THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, May 1, 1996 TAG: 9605010384
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARC DAVIS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
The State Bar has reprimanded lawyer George E. Talbot Jr. for notarizing an elderly woman's will in which Talbot's wife was the sole beneficiary of a $200,000 estate.
The bar imposed a public reprimand on Talbot and ordered him to attend six hours of classes on ethics, trusts and estates.
Talbot, 51, was the Republican candidate for Circuit Court clerk in November. He was defeated by incumbent Walter M. ``Square'' Edmonds.
On Tuesday, Talbot said he did not dispute the facts behind the bar's action. ``I drew up a will for a client that left the estate to my wife,'' Talbot said. ``It was simply a mistake that was made and the bar has taken what it considers an appropriate action.''
The bar's district committee acted after an April 4 hearing. The committee announced its decision Tuesday. According to the committee's decision:
Talbot had represented an elderly Chesapeake woman for many years before her death in January 1995. Over the years, the woman changed her will several times, naming different executors and beneficiaries. Talbot prepared these wills and helped the woman execute them.
In July 1994, Talbot prepared and notarized the final will, which the woman executed in her home when her health was deteriorating and she was confined to her bed.
The last will named Talbot's wife as executor and sole beneficiary. The will was filed in Chesapeake Circuit Court soon after the woman died. The estate was valued at more than $200,000.
The bar found that Talbot violated a state law prohibiting notaries from acting on documents that directly benefit them or their spouses. The bar also said Talbot violated two disciplinary rules, including one that prohibits lawyers from preparing documents that give them or family members gifts from clients unless the client is a relative. Talbot is not related to the dead woman.
The will was not contested, and the estate has been closed. by CNB