Appeal No. 120,033: In the Matter of the Estate of Thelma J. Taylor

Archived oral argument video

The Kansas Supreme Court today upheld a judgment ordering the executor of an estate to repay the amount of money taken from the estate and an additional penalty equal to the amount taken. Before a court case was opened in Atchison County District Court to administer the estate, the individual who would become the executor removed cash from a safe deposit box that belonged to the decedent. In a unanimous opinion written by Justice Dan Biles, the Supreme Court held the Kansas statute requiring the penalty when property is taken from a decedent did not contain an exception for property taken before estate proceedings began.

Appeal No. 122,332: In the Matter of Amy J. Ahrens, Respondent

Archived oral argument video

The Kansas Supreme Court today indefinitely suspended Ahrens from the practice of law for violations of Kansas Rules of Professional Conduct (KRPC) 8.l(b) (failure to cooperate with disciplinary authority), KRPC 8.4(c) (dishonest conduct), KRPC 8.4(d) (conduct prejudicial to administration of justice), KRPC 8.4(g) (conduct adversely reflecting on respondent's fitness to practice law), and Kansas Supreme Court Rule 207(b) (cooperation). The suspension is effective December 20, 2019.