Attorney John Hale Freeland's Legal Cases

Bankruptcy and debt

Freeland relieves victims of $5,748,785.35 in wrongful debt

Jan 15, 2020

OUTCOME: Bankruptcy Chapter 11 plan confirmed releiving debt and paying unsecured credtors 14%

The firm’s clients became the victim of bank fraud in which their names were forged on loan documents, the proceeds from which were used to help fund a multi-million-dollar check kiting scheme. Three o ... ther firms thought the case was a hopeless mess before the clients were referred to Freeland Martz. We subpoenaed the account records of the check kiters and, through a review of voluminous account records from various banks, revealed the kiting scheme. When the clients realized they had been unwittingly paying for an unlawful kiting scheme, they stopped making loan payments. They also began litigation with the various individuals and banks who the clients alleged had participated in the scheme. The bankruptcy court recently confirmed the client’s plan through which they will pay the legitimate claims not contested in the bankruptcy court, thus ending an extremely difficult chapter for this family.

Bankruptcy and debt

Freeland Martz Negotiates a Reduction for Bank’s claim against client by $226,223.62

Mar 20, 2019

OUTCOME: Reduced client liabilty by $226,223.62

The firm’s clients became the victim of a bank fraud and check kiting scheme in which their names were forged on loan documents as part of a multimillion-dollar check kiting scheme. The check kiters us ... ed the loan proceeds to support the kiting scheme which eventually collapsed. The kiters and financial institutions then sought the clients to cover the losses. Through a review of voluminous account records at various banks subpoenaed by Freeland Martz, the law firm discovered the kiting scheme. When the clients realized they had been unwittingly paying for an unlawful kiting scheme, they stopped making loan payments, and Freeland Martz began litigation with the check kiters and the various banks who the clients alleged activities participated in the scheme. Freeland Martz settled with five of the banks and recently settled with another bank that filed a claim against the client in the amount of $271,223.62. That Bank and the client agreed to settle for the one legitimate loan the client had signed in the amount of $45,000. The other loans were questionable on which the client’s signatures were alleged to have been forged. The settlement valued at $226,223.62 in debt forgiveness. Each party settled for their own reasons, and the bank denied liability for the claim. To date, the firm has helped the clients realize $8,297,399.93 in settlements of loan forgiveness and settlement proceeds paid to the clients. The firm and the clients worked together resolving these cases.

Bankruptcy and debt

Freeland Martz Negotiates a Reduction for Bank’s claim against client by $226,223.62

Mar 20, 2019

OUTCOME: Reduced client liabilty by $226,223.62

The firm’s clients became the victim of a bank fraud and check kiting scheme in which their names were forged on loan documents as part of a multimillion-dollar check kiting scheme. The check kiters us ... ed the loan proceeds to support the kiting scheme which eventually collapsed. The kiters and financial institutions then sought the clients to cover the losses. Through a review of voluminous account records at various banks subpoenaed by Freeland Martz, the law firm discovered the kiting scheme. When the clients realized they had been unwittingly paying for an unlawful kiting scheme, they stopped making loan payments, and Freeland Martz began litigation with the check kiters and the various banks who the clients alleged activities participated in the scheme. Freeland Martz settled with five of the banks and recently settled with another bank that filed a claim against the client in the amount of $271,223.62. That Bank and the client agreed to settle for the one legitimate loan the client had signed in the amount of $45,000. The other loans were questionable on which the client’s signatures were alleged to have been forged. The settlement valued at $226,223.62 in debt forgiveness. Each party settled for their own reasons, and the bank denied liability for the claim. To date, the firm has helped the clients realize $8,297,399.93 in settlements of loan forgiveness and settlement proceeds paid to the clients. The firm and the clients worked together resolving these cases.

Elder law

Freeland wins reversal of beneficiary designation ruling in U.S. Ct of Appeals

Feb 26, 2019

OUTCOME: Revsersal of Trail Court Judgement against clients

Hale Freeland argued a case before the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in February, and he and Beth Smith who both worked on the appeal prevailed. The firm represented a widow whose husband designa ... ted his side of the family as beneficiary of several assets before and after their marriage. The husband had later told the various financial institutions that he wanted to make his wife the beneficiary of those assets. The man’s children, whom he had supported as adults, had transferred some of his assets without their father’s knowledge, and had not seen their father for months prior to his death, objected to beneficiary designation change to his widow. As a result, the insurance company that held the assets paid the funds into Federal Court after his death to determine who was entitled to the funds. The Fifth Circuit reversed the trial court, which had decided the issue without a trial. The Court of Appeals held that the widow had presented evidence that the beneficiary designation was what the husband intended and not the product of undue influence. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the District Court, finding witness credibility issues for the lower court to revisit.

Elder law

Recovery for heirs after of fundconverted form their Mother

May 02, 2018

OUTCOME: Recovery of well over hundred thousand in assets for heirs

After a client’s Mother’s estate was opened the Executor began determining what assets the decedent his Mother had and found irregularities in accounts held in common, and not jointly with other her Br ... other. Before being appointed as his Mother’s executor, the son lacked access to the accounts which she failed to monitor as she lost the capacity to do so. Her funds were converted through the use of a power of attorney her brother had signed as the Brother and Sister began to lose the ability to keep up with their funds. The attorney in fact for the Brother took the funds held in the Brothers and Sister’s names for himself. Suit was filed in behalf of the Mother’s Estate and the firm was able to receiver over well hundred thousand dollars taken by the attorney in fact.

Bankruptcy and debt

To date, Freeland Martz obtains relief in the amount $6,475,190.29 for clients who were victims of scheme

Apr 10, 2018

OUTCOME: Settlements in the amount of $6,475,190.29 to date

Clients were victims of scheme in which the perpetrators of the scheme attempted to have the clients liable for the losses arising from a multimillion dollar check kiting scheme. The firm obtained the ... bank’s files from the perpetrators’ businesses through subpoena, brought the suits which challenged the transactions which were covered by the perpetrators of the scheme in questionable loans. Over the past few years Reed Martz and Hale Freeland negotiated a settlement of the claims with the financial institutions from within and outside of Mississippi. Each party settled for their own particular reasons and was recently approved by a federal court..

Debt and lending agreements

Freeland obtains court approval of $227,190.29 settlement dismissing questionable bank loan

Mar 08, 2018

OUTCOME: Case settled. Loan declared void andnot have to be paid.

Clients were victims of scheme which included the forgery of their signatures and an alleged check-kiting scheme in which the clients were unaware of at the time and the perpetrators of the scheme obta ... ined questionable loans in which they attempted to make the clients liable for the losses arising from the scheme. Hale Freeland obtained the bank’s files, challenged issues related to the underlying bank loans and transactions and brought the suit which challenged the loans and sought recovery of the clients' payment of those loans. Reed Martz and Hale Freeland negotiated a settlement of the claims with the financial institution which the court approved. Each party settled for their own particular reasons and was recently approved by a federal court.

Partnership

Freeland helps A Farmer Divide a Large Family Farm Operation

Feb 26, 2018

OUTCOME: Setteled before the case went to trial

Freeland represented one of the two families operated a large family farming operation for over twenty-five years. When his client aked his partner to add his name to the farm leases, his partner refu ... sed. At that point the parties decided to end the partnership and the other partner attempted to acquire the partnership leaseholds as he could. Faced with a difficult, and emotional situation, the farmer came to the firm and avoid to “every partner for himself” strategy imposed upon him. The firm filed suit to orderly wind down the partnership and allow both partners to distribute the Family Partnership equipment, income and other assets in a manner to avoid disrupting harvesting and planting seasons. The dispute was resolved without mediation and before it had to be tried in Court. The Firm’s client is farming still, probably better off, having obtained additional property to farm. He anticipates his son joining the operation in a year or two.

Probate

Freeland restores the inheritance to a wife and son

Jan 22, 2018

OUTCOME: Retsored inheritances of client through settlement the day of trial

A successful entrepreneur was diagnosed with cancer and died years ago. His daughter who worked with him opened his Estate which was supposed to go to the deceased husband’s wife, on and daughter since ... the husband left with no will. Rather than carry out the order closing her Father’s estate, the daughter got her mother, who had lost capacity, and she signed over all their property the daughter. The daughter cut timber on the property and “drained” equity in the business the Family was supposed to own together. After discovering what had occurred, the brother sought the help of the chancery court. Through a settlement a few days before trial, restored the inheritances which should have gone to the three husbands. Fortunately, there were sufficient assets, pressure from the court and counsel to accomplish the resolution coupled with a desire of the Family members to end the conflict and reconcile.

Elder law

Freeland helps widow maintain her independence and preserves multi-million dollar estate husband left for her.

Mar 22, 2017

OUTCOME: Settlement

As her husband’s health began to deteriorate, three of a couple’s four children sued them to gain control of their parent’s multi-million dollar estate, and tried to leave their mother with insufficien ... t funds to even pay her bills, maintain her small home or her modest lifestyle. The daughter who did not file suit brought the mother to our law firm for help. The Chancery Court appointed an independent conservator, secured the family's assets and obtained an adequate allowance for the wife. After the husband's death, the conflict was resolved, giving the widow the income and assets her husband intended for her.

John Hale Freeland's Legal Cases (17)

Freeland relieves victims of $5,748,785.35 in wrongful debt

Freeland Martz Negotiates a Reduction for Bank’s claim against client by $226,223.62

Freeland Martz Negotiates a Reduction for Bank’s claim against client by $226,223.62

Freeland wins reversal of beneficiary designation ruling in U.S. Ct of Appeals

Recovery for heirs after of fundconverted form their Mother

To date, Freeland Martz obtains relief in the amount $6,475,190.29 for clients who were victims of scheme

Freeland obtains court approval of $227,190.29 settlement dismissing questionable bank loan

Freeland helps A Farmer Divide a Large Family Farm Operation

Freeland restores the inheritance to a wife and son

Freeland helps widow maintain her independence and preserves multi-million dollar estate husband left for her.