weyant-72616.pdf (2024)
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IN DISCIPLINARY DISTRICT V
OF THE
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE
SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE
IN RE: Joseph P. Weyant, #022587 FILE No. 72616-5-ES
Respondent, an attorney licensed
to practice law in Tennessee
____________________________________________________________________________
PUBLIC CENSURE
____________________________________________________________________________
The above complaint was filed against Joseph P. Weyant, an attorney licensed to practice
law in Tennessee, alleging certain acts of misconduct. Pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 9, the Board
of Professional Responsibility considered this matter at its meeting on December 8, 2023.
Respondent was hired to file a petition to probate a clientâs late fiancéâs estate. At the time
the fiancé died, the fiancé was a beneficiary of his motherâs estate, and it was anticipated that he
would receive a distribution from that estate. Respondent filed a petition to probate the clientâs
fiancéâs estate, and then eight months later, he asked the client to verify a petition to close the
fiancéâs estate. At that time, no distribution had been made from the fiancéâs motherâs estate. The
client signed the petition to close the estate, but she did not understand what she was signing.
Respondent closed the fiancéâs estate. Respondent then terminated the representation with the
client. The client hired another attorney to reopen the late fiancéâs estate and paid that attorney
fees of $3,102. After the fiancéâs estate was reopened, it received the distribution from the fiancéâs
motherâs estate.
By the aforementioned acts, Joseph P. Weyant, is in violation of Rules of Professional
Conduct 1.1 (competence), 1.3 (diligence), 1.4 (communication), and 8.4(d) (prejudice to the
administration of justice) and is hereby Publicly Censured for these violations with the condition
that he make restitution to the client of $3,102 within 90 days.
FOR THE BOARD OF
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
_______________________________
Jennifer S. Hagerman, Chair
January 26, 2024
_______________________________
Date
2