Reviews

In the wake of my mother’s death, I was the victim of a confidence game. I filed a complaint to the CA State Bar Association on October 9, 2022 regarding Mr. Hyatt. On their Attorney Misconduct Complaint Form, I checked yes to the following questions: Does this complaint involve allegations that the attorney has abandoned a client? Does this complaint involve theft? On May 2, 2023, the CA State Bar, Office of General Counsel, requested my assent to have an attorney review my complaint. I consented. In our initial conversation, Mr. Hyatt stated that he would represent me, for $2,000.00, to submit a Probate Petition (DE-111) to the Sacramento Superior Court on my behalf and attend court hearings. Citing me as the petitioner, the Petition would request my choice of a professional fiduciary (PF) to serve as the administrator for my late mother’s estate. The Petition Mr. Hyatt filed with the court never included my name as the petitioner. The PF was named the petitioner. The PF, as the petitioner, requested that he be the administrator. The Petition was signed by Mr. Hyatt and the PF. Prior to the first hearing, when the judge would make a determination based upon said Petition, Mr. Hyatt emailed, to me, two signed contracts which stated that the PF was the administrator of the estate: Probate Service Agreement and Conflict Waiver. The Probate Service Agreement stated that the PF had given Mr. Hyatt $2,000.00, not me. At that hearing, no decision was rendered and a second hearing was scheduled. Mr. Hyatt informed me that the second hearing had been cancelled. He requested that we initiate a new contract whereby he would retain the remaining funds plus a request for me to send additional funds. I discovered that the second hearing had not been cancelled and declined. I listened to the hearing telephonically. Unbeknownst to me, Mr. Hyatt withdrew the Petition. I was never reimbursed and had to hire another attorney.