IN RE: Amber K. BOYD (2026)

Published Order Approving Statement of Circumstances and Conditional Agreement for Discipline

Pursuant to Indiana Admission and Discipline Rule 23(12.1)(b), the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission and Respondent have submitted for approval a “Statement of Circumstances and Conditional Agreement for Discipline” stipulating agreed facts and proposed discipline as summarized below.

Stipulated Facts: In 2021, Respondent opened a supervised estate on behalf of the estate's personal representative (“Client”). Respondent performed no substantial work in the matter for the next three years. During this period Respondent repeatedly failed to complete tasks as ordered by the probate court, failed to appear at several hearings, and failed to keep Client informed about the status of the case and the court's orders.

Client was placed at risk of being held in criminal contempt for failing to complete court-ordered tasks of which Respondent had failed to notify her, and a public defender was appointed to represent Client. Client was removed as personal representative and an independent special administrator had to be appointed at the estate's expense. Client ultimately was not held in contempt.

Over the course of the case, Respondent made several inaccurate, false, and irreconcilable statements to the probate court. She stated the estate's only asset was the decedent's house, even though the estate also included cars, personal property, and a bank account. Respondent falsely stated Client had not paid her, before eventually admitting she had. Respondent made conflicting assertions of illness in unsuccessful last-minute motions to continue a show-cause hearing that Respondent later contradicted, and she made misleading statements regarding the timing of a letter she sent to Client indicating her intent to withdraw from the case.

Respondent has no prior discipline, she has apologized to Client, and she has taken significant proactive steps to address factors that contributed to her misconduct.

Violations: The parties agree that Respondent violated these Indiana Professional Conduct Rules prohibiting the following misconduct:

1.3: Failing to act with reasonable diligence and promptness.

1.4(a): Failing to keep a client reasonably informed about the status of a matter and respond promptly to reasonable requests for information.

3.3: Knowingly making false statements of fact to a tribunal.

8.4(d): Engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.

Discipline: The Court, having considered the submission of the parties, now approves the following agreed discipline.

For Respondent's professional misconduct, the Court suspends Respondent from the practice of law for a period of 60 days, beginning on the date of this order, all stayed subject to completion of at least one year of probation. The Court incorporates by reference the terms and conditions of probation set forth in the parties’ Conditional Agreement, which include among other things:

(1) Respondent shall execute and comply with a Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program (JLAP) monitoring agreement, and shall execute a waiver of confidentiality permitting disclosure to the Commission of the monitoring agreement and any status reports regarding Respondent's JLAP participation, screening, and treatment;

(2) Respondent shall report in writing to the Commission, within 14 days, any failure to comply with the terms of probation; and

(3) If Respondent violates the terms of her probation, the stay of her suspension may be vacated and may be ordered actively served without automatic reinstatement.

Notwithstanding the expiration of the minimum term of probation set forth above, Respondent's probation shall remain in effect until it is terminated pursuant to a petition to terminate probation filed under Admission and Discipline Rule 23(16).

The costs of this proceeding are assessed against Respondent. Pursuant to the parties’ stipulation, the Court hereby orders Respondent to pay $265.90 by check made payable and transmitted to the Clerk of the Indiana Supreme Court. Upon receipt, the Clerk is directed to disburse those funds as follows: (1) $15.90, payable to the Commission as reimbursement for investigative expenses incurred; and (2) $250.00, payable to the Clerk for court costs. The expenses of the hearing officer will be submitted separately.

With the acceptance of this agreement, the hearing officer appointed in this case is discharged with the Court's appreciation.

All Justices concur.