Additional Information

T.R., a bi-racial girl, was approximately seven years old when her mother planned to file for divorce. Upon learning this, T.R.'s father came to the family home, shot and killed T.R.'s mother and brother, shot and injured T.R. and then, thinking that T.R. was dead, shot and killed himself. Andrew Benjamin served as guardian ad litem for T.R. to ascertain whether the minor should live with the mother's extended Caucasian family in a very small town in Eastern Washington or with her natural father's African-American family in Chicago. The case presented multiple layers of hostility, suspicion and uncertainty that required investigation and clarification. Through the efforts of the guardian ad litem, as well as the attorney and the extended family, the child was cared for, nurtured and counseled for several years in the security of her maternal uncle's home in Eastern Washington, after which she moved in with her father's family in Chicago.

Mr. Baird claimed that his assets that had been converted by his adult daughter. After citation of the daughter into the superior court commanding her to account for her actions, we were able to recover all of the funds and have them returned to Mr. Baird.

After a guardianship was established for Ruth Bennett, her daughters realized that their brother had converted virtually all of their mother's money while he was professing to care for her in the months prior to the guardianship. Mr. Bennett was cited to appear and show cause why a judgment should not be rendered against him. He responded by saying that the funds advanced by his mother were designed to meet some of his bills or were gifts. On the eve of trial in the King County Superior Court, Mr. Bennett declared bankruptcy. The guardianship then filed an adversary action to obtain a judgment in the bankruptcy court that would then be transferable to the State of Washington. The matter was tried without a jury in the bankruptcy court, and a judgment in favor of the guardianship was obtained for $132,886, attorney fees for $10,837.75 and costs of $929.15. The judgment was transferred to the State of Washington, and collection efforts were prosecuted on behalf of the guardianship. Ultimately, the guardian and her counsel, Mr. Benjamin, joined with the King County Prosecutor in prosecuting criminal charges against Mr. Bennett. The guardianship obtained full satisfaction of the civil judgment.