A DeKalb County attorney suddenly died in 2013, and some clients are still having trouble gaining access to their settlement money they are owed from an escrow account. Georgia has no rules in place, which require attorneys to have succession plans if they die.

Monica Williams received a $12,000 settlement check from her insurance company after car accident. She says she needs the money to pay her medical bills her attorney, Isaac Ntuk, of DeKalb County, suddenly died on Dec. 31, 2013. Just day earlier, he deposited her check into an escrow account.

Since then, for nearly 20 months now, she’s been fighting to get the funds back.

“That’s my money he has in his account but the state does more to protect the deceased attorney account than protecting the clients,” Williams said.

She’s filed claims in DeKalb County magistrate court, and in DeKalb County Superior Court. Williams says the debt collectors from the doctor’s office are after her.

“It is very harassing, they call me weekly, daily,” Williams said.

She is not the only one. Records show there are four or five other clients with money that was transferred into Ntuk’s account, and is currently just sitting there.

“There are a lot of procedural rules that are in effect when it comes to these lawyers trust account,” said Bruce Hagen, a personal injury attorney.

Hagen explained that the State of Georgia does not require attorneys to have succession plans when they die.

“It is unfortunate that this particular lawyer didn’t and it’s a cautionary tale.  The bar could require lawyers to do that but right now the rules don’t require it,” Hagen explained

“The courts, the Supreme Court, the State Bar of Georgia someone should mandate some type of legislation to make succession plans in place,” said Williams