1 /5 Daren Maeda: If I could give Robert Ash a ZERO star review, I would. My mother (88 yrs of age) hired Robert Ash on September of 2015, after hearing his Estate and Medi-Cal planning seminar. She was very worried about my dad’s declining health. He had a couple of trips to the ER and rehab facilities after some falls. My mom was concerned she could not properly take care of him much longer. Having my dad Medi-Cal eligible would protect their modest assets and transitioning him into care would be less of a burden. My mom signed an agreement with Robert Ash on September 15, 2015 with a $10,000 up front retainer (a boiler-plate contract).
Shortly after signing the contract, my dad (92 yrs of age) had fallen again. He was taken to the ER and then transferred to a rehab facility for continued care. My mom was instructed to gather financial documents and bring them to Ash’s office for review. In early February of 2017, my father-in-law unexpected passed away. Ten days later, my mom was taken to the ER and hours later, suddenly passed away as well. My sister and I had to finish the work that my mom had started with Robert Ash’s office and my sister and I felt the need to expedite things to protect my dad and their finances.
I was instructed to meet with Richard Holiday (Ash’s partner) in Rocklin, CA on March 23rd. During the meeting, I was asked for another fee of $12,000. Richard Holiday indicated that this fee was part of the contract that my mom originally signed. Not thinking clearly, I issued the check but did ask for the paperwork documenting this fee agreement. Later that day, I emailed their offices with the same request. Tensions and problems began to occur with the rehab facility where my father was located and his health was deteriorating. During this period, several requests were made (both verbal and in writing) for my mom’s files and copies of their fee agreement – to no avail.
Fast forward – my sister and I had to hire another attorney to take corrective action against Robert Ash. The attorney had Robert Ash return the March check of $12,000 as there was no fee agreement signed by my mom. Retrieving those funds took months. The new attorney also asked for an accounting of the initial $10,000 retainer – that process too took months. A refund was issued for $2,053.75 (from the $10K). In examining the billable hours from Ash’s office, we noticed problems. Here are two examples:
• FOUR charged hours in August – the contract was signed by my mom in September.
• Over EIGHT charged hours of work done by office staff and/or the paralegal – billed at the same hourly rate of Robert Ash (e.g., answering my emails).
The protracted delays of Robert Ash returning my parent’s funds have led to this review. A complaint will be filed with the California State Bar and documentation submitted per the guidance of our new attorney.
