Birts et al v. Estate Plan Inc.,

Filing 39

ORDER granting 34 Motion for Default Judgment against The Estate Plan, Inc., awarding monetary damages as set forth in Order. Signed by Honorable Harry F. Barnes on March 16, 2009. (cap)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT WESTERN DISTRICT OF ARKANSAS TEXARKANA DIVISION JAMES P. BIRTS, NATE S. ORBEN, ) and DARLENE M. ORBEN, Individually, and ) as Representatives of Others Similarly Situated ) ) PLAINTIFFS ) ) vs. ) ) THE ESTATE PLAN, INC. ) ) DEFENDANTS )

Case 4:08-cv-04047-HFB

ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFFS' MOTION FOR DEFAULT JUDGMENT AGAINST THE ESTATE PLAN, INC.

CAME ON TO BE CONSIDERED THIS DAY Plaintiffs' Motion for Default Judgment Against The Estate Plan, Inc. The Court held a hearing on March 6, 2009, that addressed Plaintiffs' Motion for Default Judgment. After reviewing the motion and evidence in Plaintiffs' Complaint, and hearing arguments of counsel, the Court is of the opinion that the motion is well taken and should be GRANTED. Therefore, it is hereby ORDERED that Plaintiffs' Motion for Default Judgment Against The Estate Plan, Inc. is GRANTED. Further, it is ORDERED that the following monetary damages are awarded to the Class of consumers domiciled or residing in the states of Arkansas and Texas who purchased living trust documents from The Estate Plan, or any of their affiliates or agents, from January 1, 1998 to the date of class certification: 1. 2. Compensatory damages in the amount of $2,501,400.00; Exemplary damages in the amount of $10,005,600.00;

3. common fund; 4. 5.

Attorneys fees in the amount of $4,169,000.00 to be awarded out of the

Non-taxable costs pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 23; and Post-judgment interest as specified by 28 U.S.C. § 1961.

Finally, it is also ORDERED that The Estate Plan, Inc. shall immediately: 1. Cease all presentations or meetings where legal advice is given without

the presence of a licensed attorney; 2. Clearly explain in every presentation and meeting with senior consumers

that the living trust is unnecessary to avoid estate taxes due to the federal estate tax exemption amounts; 3. Clearly state in every presentation and meeting with senior consumers the

exemption amounts and the fact that estate taxes may disappear entirely; 4. practices; 5. 6. Notify members of the Class as to the presence of potential restitution; and Cease the production and sale of living trust documents which contain the Undertake a public campaign to inform the general public about their prior

misrepresentations and omissions Plaintiffs complain of. SIGNED this 16th day of March, 2009.

/s/ Harry F. Barnes Hon. Harry F. Barnes U.S. District Court

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