
principal and the principal's successors in interest as if the principal were
competent and not disabled." Id. § 5-502 (1998). As an attorney-in-fact, all
health care and financial decisions are to be made "on the principal's behalf."
See id. §§ 5-506, 5-508 (1998 & Supp. 2001).{4} The holder of a durable power of
attorney, as the agent, is not entitled to use the grantor's money for his own
benefit or to make gifts to himself unless the written power of attorney
specifically provides. Id. § 5p;508(d).
[¶13] This case reaches us at an unusual point in the process. The
question is not posed in a context in which our answer could give guidance on
how to instruct the jury on the law. The case has been tried, the jury has been
instructed, a verdict has been reached. The first question to us is framed in
terms of whether an attorney-client relationship can ever be created between
the attorney and the grantor of a power of attorney.
[¶14] We have held that an attorney-client relationship arises when
"(1) a person seeks advice or assistance from an attorney, (2) the advice or
assistance sought pertains to matters within the attorney's professional
competence, and (3) the attorney expressly or impliedly agrees to give or
actually gives the desired advice or assistance." Board of Overseers of the Bar v.
Mangan, 2001 ME 7, ¶ 9, 763 A.2d 1189, 1192-93 (quoting State v. Gordon, 692
A.2d 505, 506 (N.H. 1997)). In ordinary circumstances, when the holder of a
power of attorney retains counsel to assist him in fulfilling his duties, the
lawyer has an attorney-client relationship with the holder only. In order to
effectively exercise the powers granted to him, the holder of the power of
attorney may often need to retain counsel. For example, the holder of a power
of attorney is not authorized to appear pro se on behalf of the grantor. See
Haynes v. Jackson, 2000 ME 11, ¶¶ 13-14, 744 A.2d 1050, 1053-54.
[¶15] Thus, the mere retention of counsel by the holder does not by
itself create an attorney-client relationship between the attorney and the
grantor.{5} There must be some other agreement or arrangement to create the
separate attorney-client relationship between the attorney and the grantor. To
hold otherwise would leave the attorney hired to represent the holder of a
power of attorney in the untenable position of being subject to ill-defined
professional responsibilities and create the reality of conflicting loyalties.
[¶16] Due to the potential for conflicting loyalties, additional facts
beyond the mere granting of a power of attorney are required to support the
creation of an attorney-client relationship between the grantor and counsel
retained by the holder. Other courts that have found an attorney-client
relationship to exist between the attorney and the grantor of a power of
attorney have not adopted a per se rule, but rather have examined the
particular facts establishing the relationship. See, e.g., Simon v. Wilson, 684
N.E.2d 791, 801 (Ill. App. Ct. 1997) (holding an attorney-client relationship
was established between the attorney and the grantor of a power of attorney
because the power of attorney was granted for the specific purpose of estate
planning and the attorney prepared a will for the grantor); Albright v. Burns,
503 A.2d 386, 389 (N.J. Super. Ct. App. Div. 1986) (finding an attorney-client
relationship between the attorney and the grantor of a power of attorney where
the attorney was aware of the conflict and potential harm but nonetheless
accepted the proceeds of a stock sale and prepared a promissory note).
Further, agency law principles do not compel the finding of an attorney-client
relationship between the grantor of a power of attorney and the attorney
retained by the holder. Sun Studs, Inc. v. Applied Theory Assoc. Inc., 772 F.2d
1557, 1568 (Fed. Cir. 1985) (citing Restatement (Second) of Agency § 14H
(1958)).
[¶17] We have recognized the possibility of conflicting loyalties in
analogous contexts. In determining who has standing to bring a malpractice
action against an attorney, we held that individual beneficiaries could not
bring a malpractice claim against a lawyer who prepared estate planning
documents when there was a personal representative for the estate. Nevin v.
Union Trust Co., 1999 ME 47, ¶ 41, 726 A.2d 694, 701. We observed that
creating a duty to the beneficiaries as well as the estate itself "could
significantly add to the difficulty and cost of preparing estate planning
documents and obtaining competent counsel to draft documents when there is
a significant possibility of conflict among beneficiaries." Id. Similar
difficulties could confront an attorney hired by an attorney-in-fact if she were
bound by competing loyalties.
[¶18] Other courts have also emphasized the potential for conflicting
loyalties in determining that no duty is owed by an attorney to beneficiaries of
a trust or estate. See Neal v. Baker, 551 N.E.2d 704, 706 (Ill. App. Ct. 1990);
Ferguson v. Cramer, 709 A.2d 1279, 1286 (Md. 1998); Spinner v. Nutt, 631
N.E.2d 542, 547 (Mass. 1994). In applying the fiduciary principles of trust law
to a durable power of attorney, a Delaware court observed that "[t]he common
law fiduciary relationship created by a durable power of attorney is regarded as
similar to the relationship created by a trust." Williams v. Spanagel, No. 14488,
2000 WL 1336728, at *4 (Del. Ch. May 2, 1999) (citing Schock v. Nash, 732 A.2d
217, 224-25 (Del. 1999)).
[¶19] Thus, the mere fact that the person holding the power of attorney
retains counsel does not create an attorney-client relationship between the
attorney and the grantor. However, the question presented is whether an
attorney-client relationship between the attorney and grantor can ever arise.
That question we must answer in the affirmative, because facts may develop in
particular cases that could support a finding that such an attorney-client
relationship between attorney and grantor has been created.
The entry is:
We answer question (A) in the affirmative.
We do not answer questions (B) and (C).
Attorneys for plaintiff:
Lee H. Bals, Esq. (orally)
Regan M. Hornney, Esq.
Marcus, Clegg & Mistretta, P.A.
100 Middle Street, East Tower
Portland, ME 04101-4102
Attorneys for defendants:
James M. Bowie, Esq. (orally)
Elizabeth Knox Peck, Esq.
Thompson & Bowie
P O Box 4630
Portland, ME 04112
FOOTNOTES******************************** {1} . Strout & Payson, P.A.
is also a listed defendant. {2} . 4 M.R.S.A. § 57 (Supp. 2000) provides,
in relevant part: When it appears to the Supreme Court of the United States,
or to any court of appeals or district court of the United States, that
there is involved in any proceeding before it one or more questions of law
of this State, which may be determinative of the cause, and there are no
clear controlling precedents in the decisions of the Supreme Judicial Court,
such federal court may certify any such questions of law of this State to
the Supreme Judicial Court for instructions concerning such questions of
state law, which certificate the Supreme Judicial Court sitting as the Law
Court may, by written opinion, answer. Rule of Appellate Procedure 25 provides
the procedural requirements for certification. {3} . The durable power of
attorney provided that Murray (called the "Principal") granted
to Kent (called the "Agent") the authority "to make decisions
about [his] money and property and to use it on [his] behalf." The
durable power of attorney bestowed upon Kent, the "Agent" and
"Attorney-in-Fact," authority over various aspects of Murray Keatinge's
life, both business and personal. For example, the power of attorney granted
Kent the following authority: (1) to expend income and principal for Murray's
support, care, or benefit; (2) to "open and close bank accounts, to
endorse checks for deposit, to write checks or to make withdrawals;"
(3) to "sign, execute, acknowledge and deliver on [Murray's] behalf
any deed of transfer or conveyance" with respect to Murray's interest
in any personal or real property; (4) to sell, exchange, assign or transfer
any shares of stock held in Murray Keatinge's name; (5) to "conduct,
engage in, and transact any and all lawful business of whatever nature or
kind" on behalf of Murray; and (6) to "create, declare or otherwise
establish revocable or irrevocable trusts for [Murray's] benefit or for
the benefit of such relatives, friends and charities as would likely be
the recipients of donation from [him]." {4} . 18-A M.R.S.A. §
5-506(a) (1998) provides, in pertinent part: "A durable health care
power of attorney is a durable power of attorney by which a principal designates
another as attorney-in-fact to make decisions on the principal's behalf
in matters concerning the principal's medical or health treatment and
care." (Emphasis added). 18-A M.R.S.A. § 5-508(a) (Supp. 2001)
provides, in pertinent part: "A durable financial power of attorney
is a durable power of attorney by which a principal designates another as
attorney-in-fact to make decisions on the principal's behalf in
matters concerning the principal's finances, property or both." (Emphasis
added). {5} . The situation here is distinct from the corporate setting,
in which the corporate entity peculiarly cannot hire an attorney on its
own. Specific guidelines have been developed to assist attorneys in such
situations. See Restatement (Third) of Law Governing Lawyers § 96 (1998).
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